Academy of Fine Arts of Rome (Rome/Italy) - Scholarships "RUFA" for Visual Arts and Art Direction

RUFA scholarships for art and design study in Italy

You will receive a scholarship of up to 10,000 EUR per year to study at RUFA, the University of Fine Arts in Rome (with campuses in Rome and Milan). Smaller scholarships start at around 2,500 euros per year. The money will not be paid to you directly. It will be deducted from your annual tuition fees. The scholarship applies for the entire duration of your studies: three years for a first-cycle degree programme (equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree) or two years for a second-cycle degree programme (equivalent to a Master’s degree). To continue receiving the scholarship in subsequent years, you must pass your exams and achieve the required number of credits. RUFA awards these scholarships every year to support talented students who require financial assistance.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You enrol in the first year of an art or design degree programme at RUFA in Rome or Milan, for example in the specialisms of painting, sculpture, stage design, film, design, photography, graphic design, comics and illustration, fashion design or game art.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Students from non-EU countries should apply via a separate international programme run by RUFA.
• Financial need (bachelor courses): Your household income (ISEE value) is no more than 40,000 EUR. Financial need accounts for approximately 60% of the total score, whilst artistic merit accounts for 40%.
• Merit (master courses): There is no income limit. Selection is based solely on your achievements: your final exam results, your portfolio and your interview.
• Portfolio and interview: You must submit a portfolio containing at least 10 images and a personal statement, and sit the RUFA entrance exam.
• One try per year: You can only apply for one stage of study per academic year, so please choose carefully.
• No double funding: This scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarship offered by RUFA or any other organisation. You may choose to decline the other scholarship and opt for this one instead.

How to apply

You apply online using a form, your portfolio and a personal statement, and register for the entrance exam at the same time. For the 2026/27 academic year, there are five intake rounds with application deadlines on 18. January, 5 April, 5 June, 15 July and 12 September 2026. An academic committee will assess your portfolio and conduct a personal interview.

How realistic are your chances?

The number of places is limited and small: 22 undergraduate scholarships at both campuses and 10 postgraduate scholarships. Competition is therefore fierce, particularly for the full scholarships. As you can only apply for one selection round per year, applying for an earlier round – in which more or higher-value scholarships are still available – improves your chances. If your portfolio is compelling and your family income falls below the threshold for Bachelor’s programmes, a well-suited applicant has a good chance of success.