The Ferrara University Scholarship generally refers to scholarship and student-support opportunities available to students attending the University of Ferrara in Italy, particularly the regional ER.GO scholarship.
Support can include financial assistance, tuition-related benefits, accommodation and meals, depending on eligibility and the applicable student-support scheme.
For international students, the process involves two related but distinct stages: obtaining admission to an eligible University of Ferrara degree programme and applying separately for available scholarship or student-support benefits.
Academic admission does not automatically mean that a student has been awarded a scholarship.
Brief Description
- University: University of Ferrara, Italy
- Main regional scholarship provider: ER.GO – Regional Agency for the Right to Higher Education
- Study levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s and eligible higher-education programmes
- Eligible students: Italian, EU and qualifying international students, subject to the relevant rules
- Financial basis: Academic merit and economic circumstances are considered according to the applicable scheme
- International applicants: Foreign qualifications must satisfy University of Ferrara admission requirements
- Tuition support: Eligible students may receive tuition exemption or reduction
- Additional support: Student accommodation and meal services may be available through ER.GO
- Language support: The University Language Centre offers Italian courses for international students
- Application route: University admission and scholarship applications are handled through separate procedures.
About the University
The University of Ferrara is a historic public university in Ferrara, Italy, offering a broad academic portfolio across science, technology, medicine, humanities, law, architecture and economics.
It currently reports 13 departments, almost 70 study programmes and more than 28,000 enrolled students.
The university has an international academic environment, with more than 1,000 international students, more than 300 exchange students hosted annually and hundreds of mobility agreements.
It also offers degree programmes and courses taught in English.
Students can use university services such as international student support, academic departments, research facilities and the University Language Centre.
The Language Centre provides Italian courses for foreign students and language-related services, including Oxford Test of English certification.
About Ferrara University Scholarship
- The main need-based scholarship opportunity is associated with ER.GO, the Emilia-Romagna regional agency for higher-education support.
- University of Ferrara students can apply for ER.GO scholarships and related benefits when they meet the applicable conditions.
- International students may qualify under specific economic, academic and residency-related rules.
- Students whose family income or assets are held abroad must provide the required financial documentation from the relevant authorities.
- Foreign financial documents generally need appropriate Italian translation and legalisation or apostille, according to the applicable rules.
- Scholarship eligibility is separate from academic admission to the University of Ferrara.
- Students who do not qualify for a scholarship may still be able to request applicable tuition-fee reductions.
- Additional grants may be available from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent authorities in students’ home countries.
Fields of Study
The University of Ferrara offers programmes across a wide range of academic areas, including:
- Architecture
- Design
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Sciences
- Medicine and Surgery
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Physiotherapy
- Dietetics
- Medical Laboratory Techniques
- Medical Radiology Techniques
- Health Professions
- Motor Sciences
- Rehabilitation Sciences
- Economics
- Management
- Business
- Law
- Legal Services
- Humanities
- Languages and Literature
- Cultural Heritage
- Education
- International and European studies
- Sustainable development and green economy
- Translational medicine
- Biomedical sciences
- Research and doctoral studies
The exact programme list and language of instruction can change by academic year, so applicants should verify the specific programme in the University of Ferrara academic catalogue before applying.
The university currently reports almost 70 study programmes, including six degree courses entirely in English.
Target Group
- International students with foreign secondary-school qualifications
- International students with foreign bachelor’s degrees
- EU students
- Non-EU students
- Students already enrolled at the University of Ferrara
- Students applying for Bachelor’s degree programmes
- Students applying for Master’s degree programmes
- Students applying for Single-Cycle Master’s degree programmes
- Students who meet the applicable economic requirements
- Students who satisfy the academic and merit conditions of the relevant scholarship scheme
Scholarship Benefits
- Financial support based on the applicable ER.GO scholarship rules
- Possible exemption or reduction of university tuition fees
- Access to student accommodation benefits where awarded or available
- Access to subsidised university meal services
- Support connected with the Italian regional right-to-study system
- Potential additional student services linked to ER.GO benefits
- Possibility of receiving support based on documented family economic circumstances
- Financial assessment mechanisms specifically available for international students
- Access to university language-learning opportunities
- Italian language courses for foreign students through the University Language Centre
- English-language study opportunities in selected degree programmes
- Language certification opportunities through the University Language Centre.
The exact monetary amount, accommodation allocation, meal benefits and fee treatment depend on the applicable ER.GO call, the student’s status and eligibility.
They should not be treated as automatic benefits for every University of Ferrara student.
