What is the University for Foreigners of Siena known for, and is it public?
The University for Foreigners of Siena is a small public university in Siena, Tuscany, specialised in Italian language and culture, languages and intercultural communication. Its first courses in Italian language and culture ran in 1917, and it traces Siena's tradition back to a chair of Italian for German students in 1588. It is known for its CILS certificate of Italian as a foreign language and its CLUSS Italian courses, and it offers five bachelor's degrees, four master's degrees and doctoral programmes.
Can you study at the University for Foreigners of Siena in English?
Not really: the University for Foreigners of Siena teaches its degrees in Italian, and we found no English-taught bachelor's or master's programme on its official site. Its bachelor's degrees cover linguistic and cultural mediation, Italian language and culture, translation and interpreting, Italian literature and arts, and cultural heritage. The master's degrees cover publishing and teaching, linguistics and intercultural communication, cooperation, and archaeology and art history. Plan to study in Italian.
What are the admission requirements for international students?
The University for Foreigners of Siena asks non-EU applicants for 12 years of schooling and certified Italian: B2 for bachelor's degrees, B1 for students from East Asian countries, and C1 for master's degrees. The bachelor's requirement is waived if your school diploma was earned in an EU language. It accepts CILS, CELI, CERTIT and PLIDA certificates. You need a declaration of value or a CIMEA statement for your qualification, and bachelor's entrants sit a knowledge test.
How do you apply to the University for Foreigners of Siena, step by step?
You apply to the University for Foreigners of Siena by pre-enrolling on Universitaly for your visa, then enrolling with the university, which opened enrolment for 2026/27 on 1 July 2026. If you have fewer than 12 years of schooling, its Foundation Year is the entry route: for 2026/27 it runs from 11 January to 15 October 2027, takes students from B1 Italian to at least B2 and closes applications on 10 September 2026.
- Reach the required Italian level and get a CILS, CELI, CERTIT or PLIDA certificate.
- Obtain a declaration of value or a CIMEA statement for your qualification.
- Pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for your type D study visa.
- Enrol with the university and pay the first instalment.
- Apply to DSU Toscana for a scholarship and housing by its deadline.
How tuition works at the University for Foreigners of Siena
The University for Foreigners of Siena sets tuition by family income (ISEE), so study can be tuition-free for eligible students. First-year students with an ISEE up to €24,000 pay no university contribution, and the amount rises with income up to €45,000. Non-EU students without an ISEE pay according to their country, citizens of the lower-income countries on the university's list pay the lowest amount, and DSU scholarship winners are exempt from tuition.
Can you study at Siena's University for Foreigners with little or no tuition?
Yes, you can study at the University for Foreigners of Siena with little or no tuition if your family income or citizenship qualifies. Tuition is set by family income (ISEE): first-year students up to €24,000 pay no university contribution, and a DSU scholarship winner also gets a tuition waiver. Citizens of listed lower-income countries pay a reduced amount. In your control: your ISEE paperwork and authorising it by 15 October, or you pay the maximum. Not in your control: your family's income.
Which scholarship covers the University for Foreigners of Siena?
The regional DSU Toscana scholarship covers students at the University for Foreigners of Siena. For 2026/27 the limits are an ISEE of €27,000 and an ISPE of €60,000, and applications ran from 20 July to 7 September 2026. Winners get a cash grant, free canteen meals and, for off-site students, free housing where available. Students with income abroad need translated, legalised documents. Italy's national minimum grant for off-site students in 2026/27 is €7,171.11 a year.
How good is the University for Foreigners of Siena in the rankings?
The University for Foreigners of Siena does not appear in the overall tables we checked: QS 2027, THE 2026, ARWU 2026 and Censis 2026/27. That is normal for a small, specialist university, since global tables reward research volume across many fields. Its standing rests on something else: it has run Italian courses since 1917 and issues the CILS certificate, one of the certificates it accepts as proof of Italian. If you want to master Italian or teach it, that specialism matters more than a rank.
- QS World University Rankings 2027: not ranked
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026: not ranked
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026: not ranked
- Censis 2026/27: not included
What is student life like in Siena, and what does it cost to live there?
Student life at the University for Foreigners of Siena happens in a compact medieval city where international students of Italian are part of daily life. The university sits at Piazza Carlo Rosselli, and DSU Toscana runs student residences and canteens in the city. DSU winners get free meals and, if off-site, free housing where available, which removes the largest costs. Florence is the nearest major city and transport hub. Apply early, because DSU residence places are limited.
How does it compare with the University of Siena?
The University for Foreigners of Siena is the city's small specialist public university for Italian language, languages and intercultural studies, while the University of Siena is its larger generalist public university, with a far wider choice of subjects. Both are covered by the same DSU Toscana scholarship call. Choose the University for Foreigners if Italian language, translation or teaching Italian is your goal, and the University of Siena if you want a broader choice of subjects.
Is the University for Foreigners of Siena a good choice for you?
The University for Foreigners of Siena suits you if you want to master Italian, work in translation, interpreting or mediation, or teach Italian as a foreign language, and you are ready to study in Italian from day one. It suits you less if you need English-taught degrees or a broad subject range. Its Foundation Year is a practical bridge if you have fewer than 12 years of schooling or need to raise your Italian. Tuition follows family income (ISEE), so study can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How can ApplyAZ help with the University for Foreigners of Siena?
ApplyAZ focuses on English-taught programmes at Italian public universities, so we will tell you honestly if the University for Foreigners of Siena, which teaches in Italian, fits your plan. If you speak Italian well, organised students can apply alone with our roadmap. If you want English-taught options, we shortlist 20 to 30 programmes, write your CV and SOPs, submit each application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship and visa file. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
