Public Universities in Italy

In short

Italy has 68 public universities and special schools, spread across 19 of its 20 regions. Here are the key numbers for 2026/27.

• 68 public institutions: 61 state universities plus 7 special schools (Scuola Normale Superiore, Sant'Anna, SISSA, IMT Lucca, IUSS Pavia, GSSI and Scuola Superiore Meridionale). The special schools are public but mainly serve PhD and advanced study.
• Income-based tuition: each university sets its yearly contribution from family income (ISEE). Below its threshold, there is zero euro tuition for eligible students.
• Regional scholarships: each region runs DSU scholarships that can add a grant, housing and meals. Winners are also exempt from the university contribution.
• Teaching in English: 53 of the 68 have English-taught programmes listed on ApplyAZ, 659 in total. Bologna, Padua and Sapienza list the most.
• Rankings: 44 appear in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Politecnico di Milano is the highest ranked, at joint 87th.

Not sure which of these you can realistically enter? Check your eligibility first. ApplyAZ reviews your academic profile before suggesting any university.

What counts as a public university in Italy?

A public university in Italy is a state institution, funded and regulated by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR). Italy has 61 state universities and 7 special schools. They charge income-based contributions, not market fees. Their degrees follow the national system: bachelor's (laurea), master's (laurea magistrale) and PhD.

The 7 special schools are public too, but they work differently. Scuola Normale Superiore and Sant'Anna are in Pisa, IMT is in Lucca and SISSA is in Trieste. IUSS is in Pavia, GSSI is in L'Aquila and the Scuola Superiore Meridionale is in Naples.

These schools focus on PhD and advanced study. Some also run honours courses alongside a degree at a partner university. Entry is by competitive exam, and places usually come with the school's own funding.

Italy also has non-state universities. They are legally recognised, but they set their own fees. Private universities such as Bocconi belong to this group. ApplyAZ works only with public universities and takes no commission from any university.

What is the full list of public universities in Italy?

The tables below list every public university and special school in Italy, grouped into North, Centre, and South and islands, then by region. Each name links to its ApplyAZ page. You also see the city, founding year, QS 2027 rank, English-taught programmes listed on ApplyAZ and the body that runs the regional scholarship.

Northern Italy: 24 public universities and schools

Central Italy: 19 public universities and schools

Southern Italy and the islands: 25 public universities and schools

Sources: each university's official website, the QS World University Rankings 2027 and ApplyAZ's own programme listings. Founding years are as each university states them, and programme counts grow as listings are added. Verified on 25 September 2026.

The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and the University of Aosta Valley are non-state universities, with their own fee rules. Compare every university on ApplyAZ in the university directory.

How much does a public university in Italy cost for international students?

Public universities in Italy charge a yearly contribution based on family income, measured through the ISEE. Families abroad use the ISEE parificato. Below each university's income threshold, there is zero euro tuition for eligible students. Above it, the contribution rises with income, up to a maximum each university publishes for the academic year.

Students normally still pay the regional right-to-study tax and a stamp duty. For example, for 2026/27 the University of L'Aquila charges no contribution up to an ISEE of €24,000 and at most €1,600. Students there also pay €156 in regional tax and stamp duty.

Students who do not submit an ISEE are normally charged at the top fee band. That is why the ISEE parificato matters as much as the admission letter. Rules differ between universities, so read the fee regulations for your academic year before you apply.

On top of fee reductions, each region runs DSU scholarships for students who meet income and merit rules. Depending on the region, they include a cash grant, a place in a residence and meals. Our DSU scholarship guide for 2026/27 explains the requirements.

Which public universities in Italy teach in English?

Most of them do. 53 of Italy's 68 public universities and schools have at least one English-taught programme listed on ApplyAZ, 659 programmes in total. English teaching is strongest at master's level. The largest offers are at Bologna, Padua, Sapienza, Politecnico di Milano and the University of Milan.

Smaller universities can have strong English offers too. Trento, Siena and Naples Federico II list 15 each, while Tor Vergata and Messina list 14 each.

English-taught bachelor's degrees exist but are fewer, so start with our bachelor's degree guide. Master's students should read the master's in Italy guide, and future doctors the medicine in Italy guide. You can browse every listing on the programmes page.

Despite their names, the two universities for foreigners teach mainly in Italian. The University for Foreigners of Perugia and the University for Foreigners of Siena ask degree students for B2 Italian.

Found a programme that fits? Check your eligibility before you shortlist. That way you only apply where your academic profile meets the entry rules.

How do you choose between Italy's public universities?

Start with the programme, then weigh four practical factors: region, city, the regional scholarship body and its deadlines, and any entry test. The same degree can cost and feel very different in Milan and in Palermo. Each region sets its own scholarship rules, and each university sets its own calendar.

Region

The region decides who runs your scholarship and what it pays. ApplyAZ works across every Italian region, and each one sets its own rules and deadlines. Compare the regional call, not just the university.

City

Large cities such as Milan, Rome and Bologna offer more programmes and more part-time work, but living costs are higher. Smaller cities such as Camerino, Cassino or Teramo are usually cheaper to live in. Think about housing before you think about rankings.

