Public universities in Italy offer international students several potential benefits, including generally lower tuition than private universities, access to scholarships and fee reductions subject to eligibility, a multicultural study environment, and a diverse range of degree programs. Students may also use university libraries, laboratories, and support services, although facilities and benefits vary by institution.
So, if you are interested in these benefits, keep reading. This article provides an overview of public higher education in Italy, along with additional details about seven well-established public universities in Italy for international students.
Top Public Universities in Italy
Italy has many public universities that welcome international students. The following institutions are notable for their history, broad academic offerings, research activities, or international programs:
| INSTITUTION NAME | NOTABLE ACADEMIC AREAS |
|---|
| University of Bologna | Economics and Management, Law, and Engineering and Architecture |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Classics and Ancient History, and Archaeology |
| University of Milan | Medicine, Law, and Sociology |
| University of Padua | Medicine and Surgery, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences |
| University of Florence | Law, Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering |
| University of Turin | Medical Sciences and Strategic Sciences |
| University of Pisa | Engineering, Economics, and Biotechnology |
1. University of Bologna
The year 1088 is conventionally recognized as the foundation date of the University of Bologna, which describes itself as the oldest university in the Western world. Today, it is a major public, multicampus university with an international academic community.
The University of Bologna offers degree programs in numerous fields, including natural sciences, law, economics and management, humanities, engineering and architecture, medicine, political sciences, and social sciences. One of its notable graduates was the Italian poet and film director Pier Paolo Pasolini, who earned a degree in literature from the university.
2. Sapienza University of Rome
Established in 1303, Sapienza University of Rome is one of Europe’s largest public universities. It offers a broad selection of undergraduate and graduate programs, including programs taught in English for international students. As a public institution, it can offer comparatively affordable tuition, although the amount charged and any available reductions depend on the program and the student’s circumstances.
Sapienza is particularly well known for its humanities subjects. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, it ranked first worldwide for Classics and Ancient History and seventh for Archaeology. Studying at Sapienza also allows students to experience Rome and visit cultural and historical landmarks such as Vatican City, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.
3. University of Milan
The University of Milan, founded in 1924, is a public research university with a multidisciplinary academic offering. It provides programs at undergraduate, master’s, single-cycle, and postgraduate levels in areas that include medicine, law, the humanities, social sciences, and science and technology.
The University of Milan emphasizes multidisciplinary education, research, and internationalization. It also operates an International Welcome Desk that assists international students with matters such as enrollment, visas, study plans, accommodation, scholarships, and cultural adjustment.
4. University of Padua
Established in 1222, the University of Padua is one of Italy’s oldest universities. It is a public university that offers degree programs across the humanities, social sciences, medicine, engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, psychology, and the natural sciences.
The university has a long history of medical and scientific education. It has hosted numerous influential scholars, including Galileo Galilei, who held the chair of mathematics at the University of Padua from 1592 to 1610.
5. University of Florence
- Admissions
- Notable Academic Areas: Law, Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering
The University of Florence traces its origins to the Studium Generale established by the Florentine Republic in 1321. Its teaching and research facilities are distributed across several parts of Florence and the surrounding metropolitan area, combining historic buildings with more recent university facilities.
Florence’s galleries, museums, architecture, and historical sites give international students many opportunities to learn outside the classroom. The university also has its own long academic history; its official account notes that Giovanni Boccaccio was commissioned to give lectures on Dante’s Divine Comedy.
6. University of Turin
Founded in 1404, the University of Turin is a large, multidisciplinary Italian university. Its academic offering covers fields such as natural sciences, social sciences, law, economics, the humanities, medicine, and strategic sciences.
The university offers international programs and student support services in a city with a rich cultural and academic history. One of its notable graduates was Umberto Eco, the Italian philosopher, semiotician, and writer, who graduated in philosophy from the University of Turin in 1954.
7. University of Pisa
Officially founded in 1343, the University of Pisa has 20 departments and offers more than 150 degree programs. Its academic and research activities cover engineering, economics, biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences.
The university offers English-taught programs, international exchange opportunities, and welcome services for students arriving from other countries. Notable alumni include the astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei, who later taught at the University of Padua, and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi.
Public universities in Italy can be attractive options for international students because of their broad selection of programs, generally lower tuition than private universities, and access to scholarships or fee reductions for eligible students. Available services, tuition rules, and scholarship conditions vary by university and program, so applicants should always consult the institution’s current official information.
We hope this article has introduced you to several of Italy’s notable public universities. You can read more articles by visiting the Study in Italy Page. You may also be interested in these available courses for international students!
