Best Universities in Italy for International Students
The 44 public universities ApplyAZ covers in QS 2027, with their city, English-taught programmes and how much rank should count.
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In short
These are the top public universities in Italy in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026.
- Politecnico di Milano ranks =87, the only Italian public university in the QS top 100.
- Sapienza University of Rome (=111) and the University of Bologna (=123) come next.
- The University of Padua (204) and Politecnico di Torino (=206) complete the top 5.
- QS 2027 ranks 47 Italian universities. This list covers the 44 public ones, because ApplyAZ works with public universities only.
- Weigh the rank against the programme, the city, the fees and the entry rules. These shape your degree more than a few places.
Want to know which of these universities fit your profile? Check your eligibility to see the public universities and programmes open to you.
What are the top universities in Italy in the QS 2027 rankings?
Forty-four Italian public universities covered by ApplyAZ appear in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Politecnico di Milano leads at =87, followed by Sapienza, Bologna, Padua and Politecnico di Torino. The table ranks all 44 by QS position and shows how many English-taught programmes ApplyAZ lists at each.
An equals sign means QS gives the same position to more than one university. Lower down, QS publishes bands such as 741 to 750 instead of exact positions. Universities in the same band share a rank in Italy here.
| Rank in Italy | QS 2027 position | University | City and region | English-taught programmes on ApplyAZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | =87 | Politecnico di Milano | Milan, Lombardy | 46 |
| 2 | =111 | Sapienza University of Rome | Rome, Lazio | 57 |
| 3 | =123 | University of Bologna | Bologna, Emilia-Romagna | 74 |
| 4 | 204 | University of Padua | Padua, Veneto | 69 |
| 5 | =206 | Politecnico di Torino | Turin, Piedmont | 32 |
| 6 | =270 | University of Milan | Milan, Lombardy | 37 |
| 7 | 341 | University of Pisa | Pisa, Tuscany | 20 |
| 8 | =342 | University of Rome Tor Vergata | Rome, Lazio | 17 |
| 9 | =395 | University of Pavia | Pavia, Lombardy | 24 |
| 10 | 401 | University of Naples Federico II | Naples, Campania | 26 |
| 11 | 405 | University of Turin | Turin, Piedmont | 27 |
| 12 | =409 | University of Florence | Florence, Tuscany | 10 |
| 13 | =438 | University of Trento | Trento, Trentino-South Tyrol | 27 |
| 14 | =502 | University of Genoa | Genoa, Liguria | 20 |
| 15 | 544 | University of Milano-Bicocca | Milan, Lombardy | 8 |
| 16 | =572 | University of Siena | Siena, Tuscany | 18 |
| 17 | =581 | University of Brescia | Brescia, Lombardy | 6 |
| 18 | =600 | Ca' Foscari University of Venice | Venice, Veneto | 28 |
| 19 | =662 | Marche Polytechnic University | Ancona, Marche | 10 |
| 20 | 741 to 750 | University of Bari Aldo Moro | Bari, Apulia | 8 |
| 21 | 761 to 770 | University of Messina | Messina, Sicily | 19 |
| 21 | 761 to 770 | University of Trieste | Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia | 13 |
| 23 | 781 to 790 | University of Verona | Verona, Veneto | 10 |
| 24 | 801 to 850 | University of Modena and Reggio Emilia | Modena, Emilia-Romagna | 8 |
| 24 | 801 to 850 | University of Palermo | Palermo, Sicily | 18 |
| 26 | 851 to 900 | University of Calabria | Rende, Calabria | 10 |
| 26 | 851 to 900 | University of Catania | Catania, Sicily | 12 |
| 26 | 851 to 900 | Roma Tre University | Rome, Lazio | 4 |
| 26 | 851 to 900 | University of Salerno | Fisciano (Salerno), Campania | 7 |
| 26 | 851 to 900 | University of Tuscia | Viterbo, Lazio | 13 |
| 31 | 901 to 950 | University of Ferrara | Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna | 4 |
| 32 | 951 to 1000 | University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli | Caserta, Campania | 7 |
| 32 | 951 to 1000 | Polytechnic University of Bari | Bari, Apulia | 8 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | University of Cassino and Southern Lazio | Cassino, Lazio | 7 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara | Chieti, Abruzzo | 4 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | University of L'Aquila | L'Aquila, Abruzzo | 15 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | University of Parma | Parma, Emilia-Romagna | 14 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | Parthenope University of Naples | Naples, Campania | 4 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | University of Perugia | Perugia, Umbria | 12 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | University of Salento | Lecce, Apulia | 9 |
| 34 | 1001 to 1200 | University of Udine | Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia | 5 |
| 42 | 1201 to 1400 | University of Cagliari | Cagliari, Sardinia | 6 |
| 42 | 1201 to 1400 | University of Molise | Campobasso, Molise | 1 |
| 42 | 1201 to 1400 | University of Sassari | Sassari, Sardinia | 4 |
Source: the QS World University Rankings 2027, with each position checked against the university's QS profile. QS ranks 47 Italian universities in this edition, as Il Sole 24 Ore reported, and rank in Italy counts only the public ones here. Programme counts from the ApplyAZ programme list include degrees with an English-taught curriculum, counted on 9 October 2026.
