Costs and Universities after the IMAT

Preparing for the International Medical Admissions Test can seem overwhelming at first, especially when trying to understand how much it costs, which universities offer the program, and what opportunities exist after the exam. In this guide, we will go through every aspect step by step: from the cost of preparation to the fees of public and private universities, the scholarships and financial aid, and how to plan a realistic budget for your medical studies in Italy or abroad.

Our goal is to make everything clear, practical, and directly linked to official sources so you always know where to verify the information.

How much it costs to prepare for the IMAT

There are no official textbooks or governmental courses for IMAT preparation. The only official syllabus is found in Annex A of the Ministerial Decree n. 599 of 7 August 2025, which details every topic in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and reading comprehension required for the test.

A good preparation plan should start from that document. You can divide your study time by subject and dedicate regular sessions to practice your understanding of scientific texts in English.

To make this process simpler and measurable, TestBuddy offers a complete digital environment where you can train with real simulations, follow adaptive study plans, and receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. It’s a platform created specifically to help students prepare for IMAT efficiently, without anxiety and without getting lost among too many materials. You can access it here: https://testbuddy.it/imat.

If you also prefer printed materials, you can use general science books in English as a supplement, but always base your work on the topics officially listed by the Ministry.

Public vs private universities: cost and services

In public universities, annual tuition fees depend on your Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator (ISEE) and the internal university regulations. Many universities apply a “no tax area” for low-income families and gradual contributions based on income brackets. For instance:

• University of Turin – Fees 2025/26
• University of Milan – Tuition and Scholarships
• University of Padua – Fee Simulator

Private universities, instead, apply fixed annual tuition fees. Below are the official 2025/26 figures from the main institutions participating in the IMAT:

• Humanitas University: from €10,156 to €23,156 per year, depending on income level (source).
• Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan): €20,640 per year (source).
• Campus Bio-Medico University (Rome): €18,000 per year (source).
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Rome): €18,000 per year (source).

These amounts usually include academic and laboratory costs but exclude regional taxes and smaller administrative fees.

IMAT fees and university tuition

The IMAT registration is done entirely online on https://www.universitaly.it. For 2025, registration is open from 26 August to 9 September 2025 (until 3:00 PM Italian time).

The registration fee varies slightly depending on the country and payment system but averages around €130, as indicated, for example, on the University of Pavia’s official page.

Once admitted, tuition fees depend on the university you choose. Each university publishes detailed information about annual payments, possible installments, and scholarship opportunities in their dedicated sections (for instance, University of Milan IMS).

Scholarships and financial aid

Scholarships in Italy are managed mainly by regional agencies that support students with lower income or excellent academic performance. Each region has its own deadlines and rules.

Here are some examples for 2025/26:

• EDISU Piemonte (Piedmont): application by 2 September 2025, 12:00 PM – official call
• ER.GO Emilia-Romagna: application by 2 August 2025, 4:00 PM – official call
• LazioDiSCo (Lazio): application by 2 August 2025, 12:00 PM – official call
• DSU Toscana (Tuscany): closed on 31 July 2025 – official page

Some universities, such as Padua and Pavia, also offer fee waivers or discounts for international students enrolled in English-taught programs.

Where to study Medicine in English in Italy

According to the Ministerial Decree n. 599/2025, the universities that participate in the IMAT include both public and private institutions offering Medicine and Surgery in English.

Among public universities: Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Catania, Messina, Milan, Milan-Bicocca (Bergamo), Naples Federico II, Padua (Venice campus), Parma (Piacenza campus), Pavia, Ancona, Rome La Sapienza, Rome Tor Vergata, Turin.

Among private universities: Humanitas University, San Raffaele University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome.

For Dentistry in English: La Sapienza (Rome) and Siena.
For Veterinary Medicine in English: University of Bologna (pending accreditation).

The official list of universities and available seats can be found in the Table B of the Decree.

Alternatives and “Plan B” if you do not pass the IMAT

If you do not pass the IMAT on your first try, you can re-take it the following year. During this time, it is helpful to keep studying the official syllabus using structured tools like TestBuddy, which allows you to run timed simulations, analyze mistakes, and track your readiness score.

Meanwhile, you could enroll in related programs such as Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, or Pharmacy, possibly in English, to strengthen your foundation and improve your academic English. Many universities later recognize credits if you transfer to Medicine when new seats become available.

For example, the University of Bari publishes transfer notices every academic year that show how and when such transfers can occur.

How to plan your budget

To organize your budget properly, consider all the mandatory and practical costs.

1. IMAT registration: open from 26 August to 9 September 2025 on Universitaly; around €130 per candidate.
2. First university installment and regional tax: varies per region, generally due after the publication of the rankings (from 13 October 2025).
3. Transport and accommodation: if you take the exam outside your city, plan for travel and one overnight stay near the test center.
4. Materials and preparation tools: choose one consistent platform—TestBuddy—to avoid wasting money on fragmented resources and keep your preparation centralized.

By anticipating these expenses and applying early for scholarships or housing grants, you can lower your total cost and focus on what truly matters: passing the test.