IMAT 2026 News and Updates

📅 IMAT 2026/2027 Official Exam Date Confirmed: 29 September 2026

The Ministry of University and Research (MUR) has officially confirmed the national admission test date for single-cycle Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, and Veterinary Medicine degrees taught in English: the IMAT will be held on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The test's official format and content have not yet been released and will be defined by a separate ministerial decree. MUR also published the full national schedule for related admission tests (healthcare professions, primary education science, and architecture) in the same avviso, dated 3 July 2026.

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🆕 New Medicine & Surgery Degree in English at the University of Florence (UniFI)

The University of Florence (UniFI) has introduced a new single-cycle master's degree in Medicine and Surgery, taught entirely in English, and has opened enrollment for the 2026/2027 academic year. The university has set a single annual intake of 50 places total, open to both EU and non-EU applicants, allocated through Italy's nationally programmed entrance exam. Additional information on the admission process and deadlines will be provided soon.

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🆕 New Medicine & Surgery – MedTech Degree at University of Padua

The University of Padua has introduced a new English-taught single-cycle Medicine and Surgery degree with an engineering-integrated curriculum called MedTech. The program is currently pending approval from the Italian Ministry of Education. Provisional seat numbers stand at 65 EU and 15 non-EU students, with classes expected to begin each October. The admission process has not yet been officially defined — it may fall within the IMAT framework, but this remains subject to ministerial confirmation. Note that this is a separate program from Padua's existing English-taught Medicine degree (now hosted in Venice).

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🆕 New English Veterinary Degree Launch (Naples Federico II)

The University of Naples Federico II has officially announced the launch of an English-taught single-cycle Master's Degree in Veterinary Medicine (Class LM-42), making it the second public path in Italy alongside Bologna. Key framework features include:

• Limited strictly to 20 seats per year at the Complesso Frullone campus.
• Requires verified B2 English proficiency (internal assessment given if certification is missing).
• OFA requirements clear directly via core modules if score fields sit under 20.
• Please note: Veterinary tracks utilize separate entry metrics and examinations apart from the traditional human medical IMAT framework.

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📊 IMAT Seats 2026/2027: Full Public-University Breakdown

Ministerial Decree n. 1005 (Tabella B) confirms 2,182 total public-university seats across Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine for 2026/2027 — up 25% from roughly 1,742 seats in 2025/26. The growth includes three brand-new campuses (Florence, Padova's MedTech course, and a Veterinary Medicine course at Napoli Federico II), plus a large jump at Tor Vergata's Tirana branch, which more than doubles its non-EU seats to 320.

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📖 IMAT 2026/27: The Complete Rulebook

A full plain-English breakdown of Decreto Ministeriale n. 1005's three technical annexes: how to register on Universitaly (26 August – 9 September 2026), exam-day procedures and banned items, how scoring and the national ASSEGNATO/PRENOTATO ranking system work, and the full list of English-language certifications MUR recognizes.

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🌍 Ministry Universal Pre-Enrollment Guide Released

The Ministry of University and Research (MUR) released its comprehensive 2-year general pre-enrollment framework coordinating deadlines and criteria for all international student visas across 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 entry cycles.

2026/2027 Medicine & Surgery Admission Timeline

The University of Bari offers an English-taught 6-year single-cycle Medicine and Surgery degree (LM-41) with 100 total places: 89 for EU/non-EU Italy residents, 8 for non-EU candidates abroad, and 3 Marco Polo Project seats.

Key Deadlines & Timeline:

• 30 June 2026: CLOSED – Pre-evaluation deadline for non-EU visa applicants (non-EU candidates residing abroad requiring Type D study visa).
• 26 August 2026: Registration opens on Universitaly portal for all candidates sitting the test.
• 9 September 2026, 15:00 GMT+2: Final registration deadline (irrevocable); disability/DSA accommodation requests due via online form and PEC email to universitabari@pec.it.
• 29 September 2026: Admission test day – 60 multiple-choice questions, 100 minutes. Report by 11:00 AM with valid ID and payment receipt. Only black ballpoint pen provided by administration permitted.
• 8 October 2026: Test scores published by candidate code.
• 26 October 2026: National merit ranking released; 4-working-day enrollment window opens for "Assegnato" candidates.

