It is not surprising that students often choose to pursue higher education in Europe. The continent offers abundant history and a diverse array of universities from which international applicants can choose, with Italy being one of the most notable European countries for education. In addition to its long history of academic excellence, this nation is also rich in culture and cuisine.
Moreover, many students who study here also pursue language courses and become proficient in Italian. To better understand what Italian schools have to offer, this article reviews several of Italy’s strongest options for studying biology.
Top Schools Offering Biology in Italy
1. University of Padua
Situated in the northern Italian region of Veneto, the University of Padua is one of Europe’s historic universities. It was founded in 1222, when a group of students left Bologna in search of greater autonomy and independence. In the Middle Ages, Padua was mainly a school of civil and canon law, and its faculties in philosophy, law, theology, and medicine developed gradually.
Today, UNIPD has 32 departments and more than 70,000 students. One of the university’s science departments is the Department of Biology. Its research and teaching cover a broad range of modern biology, and the department offers bachelor’s and master’s degree courses as well as a Ph.D. School in Biosciences and Biotechnology.
Students combine theoretical learning with practical and laboratory-based training. Through this blend of classroom and research-oriented education, biology graduates are prepared for graduate study, research, and professional roles in the life sciences.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Padua Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Aruzhan Kaisar
MSc in Biotechnologies for Food Science | Her English-taught food biotechnology program combined lectures with laboratory sessions, although classes were larger than she expected. She applied that training during laboratory work at IZSVe; finding the internship was difficult, but classmates and her course coordinator helped. | She found Padua friendly and accommodating for international students and experienced few everyday difficulties. She recommends basic Italian to make paperwork after arrival easier. |
Maria Guarini
Master’s in Molecular Biology | She credits her molecular biology degree with providing a strong theoretical foundation. After graduating, she developed her experimental research skills through two years of research assistant work in Vienna. | — |
Biju Adhikari
Joint Master’s in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems
First-year study at Padua | He describes his joint program as covering integrated plant protection, including pest management, disease control, weed science, and plant pathogens. | He found living costs in Italy manageable. Everyday communication was initially challenging, but learning basic Italian helped him shop, order food, and navigate his surroundings. |
2. University of Florence
The University of Florence, locally known as Università degli Studi di Firenze, is a public research institution in the Italian city of the same name. This center for higher education has roots in the Studium Generale, which was established by the Florentine Republic in 1321. At its beginning, UniFi centered on three core areas of study: civil and canon law, literature, and medicine.
During its history, it expanded and became home to many notable lecturers, including Giovanni Boccaccio, who was commissioned to lecture on the Divina Commedia. Today, the university is one of Italy’s larger research and higher education institutions, with schools and departments across Florence and beyond. UniFi includes the Department of Biology, which focuses on biological research and education.
At the undergraduate level, biology students can choose between two scientific programs: Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences. These are three-year, 180-credit first-cycle programs. During these programs, students become familiar with the breadth of their respective research fields and gain crucial theoretical and practical knowledge. Thus, they are prepared to decide on future specializations and graduate programs at the end of their undergraduate studies.
3. University of Milan
Another research institution worthy of mention is the University of Milan. It is a major public research university in Milan and the only Italian member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU). In addition to its research profile, it is among Europe’s larger universities, with more than 60,000 students.
Because of its size and academic reach, the institution has been home to prominent alumni such as former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Nobel laureate in physics Riccardo Giacconi. Students who wish to pursue biology may do so through the university’s Department of Biosciences. The educational offer in Biological Sciences includes a bachelor’s degree program in Biological Sciences and five master’s degree programs.
The main goal of the undergraduate program is to provide students with a solid foundation in the biological sciences. Students also develop multidisciplinary knowledge at the molecular, cellular, organismal, ecological, and evolutionary levels. Once they have obtained a bachelor’s degree, they may choose more specific fields of study during a graduate program.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Milan Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Ceren Sahin
Master’s in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
2021–2023 | Her master’s strengthened her expertise in omics approaches, data analysis, and molecular techniques. For her thesis at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, she used CRISPR-Cas9 to tag and study a histone gene expressed in brain cells during embryonic development. | — |
4. Sapienza University of Rome
The Sapienza University of Rome, commonly known as Sapienza, is a leading center for higher education in the Italian capital. The institution is also among the oldest universities in the world: Pope Boniface VIII founded the Studium Urbis, Rome’s first university, in 1303. Sapienza is currently ranked first in the world for Classics and Ancient History in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Sapienza has many illustrious alumni and professors, including Nobel Prize winners and prominent public figures. The Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin” is Sapienza’s department for biology and biotechnology. Its educational offer includes bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, allowing students to pursue biology-related study at multiple levels.
This department is a multidisciplinary environment. Its research covers fundamental biological disciplines and studies biodiversity at molecular, cellular, systemic, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels, including biotechnological and applied aspects.
5. University of Bologna
The University of Bologna has a centuries-old tradition of excellence in the Italian city bearing the same name. Founded in 1088, it is widely described as the oldest university in the Western world. This school is also associated with Bettisia Gozzadini, who is traditionally remembered as one of the first women to teach at a university.
Concerning its biological studies, the university offers programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Its long history of education and research is reflected in the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, which offers first- and second-cycle degree programs and Ph.D. programs in areas connected to biological, geological, and environmental sciences.
The curriculum across these levels is multidisciplinary, allowing future biology experts to gain a broad higher education that connects life sciences with related environmental and earth science fields. That is why the University of Bologna remains a strong option for students interested in biology in Italy.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Bologna Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Vincenzo de Cancellis
MSc in Global Change Ecology and Sustainable Development Goals
Marine conservation focus | His master’s thesis examined sustainable fishing techniques intended to reduce elasmobranch bycatch mortality while supporting artisanal fishing communities in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. | — |
6. University of Verona
The University of Verona, located in Verona, Italy, offers biology-related education primarily through biotechnology. Its Department of Biotechnology conducts research in areas including plant biology, microbiology, structural biology, genetics, and functional genomics. These programs emphasize the study and application of biological systems, so students should distinguish them from a general Biology degree.
The three-year bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology is taught in Italian. Students build foundations in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics before developing molecular and cellular knowledge and experimental skills. The curriculum covers applications in molecular medicine, agriculture and food, and environmental and industrial biotechnology. Laboratory activities run throughout the program, which also includes a final internship in a university laboratory or an accredited company.
Graduate options include the two-year, English-taught master’s in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, covering cellular processes, genomics, structural biology, and experimental biomedical research. The two-year master’s in Biotechnology for Bioresources and Sustainable Development is taught in Italian. At doctoral level, the university lists a three-year PhD in Molecular, Industrial and Environmental Biotechnologies within its Department of Biotechnology.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Verona Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Teresa Ciavattini
BSc in Bioinformatics, 2017–2021
MSc in Medical Biotechnology, 2021–2023 | During her bachelor’s, she analyzed transcriptomic data from pancreatic cancer cell lines, organoids, and patient tissues, gaining experience in RNA-seq analysis, batch-effect correction, and statistical modeling. Her master’s thesis traineeship at Leipzig University Hospital involved developing an automated pipeline for detecting structural variants in whole-genome sequencing data. | — |
7. University of Eastern Piedmont
The University of Eastern Piedmont, officially Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro,” offers biology education through its Department of Science and Technological Innovation. Its Biological Sciences undergraduate program lists teaching locations in Alessandria and Vercelli, while the Biology master’s is based in Alessandria. The university’s biology pathways cover both environmental and molecular approaches.
The three-year bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences is taught in Italian. It develops theoretical and practical knowledge of organisms, microorganisms, genetics, cellular and molecular biology, and biodiversity. Teaching combines lectures with laboratories, seminars, and field activities. Students may also undertake internships with companies, parks, public bodies, or consulting organizations, allowing them to explore applications of biology beyond the classroom.
The two-year, 120-credit master’s degree in Biology is also taught in Italian. Its three curricula are Agro-environmental, Biomedical and Biomolecular, and Nutrition, with training in molecular technologies and scientific investigation. Doctoral study is available through the interdisciplinary Chemistry and Biology PhD, which includes a curriculum in Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms in Biology. This doctoral qualification is broader than a standalone Biology PhD.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Eastern Piedmont Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Aaron
PhD in Structural Biology and Drug Innovation
Prostate cancer and lipid metabolism research | His doctoral research investigates protein targets involved in prostate cancer and lipid metabolism, and he values the research expertise and collaboration he has experienced. He reports inconsistent project funding affecting planning and resources, alongside Italian-taught courses and meetings that make participation harder. | He appreciates the university’s free Italian classes but sees room for improvement in international student integration. He describes the surrounding city as relatively small, with fewer international residents, which he personally finds manageable. |
8. University of Pisa
The University of Pisa is located in Pisa, Italy. Its Department of Biology offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral education, with pathways spanning molecular and cellular biology, organismal biology, ecology, and evolution. Students can therefore pursue a broad foundation before selecting graduate training focused on laboratory research or the conservation and study of biodiversity.
