Study in Russia or in Italy?
Italy appeals to more and more Tunisian school-leavers, particularly for medicine taught in English. Fees there are often modest, sometimes nil. But everything hinges on a national entrance exam, and on an administrative chain — pre-enrolment, declaration of value, proof of household income — that is best understood before committing.
The comparison, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Russia | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition | From €2,200 to €3,500 depending on the programme, the same rate for everyone | Calculated on household income at public universities: from very low to a few thousand euros |
| Selection method in medicine | Admission on school record, with no entrance competition | A highly selective national entrance exam, with a strictly capped number of places |
| Language of instruction | Russian after a built-in preparatory year, or English depending on the programme | Italian for most programmes; a few English-taught tracks, in very high demand |
| Prior formalities | Application sent to the university, then invitation letter and visa | Compulsory online pre-enrolment, declaration of value for your diploma and proof of household income |
| Accommodation | University dormitory booked in advance, €30 to €90 per month | Limited hall places allocated on social criteria, otherwise a tight private market |
| Monthly cost of living | From €140 to €260 depending on the city | Noticeably higher, with wide gaps between the North and the South |
| Degree recognition | Russian state degree, with an established equivalence procedure in Tunisia | Italian degree, very widely recognised across Europe |
The Russian figures are those charged by our partner universities. On the Italian side, fees depend on each university income scale and exam arrangements change from year to year: check with the university you are targeting and with the Italian consulate before making any decision.
Where Italy remains the better choice
- • If your family income is modest, the Italian scale can bring fees down to almost nothing
- • If you are aiming for the European Union, an Italian degree moves freely there
- • If you have the level and the time to prepare seriously for the entrance exam
- • If a medical programme taught in English matches your project exactly
Where Russia has the edge
- ✓ No entrance exam: your final school year is not decided by a single test
- ✓ A stated, fixed rate, with no income file to assemble and no scale to decipher
- ✓ Guaranteed university accommodation, with no social criteria and no waiting list
- ✓ A markedly lower cost of living for the whole duration of the programme
- ✓ A February session, which the Italian calendar does not offer
How to decide
It all comes down to how you feel about the exam. If you perform well on multiple-choice tests and accept the risk of not making the ranking, Italy offers excellent value. If you would rather secure your place than stake it on one morning, Russia is the rational choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance exam for medicine in Russia?
No, not at our partner universities. Admission rests on your school record. Selection still exists, but it shifts to passing the examinations during the programme.
What is the declaration of value?
It is a document issued by the Italian diplomatic mission certifying the standing of your Tunisian diploma within the Italian system. The Russian equivalence procedure is separate and is handled after graduation, not before enrolment.
Are Italian fees really based on income?
Yes at public universities, through a statement of the household economic situation. The scale differs between institutions: ask the university you are targeting rather than relying on a national average.