10 best Italian universities with English programmes

With historical sites such as the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelin-star culinary experiences, and home to some of the most famous art pieces in the world, Italy is a dream country to pursue your studies.

What might stop you, however, is that the universities here tend to teach in Italian rather than English.

But what if we told you there’s a way to study in Italy in English?

Here, where the shores boast some of the oldest universities in the world that date as far back as the 11th century, many institutions offer programmes that still preserve old methods of teaching but with an updated curriculum to adapt to today’s issues — including allowing you to study in Italy in English.

One university that provides a uniquely American college experience while overlooking the historic city of Rome is the American University of Rome. Here, English-speaking students from all over the world pursue an American liberal arts degree.

There are more institutions like the American University of Rome — 60 of the 90 universities in the country offer programmes taught in English. 

Ultimately, you shouldn’t let your lack of Italian language skills discourage you from pursuing your education here. You just have to opt for these universities that offer English programmes.

Where to study in Italy in English

 

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1. Università di Bologna (University of Bologna)

Location: Bologna

Fee: Starts at 157 euros (US$161) per semester

As the oldest university in the Western world, the University of Bologna is rich in history. So much so that there is a network of 15 museums and various collections dedicated to the university.

More than 8,000 international students call the best university in Italy their home as they enrol in one of the 107 international degree programmes, 89 of which are taught in English.

Programmes include:

• Business and Economics
• Genomics
• International Studies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Electric Vehicle Engineering

2. Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan)

Location: Milan

Fee: Starts at 167 euros (US$171)

The Polytechnic University of Milan is a scientific-technological university that trains future engineers, architects, and industrial designers to make a difference to the nation and the world.

The university adapts experimental research as its approach to teaching, making sure you learn the ins and outs of the industrial world. Lessons take place in specific research centres like the Wind Tunnel, Polifactory, the cleanroom at PoliFAB, and the Materials Testing Laboratory.

Programmes include:

• Interaction Design
• MEDTEC – Medicine and Biomedical Engineering
• Space Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering

 

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3. University of Padua

Location: Padua

Fee: 900 – 2,900 euros (US$925 – US$2,983) per year

Some of the brightest minds in education come from the University of Padua. Andrea Vesalio, who founded modern anatomy, as well as astronomers Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei, are all alumni of the university, changing the cultural and scientific history of humanity.

In addition to becoming one of the oldest universities in Europe, it also has the oldest university botanical garden in the world to have retained its original location, thus holding its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

English programmes include:

• Animal Care
• Earth and Climate Dynamics
• Psychological Science
• Forest Sciences
• Cybersecurity
• Astrophysics and Cosmology

4. Sapienza Università di Roma (Sapienza University of Rome)

Location: Rome

Fee: 1,200 – 3,000 euros (US$1,234 – US$3,086) per semester

The Sapienza University of Rome is the largest in Europe, with a whopping 125,596 student population in 2024/2025 alone.

Another thing to be proud of is that the university counts 10 Nobel laureates among its alumni and faculty members, with physicist Giorgio Parisi being the latest winner in 2021 for “the discovery of the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems from atomic to planetary scales.”

The university is all about making an impact in the field, as evidenced by its award-winning alumni and commitment to achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through its educational activities, research, outreach, and cross-cutting policies.

Programmes include:

• Bioinformatics
• Nursing
• Sustainable Building Engineering
• Atmospheric Science and Technology
• Business Management
• Clinical Psychosexology

5. Università degli Studi di Milano (University of Milan)

Location: Milan

Fee: 200 – 3,840 euros (US$205 – US$3,950) per year

Also known as La Statale, the University of Milan offers a multidisciplinary educational programme involving different faculties and schools where you can conduct scientific research and participate in various related educational activities.

Here, you’ll be presented numerous opportunities to partake in science events to learn, network, and overall, cement your passion for the scientific field.

English programmes included:

• Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World
• International Politics, Law and Economics
• Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products
• Migration Studies and New Societies

6. Università di Pavia (University of Pavia)

Location: Lombardy

Fee: 400 – 4,500 euros (US$411 – US$4,629) per year

The University of Pavia is a student-centred campus integrated with a medium-sized city, where everything you need is within a 15-minute walk. This city campus houses over 26,000 students worldwide to develop meaningful research ranging from infectious diseases to quantum technology and from biodiversity to neuropharmacology.

This has resulted in high employment rates, with 92% of graduates here finding jobs either in the industry or academia after completing their studies.

English programmes include:

• Computer Engineering
• Neurobiology
• The Ancient Mediterranean World
• History
• Archaeology and Art
• Agri-food Sustainability

7. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Catholic University of Sacred Heart)

Location: Milan

Fee: 6,360 – 8,500 euros (US$6,542 – US$8,744) per year

Enlightened by the Christian message and moral principles, the Catholic University of Sacred Heart is dubbed the most important Catholic university in Europe, boasting five campuses all around the country.

The university is not only focused on providing you with academic excellence. It also emphasises shaping you to become a new person as a whole, following a strong code of ethics and integrating European tradition and culture into your daily life.

English programmes include:

• Criminology
• Food Production Management
• Finance
• Psychology
• Communication Management

8. Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (School of Advanced Studies Sant’Anna)

Location: Pisa

Fee: 7,500 – 10,000 euros (US$7,715 – US$10,287) per year or 850 euros (US$874) per module

If you are interested in learning about applied sciences, the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is where you should enrol. Here, you will address worldly issues like equity and social inclusion, environmental sustainability, access to health and human rights, and the impact on economic systems and technologies, to name a few.

This is done through extensive research at eight institutes, two interdisciplinary centres, and two Departments of Excellence.

English programmes include:

• Bionics Engineering
• Economics
• Innovation Management
• International Security Studies

9. Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (Vita-Salute San Raffaele University)

Location: Milan

Fee: 20,000 euros (US$20,575)

The Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, although new compared to others on the list, has risen to prominence. Since starting in 1996, the institution began with only Psychology courses, then expanded to Medicine and Philosophy.

Today, it is one of the top-ranked universities that allows you to study in Italy in English. With its close collaboration with San Raffaele Hospital, you will be working on research that will be recognised at a European and international level.

English programmes include:

• Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs
• Biotechnology and Medical Biology
• Health Informatics
• Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication

10. Humanitas University

Location: Pieve Emanuele

Fee: 23,156 euros (US$23,821) per year

Active learning is well-practised at Humanitas University. This applies to all courses where you will balance theory and practical work, developing critical thinking skills alongside specific professional competences which will help you in your future career.

Its integration with Humanitas Hospitals around the country allows you to take a peak into the real world as you find permanent solutions for the prevention and treatment of cancer, and cardiovascular, neurological, and orthopaedic diseases.

If you want to pursue an English programme in medicine or surgery in Italy, this is the place to be.