QS 2027 also ranks three non-state Italian universities: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Vita-Salute San Raffaele and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. They are not listed because ApplyAZ works with public universities only.
The public special schools, such as Scuola Normale Superiore and the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, are not ranked in QS 2027. They admit very small numbers by competitive exam, mostly for honours courses and PhDs. For the full picture of state universities, read our guide to public universities in Italy or browse all universities.
Which is the best university in Italy?
By QS 2027 position, the best public university in Italy is Politecnico di Milano, at =87. It is a technical university focused on engineering, architecture and design. Among broad universities covering most subjects, Sapienza University of Rome (=111), the University of Bologna (=123) and the University of Padua (204) rank highest.
These large universities also have long histories: Bologna was founded in 1088, Padua in 1222 and Sapienza in 1303. They offer the widest choice of English-taught programmes on ApplyAZ, with 74 at Bologna, 69 at Padua and 57 at Sapienza. Still, "best" only means something for your subject, your budget and your entry route.
Which Italian universities are best for engineering?
For engineering, the two polytechnics stand out. Politecnico di Milano (=87) and Politecnico di Torino (=206) are the highest-ranked technical universities in QS 2027. Both teach many engineering master's degrees in English. Sapienza, Bologna and Padua also list engineering among their main strengths.
The subject strengths on their ApplyAZ pages differ. Politecnico di Milano also lists architecture, design and management engineering. Politecnico di Torino lists automotive, aerospace and energy engineering.
Further down the table, there are focused options. Trento lists computer science and information engineering, and Genoa lists robotics. The Polytechnic University of Bari teaches engineering master's degrees in English. An overall QS rank is not a subject rank, so also check the QS subject tables and the programme syllabus.
Which Italian universities are best for business and economics?
Several well-known universities for business and economics, such as Bocconi and LUISS, are private, so they are not in this public list. Among public universities, ApplyAZ's pages list economics, business or management as a main strength at many of them. Examples include Bologna, Tor Vergata, Turin, Trento, Ca' Foscari and Siena.
Politecnico di Milano adds management engineering, which suits students with a technical background. Compare the actual courses in the English-taught programme list. Then check entry rules in our masters in Italy guide or bachelor's degree guide.
Which Italian universities are best for medicine?
For medicine, the entry route matters more than the ranking. English-taught medicine at Italian public universities is entered through one national exam, the IMAT. The highest-ranked public universities that run it are Sapienza (=111), Bologna (=123), Padua (204), Milan (=270) and Tor Vergata (=342).
Pavia, Turin, Naples Federico II, Milano-Bicocca and Marche also run English-taught medicine, among others. Non-EU applicants living abroad are ranked only at the one university they chose at pre-enrolment. That makes each university's recent non-EU cut-off more useful than its QS position. Our medicine in Italy guide and IMAT guide cover the details.
Not sure which subject route fits your background? Check your eligibility before you shortlist.
Should you choose a university in Italy by its ranking?
Use rankings as one input, not the decision. QS ranks whole universities, largely on reputation surveys and research data, while you enrol in one programme in one city. The programme's language and entry rules, your fees, the scholarship region and living costs shape your degree more than a gap of 100 places.
Before you shortlist, check five things for each option:
- The programme: is it taught in English, and does your previous study match its entry requirements?
- Entry rules: does it need an entrance test such as TOLC or IMAT, or have a fixed number of places?
- Fees: does the university set tuition by ISEE, or offer non-EU students a flat fee by country group?
- Scholarship region: which regional body runs the DSU scholarship, and when is its deadline?
- City: what will rent and daily life cost, and is there student housing?
A university ranked around 400th with the right programme can be a better choice than a top 150 university with the wrong one.
Public or private university in Italy: what really changes?
The biggest change is cost. At most public universities, tuition is set by family income (ISEE), so study can be tuition-free for eligible students. Regional DSU scholarships can add a grant, housing and meals. Private universities set their own fees, entrance tests and scholarships, and ApplyAZ works with public universities only.
