Best Colleges in Italy: Rankings and Overview

Italy, situated in the heart of southern Europe, is a popular destination for students, boasting a rich history, diverse landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine. It is home to the University of Bologna, believed to be the world’s oldest university. Italy, tied with China, is home to more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other nation in the world. This article explores the best universities in Italy, their rankings, and the unique aspects of the Italian higher education system.

Top Universities in Italy: 2025 Rankings

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the top institutions in Italy. Here's a list of the top 8 universities:

Italy Rank 2025	World University Rank 2025	World University Rank 2024	University	City
1	=146	=155	University of Bologna	Bologna
2	=154	=168	Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa	Pisa
3	185	181	Sapienza University of Rome	Rome
=4	201-250	201-250	Politecnico di Milano	Milan
=4	201-250	201-250	Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies - Pisa	Pisa
=4	201-250	201-250	University of Padua	Padua
=4	201-250	251-300	Vita-Salute San Raffaele University	Milan
8	251-300	251-300	Humanitas University	Milan

Every major Italian town has a university, most of which are state-funded. However, there are also private universities and superior graduate schools, which are specifically focused on teaching and research at graduate level and above.

1. University of Bologna

Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is considered the world's oldest university. The University of Bologna is also responsible for the Bologna Process, a series of agreements between European countries with the aim of ensuring cooperation and comparability between the higher education systems of Europe.

With campuses in Bologna, Cesena, Forli, Ravenna, and Rimini in Italy, and an international campus in Buenos Aires, Argentina, it offers a wide range of programs. Bologna has varied nightlife and lots of live music, from opera to modern DJs and bands.

The university’s long list of alumni includes Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, a number of popes, Nobel-winning inventor and engineer Guglielmo Marconi, and Enzo Ferrari and Giorgio Armani, founders of their eponymous brands.

2. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa

The Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, together with the University of Pisa and Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, is a part of the Pisa University system. The university was founded in 1810 as a branch of the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. It offers programmes in both the humanities and sciences and still operates from its original building, Palazzo della Carovana, in the medieval centre of Pisa.

3. Sapienza University of Rome

The Sapienza University of Rome was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII, making it Rome’s oldest university. Sapienza is one of the largest European universities, with a large student population (112,500) of which around 8,300 are from outside Italy.

It is the largest university in Europe, supporting about 115,000 students, including nearly 9,000 international students, and almost 4,000 academic staff. It offers 280 degree programmes and 200 specialist courses across 63 departments, with 50 libraries available for student use (the largest number of any Italian university) as well as 18 museums.

4. Politecnico di Milano

Politecnico di Milano was established in 1863. It provides courses in engineering, architecture and design and is the largest technical university in Italy. Polytechnic University of Milan is ranked best in Italy for Engineering (Aerospace Engineering). Polytechnic University of Milan is ranked best in Italy for Architecture, Building & Planning (Architecture). Polytechnic University of Milan is ranked best in Italy for Mathematics (Mathematics). Polytechnic University of Milan is ranked best in Italy for Computer Science (Computer Science).

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Many of the courses are taught in English and the university has more than 7,000 international students from over 100 countries. The university's two main campuses are located in Milan, while there are other satellite campuses in five other cities across the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions.

5. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies - Pisa

The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies - Pisa is a public university specialising in applied sciences. The university has a rigorous entrance exam and if students are able to achieve top marks and demonstrate proficiency in two languages, they are able to study for free. As a result, the student population is very small with fewer than 1,000 students attending the university. The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies offers degrees in business sciences, economic sciences, legal sciences, political sciences, agricultural sciences, medical sciences, industrial engineering and information engineering.

6. University of Padua

The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law. It is the second oldest university in Italy and the world’s fifth oldest university. The university is made up of 32 departments and eight schools. It also has a university hospital, a museum and 14 halls of residence.

7. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is located in Milan.

8. Humanitas University

Humanitas University is located in Milan.

Other notable Italian Universities

Beyond the top eight, several other Italian universities are worth considering:

University of Milan: Ranked best in Italy for Medicine & Health (Dentistry).
Federico II University of Naples: Ranked best in Italy for Agriculture (Agricultural Sciences).
Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia: Ranked best in Italy for Arts Visual & Performing (Performing Arts).
Università degli Studi Roma Tre: Ranked 801-1000 in the QS World University Rankings.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore: Ranked joint 491st in the QS World University Rankings.
University of Milano-Bicocca: Ranked 601-650 in the QS World University Rankings.
Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi: Known as one of Europe’s top business-focused universities.

University Rankings Overview

Several organizations provide university rankings, offering different perspectives on institutional quality. Some of the most prominent include:

QS World University Rankings: These are among the most important and most-referenced rankings. A total of 30 universities in Italy feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2019, of which 12 make it into the world’s top 500.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings: These rankings compile a wide range of statistics to assess universities.
Scimago Institutions Rankings: These rankings offer another perspective on research and academic output.