Test Format & Scoring:

• Content Distribution: Biology (23), Chemistry (15), Physics & Mathematics (13), Logical Reasoning (5), Reading Comprehension (4).
• Scoring System: Correct +1.5 points | Omitted 0 points | Wrong −0.4 points | Maximum 90 points.
• Minimum Score Thresholds: EU/non-EU Italy residents ≥20 points; non-EU abroad >0 points (must answer ≥1 question).

Eligibility & Documents:

• Italian secondary diploma, OR higher-education qualification from Italy, OR foreign qualification with pre-evaluation via "Apply Online!" platform.
• Non-EU visa candidates: Italian language proficiency test required (unless B2 CEFR certified); pre-evaluation through Apply Online!; Universitaly pre-enrollment for visa purposes.

Milano Bicocca documentation requirements will be added soon.

Medicine & Veterinary Medicine: The University of Bologna's official 2026/2027 call for applications covers two English-taught single-cycle degrees sharing the same national admission test: Medicine and Surgery (LM-41 — 140 EU/EU-equivalent seats + 20 for non-EU candidates abroad) and Veterinary Medicine (LM-42 — 45 EU/EU-equivalent seats + 5 for non-EU candidates abroad), for 210 seats total. Both are set under Ministerial Decree No. 1005 (6 August 2026).

Universitaly IMAT registration runs 26 August – 9 September 2026, 15:00 Italian time (irrevocable after that, and the same deadline for disability/SLD arrangement requests); additional Studenti Online steps for non-EU and EU-equivalent candidates run 10 September – 5 October 2026. The test is on 29 September 2026 (report by 10:30, test starts 13:30), scores are published 8 October 2026, and the national/local rankings plus enrolment open 26 October 2026. The full guide below covers eligibility, the deadline calendar, non-EU registration steps, test format and scoring, ranking rules, and enrolment.

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Pharmacy: Admissions details and the 2026 study guide for Pharmacy in English at the University of Bologna (Rimini) are now available.

Pre-Enrollment Deadline & Document Requirements

The University of Cagliari requires applicants to submit their pre-enrolment application by 20 July 2026, 11:59 PM (Italian time).

The following documents must be uploaded during the pre-enrolment process:

• Identity document (passport or ID)
• Passport-style photograph
• Secondary school diploma (or equivalent qualification)
• Declaration of Value (DoV) or CIMEA Statement of Comparability
• English language certificate (where required)
• Any other documents requested by the university

Even if some required documents are not yet available, applicants must still submit their pre-enrolment application by the 20 July deadline. Missing documents can be uploaded and integrated until 24 July 2026.

Final confirmation of the application will only become valid if the applicant is included among the successful candidates in the official IMAT ranking.

What this means if you still want to apply to Catania

Per the university's own reply, submitting an application now will not help: even if you apply, it will not be approved unless applicants ahead of you in the queue order cancel their own applications and free up a spot. The university does not expect many cancellations, so late applicants are likely to remain suspended/waitlisted with little chance of being processed.

Their recommendation: your best option at this point is to find a different university that still has open Universitaly pre-enrolment slots, rather than waiting on Catania.

Separately, students who are already enrolled in Italian universities, have passed at least one exam in their degree course, and hold a valid residence permit until at least the end of October remain eligible to participate in the IMAT exam as EU candidates.

Pre-Enrollment Deadline & Document Requirements (Reference — Applications Now Closed)

• Original Pre-Enrollment Deadline: 31 July 2026 — superseded; the 560-candidate cap was reached before this date.
• English Language Certificate: Was required to complete the pre-enrollment process.
• Declaration of Value (DoV) / CIMEA Statement of Comparability: Was not required at this stage.

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Official Bando Published (Prot. n. 0466945)

Catania's official call for admission to Medicine and Surgery (LM-41) for 2026/2027 confirms 80 total seats — 40 comunitari (EU and equivalent-country citizens) and 40 non comunitari (including non-EU candidates residing abroad). Universitaly registration for the test runs 26 August – 9 September 2026, with the test itself on 29 September 2026 and results published 8 October 2026. The full guide below covers eligibility paths, the deadline calendar, test format and scoring, test-day rules, ranking and enrolment steps.

