Italy seems to have it all: Amazing landscapes from coasts to mountains, an impressive history, and a remarkably tasty and diverse cuisine. Not to mention it was here that the very first university in Europe was founded, nearly one thousand years ago.
Today, several of Italy’s institutions are among the top-ranked universities in Europe. That includes centuries-old traditional universities like the University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome or the University of Padua - but also younger modern universities like Roma Tor Vergata or the University of Milan. Among dozens of world-class schools, it can be difficult to pick one when you are planning to study in Italy.
Featured universities:
Global Campus of Human Rights
Venice, Italy
1 study programme
American University of Rome
Rome, Italy
13 study programmes
Top ranked universities in Italy
| University | QS Ranking 2024 | THE Ranking 2024 | ARWU Ranking 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politecnico di Milano | 123 | 201 | 201 |
| Sapienza University of Rome | 134 | 181 | 101 |
| University of Bologna | 154 | 155 | 201 |
| University of Padua | 219 | 201 | 151 |
| Politecnico di Torino | 252 | 401 | 601 |
| University of Milan | 276 | 351 | 151 |
| University of Naples Federico II | 335 | 351 | 201 |
| University of Pisa | 349 | 401 | 151 |
| University of Florence | 358 | 351 | 301 |
| University of Turin | 364 | 401 | 201 |
| University of Trento | 429 | 351 | 401 |
| University of Pavia | 469 | 301 | 401 |
| University of Milano-Bicocca | 481 | 351 | 301 |
| University of Rome Tor Vergata | 489 | 301 | 501 |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | 505 | 301 | 401 |
| University of Genoa | 530 | 401 | 401 |
| Polytechnic University of Bari | 556 | 501 | – |
| Vita-Salute San Raffaele University | 595 | 251 | 401 |
| Free University of Bozen-Bolzano | 641 | 351 | 801 |
| University of Modena and Reggio Emilia | 641 | 401 | 801 |
| Ca' Foscari University of Venice | 661 | 501 | – |
| University of Perugia | 661 | – | 501 |
| University of Trieste | 691 | 501 | 601 |
| Marche Polytechnic University | 721 | 601 | 601 |
| University of Siena | 731 | 501 | 601 |
| University of Bari Aldo Moro | 741 | 601 | 401 |
| University of Brescia | 791 | 401 | 601 |
| University of Salerno | 801 | 501 | 801 |
| University of Verona | 801 | 401 | 501 |
| University of Catania | 851 | 401 | 501 |
| University of Ferrara | 851 | 501 | 601 |
| University of Messina | 851 | 501 | 801 |
| University of Palermo | 851 | 601 | 501 |
| University of Parma | 851 | 601 | 501 |
| Roma Tre University | 901 | 601 | – |
| University of Calabria | 951 | 501 | 801 |
| Parthenope University of Naples | 1001 | 601 | – |
| Tuscia University | 1001 | 601 | – |
| University of Chieti-Pescara | 1001 | 601 | 901 |
| University of Salento | 1001 | 601 | – |
| University of Udine | 1001 | 601 | 701 |
| University of Bergamo | 1201 | 801 | – |
| Humanitas University | – | 251 | 401 |
| Kore University of Enna | – | 801 | – |
| Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies | – | 201 | – |
| Scuola Normale Superiore | – | 168 | 501 |
| Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma | – | 401 | – |
| Università degli Studi dell’Insubria | – | 601 | – |
| University of Camerino (Unicam) | – | 801 | – |
| University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” | – | 601 | 601 |
| University of Eastern Piedmont | – | 601 | 801 |
| University of Foggia | – | 601 | – |
| University of L'Aquila | – | 501 | – |
| University of Macerata | – | 1501 | – |
| University of Sannio | – | 601 | – |
| University of Sassari | – | 601 | – |
| University of Urbino | – | 1001 | – |
| University of Cagliari | – | – | 801 |
Explained: How do the university rankings work?
The QS World University Rankings are among the most important, most-referenced rankings. The QS ranking relies heavily on its academic survey, asking thousands of academics worldwide about the reputation of universities.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (or the THE Rankings for short) compile a wide range of statistics. Equal weight is put on teaching quality, research excellence, and research impact through citations (meaning how often a university’s research is referenced elsewhere).
The Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (often just Shanghai Ranking, or ARWU) focuses on research output and quality, for example measured by the number of published and cited scientific papers and the number of staff or alumni winning the Nobel Prize or Fields Medal.
Study in Italy 
Italy offers the perfect combination of stunning history, academic tradition, and innovative research and education. In the birthplace of Europe’s first university, many of Italy’s institutions are today among the best in the world. International students are flocking to the Southern European country to receive world-class education and enjoy la dolce vita - “the sweet life”.
Read more about studying in Italy
Find the right study programme for yourself:
Bachelors degrees in Italy
Masters degrees in Italy
PhD programmes in Italy
Relevant links
- Studying abroad in Italy: Basic information for international students
- Study programmes in Italy
- Visit the website of the QS World University Rankings
- Visit the website of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- Visit the website of the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities
