Heading
Heading
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.
Philosophy and Forms of Knowledge LM‑78 at University of Cagliari
Choosing where to deepen your understanding of mind, language, and ethics is not simple. You want first‑class teaching, a vibrant research scene, and tuition you can afford. This master ticks every box. It is one of the few English‑taught programs in Italy devoted entirely to advanced philosophy. You will study in Italy in English, benefit from the income‑linked fees that define public Italian universities, and may even match the out‑of‑pocket cost of tuition‑free universities Italy once the DSU grant or other scholarships for international students in Italy apply. Below, you will see how the LM‑78 degree blends rigorous reasoning with contemporary questions about AI, ecology, and global justice.
Why English‑taught programs in Italy are a smart choice for philosophy
Italian thinkers—from Aquinas to Gramsci—have shaped world ideas for centuries. Studying philosophy here exposes you to primary texts in their historical context, yet the programme’s English delivery keeps entry barriers low. Lecturers publish in international journals on epistemology, semiotics, and applied ethics. Seminars also welcome guest scholars from Oxford, MIT, and the European University Institute, giving you a global network while you learn inside a Mediterranean setting.
Financially, the scheme is equally sound. Fees scale with family income, and the DSU grant can erase tuition while offering a stipend for living costs. If your income documents place you in lower bands, you may study for the price of a bus pass—proof that quality and affordability can coexist.
Programme vision and learning goals
The Philosophy and Forms of Knowledge LM‑78 master aims to:
- Equip graduates to analyse complex problems using logical, ethical, and historical lenses.
- Integrate classic philosophical traditions with present‑day debates on technology, environment, and human rights.
- Train clear communicators who can translate abstract theory into practical guidance for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders.
- Foster intercultural dialogue by hosting an international cohort and encouraging Erasmus+ exchanges.
By the end, you will read difficult texts with precision, build sound arguments, and present them confidently in academic or professional settings.
Course structure: two years, 120 ECTS
Year 1 – Foundations and Contemporary Extensions
- History of Philosophical Ideas (9 ECTS): from pre‑Socratics to Enlightenment social contracts.
- Logic and Argumentation Theory (9 ECTS): formal systems, fallacy mapping, and applied critical thinking.
- Epistemology in the Digital Age (6 ECTS): knowledge, belief, and misinformation in algorithmic environments.
- Moral Philosophy and Global Ethics (6 ECTS): utilitarianism, deontology, virtue approaches, and modern justice theories.
- Philosophy of Science (6 ECTS): hypothesis testing, paradigm shifts, and scientific realism vs. anti‑realism.
- Project Seminar 1 (6 ECTS): student groups critique a contemporary controversy—gene editing, climate scepticism, or AI bias—and deliver a public debate.
Year 2 – Specialisation, Research, and Thesis
- Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science (6 ECTS): consciousness, embodied cognition, and neuroethics.
- Aesthetics and Cultural Hermeneutics (6 ECTS): art interpretation, media theory, and the politics of representation.
- Political Philosophy and Democratic Innovation (6 ECTS): deliberative models, global governance, and digital participation.
- Elective suite—choose two, 6 ECTS each:
- Environmental Philosophy and Eco‑ethics
- Phenomenology and Health Humanities
- Language, Logic, and AI
- Philosophy of Economics and Finance
- Professional Internship or Erasmus+ Mobility (12 ECTS): placements in think‑tanks, archives, schools, or NGOs.
- Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS): an original research project under academic supervision; recent topics include “Algorithmic Authority and Epistemic Injustice” and “Phenomenological Approaches to Pain.”
Each module combines lectures, seminars, and reading workshops. All descriptions here remain under 80 words for easy scanning.
Learning methods: discussion‑driven and research‑intensive
The course uses flipped classrooms. You read or watch pre‑session materials—Plato’s Republic or a TED talk on neural correlates of freedom—and arrive ready to debate. Workshops train you to summarise arguments in 500 words, present them in five‑minute pitches, and refine them through peer critique. Coding clinics introduce LaTeX for formal proofs and Zotero for ethical citation.
