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University of Cagliari (Università degli Studi di Cagliari)
Welcome to a Mediterranean centre of learning
Many applicants search for English‑taught programs in Italy that blend research quality, personal support, and modest fees. The University of Cagliari answers that call. As one of the long‑standing public Italian universities, it offers chances to study in Italy in English while keeping costs close to those at many tuition‑free universities Italy. Established in 1626 and rebuilt after the Second World War, the institution stands today among global rankings for its scientific output, student satisfaction, and regional impact.
A brief history with modern reach
The university began as a Spanish crown college, teaching law, medicine, and philosophy to serve Sardinia. Centuries later, it has evolved into a full research hub with 15 departments and more than 25,000 students. Times Higher Education places it in the 501‑600 band worldwide, noting strong citation scores in physics, computer science, and medicine. Local companies partner with university labs to refine drug discovery, marine engineering, and renewable‑energy storage, building the school’s reputation far beyond the island.
Key academic areas
- Engineering and Architecture: civil, environmental, chemical, and computer engineering.
- Life Sciences: biotechnology, bioinformatics, and marine biology.
- Medicine and Surgery: clinical practice, neuroscience, and sports science.
- Economics, Law, and Political Science: international management, data analytics, and EU policy studies.
- Humanities and Education: archaeology, linguistics, and digital communication.
Many of these departments host English‑taught postgraduate tracks, joint doctorates, and Erasmus mobility exchange, reinforcing the university’s role within the circle of English‑taught programs in Italy.
English‑taught programs in Italy: degree map at Cagliari
The university offers more than a dozen full degrees and numerous single modules in English.
- Master of Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity stream
- Master of Electronic Engineering
- Master of International Management and Sustainability
- Master of Biosciences and Biotechnology
- Joint Doctorate in Sustainable Tourism Management (shared with Spanish and French partners)
Short specialist tracks include Deep Learning for Robotics and Big‑Data Mining for Finance. These options let you study in Italy in English while linking classroom theory to Mediterranean case studies.
Students who prefer Italian instruction can still select up to 40 ECTS in English modules, keeping language skills fresh. Tandem‑learning clubs pair locals and internationals, so everyone benefits.
Scholarships, fees, and the DSU grant
Like all public Italian universities, the University of Cagliari uses income‑based tuition. Annual fees rarely exceed €3,000 and may shrink below €500 when family income meets low‑band thresholds.
DSU grant overview
- Tuition waiver: 100 % of fees removed for eligible income brackets.
- Living stipend: up to €5,600 each academic year.
- Meal plan: two free meals per day in campus cafeterias.
- Accommodation: discounted rooms at university halls.
Regional bodies such as ERSU Sardegna handle DSU applications, yet ApplyAZ guides you through each form, translation, and deadline.
Other support
- Excellence awards: €2,000‑€4,000 for students in the top 10 %.
- Research assistantships: part‑time roles in labs for €600‑€800 per month.
- Industry fellowships: Port Authority and Tiscali sponsor final‑semester projects.
These scholarships for international students in Italy can combine with the DSU grant, lowering net costs to near zero.
Campus architecture and learning resources
Cagliari’s main hub sits on a hill overlooking the lagoon. Buildings mix Baroque façades with high‑glass labs and open makerspaces. Facilities include:
- Digital Innovation Centre: home to Sardegna Ricerche supercomputers.
- Marine Station: vessels, scuba gear, and ocean sensors for field courses.
- Biomedical Complex: simulation wards, MRI scanners, and tissue‑culture suites.
- Language Centre: free IELTS preparation, Italian A1‑C1 classes, and subtitling labs.
Each faculty offers evening help sessions led by doctoral tutors—ideal for non‑native English speakers adjusting to technical vocabulary.
The city: life, cost, and daily rhythm
Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, hugs a gulf framed by limestone cliffs and pink‑salt lagoons. Its population of 150,000 blends island heritage with student energy.
Affordability
- Rent: €250‑€350 per month for a shared flat.