Official Bandi Published (DR/2026/3111 & DR/2026/3110)

Federico II has published two parallel bandi, both dated 10 August 2026, for its English-taught single-cycle degrees: Medicine and Surgery (LM-41 R, DR/2026/3111) with 80 seats (35 for EU/Italy-resident candidates, 45 for non-EU candidates abroad), and Veterinary Medicine (LM-42 R, DR/2026/3110) with 20 seats (18 EU/Italy-resident, 2 non-EU abroad) — its very first intake year.

Both programmes share the same timeline: Universitaly registration runs 26 August – 9 September 2026, the test is on 29 September 2026 (report by 11:30, test starts 13:30), and results are published 8 October 2026. The full guide below covers eligibility, the deadline calendar, test format and scoring, and enrolment steps for both degrees.

New English-Taught Medicine & Surgery Degree

The University of Florence (UniFI) has introduced a new single-cycle master's degree in Medicine and Surgery, taught entirely in English, and has opened enrollment for the 2026/2027 academic year. The university has set a single annual intake of 50 places total, open to both EU and non-EU applicants, allocated through Italy's nationally programmed entrance exam.

Additional information on the admission process, pre-enrollment deadlines, and document requirements will be provided soon.

2026/2027 Bando Published (D.R. n. 1792)

Sapienza's official call for admission is out for Medicine and Surgery "F" (65 seats) and Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics (25 seats). Key deadlines:

• 30 June 2026: Universitaly visa pre-registration deadline (non-EU citizens resident abroad).
• 7 August 2026: Bando published; Infostud registration opens for candidates sitting the test at Sapienza.
• 26 August – 9 September 2026: Universitaly registration window for the test itself — personal details, test-venue ranking, and fee payment.
• 9 September 2026, 15:00 GMT+2: Final, irrevocable deadline for Universitaly registration, Infostud registration, disability/DSA accommodation requests, and language-certificate submissions.
• 29 September 2026: Admission test day — report by 11:30, test starts 13:30.
• 8 October 2026: Scores published in the Universitaly reserved area.
• 26 October 2026: National merit ranking published; 4-working-day enrolment window opens for "Assegnato" candidates.

EU-Equivalent Candidate Requirements (Single Course Residence Permit)

To be considered an EU-equivalent candidate for university enrolment at Sapienza with a residence permit issued for a "single course", you must meet all three of the following requirements:

• Specific Visa Entry: You entered Italy on a study visa issued specifically for a single course.
• Attendance & Completion: You regularly attended the single course and passed the relevant assessment.
• Course Relevance: The completed single course is directly relevant to the degree programme chosen for your subsequent academic career.

⚠️ Important: If even one of these requirements is not met, you must return to your country of origin and apply for a study visa as a non-EU candidate.

Official Bando Published (Repertorio n. 536/2026)

The Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" has published its official call for admission to the English-taught Medicine and Surgery degree (LM-41) for 2026/2027, confirming 120 total seats: 70 for EU and non-EU candidates residing in Italy, and 50 for non-EU candidates residing abroad. Universitaly registration runs 26 August – 9 September 2026, 15:00 GMT+2 (irrevocable after that), with the test itself on 29 September 2026 (report by 10:00, test starts 13:30, 100 minutes) and scores published 8 October 2026. The national ranking and enrolment window open 26 October 2026. The full guide below covers eligibility, the deadline calendar, test venues, scoring, ranking and enrolment steps.

Medicine & Surgery (Med-Tech) Pre-Evaluation Process

Marche Polytechnic University has opened its pre-evaluation phase with specific application criteria:

• Application Phase: Pre-evaluation opens beginning from the 3rd call.
• Dual Portal Rule: Applications must be submitted simultaneously on both the official UNIVPM portal and the Universitaly portal.
• Application Fee: A €10 processing fee applies to each submitted application.

Medicine Pre-Evaluation Process (2026/2027)

For the upcoming academic year, the University of Messina has structured its pre-evaluation window during the fifth application call.

