Italy vs UK: Which is a Better Study-Abroad Destination in 2024?

Italy and the UK are among the most popular study-abroad destinations due to their long track record of academic excellence. If you are struggling with choosing between these two countries to pursue your education, you are at the right place. In this blog, we will hold an Italy vs UK contest. We will compare these nations based on various factors and award +2 points to the one which is better in terms of a particular factor. Towards the end of this blog, we will tally the total scores of both countries and the one with the higher score will be deemed a better study-abroad destination. 

Parameters	Italy	UK
Area	301,340 KM²	209,331 KM²
Currency	Euro (€)	Pound Sterling (£)
Capital	Rome	London
Total Higher Education Providers	97	295
Total Indian Students Studying	5,897	120,000
Average Cost of Living	€1,600 Per Month	£919 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	€400 to €4,000 Per Year	£10,000 to £38,000 Per Year
Popular Job Sectors	Marketing, Healthcare, IT, Banking, engineering, and education	Accounting, Business, Banking and Finance, Consulting and Management, Creative Arts and Design, and Energy and utilities.
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	20 Hours	20 Hours Per Week

Top-Ranked Universities: Italy vs UK

Both Italy and the UK house some of the most prestigious universities in the world that have a great reputation for offering world-class education. Let’s look at these top-ranked institutes below: 

Universities in Italy

Have a look at some of the top universities in  Italy:

Top Universities in  Italy	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Sapienza University of Rome	=134	181
Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna	=154	=155
University of Padua	219	201–250
University of Milan	=276	351–400
University of Naples Federico II	335	351–400
University of Pisa	=349	401–500
University of Turin	=364	401–500
University of Trento	=429	351–400
University of Florence	=358	351–400
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart	=505	301-350

Universities in the UK

Here are some of the best universities in the UK:

Top Universities in the UK	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
University of Cambridge	2	5
University of Oxford	3	1
Imperial College London	6	10
UCL (University College London)	9	22
The University of Edinburgh	22	29
University of Manchester	32	54
King’s College London, University of London	40	35
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London	45	37
University of Bristol	55	76
University of Warwick	67	104
University of Leeds	75	128
University of Glasgow	76	82
Durham University	78	198
University of Southampton	81	108
University of Birmingham	84	108
University of St Andrews	95	201–250
University of Nottingham	100	130
University of Sheffield	104	114t
Newcastle University	110	139
Lancaster University	122	122

Which Country is Better?

The above tables show that the universities in the UK are ranked higher than the universities in Italy. Hence, we will award +2 points to the UK in this round of Italy vs UK. 

Also Read: Cost of Living in Italy

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are an important consideration that you need to factor in before applying to a university in your desired country. So, in this section, we will compare Italy and the UK based on their admission criteria. 

Admission Requirements For Italy

Here are the requirements for gaining admission to a university in Italy:

• You must be over 17 years old and have graduated from high school.
• Moreover, you need to submit the documents mentioned below during your admission process:

1. Proof of financial resources
2. High school diploma or equivalent transcripts for undergraduate programs
3. Proof of admission to an Italian university
4. A valid passport
5. Language proficiency test scores (IELTS)
6. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent transcripts for graduate programs
7. Statement of purpose
8. Curriculum vitae (CV)
9. Medical certificate and health insurance
10. Letters of recommendation

Admission Requirements For UK

Here are the admission criteria for the UK universities:

• The students need to score 6.5 on IELTS, 54+ on PTE, 70-100 on TOEFL, and 105-120 on the Duolingo Test. 
• The applicants should be able to submit these documents:

1. ID proof
2. A valid passport
3. Academic transcripts
4. Proof of funds and other bank statements 
5. Statement of Purpose
6. Letters of recommendation
7. English language proficiency scores
8. Other exam scores, if any
9. CV/ Resume
10. Portfolio (if applicable)
11. The students are also required to apply for the Tier 4 student visa

• The students need to have a minimum of 65% mark in their Class 12 examination. 

Which Country is Better?

Getting admission into a university in Italy is easier than in the UK. Hence, we will grant +2 points to Italy in this round of Italy vs UK. 

Tuition Fees

Education costs are another major factor you need to consider while choosing a study destination. The tuition fees in Italy and the UK are given below: 

Tuition Fees in Italy

According to the websites of the universities in Italy, the average annual tuition fees in the country are as follows: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€900 – €4,000
Postgraduate	€400 – €3,500
Doctoral	€1,500

Tuition Fees in the UK

According to the websites of the universities in the UK, the average annual tuition fees in the nation are as follows: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	£8,000 – £30,000
Postgraduate	£12,000
Doctoral	£20,000 – £50,000

Which Country is Better?

The above comparison shows that the tuition fees in Italy are lower than the tuition fees in the UK. Hence, we will give +2 points to Italy in this round of Italy vs UK. 

