The University of Siena International Excellence Scholarships 2026 in Italy are merit-based awards for talented international students enrolling in selected English-taught master’s programs. Based on the latest official call, the scholarship offers €6,000 per year, renewable for a second year, with the 2025/26 cycle deadline set on May 6, 2025, and the official admissions page states the 2026/27 page would be updated in February 2026, which strongly suggests a similar annual schedule for the 2026 intake .
Basic Information about the Scholarships
- Scholarship name: Siena International Excellence Scholarships 2026 in Italy.
- Host country: Italy .
- Host institution: University of Siena .
- Study level: Master’s degree programs (Lauree Magistrali) taught entirely in English .
- Scholarship value: €6,000 annually (gross amount) .
- Duration: 1 year (renewable for 2nd year)
- Renewal: Renewable for a second year, for a total possible value of €12,000 gross over two years .
- Number of scholarships: Five scholarships in the latest official call .
- Application fee: A non-refundable €10 fee is required for the scholarship application
- Application deadline: The official 2025/26 deadline was May 6, 2025, and the university notes that the 2026/27 page will be updated in February 2026, so applicants should expect a comparable spring deadline and monitor the official page closely .
University/Institution Details
The University of Siena is one of Italy’s historic public universities and is known for its international master’s programs taught in English across economics, biotechnology, diplomacy, mathematics, engineering, and related fields . For international students looking for scholarships in Italy 2026, master’s scholarships in Europe, or University of Siena scholarships for international students, this award is especially attractive because it is tied directly to selected master’s programs and rewards academic excellence.
Study Areas
Scholarships are distributed across:
1. Economics & Law (1 scholarship)
- Economics
- Finance
- International Accounting and Management
2. Social & Political Sciences (1 scholarship)
- Language and Mind
- Public and Cultural Diplomacy
- European Studies
3. Biomedical Sciences (1 scholarship)
- Biotechnologies of Human Reproduction
- Medical Biotechnologies
4. Math & Experimental Sciences (2 scholarships)
- Applied Mathematics
- Artificial Intelligence & Automation Engineering
- Chemistry
- Engineering Management
- Others
University of Siena International Excellence Scholarships Benefits
- Annual financial support: €6,000 gross per year .
- Second-year renewal opportunity: Students can renew the scholarship for a second year if they meet credit requirements, bringing the total to €12,000 gross .
- Installment structure:
- First installment: €3,000 gross
- Second installment: €3,000 gross .
- Bank transfer payment: Scholarships are paid by bank transfer to a SEPA bank account or prepaid card with IBAN .
- Merit recognition: The scholarship is awarded to the most talented international students admitted to selected English-taught master’s programs .
- Additional opportunity: The official call states that other university departments or public entities may also use the ranking list to offer additional scholarships or grants .
Benefits not included
- Full tuition waiver is not stated
- Accommodation
- Meals and daily living costs
- Travel or flight costs
- Visa fees and residence permit costs
- Health insurance
Eligibility Criteria for the University of Siena International Excellence Scholarships
- Be a non-Italian citizen
- Have a Bachelor’s degree from outside Italy
- Be not living in Italy (with some conditions)
- Apply to at least 1 eligible Master’s program
- Can apply to maximum 2 programs
- Program application required: Applicants must have already applied for at least one of the eligible master’s programs through apply.unisi.it .
- Academic merit: Selection is based on academic excellence, prior records, and the quality of previous studies .
- Outstanding profile required
- Tie-break rule: In case of equal ranking, the younger candidate receives priority .
Important Notes
- Use same account for course + scholarship application
- Documents must be in English or Italian
- Incomplete applications = rejected
- Legalized documents needed after acceptance, not during application
Required Documents for the Application
- Online scholarship application through the University of Siena platform .
- 1-minute motivation video
- 📚 Selected Master’s program name(s)
- Passport / ID
- CV (Europass recommended)
- Academic transcripts & certificates
- Language proficiency proof (e.g., IELTS)
- Additional documents (if required), such as:
- Motivation letter
- Reference letters
- Extra video
University of Siena International Excellence Scholarships Application Process
- Step 1: Choose one or two eligible English-taught master’s programs at the University of Siena .
