IMAT University Ranking: How to Choose the Right School
Deciding on your IMAT university ranking is one of the most important decisions in the application process. You don’t choose the best university. You choose the best environment for you to become a good doctor.
Academic quality matters, but so does the environment you live in. The course lasts six years, and those years will shape who you become. Choosing a city that aligns with your lifestyle and personality can make the journey healthier and more fulfilling.
Factors for Your IMAT University Ranking
Choosing the right university for IMAT is a multi-factor decision. Below are the key aspects to carefully evaluate before ranking your preferences.
Depends on the cut-off score of previous years
This is one of the primary determinants of realistic university options. Know your realistic score band and decide your preference accordingly.
According to 2025 IMAT data:
- Non-EU: Universities with the highest cut-off marks – Milan, Pavia, Bologna (above 70)
- EU: Universities with the highest cut-off marks – Milan, Sapienza, Biccoca, Bologna, and Pavia (over 60)
- Non-EU: Universities with the lowest cut-off marks – Bari, Cagliari, Marche, Messina (below 60).
- Dentistry: 71.8 for Sapienza and 52 for Siena
Check out all the threshold data from the previous years here.
Depends on available seats
The number of available seats directly affects competitiveness.
EU seats
The highest number of available seats can be seen on – Bologna and Pavia – over 100
Non-EU seats
The highest number of available seats can be seen on – Marche, Messina, Luigi, Catania, over 50.
Depends on the city
City choice is another major factor, as your environment will strongly influence your motivation, mental health, and overall experience. Consideration factors could be as follows.
Ask yourself: Are you planning to do a part-time job?
If yes, prefer large cities like Rome, Milan, or Turin, or tourist cities such as Venice (Padova). Smaller cities often have fewer job opportunities.
Room rent depends heavily on the city. Big cities and student cities usually have higher rental costs. Smaller cities are generally more affordable. Always evaluate whether you can financially sustain living in that city long-term.
Southern cities generally have warmer temperatures, while Northern cities experience colder winters.
Ask yourself: Do I want a student town or a big metropolis? Do I need a calm environment or constant stimulation?
Note: Italy generally has a slower pace of life, limited working hours, and quieter evenings. If you are used to a very festive, high-energy city, you may feel bored spending 6 years in a very quiet town.
Rough comparison
| City type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Milan | Top hospitals, international vibe | Expensive, competitive |
| Student cities (Pavia, Padova, Bologna) | Focused study life, international environment | Smaller, quieter |
| Big historic cities (Rome, Naples) | Culture, food, life | Chaos. expensive |
| Southern cities | Lower cost of living | Fewer resources, slower systems |
Depends on friends
You will spend at least 6 years in this place. So, if possible, being in the same city as a close friend can provide emotional support. This can significantly improve your quality of life and academic sustainability.
Consider the Global IMAT University Ranking
This is what many students focus on, but Global rankings (QS, THE) mainly reflect research output, not teaching quality. Medical degrees in Italy are legally equivalent across universities. So, ranking should be considered, but not overvalued.
Depends on the Program structure
This is another consideration factor. Curricula differ slightly from one university to another. You can check detailed course structures on each university’s official website. Some universities, like Marche, offer dual degree programs.
University support and funding
Consider:
- Administrative support for international students
- Scholarship availability and funding
- Housing support
- Efficiency of student services
Reviews and reputation among students
Student opinions provide valuable insight. Reviews are subjective, but they give you a general picture of teaching quality and exam culture. We have already published deep-dive interviews for several universities. You can check these out here.
IMAT University Ranking Strategy for EU Students
EU students have multiple choices and must rank universities carefully.
- Rank universities purely according to your preference
- Do not rank based on possible cut-off scores
- Once you are admitted, you cannot change your university
- Ranking by true preference gives you the best chance of studying where you genuinely want to be.
Interactive University Ranker
Compare your top 5 choices. We automatically calculate scores for Jobs, Cost, and Vibe based on real city data.
Add at least 2 universities to generate the comparison matrix.
How it works: Scores are relative (1-5). • Safety: Lower historical cut-offs get higher points. • Affordability: Lower cost of living = higher score. • Jobs: Big cities get higher scores.
Personal tip
First, shortlist 3-4 universities whose cut-off scores fall within your realistic range
Then, evaluate the city-related factors (cost of living, lifestyle, and so on)
Finally, compare the curriculum and program structure
I hope this article helps you make an informed and confident decision when building your IMAT university ranking, and brings you one step closer to finding the place where you can truly thrive during your medical journey.