The Italian Higher Education System

There are around 90 universities in Italy, of which the majority are publicly funded. Under the Bologna Process, Italy has implemented the nuovo ordinamento system, replacing the former vecchio ordinamento. There is a credit system in place to quantify the amount of work needed to pass each course (e.g. 25 work hours = one credit), as well as an opportunity to change your course or continue your studies abroad after three years.

Types of Qualifications

There are four main types of qualification in the Italian higher education system:

Laurea: A three-year course, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree.
Laurea Magistrale: Consists of the three-year laurea followed by an additional two years of study, making it the equivalent of a master’s degree.
Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico: A five- or six-year course only awarded in some fields - including medicine, architecture and law - which is similar to an integrated master’s degree because there is no separation between the bachelor’s and master’s parts to the qualification.
Dottorato di Ricerca: A doctoral programme primarily offered in superior graduate schools.

Key Considerations for International Students

Application Process

University application procedures in Italy vary depending on whether you are an EU or a non-EU student, and whether you’re applying at undergraduate (referred to as ‘first cycle’) or graduate level (second and third cycle). In general, the first step is to contact your chosen university to check the entry requirements for your degree program.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you must submit a pre-application request form to the Italian embassy or consulate in your country of origin along with the relevant documentation

If you are an EU student, the embassy through which you are applying will send you a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Suitability (Dichiarazione di Valoro in Loco/ DV), which acknowledges your foreign studies prior to applying to universities in Italy. The embassy will then send your documents to your chosen university and you will receive confirmation of acceptance (or rejection) directly from the university.

Visa Requirements

You can find out if you will need a visa to study in Italy using this handy tool offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministero degli Affari Esteri). Most of the time, the visa is free; however, some candidates may need to pay a visa processing fee.

Tuition Fees and Living Costs

Tuition fees at universities in Italy differ depending on the institution and course, as institutions set their own rates. According to government guidelines, average fees are between €900 and €4,000 (~US$1,000-4,500) per year at public universities in Italy, while private universities will be more expensive. In terms of living costs, you’ll need roughly €12,000 (~US$13,500) per year to cover accommodation, food, transport, entertainment and other expenses, with expenses higher in the north of the country.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

International students are eligible for the same scholarships and grants as local students, assessed by academic merit or financial need. This applies to scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, meal tickets and fee waivers.

Residence Permit

Having arrived in Italy, all students (including those from within the EU) must apply for a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno). Non-EU students on a long-stay student visa (more than 90 days) need to apply for this at their local post office within eight days of arrival, while EU nationals should register at their local Ufficio Anagrafe (registry office) within three months of arrival. International students on a short-stay student visa (up to 90 days) must make a declaration of presence (Dichiarazione di Presenza) to the local police (Questura).

Student Life in Key Italian Cities

Rome

Where to start with the Italian capital? Well, most people probably start with the main sights - the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Forum, the Spanish Steps and the catacombs. You might take in a show in one of Rome’s many theaters, or enjoy a large outdoor performance at the Stadio Falminio or Olympic Stadium. If you’re keen on literature, why not enjoy a night out at a book bar - a fusion of bar, library and book club? For bargain hunters, Rome’s antique fairs and flea markets offer reams of vintage and second-hand goodies.

Milan

Celebrated as one of the world’s best cities for students, Milan offers the full package: world-class universities, a high standard of living, and a large and diverse student population. The city’s cosmopolitan population coexists alongside a wealth of historical sites, including the Santa Maria alle Grazie Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which contains the famous painting The Last Supper. As well as being Italy’s leading financial center, Milan is recognized as a world leader in the fashion and design industries, designated a fashion capital of the world alongside London, Paris and New York. With eight universities in Milan, the city has the largest student community in Italy.

Pisa

Once you’ve climbed the famous Leaning Tower and taken one of those typical tourist photos where you pretend to be holding the tower up with your hands, you’ll find there’s a lot more to Pisa than this iconic landmark. Pisa has more than 20 historic churches, several palaces and a series of stunning bridges across the River Arno. While you might not find so many clubs or live music venues in Pisa, the city does offer some alternative music venues, disco bars and karaoke bars. The city gets much of its life from its student population, who organize all kinds of parties, shows and cultural events.

Bologna

Although less familiar to foreigners, Bologna is well-known among Italians, and not just because it is the largest city and capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Bologna is known as the culinary capital of Italy, famous for its cuisine (la cucina Bolognese). It’s also been named a Creative City for Music by UNESCO and has a well-preserved historic center. Having developed around one of the world’s oldest universities, Bologna remains very much a university town, with a large and diverse student population. There is a thriving nightlife, active gay scene, good live music scene, and almost a hundred concerts every year featuring international rock, electronic and alternative bands.

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