For Undergraduate Students
Studying in Italy can be a very rewarding experience and we aim to assist our students in taking advantage of the growing opportunities for academic travel to Italy.
Our primary goal is to aid students of Italian in making decisions about study abroad programs and institutions, the coursework and opportunities they offer, and ultimately, the kind of study abroad experience they would like to have!
We encourage Italian majors and minors interested in studying in Italy to use all the research tools at their disposal: our Study Abroad Guide and our FAQ pages for basic information, peer information sessions and feedback of all kinds, catalogues and brochures, and most of all, consultation with the Study Abroad Advisors.
We also strongly recommend that you visit the University of Pittsburgh Global Experiences Office (formerly the Study Abroad Office) for more resources and information.
Study Abroad Programs in Italy
The following programs are merely representative of the various geographical options, providers, institutional models, and curricular levels available to students interested in study abroad in Italy. Please consult their websites to get a sense of course availability and rigor at your language level.
Click on this link to explore current program offerings in Italy!
Summer
- Pitt in Rome 2026
- Pitt in Florence 2026
Beginner-Intermediate (semester)
- Pitt in Florence
- IES Siena
Intermediate-Advanced
- Pitt in Rome 2026
- IES Milan
- MADE Siracusa (Sicily)
- Umbra Institute (Perugia)
- Università di Bologna
Planning and Application
Students are encouraged to study abroad after having taken at least two semesters of Italian, but students of all levels of Italian will find numerous study abroad programs to suit their needs. We encourage students to investigate different options including summer, semester, and full-year study periods. Typically, programs operate according to the following application timelines:
PERIOD OF STUDY | APPLICATION DEADLINE | BEGIN PLANNING BY |
Whole year | March | November of previous year |
Fall term | April | December of previous year |
Spring term | October | July of previous year |
Summer | January | October of previous year |
Transferring Study Abroad Credits to the Italian Major
We strongly encourage students to enroll in courses that will count toward the Italian major or minor. Not all programs offer coursework that is appropriate for all students at all levels. Please contact the Italian program study abroad advisor, Prof. Lorraine Denman, for guidance in selecting the right program for your language and curricular needs.
Panther Programs in Italy
The Department of French & Italian now offers a range of Panther (or "Pitt-Developed") Programs in Italy. Created by the Pitt Italian faculty and offering courses equivalent to those offered on the Oakland campus, these summer- and semester-long programs allow students the quality, value, and continuity of Pitt coursework and the experience of these vibrant Italian cities. The Italian faculty has designed these programs--as a whole--to accommodate students of all levels, from absolute beginners to fourth-year majors.
Financial Considerations
Students planning on studying abroad should make a comprehensive budget that includes tuition, airfare, and travel and living expenses. Students should also contact their financial aid officer to see if current financial aid may apply. A number of Pitt-specific scholarships are available, including the Nationality Rooms Scholarship programs and Italian Program scholarships. Please find the form to apply to departmental scholarships here.
For More Information
Contact the Study Abroad Advisor for the Italian Program, Professor Lorraine Denman.