The three-year bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences is taught in Italian. Students study biology alongside mathematics, statistics, computing, physics, and chemistry, developing theoretical and practical skills for biological investigation. The program addresses life at molecular and cellular levels as well as higher levels of organization. Its subject areas include morphological and functional biology, molecular and biomedical biology, ecology, and biodiversity.
Graduate options include the two-year master’s degrees in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Conservation and Evolution. The former includes genetics, molecular microbiology, cellular biochemistry, bioinformatics, and research training; the latter combines biological and environmental approaches to conservation. The PhD in Biology adds supervised research, advanced biostatistics, research professional skills, and an English-language seminar series featuring international researchers.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Pisa Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Arawa
PhD research in AI-based Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease
Started October 2025 | Her doctoral research combines neuroscience, neuroimaging, and machine learning to investigate biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies. She reports access to ultra-high-field MRI and clinical neuroimaging expertise at Pisa, with her classes conducted in English. | — |
Yasmine Ferchichi
Master’s in Biology Applied to Biomedicine
Completed July 2024 | Her master’s focused on molecular biology, genetics, pathology, and biochemistry. Her thesis supervisor introduced her to doctoral research opportunities, after which she investigated projects matching her interests in genetics and molecular biology. | — |
9. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is a multicampus Italian university headquartered in Milan. Its verified biology-related graduate options discussed here are based in Rome, within its medical and life sciences environment. These pathways focus on cellular and molecular biotechnology and biomedical research, particularly biological mechanisms relevant to diagnostics and treatment.
A currently recruiting bachelor’s degree in general Biology or Biological Sciences could not be verified from the official program information reviewed. Although university student-service pages mention an undergraduate qualification in Health Biotechnology, that reference alone does not establish current admissions availability. Students seeking a broad undergraduate biology education should therefore distinguish the university’s confirmed graduate biotechnology route from its professional medical and health programs.
The two-year master’s in Biotechnology in Personalized Medicine is taught in Italian and offers Therapeutic and Diagnostic curricula, covering cellular and molecular biotechnology, regenerative medicine, genomics, and advanced diagnostics. The three-year PhD in Basic Biomedical Sciences and Public Health provides a broader doctoral route with biology-relevant research lines in molecular genetics, proteomics, microbial pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance.
What Current Students / Alumni of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Darina
PhD in Plant Pathology
Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Piacenza | Her doctoral work addresses food safety challenges linked to climate change, focusing on mycotoxin contamination in food and feed. She reports English-language doctoral training and opportunities for interdisciplinary specialization, research presentations, and selecting research tools. | She describes her university environment as welcoming and professional. She felt supported from the beginning by the administrative services available to international students. |
10. University of Teramo
The University of Teramo is located in Teramo, Italy. Its Department of Biosciences and Technologies for Food, Agriculture and Environment offers biology-related study primarily through biotechnology. The verified degrees emphasize experimental biological methods and their applications, making them relevant to students interested in cellular and molecular biology rather than a broadly titled general Biology program.
The three-year bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology is taught in Italian at the “A. Saliceti” campus. It combines classroom teaching with practical laboratory activities and develops multidisciplinary theoretical knowledge alongside specialist biotechnology skills. The university identifies biological and medical or therapeutic applications as central objectives. Its program resources also include information on internships, laboratory safety, and the final degree assessment.
At the graduate level, the two-year master’s degree in Advanced Biotechnology is taught in Italian and belongs to the medical, veterinary, and pharmaceutical biotechnology degree class. Doctoral students can pursue Cellular and Molecular Biotechnologies, a research program combining laboratory experience, interdisciplinary training, and international and intersectoral mobility. Its stated scope includes life sciences and biotechnology applications relevant to human and animal health.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Teramo Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Michela Prestianni
Master’s in Reproductive Biotechnology | She identifies her master’s thesis and laboratory experience in reproductive biotechnology as important preparation for doctoral research in reproductive science. | — |
Biology is an essential field in many aspects of life, as it deals with understanding biological processes, from how the body works to what makes ecosystems function. Fortunately, studying in Italy can offer future biology students a well-rounded education while they experience a rich, diverse culture and community. Consider the universities above if you want to pursue a biology degree in the country.
We hope this article on Italy’s best biology universities was insightful and helpful to you. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