Ferrara University Scholarship Duration
- Bachelor’s degree: normally 3 academic years, subject to continued enrolment and the conditions for maintaining student benefits.
- Master’s degree: normally 2 academic years, subject to continued eligibility.
- Single-Cycle Master’s degree: normally 5 or 6 years depending on the programme.
- PhD: normally follows the duration specified by the individual doctoral programme and its scholarship regulations.
- Other postgraduate programmes: duration varies according to the individual programme and funding scheme.
Scholarship continuation is not simply determined by the standard degree length; students must continue to satisfy the relevant academic and administrative requirements.
Ferrara University Scholarship Requirements
Applicants must first satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen University of Ferrara programme and then meet the specific economic, academic and administrative requirements of the relevant scholarship scheme.
International applicants with income or assets abroad must pay particular attention to the documentation rules used to assess their economic situation.
- Admission eligibility for the selected University of Ferrara programme
- Valid educational qualification appropriate to the chosen degree
- Required academic credits or subject background for Master’s admission, where applicable
- Required language proficiency
- Satisfactory academic progress for continuing students
- Compliance with the applicable ER.GO economic requirements
- ISEE and ISPE within the applicable limits where required
- Correct documentation of foreign income and assets
- Official translations of relevant foreign financial documents
- Legalisation or apostille where required
- Valid identity document or passport
- Correct enrolment status
- Compliance with scholarship application procedures
- Compliance with any programme-specific admission test or selection requirements
ER.GO states that both ISEE and ISPE must fall within the thresholds established in the applicable call for applications.
For international students with income or assets entirely abroad, ER.GO uses documentation issued by the competent authorities in the country of origin.
Admission Requirements by Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
- A secondary-school qualification that gives access to higher education in the country where it was obtained
- Normally at least 12 years of schooling in the relevant education system
- Legalised foreign qualification and official Italian translation where required
- Proof of language knowledge required by the selected programme
- Admission test where the programme has restricted access
- Additional national academic-selection certificate where required for the applicant’s country
- Passport or valid identity document
- Any programme-specific documentation requested by the university.
Master’s Degree
- A recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent foreign academic qualification
- Academic transcript
- Detailed syllabus or Diploma Supplement where applicable
- Academic background compatible with the selected Master’s programme
- Required language qualification
- Legalised and translated academic documents where required
- Additional academic assessment where required by the department
- Passport or valid identity document
- Any programme-specific documents requested by the selected course.
Single-Cycle Master’s Degree
- Secondary-school qualification giving access to higher education
- Required number of years of previous schooling
- Legalised and translated qualification where required
- Required language proficiency
- Admission test for programmes subject to restricted access
- Any additional qualification or selection requirement specified by the programme
- Passport or valid identity document
- Any programme-specific documents requested by the university.
PhD
- Relevant higher-education qualification required by the doctoral programme
- Academic documentation requested in the individual PhD call
- Academic transcript where required
- Research proposal or other selection material where required
- Language proficiency where specified
- Successful completion of the programme’s selection procedure
- Passport or identity document for international applicants
- Any additional documents requested by the PhD programme
Application Instructions
Step 1: Choose a Degree Programme
- Visit the University of Ferrara academic offer.
- Select a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Single-Cycle Master’s programme.
- Check the programme’s language of instruction.
- Review the specific academic and admission requirements.
- Check whether the programme has restricted access or an admission test.
Step 2: Prepare Your Academic Documents
- Prepare your secondary-school diploma for Bachelor’s admission.
- Prepare your bachelor’s degree and transcript for Master’s admission.
- Prepare the relevant syllabus or Diploma Supplement when required.
- Arrange official translations into Italian where required.
- Arrange legalisation or apostille according to the applicable rules.
- Obtain additional qualification-comparability documentation if requested by the university.
Step 3: Create an Application Account
- Open the University of Ferrara’s online application platform.
- Create your personal account.
- Select the appropriate degree programme.
- Enter your personal and educational information accurately.
- Upload the required academic documents.
- Complete the required application information.
- Pay the applicable application fee where required.
Step 4: Complete the Admission Procedure
- Submit the completed University of Ferrara application.
- Complete any required academic evaluation.
- Take an admission test if required.
- Complete the required language assessment if applicable.
- Monitor your application account and university communications.
- Provide additional documents if requested by the university.
Step 5: Complete Universitaly Procedures if Required
- Non-EU students living outside Italy normally need to use the Universitaly platform for pre-enrolment and study-visa procedures.