- Step 2: Submit the admission application first through apply.unisi.it for your selected program or programs .
- Step 3: Use the same account to submit the scholarship application under the scholarship section on the portal .
- Step 4: Pay the €10 non-refundable application fee .
- Step 5: Upload or complete the required scholarship materials, especially the 1-minute self-made motivation video .
- Step 6: Submit the scholarship application before the official deadline; for the last cycle, applications were accepted from February 28 to May 6 .
- Step 7: Wait for the publication of the ranking list, which in the previous cycle began from June 25 .
- Step 8: If selected, accept the provisional scholarship offer within the deadline stated in the email from the university .
- Step 9: Complete final requirements to secure the award, including being physically present in Siena, completing enrollment, being up to date with tuition payments, and not holding another scholarship except DSU Toscana, by the final deadline indicated by the call .
- Step 10: Maintain the required ECTS credits to keep receiving installments and to renew the scholarship for the second year .
Tips for a Successful Application
- Apply as early as possible once the 2026 call opens, because scholarship and admission preparation can take time .
- Choose the program strategically and apply only to fields where your academic background is clearly strong .
- Focus on academic excellence, since the official selection is primarily merit-based .
- Create a clear and authentic 1-minute video, because it is a required part of the scholarship application and can help your profile stand out .
- Use the same portal account for both admission and scholarship applications, because the official notice highlights this as essential .
- Avoid incomplete submissions, since incomplete applications are automatically rejected .
- Prepare for post-selection conditions, including presence in Siena, enrollment, and credit milestones .
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students (USD)
- Accommodation: USD 400 to USD 750 per month for shared apartments or student housing in Siena.
- Food and groceries: USD 220 to USD 350 per month.
- Transportation: USD 25 to USD 60 per month, depending on whether you use student transport or walk regularly in Siena.
- Utilities and internet: USD 70 to USD 130 per month.
- Books and study materials: USD 40 to USD 90 per month on average.
- Health insurance and personal expenses: USD 120 to USD 220 per month depending on your situation.
- Estimated total monthly budget: Around USD 875 to USD 1,600 for a practical student lifestyle in Siena.
Why Choose This Scholarship?
- It is designed specifically for international students in selected English-taught master’s programs .
- It rewards academic excellence, making it ideal for high-performing applicants .
- It offers up to €12,000 gross over two years, which can significantly reduce study costs in Italy .
- It supports study in Italy, one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for international education.
- It covers diverse academic areas, from finance and diplomacy to biotechnology and artificial intelligence .
- It may open the door to extra support, since the ranking list can also be used for additional grants from other entities .
- It combines academic value with cultural experience, giving students the chance to study in one of Italy’s historic university cities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the scholarship
- Is the University of Siena International Excellence Scholarship fully funded?
No, the official call describes it as a €6,000 annual scholarship, renewable for a second year, but it does not state that tuition, accommodation, or all living costs are fully covered . - What is the application deadline for 2026?
The university has not yet published the full 2026/27 call in the fetched official page, but it states the page would be updated in February 2026; the previous cycle deadline was May 6, 2025, so applicants should monitor the official page for the 2026 deadline . - How many scholarships are offered?
The latest official call offered five scholarships . - Who can apply?
International students with non-Italian citizenship, a non-Italian bachelor’s degree, and non-resident status in Italy who apply to eligible master’s programs can apply . - Do I need a separate scholarship application?
Yes, after applying for admission, you must also submit the scholarship application through the portal using the same account . - Is there any special required material?
Yes, applicants must submit a short self-made motivation video of no more than 1 minute . - Can I apply for more than one program?
Yes, you can apply for up to two eligible programs . - Can I keep another scholarship at the same time?
The official call says scholarship recipients must not receive other scholarships or grants from Italian or foreign entities, except for DSU Toscana .
Important Dates
- Application deadline (2025/26): May 6, 2025
- Results already published for 2025/26
- 2026/27 details: Coming soon
Official Link:
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