- Groceries: €150 on average, lower if you use open markets.
- Transport: €25 monthly pass covers buses, trams, and suburban trains.
Compared with mainland metros, you save 20 %‑30 % on living costs, stretching scholarship funds further.
Climate
- Winter: mild, 12 °C average, plenty of sunshine.
- Spring and autumn: perfect for hiking coastal trails.
- Summer: hot but breezy; classes mostly end by July, letting you enjoy beaches.
Public transport
Orange CTM buses run day and night, linking dorms, labs, and entertainment areas. Bike‑sharing stations and e‑scooters serve the flat lowlands. The airport sits 10 minutes by train, connecting you to Rome and Milan in one hour.
Culture and leisure
- Roman amphitheatre concerts and open‑air cinema nights.
- Sardinian folk festivals with masks, horses, and pipe music.
- Street‑art routes and indie‑music bars in the Marina district.
- Mediterranean diet celebrated in student canteens: fregola, sea urchin pasta, and pecorino cheese.
Erasmus Student Network organises wind‑surf weekends and language‑exchange aperitivos, making it easy to build friendships.
Industry scene: jobs and internships
Sardinia’s economy blends traditional and high‑tech domains.
Key sectors
- ICT: Tiscali, CRS4 research park, and start‑ups in cybersecurity and cloud computing.
- Energy transition: Enel Green Power solar projects and Wave Power pilot plants.
- Marine and aerospace: Fincantieri ship repair, Dassault Systems flight‑test outpost.
- Tourism and culture: luxury resorts, archaeological consulting, and event management.
- Agri‑food: organic wine, botanical extracts, and nutraceutical labs.
Internship offices connect students with these employers through career days and project challenges. For example, data‑science students may analyse sailing‑race telemetry, while automation engineers program robots that pack pecorino rounds. Humanities students curate VR tours of Nuragic ruins, merging culture with tech.
Innovation hubs
- Parco Tecnologico di Pula: houses biotech and AI ventures; offers summer traineeships.
- INAF‑Sardinia Radio Telescope: physics students assist in pulsar data crunching.
- Port of Cagliari Smart Logistics Cluster: engineers model container‑flow algorithms.
Local authorities run “Voucher Tirocinio” schemes giving stipends to companies that host international interns. These keep costs down for small firms and open many positions.
Relevant industries for every faculty
- Economic analysis: fintech for small islands and blue economy forecasting.
- Engineering: aerospace composites, renewable micro‑grids, and hydrogen storage.
- Life sciences: marine pharmaceutics, coral eco‑genomics, and anti‑aging compounds.
- Law and policy: EU maritime law, migration studies, and smart city governance.
- Humanities: digital archives of Phoenician artefacts and endangered dialect preservation.
This variety ensures that whatever field you choose, Cagliari provides specialised avenues for research, internships, or entrepreneurial trials.
Support services and student welfare
- Buddy programme: older internationals help new arrivals with housing and healthcare forms.
- Counselling centre: free sessions in English and Italian.
- Sports association: discounted sailing, climbing, and five‑a‑side leagues.
- Career mentoring: LinkedIn clinics, mock interviews, and start‑up incubator workshops.
These services ensure you can focus on learning rather than paperwork or stress.
Why Cagliari stands out
- Historic campus plus modern labs in one setting.
- Lower living costs than mainland capitals.
- Strong funding through DSU grant and additional aid.
- Fast air links to Europe and rich Sardinian culture at your doorstep.
- Job market that values English‑speaking graduates with technical or creative skills.
Picture your next step
Imagine coding a hydro‑meter predictor by day, watching flamingos at sunset, and enjoying pasta alla bottarga with classmates after study. Picture printing your thesis on algae‑derived paper, knowing the research fed directly into a start‑up trial. This is the rhythm that awaits at the University of Cagliari.
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.
