Is Lecce a good place to study for international students?
Lecce is a good choice for international students who want a beautiful, affordable small city in the far south of Italy and can manage some Italian. The city of 94,387 people (2026) in Apulia is nicknamed the Florence of the South for its baroque centre, and it lies close to both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Its public university, the University of Salento, has about 20,000 students. Lecce suits students who value low costs and quality of life over big-city choice.
Which universities are in Lecce, and which are public?
Lecce has one public university, the University of Salento, the main university of the Salento peninsula, with programmes in engineering, sciences, economics, law, languages, education and social sciences. Its enrolment grew 16.7% between 2018/19 and 2024/25, to 20,075 students. The city also has a state music conservatory and a fine arts academy, part of Italy's separate arts and music sector. ApplyAZ works with the University of Salento, where tuition follows family income.
- University of Salento: public, founded 1955, 20,075 students in 2024/25
- Conservatorio Tito Schipa: public music conservatory (arts and music sector)
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Lecce: public fine arts academy (arts and music sector)
What can you study in English in Lecce?
In Lecce, most degrees at the University of Salento are taught in Italian, and the English-taught offer is small. The university's international portal lets you filter its course list for international programmes, including any taught in English, but we could not verify a current count, so check the teaching language of each degree before you apply. For Italian-taught degrees, non-EU students must meet the Italian requirement in each admission notice. Browse our English-taught programmes for current options.
How much does it cost to live in Lecce as a student?
Living in Lecce is affordable by Italian standards: most students spend about €600 to €800 a month. Centro Studi SoloAffitti put a single room at €250 to €350 a month in September 2026, with peaks of €400 to €420, well below Bologna or Milan. University of Salento students can buy an SGM bus pass for €12 a month, valid on the whole city network. Food is inexpensive if you cook and shop at local markets, and the compact centre means many students walk most places.
- Private single room: €250 to €350 a month, peaks of €400 to €420 (SoloAffitti, September 2026)
- ADISU Puglia residence: €2,208 a year is deducted from a winner's grant (2026/27)
- Food: about €200 to €250 a month if you cook (ApplyAZ estimate)
- Transport: €12 a month SGM city bus pass for University of Salento students
- Bills, phone and personal costs: about €70 to €130 a month (ApplyAZ estimate)
- Monthly total: about €600 to €800 (ApplyAZ estimate, 2026)
How do you find student housing in Lecce?
In Lecce, apply for ADISU Puglia housing together with your scholarship application, because residence places go to eligible students on income and merit; for 2026/27 the window ran from 14 July to 13 August 2026. Most students rent a room privately, in or near the historic centre or close to the Ecotekne campus for engineering and sciences. Ask for a registered contract, remember Italian law caps a deposit at three months' rent, and never pay for a room you have not seen in person or on video.
Which scholarship covers students in Lecce, and how much is it worth?
In Lecce, ADISU Puglia runs the right-to-study scholarship for University of Salento students, together with housing and canteens. For 2026/27 it pays up to €7,172 a year to off-site students, within an ISEE limit of €26,000 and an ISPE limit of €56,000; €2,208 is deducted for free housing and €900 for a daily meal. Tuition is set by family income (ISEE): under Italy's no-tax area, students on track with an ISEE up to €22,000 pay no contribution, only regional tax and stamp duty.
How do you get to Lecce and get around once you are there?
Lecce's nearest airport is Brindisi, about 39 km away, and shuttle buses reach the city in about 40 minutes, with several operators running the route every day. Lecce station is the southern end of the Adriatic railway, so trains run north along the coast to Bari and on to central and northern Italy. In town, SGM runs the buses, and University of Salento students pay €12 for a monthly pass valid on the whole network. The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot or by bike.
What is student life like in Lecce?
Student life in Lecce happens in and around its baroque old town, built in Lecce stone, a soft local limestone that gives the centre its warm colour. Piazza Sant'Oronzo, beside a Roman amphitheatre that once seated more than 25,000 people, is the natural meeting point. Summers are long and hot, and both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts are close enough for beach days. The pace is slower than in big cities and daily life is mostly in Italian, which is a real chance to learn the language.
What should you sort out in your first weeks in Lecce?
Your first weeks in Lecce are mostly paperwork, so plan them before you arrive. Non-EU students must request the permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arrival, using the kit from a post office. You also need a codice fiscale, health cover and confirmation of your ADISU Puglia place or private contract, then your SGM bus pass with the free student card. The University of Salento's international office can guide you. Keep copies of every document and receipt.
- Request your permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days, with the post office kit (non-EU)
- Get your codice fiscale if you did not receive one during your visa or pre-enrolment
- Arrange health cover: private insurance or voluntary SSN registration (about €700 a year)
- Confirm your ADISU Puglia residence or sign a registered rental contract
- Get the free SGM student card and your €12 monthly bus pass
Can you work part-time while studying in Lecce?
Yes, you can work part-time while studying in Lecce: a non-EU study permit allows up to 20 hours a week and 1,040 hours a year. The University of Salento offers paid part-time student collaborations, often called 150-hour jobs at Italian universities. Lecce's job market is small and seasonal, strongest in tourism, restaurants and hospitality in summer, and almost all roles need Italian. Treat work as a top-up to your budget rather than a way to cover your rent and living costs.
How does Lecce compare with other Italian student cities?
Lecce is one of the cheaper Italian student cities: a single room at €250 to €350 in September 2026 compares with an average of €585 in Bologna and €704 in Milan. It is small, slower and more Italian-speaking than big cities. Bari, Apulia's capital, is larger and has more English-taught degrees at two public universities. Choose Lecce for low costs, a historic centre and the coast; choose Bari or the north if you need a wide English-taught offer or a larger job market.
How can ApplyAZ help you study in Lecce?
ApplyAZ can include the University of Salento in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities when it offers a course that fits you, and we take no university commissions. We write your CV and tailored SOPs, submit each application and your Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your ADISU Puglia scholarship and prepare your visa file, with a named person owning each stage. Organised students can apply alone. see how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
