What is the University of Cassino known for, and is it a public university?
The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio (UNICAS) is a public university founded in 1979, halfway between Rome and Naples, and accredited by Italy's Ministry of University and Research. It has about 7,000 students, around 1,500 of them international from close to 60 countries. Its main campus is Campus Folcara, with engineering on Via G. Di Biasio and branches in Frosinone and Gaeta. It is known for electrical, mechanical, telecommunications, civil and environmental engineering and economics.
Can international students study at the University of Cassino in English?
Yes, the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio teaches 11 degrees in English: five bachelor's and six master's. Bachelor's options are Economics and Business, Economics with Data Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Engineering and Industrial Engineering Technology. The six master's are Global Economy and Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering and the Erasmus Mundus MAIA. Law, psychology and the humanities are taught in Italian, and there is no English MBA or law degree.
What are the admission requirements at the University of Cassino?
The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio pre-admits international applicants on their transcripts, CV, motivation letter and English. For master's degrees, your bachelor's must cover the subjects required by the programme's degree class. UNICAS does not publish an acceptance rate. It may accept a letter confirming your previous degree was taught in English, but the consulate usually wants a B2 certificate such as IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo for the visa, so take the test early.
How do you apply to the University of Cassino, step by step?
Applying to the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio starts with pre-admission on GOMP, the UNICAS student portal, usually from February to June, with each programme setting its own deadline. Universitaly opens for each academic year at the end of March. The MAIA Erasmus Mundus master has its own consortium application. After arrival, enrol promptly: if your enrolment is not confirmed on Universitaly by 31 January, your visa can be revoked.
- Apply for pre-admission on GOMP with transcripts, CV, motivation letter, English proof and passport.
- Once pre-admitted, pre-enrol on Universitaly for the correct academic year.
- Book your visa appointment and apply for your type D study visa by 30 November 2026 for 2026/27, or 31 October 2027 for 2027/28.
- Apply for DiSCo Lazio before its summer deadline.
- Complete enrolment promptly on arrival, and request your residence permit within 8 working days.
How tuition works at the University of Cassino for international students
The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio sets tuition for international students by country of origin, using GDP-per-capita bands, so two students on the same programme can pay different amounts. Income-based reductions are also available on application, and a DiSCo Lazio scholarship includes a tuition exemption, so study can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Can you study at the University of Cassino with little or no tuition?
Yes, but at the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio low tuition depends on a scholarship or an income-based reduction, not on the standard fee. Regular international tuition is set by country of origin. Income-based reductions are available on application, and a DiSCo Lazio scholarship includes a tuition exemption, renewed each year against exam credits. In your control: your applications and exam progress. Not in your control: your country band, your family income and admission.
Which scholarship covers the University of Cassino, and how much is it worth?
The main scholarship for University of Cassino and Southern Lazio students is DiSCo Lazio, which awards a maintenance grant, tuition exemption and subsidised housing based on income and merit. It is renewed each year against exam credits, and in the last cycle Lazio funded every eligible applicant. It is a separate application with its own deadline. MAECI grants and Invest Your Talent in Italy, for selected engineering, economics and management master's, are also available.
How good is the University of Cassino in the rankings, and do they matter?
The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio is second among Italy's small public universities in Censis 2026/27, while global tables that reward research volume rank it lower. QS mostly measures research output and reputation across a whole university, so it says little about one degree. Censis compares Italian public universities by size and weighs services, scholarships, international outlook and employability. Use rankings as one signal, then judge the programme, the entry requirements, the scholarship and the town.
- QS World University Rankings 2027: 1001 to 1200 band
- Censis 2026/27: 2nd among Italy's small public universities (score 87.3)
What is student life like in Cassino, and what does it cost to live there?
Student life at the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio is small-town and affordable: Cassino has about 36,000 people and sits at the foot of Monte Cassino. Rome and Naples are each about an hour and a quarter away by train. Shared rooms start from about €200 a month, and DiSCo halls are cheaper still for scholarship students. The three university canteens price meals by family income, from about €2 to €8. Housing gets tight once term starts, so arrange it before you fly.
How does the University of Cassino compare with Rome and Naples universities?
The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio is much smaller and cheaper than Rome's Sapienza, Tor Vergata and Roma Tre or Naples' Federico II, with fewer subjects but more personal attention. It is a strong choice for English-taught engineering and economics on a tight budget. Its location, about an hour and a quarter by train from both Rome and Naples, lets you enjoy both cities. If you need law, psychology or the humanities in English, look elsewhere.
Is the University of Cassino a good choice for you?
The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio is a good choice if you want a public engineering or economics degree in English at low cost, with small classes and easy access to staff. It is a real state university with the same Bologna-framework degrees and ECTS credits as larger universities, and it belongs to the EUt+ alliance. The trade-offs are the size of the town and the narrower choice of subjects, so it suits focused students more than those seeking big-city life.
How can ApplyAZ help you apply to Cassino, and when should you go alone?
ApplyAZ helps you apply to the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio as part of a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We are independent and Italy-based, and no university pays us. A named person owns each stage: CV and SOP, applications, Universitaly, DiSCo Lazio, the visa file and arrival. UNICAS still decides admission. If you are strong and organised, our roadmap lets you apply on your own. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
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