Besides the academic challenge, one of the main reasons to study abroad is the opportunity to travel. Choosing a destination that also offers strong academic options can be a great decision. Italy is known for its art, culture, food, and historic universities, and it is also home to several established institutions offering computer science degrees. That means you can work toward your academic and career goals while experiencing one of Europe’s most popular study-abroad destinations.
To help you plan your studies, note that most bachelor’s degrees in Italy last three years, while most master’s degrees last two years. Since you’ll be staying in the country for quite some time, it is important to choose one of the best universities for computer science in Italy.
Top Schools Offering Computer Science in Italy
1. Sapienza University of Rome
The Sapienza University of Rome opened in 1303, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest university in Rome. With more than 700 years of history, this top computer science university in Italy is also one of Europe’s largest universities, with more than 113,000 students and over 11,000 international students. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Sapienza is ranked joint 111th worldwide.
Sapienza is also one of Italy’s strongest universities for this field. In the QS Computer Science and Information Systems ranking, it placed 72nd in 2026. If you want to study an undergraduate program in this field, you can take the Bachelor’s in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, an English-taught, three-year bachelor’s program. The school also offers master’s and Ph.D. options in computer science.
2. University of Pisa
The University of Pisa is one of the best universities for computer science in Italy, dating back to 1343. One of its notable alumni is mathematician and astronomer Galileo Galilei. By choosing this institution for your degree, you’ll be enrolling in the alma mater of physicists and Nobel Prize winners Enrico Fermi and Carlo Rubbia.
Besides its excellence-driven history, this Italian school offers high-quality education and is recognized in current global university rankings. The University of Pisa is ranked 341st in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while Times Higher Education places it in the 251–300 band for Computer Science in 2026. It also offers an undergraduate program in computer science.
Meanwhile, its two-year master’s program in Computer Science allows you to choose a curriculum such as Artificial Intelligence, ICT Solutions Architecture, Data and Knowledge: Science and Technologies, or Software: Programming, Principles, and Technologies. It also offers a three-year Ph.D. in Computer Science program in collaboration with the University of Siena and the University of Florence.
3. University of Milan
The University of Milan is among Italy’s top universities for a computer science degree. This school, founded in 1924, is relatively young compared to other higher education institutions in the country. Yet, you’ll find strong academic services and extensive research facilities here. As one of Italy’s largest universities, UNIMI has around 64,000 students.
Its Milan facilities include historic spaces as well as modern classrooms, teaching laboratories, and research facilities. The university is ranked joint 270th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and it is also listed in current international subject rankings for computer science.
Its undergraduate program in computer science provides a broad foundation in the main areas of the field. Meanwhile, the master’s program in Computer Science is available in Italian and English, and the Ph.D. in Computer Science is listed among the university’s English-language doctoral programs.
4. University of Padua
The University of Padua joins the list of top universities for computer science in Italy. Founded in 1222, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Its extensive academic and research history helps it remain highly ranked today, with the university placing 204th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2027. As an international student, you’ll find that this Italian school is quite welcoming.
After all, since its establishment in 1222, it has accepted students from various countries. You’ll even see the University of Padua Botanical Garden here, founded in 1545 and described by the university as the oldest botanical garden in the world, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since you’re looking to join a highly technological field, it can offer you a reprieve from modernity to enjoy nature.
You can choose between bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study options, depending on your qualifications. The master’s program in Computer Science is a two-year, 120-ECTS English-taught program. Its study areas include advanced computing topics such as web technologies, security, machine learning, and data mining, which are significant in today’s tech world.
5. University of Trento
The University of Trento is another excellent institution in Italy where students can study computer science. Since its foundation in 1962, the school has developed strengths in teaching, internationalization, and research. The university reports more than 16,000 students and about 600 professors and researchers.
Its sites are organized across three main areas: the historic center of Trento, the hill of Trento, and Rovereto. The Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science is located in Povo on the hill, along with other science and engineering departments. Across the university’s sites, students can use facilities and services such as libraries, study areas, and computer classrooms.
You can choose from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral pathways at the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science, including bachelor’s programs, master’s programs, and doctoral programs in Information Engineering and Computer Science. Starting in the 2024/2025 academic year, the department states that both of its bachelor’s degrees offer an entirely English curriculum, and its master’s and Ph.D. programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are taught in English.
It’s no surprise that computer science is a popular field today because of rapid technological advancement. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects computer and information technology occupations to grow much faster than average from 2024 to 2034, with about 317,700 openings each year. So, if you want to pursue computer science as a profession, consider studying in Italy’s best universities offering this field, as listed above.
We hope this article on the best universities for computer science in Italy was helpful. If you want to pursue a degree in this country or Europe, make sure to check out our Italy Page and some of the Available Programs for International Students in Europe!