Environmental Engineering for Sustainable Development LM‑35 & Industrial Automation Engineering LM‑25
Choosing a graduate route abroad often means balancing cost, language, and career relevance. English‑taught programs in Italy solve this puzzle by mixing strong research with modest tuition. The Environmental Engineering for Sustainable Development LM‑35 at the University of Cagliari (Università degli Studi di Cagliari) and the Industrial Automation Engineering LM‑25 at the University of Brescia (Università degli Studi di Brescia) form a powerful pair. One trains experts who protect natural resources; the other produces engineers who automate industry for efficiency. Together they highlight how public Italian universities unite green priorities with advanced technology—often at fee levels that approach those of tuition‑free universities Italy.
Why English‑taught programs in Italy lead the way
Italy ranks among the top European hosts for international students. Its public system keeps fees low, invests in modern labs, and supports learners through the DSU grant and other scholarships for international students in Italy. Programmes run wholly in English, so you can dive straight into scientific content without language barriers, yet still pick up Italian for daily life. This combination means you study cutting‑edge topics, keep your budget under control, and graduate with a diploma recognised across the European Higher Education Area.
Public Italian universities also collaborate tightly with regional firms. Environmental engineers study circular‑economy solutions alongside mining companies, while automation specialists code real‑time controls for robotics manufacturers. These partnerships shape curricula and open paid internships, boosting employability right after graduation.
Environmental Engineering for Sustainable Development LM‑35: University of Cagliari (Università degli Studi di Cagliari)
Programme vision
The LM‑35 master responds to climate change, resource scarcity, and rapid urban growth. It trains professionals who can design, manage, and audit sustainable systems—from renewable‑powered desalination plants to resilient road embankments. Faculty members lead EU Horizon projects on water reuse, coastal protection, and life‑cycle assessment, so lectures draw on fresh data rather than dated textbook examples.
Curriculum snapshot
- Core foundations (Year 1):
- Advanced Hydrology and Flood Risk
- Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology
- Geotechnical Engineering for Sustainable Foundations
- Environmental Data Analysis with Python
- Circular‑Economy Materials
- Applied tracks (Year 2—choose two):
- Coastal Zone Management
- Waste‑to‑Energy Technologies
- Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure
- Climate‑Smart Urban Drainage
Students spend a semester in project studios tackling real cases: rehabilitating a damaged wetland, modelling landslide risk, or measuring greenhouse‑gas footprints for local industries. The final 30‑ECTS thesis often links to industry or regional agencies, reinforcing professional networks.
Facilities and methods
The programme uses a Marine Station for sediment cores, a Hydraulics Flume for real‑flow tests, and a GIS Laboratory for spatial modelling. Fieldwork trips collect soil samples and drone imagery, while software labs run QGIS, HEC‑RAS, and Life Cycle Assessment tools. Assessment spreads across design reports, oral defences, and peer reviews, fostering both technical depth and clear communication.
Industrial Automation Engineering LM‑25: University of Brescia (Università degli Studi di Brescia)
Programme vision
Industry 4.0 demands engineers who fuse mechanics, electronics, and software. The LM‑25 master prepares them to integrate robots, sensors, and control algorithms into smart factories. Students learn to cut energy waste, boost accuracy, and guarantee safety, all while adopting sustainable practice that aligns with global climate goals. Professors cooperate with robotics giants, battery innovators, and cyber‑security start‑ups, bringing live challenges into class.
Curriculum snapshot
- Core foundations (Year 1):
- Control Systems Design and State‑Space Modelling
- Industrial Robotics and Kinematics
- Power Electronics for Electric Drives
- Embedded Systems Programming in C/C++
- Machine Vision and Deep Learning
- Applied tracks (Year 2—choose two):
- Collaborative Robotics Safety
- Edge AI for Predictive Maintenance
- Digital Twin for Smart Manufacturing
- Renewable‑Energy Integration in Plants
Project weeks place teams inside robot cells and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) testbeds. You will calibrate servo motors, deploy OPC UA protocols, and visualise process data on cloud dashboards. The 30‑ECTS thesis merges software code with physical hardware, often inside a partner company’s pilot line.