📅 Expected Timeline:

• Applications Open: 20 June 2026
• Applications Close: 20 July 2026

⚠️ Important Things to Know:

• The pre-evaluation is not admission: A positive evaluation only grants the eligibility to complete subsequent steps.
• Dual Platform System: You must complete applications across two separate systems (the official UniME portal and the Universitaly platform).
• Document Readiness: All compulsory academic and identity documents must be completely uploaded during submission. If you plan to apply, gather and translate your documents early to prevent processing bottlenecks.
• Final Selection: Ultimate admission depends entirely on your competitive IMAT score.

2026/2027 International Medical School – Medicine & Surgery Admission

The University of Milan's International Medical School offers an English-taught 6-year single-cycle Medicine and Surgery degree (LM-41) combining theory with clinical practice. 60 total seats available: 45 for EU candidates and 15 for non-EU candidates.

Key Deadlines & Timeline:

• 26 August 2026: Registration opens on Universitaly portal.
• 9 September 2026, 15:00 GMT+2: Registration closes (irrevocable); disability/DSA accommodation requests due.
• 29 September 2026: Admission test day – arrive by 11:00 AM with valid identification and payment receipt.
• 8 October 2026: Test scores published.
• 26 October 2026: National merit ranking released; enrollment begins for "Assegnato" candidates (4-working-day enrollment window).
• 30 November 2026: Deadline to upload foreign credentials/documentation.

Test Format & Scoring:

• Structure: 60 multiple-choice questions, 100 minutes.
• Content Distribution: Biology (23), Chemistry (15), Physics & Mathematics (13), Logical Reasoning (5), Reading Comprehension (4).
• Scoring System: Correct +1.5 points | Omitted 0 points | Wrong −0.4 points.
• Minimum Score Thresholds: EU/permit holders ≥20 points; non-EU abroad >0 points.

Eligibility & Application Requirements:

• Secondary school diploma obtained in 2026 or foreign equivalent required.
• Non-EU candidates abroad: Must pre-register on Universitaly for study visa eligibility.
• Language Requirement: Non-native English speakers must provide B2+ certification (Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity, Edexcel/Pearson, City & Guilds) or proof of English instruction.
• Required Documents: Personal ID, fiscal code, language certificate (if applicable), legalized and Italian-translated foreign credentials if applicable.

Registration Process:

• Create Universitaly profile with personal data.
• Rank test venue preferences (first choice is binding).
• Pay €65 participation fee.
• Request accommodations if needed (documented disabilities or learning disorders receive extra time and tailored support).

Padova application steps and deadlines coming soon.

Student Classification Rules

The University of Parma has clarified its profiling criteria for international degree candidates:

• Non-EU Classification Criteria: If you hold a residence permit issued purely for study purposes and do not possess an official Italian high school diploma, you will be strictly classified under the non-EU student quota.

Medicine & Surgery Pre-Enrollment

For the English-taught Medicine and Surgery degree program, the University of Pavia has finalized its submission timeline:

• Universitaly Deadline: The online pre-enrollment application on the global Universitaly portal must be fully submitted by August 31, 2026.

Medicine: Tor Vergata's official bando (Decreto n. 2329/2026, published 11 August 2026) confirms 405 total seats for Medicine and Surgery (LM-41) in 2026/2027: 65 for EU/non-EU candidates residing in Italy, 20 for non-EU candidates abroad sitting in Italy, and 320 for non-EU candidates abroad sitting at the Tirana, Albania venue. Universitaly registration runs 26 August – 9 September 2026, the test is on 29 September 2026, and scores are published 8 October 2026. The full guide below covers eligibility, the deadline calendar, test format and scoring, and enrolment steps.

Pharmacy: The 2026 study guide for Pharmacy in English in Rome is now live.

Pre-Enrollment Requirement

All IMAT 2026 candidates who wish to select the University of Turin as one of their program choices are required to complete the pre-enrollment process on the UniTo portal in order to confirm and finalize their application to the University of Turin.

The pre-enrollment process through the UniTo portal is mandatory for all applicants and must be completed to ensure your application is properly registered with the university.

Siena Dentistry application info coming soon.