- Tuition at public universities: set by ISEE for most students, so study can be tuition-free for eligible students.
- Flat fees for non-EU students: some public universities, such as Turin, Messina and Verona, offer a flat yearly fee by country group instead.
- Without income documents: you usually pay the maximum fee for your programme, so plan the ISEE parificato early.
- DSU scholarship: run by regional bodies such as ER.GO in Emilia-Romagna, DiSCo Lazio and EDISU Piemonte. Each region sets its own rules and deadlines.
- Admission: each public university publishes its own call, and non-EU applicants living abroad also pre-enrol on Universitaly.
For amounts and deadlines, read our scholarships in Italy guide and the DSU scholarship guide for 2026/27.
How do you apply to a top public university in Italy?
Start with the programme, not the ranking. Check its entry rules and apply on the university's own portal before the deadline. Then complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly and apply for the study visa. Prepare your ISEE parificato and DSU application alongside, because each region sets its own rules and deadlines.
- Check your eligibility. A bachelor's usually needs 12 years of schooling, and a master's needs a relevant bachelor's degree.
- Shortlist programmes. Compare English-taught options in the programme list and on each university page.
- Apply to the university. Each university runs its own application portal, document list and deadlines.
- Sit any entrance test. Some bachelor's programmes use TOLC, and English-taught medicine uses the IMAT.
- Get your qualifications checked. Universities usually ask for a CIMEA statement or a Declaration of Value.
- Pre-enrol on Universitaly. Non-EU applicants living abroad do this for their chosen programme, and the consulate uses it for the visa.
- Prepare the ISEE parificato and DSU application. These decide your fee bracket and any scholarship.
- Apply for the Type D study visa at the Italian consulate or visa centre that covers you.
ApplyAZ helps eligible students from countries like India through each step, from the eligibility check to the visa. We take no commission from any university. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa.
Ready to see which top public universities you can apply to? Check your eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the top university in Italy in QS 2027?
Politecnico di Milano, at =87 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It is the highest-ranked public university in our table and the only one inside the global top 100. Sapienza University of Rome (=111) and the University of Bologna (=123) follow, then the University of Padua (204) and Politecnico di Torino (=206).
How many Italian public universities are in the QS 2027 rankings?
Forty-four. QS 2027 ranks 47 Italian universities, and the table on this page lists the 44 public ones. Positions run from =87 for Politecnico di Milano down to the 1201 to 1400 band. The other three are non-state universities, and public special schools such as Scuola Normale Superiore are not ranked.
Are higher-ranked universities in Italy harder to get into?
Not automatically. Each programme sets its own entry rules, such as your previous subjects, an English test or an entrance exam like TOLC or IMAT. Some programmes have a fixed number of places and some do not. The university decides admission, so check the programme's call for applications rather than the overall rank.
Do the top Italian universities teach in English?
Yes. ApplyAZ lists 74 English-taught programmes at Bologna, 69 at Padua, 57 at Sapienza and 46 at Politecnico di Milano. Most are master's degrees, with fewer bachelor's options. You do not need Italian to study on these programmes, although basic Italian helps with daily life.
How tuition works at a top public university in Italy
It depends on your family income, not on the ranking. Most public universities set tuition by family income (ISEE), so study can be tuition-free for eligible students, and DSU scholarship winners are exempt from tuition. Some offer non-EU students a flat fee by country group instead. Without income documents, you usually pay the maximum for your programme.
Are Bocconi, Cattolica and LUISS on this list?
No. Bocconi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and LUISS are private universities, and ApplyAZ works with public universities only. Private universities set their own fees, entrance tests and scholarships. If you are comparing them with public options, check each private university's official fee rules for the academic year you plan to start.
Does a university's ranking affect the DSU scholarship?
No. The DSU scholarship is run by a regional body, such as ER.GO in Emilia-Romagna or DiSCo Lazio, and does not depend on the ranking. It is based mainly on family income and, after the first year, on the credits you pass. Each region sets its own rules and deadlines.
Can ApplyAZ help me get into a top-ranked Italian university?
ApplyAZ helps eligible students from countries like India apply to English-taught degrees at Italian public universities, from the eligibility check to the visa. We take no commission from any university. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. The first step is to check your eligibility.
Where they're studying now
Students who started exactly where you are
English-taught programmes that can be tuition-free for eligible students, and the DSU grant landing in their account every year. The funding mechanics are identical at every Italian public university: the same ISEE Parificato, the same regional bando, the same ranking. Only the authority and the dates change.
They began right where you are
Now they're studying at Italian public universities, where a degree can be tuition-free for eligible students, with DSU scholarships of up to about €8,250 a year for students living away from home, depending on the region.
