Top Global Universities in Italy in 2025

Planning to study in Italy soon and want to know about some of the best and top-ranking Italian universities? Then here you will find everything about Italian universities that have made it to the global rankings. This will help you decide where you can study in Italian universities based on their rankings. Check them out now!

Best Universities in Italy: The powerhouse of art, architecture, and fashion, Italy is often referred to as the birthplace of Renaissance art and has often featured as one of the growing study destinations for Indian and international students alike. Not many would be aware of the fact that Italy is also home to the University of Bologna - founded in 1088, which is recognized as the oldest university in the world to still operate. Read on about:  International Student Guide for Italy.

Why Study in Italy's Top Universities? 

Here is why students must consider studying in top universities of Italy:

• Studying in popular universities in Italy offers students quality higher education coupled with affordable tuition fees.
• Italy follows multiple levels of high education among its institutions.
• Candidates are required to complete undergraduate study which is typically 3 years in duration, followed by post-graduation which could take anything between 1-2 years depending on the student’s preferred course, and then candidates can opt for research work more commonly referred to as PhD which is again for a minimum of three years.
• Candidates looking to study in Italy would want nothing but the best.

Read on as we talk about the best universities in Italy for 2023. 

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• Masters (MS) in Italy: Universities, Colleges & Fees
• MBA in Italy: Universities, Colleges & Fees

Italy is home to some of the best universities in the world which are regularly featured on the official website of QS World University Ranking and the Times Higher Education (THE) Best University Ranking. Today we are going to take a closer look at the top universities in Italy for 2024-25. These rankings include a mix of public universities in Italy and private universities. 

Top Ranking Universities in Italy 2024-25

Here is a comprehensive comparison between QS World University Ranking 2023 and the Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking for the Best University 2023 in Italy. Candidates should note that multiple factors are taken into account while deciding the ranks to be able to provide readers with a balanced point of view.

Read about: 

• QS World University Ranking Methodology 
• THE Ranking Methodology 

Best Universities in Italy 2024-25

Dotted with architectural wonders, the art capital of the world is considered the mecca for studying a degree in the fields of art, architecture, and fashion. Living expenses in Italy could depend on the place of residence, while Bologna, Milan, and Rome are considered expensive, cities such as Turin, Padua, and Pisa cost less. However international students and foreigners to the Italian language could be disheartened to know that most of the courses are taught in Italian, but the number of English-taught programs is increasing gradually, given the steady influx of the international crowd. Know more about the universities in detail, below.

Politecnico di Milano

Politecnico di Milano is a scientific-technological university that is renowned for training engineers, architects, and industrial designers. By means of experimental research and technological transfer, the University has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research and developed a fruitful relationship with the business and productive world. The University offers several courses that are entirely taught in English. Few details on Politecnico Di Milano - Courses are given in the table below:

University of Bologna

Often recognized as one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and predominantly focuses on research programs. The university has multiple schools of specific studies such as the School of Arts, Humanities and Cultural Heritage, School of Economics and Management, School of Engineering, School of Medicine, and School of Science. Check out University of Bologna – Courses below:

Sapienza University of Rome

The Sapienza University of Rome serves as a collegiate research institution which is situated in Rome, Italy. Earlier referred to as "La Sapienza", it is considered as one of the largest European universities based on enrolments. As it was established in the year 1303, it is also one of the oldest universities in Italy. At present, it provides about 270 degree programs offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees to students, in the fields of natural sciences, humanities, biomedical sciences, and engineering, and a variety of research programs are offered by Sapienza University. Some of the popular Sapienza University of Rome - Courses and their corresponding fee details are as follows:

University of Padova

A hotbed for research, experimentation, and progress, the University of Padova was established in 1922 and is a leader among great universities for providing quality teaching, research, and services along with collaborations with major international research institutions. The university provides over 5,000 scholarships and has 32 departments that have multiple courses on offer for students looking to pursue undergraduate, graduate, and research studies. Courses delivered in English, as well as online courses, are constantly increasing to meet the gradual demand from international students. Get details about University of Padova - Courses in the following table:

University of Milan

One of the largest universities in Europe, the University of Milan was established in 1924 and has constantly been featured among the top universities in Italy both overall and in specific subject areas. The University of Milan has ten schools that offer 140 undergraduate and graduate degree programs along with multiple research options. The research and teaching activities of the University of Milan has grown over the years and garnered international recognition. 

Politecnico di Torino

Established in 1859, the Polytechnic University of Turin also referred to as Politecnico di Torino in Italian is a public university based in Turin, Italy. The university is one of Italy’s oldest technical universities and offers several courses in the fields of Engineering, Architecture, and Industrial Design.

University of Pisa

Established in 1343, the University of Pisa, or referred to as Università di Pisa in Italian is a public research university located in Pisa, Italy. The University of Pisa is a torchbearer in the fields of philology and cultural studies and has multiple undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and specialization courses that students can pursue.

University of Naples - Federico II

Established in 1224, the University of Naples Federico II is the oldest public non-sectarian university in the world which is now organized into 26 departments. The university has 13 faculties and these include, Agriculture, Architecture, Biotechnology, Economics, Engineering, Law, Letters and philosophy, Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Political sciences, Sociology, and Veterinary Medicine. Students can pursue a number of undergraduate, graduate, and research programs from the university. Check out University of Naples - Federico II - Courses and their fee structure:

The above tabular data has been sourced from Shiksha Study Abroad from an earlier date. The numbers could vary subject to the current economy. 

Universita Vita-Salute San Raffaele

Founded in 1996, the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is a private university in Milan, Italy. The university has multiple undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and specializations for students to undertake. The university is organized into three departments which include Medicine, Philosophy, and Psychology.

University of Trento

Established in 1962, the University of Trento is a public research university located in Trento, Italy. The university is known to have shown strides in the fields of didactics, research, and international relations and offers multiple programs for students to pursue undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

Candidates looking to study in Italy would have to shell out an average of INR 6.4 Lakhs per year as living expenses in Italy. This amount greatly depends on the location of residency. International students are allowed to work part-time in Italy during their course for up to 20 hours a week. Post-study work permit in Italy or Residence Permit as referred to in Italy is only for students who have completed their PhD or level 2 Masters's Program in Italy. The residence permit allows students to stay back for 6 to 12 months depending on the nature of the course. For more queries feel free to write to us in the comments section below.