Scholarship body and deadlines

Some regions run one agency for all their universities, such as DiSCo in Lazio, ER.GO in Emilia-Romagna or EDISU in Piedmont. In Lombardy, most universities run the regional scholarship through their own offices, while Pavia uses EDiSU. In Veneto, the universities handle the scholarship and ESU bodies handle housing and canteens.

Each body publishes its own call and deadline. Check them early, because a missed scholarship deadline usually cannot be fixed later.

Entry tests

Many bachelor's degrees use a TOLC test from CISIA or the university's own test. English-taught medicine and dentistry use the IMAT. Most master's programmes assess your degree, grades and credits instead, sometimes with an interview.

Rankings help, but they are only one signal. Our guide to the best universities in Italy compares the top ranked options in more depth.

Which are the largest and oldest public universities in Italy?

Sapienza University of Rome is the largest public university in Italy, with more than 100,000 students. Bologna follows with about 97,000. Bologna, founded in 1088, is widely regarded as the oldest university in continuous operation in the Western world. Parma dates its origins even earlier, to 962.

Public universities with more than 40,000 students

The 10 oldest public universities

Student numbers are approximate and come from each university's latest published figures, so the years differ. Size is not a quality signal on its own. Large universities usually offer more English-taught programmes, while smaller ones often sit in cities with lower living costs.

How do you apply to a public university in Italy from outside the EU?

Non-EU students apply in three official stages. First, the university assesses your qualifications (pre-evaluation) and decides on admission. Next, you complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly, which the university validates. Then you apply for a type D study visa at the Italian consulate or its visa centre in your country.

1. Start with an eligibility check. Confirm that your qualifications meet the entry rules. Check your eligibility with ApplyAZ before you pay any application fee.
2. Apply to the university. Upload your transcripts, degree certificate, proof of English and other documents on its portal by its deadline. Sit any entry test the programme requires.
3. Pre-enrol on Universitaly. After admission, submit your pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal. The university validates it, and the consulate uses it for your visa file.
4. Apply for the regional scholarship. Prepare the ISEE parificato with your family's income and asset documents. Submit the DSU application by your region's deadline.
5. Apply for the type D visa. Book an appointment with the Italian consulate or its visa centre. Show your admission, accommodation, financial means and health insurance.
6. Arrive and register. Apply for your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 working days of arrival. Then complete enrolment at the university.

Some universities also ask for a Declaration of Value or a CIMEA statement of comparability for your qualification. Our Italy student visa guide covers the consulate stage in detail.

The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. ApplyAZ guides eligible students from countries like India through each step, from the eligibility check to the visa.

Ready to see where you fit? Check your eligibility and find out which public universities match your academic profile.

Frequently asked questions

How many public universities are in Italy?

Italy has 68 public universities and special schools: 61 state universities and 7 special schools, spread across 19 of its 20 regions. The special schools, such as Scuola Normale Superiore and SISSA, focus mainly on PhD and advanced study. Aosta Valley has no state university. Its university is non-state, like the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.

Are public universities in Italy free?

Not automatically, because public universities charge a yearly contribution based on family income (ISEE). Below each university's threshold, there is zero euro tuition for eligible students. Students normally still pay a regional tax and stamp duty. Regional DSU scholarship winners are exempt from the contribution and can also receive a grant, housing and meals.

Can I study at a public university in Italy in English?

Yes. 53 of the 68 public universities and schools have English-taught programmes listed on ApplyAZ, 659 in total, mostly at master's level. Bologna, Padua and Sapienza list the most. English-taught bachelor's degrees exist but are fewer, and English-taught medicine and dentistry admit students through the IMAT.

Which public university in Italy is the best?

It depends on your subject and profile. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Politecnico di Milano is the highest ranked Italian public university, at joint 87th. Sapienza (joint 111th) and Bologna (joint 123rd) follow. For many students, the better choice is a university whose entry rules they meet and whose region funds them.

Do I need IELTS to study at a public university in Italy?

Not always, but you need proof of English, and universities must verify at least B2 level. IELTS is widely accepted, alongside TOEFL and Cambridge certificates. Some universities accept an English medium of instruction letter or run their own assessment. Each admission notice sets the rule, so read it first.

Is there an entrance exam for public universities in Italy?

It depends on the programme. Many bachelor's degrees use a TOLC test or the university's own test, and English-taught medicine and dentistry use the IMAT. Most master's programmes assess your degree, grades and credits instead, sometimes with an interview. The special schools admit students through their own competitive exams.

What is DSU in Italy?

DSU stands for Diritto allo Studio Universitario, the right to university study. Each region runs DSU scholarships through a body such as DiSCo Lazio, ER.GO or EDISU Piemonte. Based on income and merit, they can include a cash grant, housing and meals, plus exemption from the university contribution. International students apply with an ISEE parificato.

Can I work while studying at a public university in Italy?

Yes, within limits. Non-EU students with a residence permit for study can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week, up to 1,040 hours a year. Many universities also offer paid part-time roles on campus for enrolled students. Study must stay your main activity, because your permit is issued for study.

Further reading

• Best universities in Italy for international students
• Master's in Italy: fees, universities and how to apply
• A bachelor's degree in Italy
• Studying medicine in Italy
• Scholarships in Italy