Assessments employ essays, oral exams, and concept‑mapping portfolios. Instead of high‑pressure finals, you receive rolling feedback, letting you polish reasoning and academic English throughout the year.
Research engagement and faculty expertise
Professors at the University of Cagliari coordinate European projects on topics such as:
- AI Ethics and Regulation—exploring transparency standards for algorithmic decision‑making.
- Philosophy of Ecology—defining moral standing for non‑human entities.
- Narrative Medicine—using phenomenology to improve patient communication.
Students join reading groups that prepare papers for global conferences like the European Society for Analytic Philosophy. The department houses a digital humanities lab with text‑mining tools, giving you hands‑on experience in corpus analysis for historical research.
Career opportunities after LM‑78
A philosophy master translates into versatile skills: critical thinking, clear writing, and ethical reasoning. Alumni paths include:
- Policy analyst in governmental or intergovernmental organisations.
- Ethics officer in tech or biomedical firms.
- Research coordinator at NGOs tackling human‑rights issues.
- Cultural‑programme curator in museums or festival bodies.
- Academic career—many graduates secure PhD funding in Europe or North America.
Employers value your ability to weigh evidence, forecast unintended consequences, and craft persuasive narratives—competencies in short supply across sectors.
Funding: DSU grant and scholarships for international students in Italy
DSU grant essentials
- Tuition waiver based on income.
- Cash stipend up to €6,000 per academic year.
- Meal vouchers usable in campus canteens.
- Rent support or discounted dormitory accommodation.
Additional opportunities
- Excellence scholarships for entrants with top honours degrees.
- Gender‑equity bursaries encouraging under‑represented voices in analytic philosophy.
- Research‑assistant stipends on EU‑funded ethics projects.
- Erasmus+ top‑ups for mobility periods in Germany, the Netherlands, or Spain.
Admission requirements and application flow
- Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS or equivalent) in philosophy, humanities, social sciences, or a related field.
- Transcript showing at least 24 ECTS in philosophical or theoretical modules.
- English level B2—IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, or evidence of prior English‑medium study.
- Motivation letter (700 words) detailing intellectual interests and career aims.
- Academic CV including publications, conferences, or relevant work.
- Passport copy and photograph.
Soft skills and ongoing development
- Argument‑visualisation clinics use mind‑mapping software to clarify debate structure.
- Public‑speaking workshops train concise elevator pitches for non‑specialist audiences.
- Intercultural dialogue sessions pair you with classmates from five continents to dissect ethical dilemmas.
- Mental‑well‑being support offers mindfulness courses and time‑management coaching for thesis stress.
Continuous improvement: the student voice counts
A joint committee of staff and elected students reviews teaching each term. Feedback has recently:
- Shortened lecture blocks to enhance focus.
- Added a micro‑credential on philosophy of technology coding basics.
- Expanded online library access to include more journals outside paywalls.
A week in narrative form
Monday opens with Logic at 09:00; you formalise Modus Tollens proofs, then discuss them in pairs. After lunch, a seminar on Political Philosophy debates digital surveillance laws. Tuesday brings a coding lab in RStudio, visualising argument networks from Enlightenment pamphlets. Wednesday features a guest lecture on Buddhist epistemology, broadening your intercultural lens. Thursday is for Project Seminar work—your team scripts a public podcast on free will. Friday rounds off with peer‑review circles where essays receive constructive critique. Weekends mix library reading, Sardinian coast walks, and informal language‑exchange cafés.
Why this LM‑78 stands out
- Combines classic and cutting‑edge philosophy in an English‑medium context.
- Integrates data skills and digital humanities, making you future‑proof.
- Costs far less than many Anglophone master’s degrees, especially with the DSU grant.
- Sits in a research‑active department with EU projects in ethics and AI.
- Opens careers from policy analysis to doctoral research, backed by transferable skills.
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.
They Began right where you are
