study in Italy in English at tuition-free universities Italy and public Italian universities – Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia)

Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia) stands on the Grand Canal yet looks firmly to the future. Founded in 1868 as the first Italian business school, it now offers a wide mix of English-taught programs in Italy. Students come to study in Italy in English, pay fair fees set by tuition-free universities Italy, and enjoy the strengths of one of the leading public Italian universities. This guide explains what makes Ca’ Foscari and Venice a unique launch-pad for global careers.

Why choose English-taught programs in Italy at Ca’ Foscari?

Ca’ Foscari began with economics and languages; today it places in the top 250 worldwide for modern languages (QS 2025) and enters the global top 500 for arts, humanities, and environmental sciences. Key departments include:

• Economics and Management
• Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics
• Linguistics and Cultural Studies
• Digital and Public Humanities

The university hosts more than 1 500 international students each year and delivers over 20 full degrees entirely in English. Small seminar groups mean direct contact with professors who publish in top journals. Partnerships with 700 universities ensure easy Erasmus+ exchanges.

How to study in Italy in English and thrive in Venice

Venice is famous for art, gondolas, and film festivals, yet it is also a living campus spread across six historic districts.

• Student ID cards unlock discounted vaporetto (water-bus) passes, letting you cross the lagoon in minutes.
• Cafe culture encourages language exchange; an espresso costs €1.30 and comes with free tap-water refills.
• Climate is mild: cool, wet winters around 5 °C; warm summers near 28 °C with evening breezes from the Adriatic.
• Most classes lie within a twenty-minute walk, so you save on daily travel costs.

International students find rooms on the mainland in Mestre for around €400 a month, or apply for university dorms on Giudecca Island at similar rates.

Funding and fees at tuition-free universities Italy

Ca’ Foscari follows the national rule that links tuition to family income. Annual fees range from €0 to €1 900; many students qualify for zero cost.

• DSU grant (regional scholarship) – covers fees, meals, and housing if family income is under the set threshold.
• Merit reductions – waive up to 100 per cent of fees for high first-year marks.
• Additional scholarships for international students in Italy – target STEM, sustainability, and cultural-heritage fields.

ApplyAZ scholarship advisers provide checklists, deadlines, and examples of winning DSU grant statements, easing the paperwork load.

Academic structure: flexible paths in public Italian universities

Bachelor programmes last three years, master programmes two. Each uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), so you can move easily between partner institutions. Sample bachelor in Environmental Sciences:

Year 1

• Mathematics, chemistry, and computer tools
• Field trip to the lagoon to sample water quality

Year 2

• Coastal management, climate data analysis, GIS labs
• Optional Erasmus semester in Denmark or Portugal

Year 3

• Sustainable tourism planning, internship, and final thesis

Master options in Digital and Public Humanities, Global Development and Entrepreneurship, or Computer Science let you specialise without leaving Venice.

Research excellence and innovation hubs

Ca’ Foscari leads the European Centre for Living Technology, studying bio-inspired computing. The Department of Economics hosts the Venice Centre in Economic and Risk Analytics for Public Policies, advising EU bodies. Engineering students partner with the Italian Institute of Technology on soft robotics, while climate scientists share data with UNESCO to protect fragile heritage sites from rising seas.

City snapshot: living and learning in a floating laboratory

Venice may look like an open-air museum, yet it offers a modern student lifestyle.

• Supermarkets on the mainland keep grocery bills low; bring produce back on the water-bus.
• Free Wi-Fi squares let you work outdoors between lectures.
• Student theatre at Santa Marta campus stages discounted shows.
• 150 student groups cover rowing, photography, and coding.

Cultural immersion is simple: volunteer as a room steward during the Biennale art exhibition and network with curators worldwide, all while earning ECTS credits.

Public transport and sustainability

The city bans private cars on the historic islands, so you rely on:

• Vaporetti – main water-bus lines run all night, handy after group projects.
• People Mover – a cable-pulled tram linking bus station, cruise terminal, and train station.
• Bicycles – allowed on the mainland; many students keep one in Mestre.

Reduced emissions align with university research on climate resilience. Courses in environmental economics and green finance draw on Venice’s living lab status.

Part-time jobs and internships: real-world experience while you study

Tourism still powers Venice, but the city’s economy now branches into culture tech, marine biology, and sustainable fashion.

• Major employers include luxury group LVMH, UNESCO Venice Office, and shipbuilder Fincantieri.
• Porto Marghera industrial zone offers internships in energy transition, recycling, and logistics optimisation.
• The Venice Innovation District (VeniSIA) incubates start-ups tackling ocean plastics and low-carbon shipping; English-speaking interns are welcome.
• Film students gain paid roles at the Venice International Film Festival each September.

Ca’ Foscari’s Career Service hosts monthly fairs, CV clinics, and mock interviews. ApplyAZ adds industry panels and introduces you to alumni in multinational firms.

Key industries linked to your field of study

• Economics students analyse tourism data or blue-economy funding.
• Computer scientists develop AI tools for art-catalogue digitisation.
• Environmental scientists evaluate flood-barrier performance.
• Language majors intern in translation at publishing houses based in the historic centre.

These projects feed directly into coursework, creating portfolios valued by employers across Europe.

Day-to-day costs and student budget tips

Typical monthly budget (mainland apartment):

• Rent and utilities – €450
• Meals (canteen and groceries) – €250
• Transport pass – €25 with student discount
• Phone and internet – €20
• Leisure and culture – €80

Joining the university sports centre cuts gym fees, and the municipal card offers half-price entry to museums. Many employers reimburse transport expenses during internships.

Language and integration support

While you study in Italy in English, free Italian classes help you navigate daily life. Tandem exchanges pair you with local students keen to practise English or Mandarin. Volunteer tutors also assist with bureaucratic steps such as getting a codice fiscale (tax code) and opening a bank account.

Alumni success and global network

Graduates enter firms like Deloitte, IBM, and the European Central Bank. Others remain to pursue PhDs in History of Art and Conservation Science, often funded by EU projects. The alumni network spans 80 000 members and organises reunions in London, Dubai, and Shanghai.

In two minutes we’ll confirm whether you meet the basic entry rules for tuition-free, English-taught degrees in Italy. We’ll then quickly see if we still have space for you this month. If so, you’ll get a personalised offer. Accept it, and our experts hand-craft a shortlist of majors that fit your grades, goals, and career plans. Upload your documents once; we submit every university and scholarship application, line up multiple admission letters, and guide you through the visa process—backed by our admission-and-scholarship guarantee.