The term "international student" usually applies to students who've completed some of their education abroad, even if they're Italian citizens or from the European Union (EU). This means they might not need a visa or residence permit. It can also include students who already have an Italian qualification but still require a residence permit.

In this sense, international students can be broken down into a few subgroups: those who need a visa, those who need a residence permit, those with qualifications from abroad, and exchange students. Each group has different requirements and procedures, which you can find on the Ministry website: https://www.universitaly.it/studenti-stranieri