What Is Invest Your Talent in Italy? (An Overview)

What is the IYT programme?

IYT is a state programme offering funded places on English-taught master’s degrees at selected Italian universities, followed by an internship at an Italian company. Its purpose is to connect Italy’s academic and industrial worlds with international talent. The programme concentrates on the fields where Italy is strongest — engineering and high technology, architecture and design, economics and management — and that focus is what separates it from the general scholarships: here, education and the business world are deliberately joined. The student takes an academic degree and gains hands-on experience inside an Italian company.

What does it offer?

The IYT package stands on three elements. First, a tuition waiver: at participating universities you are largely exempt from fees (usually only small items remain, such as the regional study tax and the stamp duty). Second, a monthly allowance towards living costs. Third — and perhaps most distinctive — the internship: practical experience at an Italian company during or at the end of the master’s. Together the three make IYT a strong option financially and professionally at once.

Is Turkey eligible?

Yes. Turkey is among the 18 strategic countries the programme targets, which means Turkish students can apply directly. Since the country list and quotas can change from year to year, confirm the current call — and Turkey’s place in it — with the official source before applying. Turkey’s presence on the list reflects the weight the programme gives Turkish students, and every year students from Turkey study and intern in Italy through it.

Which fields are covered?

IYT focuses on the areas where Italy competes internationally. Engineering and high technology lead the way — Italy’s automotive, machinery and design-engineering tradition makes the field attractive. The second major area is architecture and design, where Italy is a global reference point. The third is economics and management. The participating universities and the full programme list are refreshed each year, so check the current call to see whether your field is open and which universities are taking part. Choose your field by academic interest and by your internship and career goal together.

Why does the internship leg matter?

The internship component is what most distinguishes IYT from an ordinary master’s scholarship. A placement at an Italian company is at once a chance to put academic knowledge into practice and an entry into Italian working life. It typically lasts a few months, during or after the taught programme depending on its structure. The experience improves your employment prospects considerably: Italian employers favour candidates who have interned in the country and picked up some of the language and culture. For anyone planning a career in Italy, or with Italian companies, this leg is worth as much as the grant itself.

How IYT differs from MAECI

Both are state-backed, but their focus differs. The MAECI scholarship spans a broad academic range — master’s, doctorate, AFAM, language — and rests chiefly on academic assessment. IYT concentrates on English-taught master’s degrees in specific fields, with a bridge into industry through the internship. Which suits you depends on your goal: research-minded candidates lean MAECI, practically and career-minded ones lean IYT. Weigh your field’s eligibility and your post-graduation plan when considering either.

Who is it right for?

IYT is ideal for a Turkish student who wants an English-taught master’s in engineering, design or economics, aims to gain experience in Italian industry, and perhaps to build a career in that direction. Because the programmes run in English, Italian is not required — which lowers the language barrier considerably. If, on the other hand, your field falls outside the programme’s scope, or your goal is a doctorate or research, the MAECI or regional DSU routes are the better use of your energy. See our application page for the steps.

Documents and translation

As with the other programmes, the IYT application and post-admission enrolment may require English or Italian translations of your degree certificate and transcript; at enrolment stage the apostille and sworn translation come into play. You can upload your documents and see in advance which translation is needed and what it costs. Preparing the document side early speeds up enrolment and the visa once your admission arrives.

How do you find the participating universities?

The most practical IYT question is which universities and programmes are in that year’s edition. The list of participating institutions and their English-taught master’s programmes is updated every academic year — so read the current call, not last year’s list. As a rule the Politecnicos, the large state universities and institutions strong in design and economics take part. Once you find a programme in your field, study its content, entry requirements and IYT candidacy procedure on the university’s own pages. Where several universities cover the same field, compare programme content, internship network and city before choosing.

After graduation: a career bridge

IYT’s long-term value shows itself after graduation. Thanks to the internship you leave with experience at an Italian company, which strengthens your hand both in Italy and in the international markets where Italian firms operate. Many students find their first job at the company where they interned, or through its network. Time spent in Italy also makes you — linguistically and culturally — a valuable candidate in Turkey–Italy trade and industry. Think of IYT not merely as a study grant but as an investment that builds the international leg of your career.

Frequently asked questions