- Create the required Universitaly account.
- Select the University of Ferrara and the approved degree programme.
- Submit the required pre-enrolment information.
- Follow the instructions of the relevant Italian diplomatic or consular authority.
Step 6: Apply for Scholarship Benefits
- Check the ER.GO scholarship and student-benefit information.
- Create or access the relevant ER.GO application account.
- Select the University of Ferrara as your institution.
- Complete the economic information requested from international applicants.
- Upload the required foreign income and asset documentation.
- Provide translations and legalisation or apostille where required.
- Complete the scholarship application separately from the university admission application.
Step 7: Complete Enrolment
- Follow the university’s instructions after receiving admission.
- Present original qualifications when requested.
- Complete the required document verification.
- Provide your passport or identity document.
- Non-EU students should provide their residence-permit documentation or application receipt when required.
- Complete any remaining enrolment formalities.
Documents Required for Registration
- Passport or valid identity document
- Secondary-school diploma
- Official Italian translation of the diploma, where required
- Legalisation or apostille, where required
- Bachelor’s degree certificate for Master’s admission
- Bachelor’s academic transcript for Master’s admission
- Course syllabus or Diploma Supplement
- Proof of language proficiency
- Admission-test documentation, where applicable
- Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA documentation, when requested
- Universitaly pre-enrolment documentation, where applicable
- Residence permit or application receipt for non-EU students
- Passport-size photograph where required
- ER.GO economic-status documentation
- Foreign income certificates
- Foreign property and asset certificates
- Family-status documentation
- Italian translations and legalisations of ER.GO financial documents where required.
Important Tips
- Check the exact requirements of your chosen degree before preparing documents.
- Keep your name consistent across all certificates and passport documents.
- Start legalisation and translation procedures early.
- Check whether your programme requires an admission test.
- Confirm the language of instruction before applying.
- Keep digital copies of every submitted document.
- Do not confuse university admission with scholarship application.
- Prepare foreign financial documents according to ER.GO requirements.
- Check your application portals regularly for messages.
- Keep original documents available for verification after arrival.
Conclusion
The Ferrara University Scholarship can provide an important route to financial and student-support benefits for eligible students studying at the University of Ferrara.
International applicants should treat admission and scholarship applications as separate processes and carefully satisfy both the academic requirements of the university and the economic and administrative requirements of ER.GO.
Students should also remember that scholarship amounts, benefit types and eligibility conditions can change according to the applicable academic-year rules.
The University of Ferrara and ER.GO should therefore be consulted for the conditions that apply when an application is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ferrara University Scholarship fully funded?
The term can refer to different forms of financial support.
ER.GO scholarships may combine financial assistance with benefits such as tuition-related support, accommodation or meals, depending on the student’s eligibility and the applicable rules.
Can international students apply for the Ferrara University Scholarship?
Yes.
International students can apply for ER.GO benefits when they satisfy the applicable academic, economic and administrative requirements.
Students with income or assets abroad must provide the required documentation from the relevant authorities.
Do I need admission to the University of Ferrara before applying for a scholarship?
The scholarship and university-admission procedures are separate.
Students should establish eligibility for their chosen degree programme and follow the applicable scholarship procedure independently.
Does the scholarship cover tuition fees?
Eligible students may receive tuition exemption or reduction, but the exact treatment depends on the applicable student-support rules and the student’s circumstances.
Does the scholarship include accommodation?
Accommodation support can be available through ER.GO, but allocation is subject to the applicable rules and availability.
It should not be assumed that every scholarship recipient automatically receives a room.
Does the University of Ferrara offer language courses?
Yes.
The University Language Centre offers Italian courses for international students and also provides English-language services and language certification opportunities.
Do non-EU students need an Italian language test?
For Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes taught in Italian, non-EU students may be required to demonstrate the required Italian-language competence.
Courses entirely held in English are excluded from this particular Italian-language test requirement.
Can I apply for a Master’s degree with a foreign bachelor’s degree?
Yes, provided the foreign qualification satisfies the requirements of the selected Master’s programme.
The university evaluates the qualification, academic credits, study background and other relevant requirements.
Are foreign financial documents required for ER.GO?
International students whose income or assets are held abroad generally need to provide documentation issued by the competent authorities in their country of origin, with the required translation and legalisation or apostille.
Is the scholarship automatically awarded after university admission?
No.
Admission to the University of Ferrara and eligibility for scholarship benefits are separate matters.
Students must complete the applicable scholarship procedure and satisfy its requirements.