Living Expenses

In this section, we will discuss the average cost of living in Italy and the UK. The living expenses in both countries are given below. 

Cost of Living in Italy

The living expenses in Italy according to Numbeo are given in the table below: 

Monthly Rent	€581.36 to €1,438.80
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€2,605.39 to €4,346.36
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) for Transportation	€35.00
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€238.94

Cost of Living in the UK

The cost of living in the UK according to Numbeo is given below: 

Monthly Rent	£723.47 – £1,606.95
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	£3,333.25 – £4,456.38
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	£15
Average Transportation Cost	£67.9
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	£252.75

Which Country is Better?

The cost of living in Italy is lower than in the UK. As a result, Italy will receive +2 points in this round of Italy vs UK. 

Also Read: PhD in Italy

Work Permit and PR

If you seek to find employment after graduation and eventually settle abroad, then don’t skip this section. Here, we will discuss the ease of obtaining a work permit and PR in Italy and the UK. 

Work Permit in Italy

Here’s how a work permit is granted in Italy:

Eligibility Requirements for a Work Permit in Italy:

When applying for an Italy work permit, you need to have a set of supporting documents that are necessary for an Italian visa application.

Here are some of the documents you need to submit during your application process: 

1. Copy of your signed work contract,
2. Completed Italian Long-Stay Visa Application form,
3. The original and a copy of your Nulla Osta,
4. Passport pictures are in line with Italy visa photo requirements,
5. Passport with at least two blank pages, valid for at least three months after the duration of your visa,
6. Proof of sufficient financial means,
7. Proof of accommodation in Italy,
8. Proof of paid visa fee, and
9. Diplomas/other certificates.

Application Process for a Work Permit in Italy:

You have to first find employment in Italy. After that, your employer will apply for a work permit at the immigration office in their respective Italian province. Then, you will have to submit the documents mentioned above to your employer. 

The processing of the Italian work permit usually takes about 30 days. 

PR in Italy

You can apply for a permanent residency in Italy after five years of legal stay. Moreover, you need to present a clean criminal record and have sufficient income to support yourself and any dependents. 

Work Permit in the UK

Here is how one obtains a work permit in the UK: 

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in the UK

You can directly get a work permit from the UK. Your employer in the UK needs to apply for a work permit on your behalf. 

To obtain a work permit in the UK, you are required to have the following documents:

• Passport & travel history,
• Certificate of Sponsorship,
• English Language Proficiency, 
• UK Job details,
• Educational and business credentials, and 
• Evidence you are located outside the UK & employed by a non-UK-based company.

Apply for a Work Permit in the UK

The UK work visa is made for highly skilled and qualified foreign workers who can give their contribution to the country’s economic growth and productivity. This visa category is accessible to exceptional talent, investors, and entrepreneurs. 

This category covers professions of:

• Doctors (Physicians);
• Engineers;
• IT specialists;
• Entrepreneurs;
• Scientists;
• Finance experts;
• Innovators;
• Other

You normally receive a decision on your work visa within 3 weeks of applying. 

PR in the UK

PR is also called the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom. In most cases, you need to continuously reside in the UK for at least 5 years before you apply for UK permanent residency. However, bear in mind that the length of time to obtain UK PR status is determined by the kind of UK visa you hold.

Which Country is Better?

The process of obtaining a work permit and PR is straightforward in the case of both Italy and the UK. Hence, both Italy and the UK will get +2 points in this round of Italy vs UK. 

Average Salaries: Italy vs UK

The average annual salary in Italy is about €31,500, while it is £34,963 in the UK, according to Statista. 

Which Country is Better?

The average salary in the UK is more than in Italy, and henceforth, we will award +2 points to the UK in this round of Italy vs UK. 

Also Read: Study at Universities in London Without IELTS

Other Major Elements

There are some other major elements you need to consider while choosing your study-abroad destination. So, let’s compare Italy and the UK based on these factors: 

Climate

Italy has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Coming to the UK, the country is known for being chilly, dreary, and rainy. 

Safety

The crime levels in Italy are usually low and serious crimes like murder are rare in the country. The UK is also a very safe nation. While some parts are reportedly dangerous, the country is safe for the most part.

Culture for International Students

Italy has a unique culture that may be very distinct from what students are used to in their country of residence. For instance, Italians can have different social norms and customs, such as eating late dinners, greeting with kisses on the cheek, and taking long breaks in the middle of the day.

Conclusion

After tallying the total scores of Italy and the UK, we find that Italy has scored 8 points, while the UK has received 6 points. So, Italy has won this contest. However, please keep in mind that both countries are excellent study-abroad destinations and your choice depends on numerous factors like budget, goals, personal preferences, and more. 

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FAQs

So, this was all about Italy vs UK. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.