Facilities and methods
The Department hosts a Robotics Cell with six‑axis arms, a Real‑Time Control Lab using NI CompactRIO, and an Industrial Networks Bench with EtherCAT and PROFINET nodes. Hackathons pair automation students with data‑science peers to optimise production schedules, pushing interdisciplinary skill.
Learning environment: shared strengths
Active teaching
Both programmes employ flipped classrooms: watch concise theory videos before class, then solve problems or run experiments in person. Studio reviews mimic professional boardrooms, teaching you to justify design choices to mixed audiences. Continuous assessment replaces single high‑stakes exams, encouraging steady progress.
Research engagement
Master’s students often co‑author papers or present at international conferences. Environmental engineers join sediment‑transport studies in Mediterranean deltas; automation students publish on AI‑driven motor control. Participation deepens subject mastery and boosts your CV.
Soft‑skill growth
Communication, teamwork, and ethics span all modules. Workshops cover intercultural dialogue, project‑management software, and life‑cycle thinking. Graduates emerge ready to lead multi‑disciplinary teams addressing both environmental and industrial goals.
Costs, DSU grant, and scholarship routes
Fee model in public Italian universities
Tuition is linked to certified family income. For many non‑EU students, annual fees range from €300 to €3,000—already lower than most English‑speaking countries.
DSU grant benefits
- Full tuition waiver for qualifying income bands
- Cash stipend up to €6,000 per academic year
- Daily meal vouchers usable at university canteens
- Discounted or free accommodation in halls
Ranking criteria mix economic need and academic merit. ApplyAZ helps you gather translations, embassy stamps, and the ISEE form where required.
Additional scholarships for international students in Italy
- Merit awards: €2,000–€5,000 for high entry grades or top yearly marks
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs bursaries: cover living costs for selected nationalities
- Corporate fellowships: fund thesis work on wastewater sensors or collaborative robots
- Erasmus+ mobility grants: support an optional semester at a European partner university
Stacking the DSU grant with one merit award often brings your net cost close to zero, fulfilling the dream of tuition‑free universities Italy.
Career prospects and industry alignment
Environmental Engineering LM‑35 outcomes
- Water‑resource engineer designing flood defences and desalination plants
- Environmental consultant performing life‑cycle audits for manufacturing firms
- Sustainability officer in mining, energy, or tourism sectors
- Research associate in climate‑adaptation think tanks or NGOs
Industrial Automation Engineering LM‑25 outcomes
- Automation engineer integrating PLCs, robots, and SCADA systems
- Control‑systems designer for electric‑vehicle or renewable‑energy equipment
- Industrial IoT specialist turning sensor data into predictive models
- Robotics software developer refining motion and safety algorithms
Recruiters value the European LM codes—LM‑35 and LM‑25—because they map to Level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework. That mapping eases visa sponsorship and professional‑engineer registration across Europe.
Sector synergies
Sustainable development needs advanced automation: smart grids balance solar peaks, and robotic sorters separate recycling streams. Likewise, factory decarbonisation depends on environmental‑impact audits. Graduates from these two programmes often collaborate, uniting green engineering with digital control for holistic solutions.
Key takeaways
- Strategic mix: Combine environmental resilience with industrial automation for future‑proof expertise.
- English access: Study entirely in English while enjoying Italian culture day‑to‑day.
- Low costs: Income‑linked fees plus DSU grant lower financial barriers.
- Hands‑on labs: Field trips, robotics cells, and digital twins convert theory to skill.
- Career reach: Employers need engineers who handle climate goals and automation—exactly your training blend.
Ready for this programme?
If you qualify and we still have a spot this month, we’ll reserve your place with ApplyAZ. Our team will tailor a set of best-fit majors—including this course—and handle every form and deadline for you. One upload, many applications, guaranteed offers, DSU grant support, and visa coaching: that’s the ApplyAZ promise. Start now and secure your spot before this month’s intake fills up.
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