
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a Jesuit university with a rich history of education and scholarship, deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition of rigorous academic discipline. It was founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1551 and is known for its diverse student body, comprising approximately 2,750 students from over 150 countries. The university welcomes students of all faiths and offers courses in various disciplines, including theology, philosophy, canon law, history, psychology, and social sciences. In recent years, there has been an increase in lay students, with diocesan and religious priests now representing about 45%, seminarians 25%, lay men and women 22%, and nuns 8% of the student body. The university provides a multicultural environment and offers a diversified education across its faculties, institutes, and specialized centres.
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What You'll Learn
- Lay students can attend, but most are priests, seminarians, and members of religious orders
- The university has an international student body of around 2,750 to 2,800
- It was founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyola
- It offers a diversified formation across six faculties, three institutes, and five specialised centres
- The curriculum includes undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs

Lay students can attend, but most are priests, seminarians, and members of religious orders
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a Jesuit university founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1551. It was originally called the "Roman College", but was renamed the Gregorian University after Pope Gregory XIII in 1584. The university has a rich history of education and scholarship, deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition of rigorous academic discipline, combined with a strong focus on ethical and spiritual development. It is committed to forming leaders, especially in the fields of sacred theology, philosophy, and canon law, among others.
The university serves a diverse and global community of students, including priests, seminarians, religious men and women, lay people, and nuns. While the majority of the student body is comprised of priests, seminarians, and members of religious orders, there has been an increase in lay students in recent years. The university offers a diversified education in its six faculties, three institutes, and five specialised centres. It also has several programmes that start in either the first or second semester of the academic year.
The Gregorian University is known for its work in mathematics, physics, and astronomy, and is the birthplace of the Gregorian calendar, which is still used worldwide today. It has an extensive library, with about 650,000 volumes and 150,000 tomes of periodicals, making it one of the most important theological libraries in the world. The university invites students of all faiths and offers courses in other faiths, such as Islam and Judaism. It also has a Centre for Interreligious Studies, which offers a Diploma in Interreligious Studies in either Christianity and Islam or Christianity and Religions of Asia.
The university's pedagogy is rooted in the personal and professional relationship between professors and students, emphasising the assimilation of wisdom over the multiplication of knowledge. It offers a mentoring relationship aimed at developing students' personalities and fostering inner freedom and personal responsibility. The Gregorian University is subject to AVEPRO, the Holy See Agency for evaluation and quality enhancement.
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The university has an international student body of around 2,750 to 2,800
The Pontifical Gregorian University is one of the world's oldest universities. It originated as a part of the Roman College, founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyola, and included all grades of schooling. The Gregorian University has some 2,750 students from over 150 countries. About 70% of the students are foreign nationals, with 65% of them coming from non-European Union countries. The university has ten faculties, three institutes and five centres, all of which offer academic degrees. The Library contributes to the mission of the University with a collection of about 650,000 volumes, 50,000 of which are available on open shelves. There are also about 150,000 tomes of the Periodicals Collection, all of them on open shelves, and a great variety of electronic resources that can be accessed remotely.
The university has a diversified formation in its six faculties, three institutes and five specialised centres. The diversity of the academic areas allows the University to put into action what Pope Francis asks of the ecclesiastical universities in the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium: “inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches carried out with wisdom and creativity in the light of Revelation”. The Gregorian University confers academic degrees with canonical value by authority of the Holy See, in compliance with the principles of the Bologna Process, undersigned by the Holy See in 2003. The University also has the right to confer its own diplomas through its academic units, with the approval of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
The Gregorian University is committed to the pedagogical tradition of the Society of Jesus. It focuses on excellence in studies, complete formation, as well as human and spiritual growth for each student. The university dedicates itself so that every student can be a protagonist of a “Church which goes forth”. It also answers the challenges of today’s world, including integral human development, scientific and technological evolution, the interreligious dimension of contemporary society, the problems of family, migratory flows, ecology and the care of our common home, and safeguarding.
In recent years, there has been an increase in laity in both the faculties and the student body. Today, diocesan and religious priests represent about 45%, seminarians 25%, lay men and women 22%, and nuns 8% of the student body. The Gregorian University Foundation was established in 1972 with the mission to support the university through raising much needed funds for scholarships, academic chairs, libraries and capital improvements.
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It was founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyola
The Pontifical Gregorian University, a Roman Catholic institution of higher learning in Rome, was founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis Borgia. It was originally called the Collegium Romanum (College of Rome) or Roman College. It included all grades of schooling and was the first institution founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, established a School of Grammar, Humanities, and Christian Doctrine in Rome on 18 February 1551. The Jesuits were committed to excellence in studies and the complete formation and spiritual growth of each student. The college received Papal approval from Pope Paul IV in 1556, allowing it to confer academic degrees in theology and philosophy.
In 1584, the Roman College was renamed the Gregorian University after Pope Gregory XIII, who provided a new and larger building for the college. The Pope was lauded as its "founder and father". The new building allowed the college to expand its curriculum to include chairs of church history and liturgy, in addition to its existing strengths in ecclesiastical fields, natural science, mathematics, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.
Today, the Gregorian University has an international faculty and a diverse student body, with approximately 2,750-2,800 students from over 150 countries. The university welcomes students of all faiths and offers courses in other faiths, including Islam, Judaism, and Interreligious Studies. The student body consists of priests, seminarians, lay men and women, nuns, and other religious men and women. The Gregorian University is committed to providing an environment that inspires and fosters spiritual growth for all its students.
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It offers a diversified formation across six faculties, three institutes, and five specialised centres
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a private pontifical university in Rome, Italy. It was founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyola as part of the Roman College, which included all grades of schooling. The Gregorian University offers a diversified formation across six faculties, three institutes, and five specialised centres.
The six faculties are:
- Theology
- Canon Law
- Philosophy
- History and Cultural Heritage of the Church
- Missiology
- Social Sciences
The three institutes are:
- Institute of Spirituality
- Institute of Psychology
- Institute of Anthropology
The five specialised centres are:
- St. Peter Favre Centre for Formators for the Priesthood and Consecrated Life
- 'Cardinal Bea' Centre for Jewish Studies
- 'Alberto Hurtado' Faith and Culture Centre
- Ignatian Spirituality Centre
- Gregorian Centre for Interreligious Studies
The Gregorian University has a diverse student body, with about 2750 students from over 150 countries. The student body is composed of diocesan and religious priests (45%), seminarians (25%), lay men and women (22%), and nuns (8%). The university offers a unique educational experience, combining human, ecclesial, and academic dimensions. It is committed to the pedagogical tradition of the Society of Jesus, focusing on academic excellence, complete formation, and spiritual growth for each student.
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The curriculum includes undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs
Lay students can attend the Gregorian University, also known as the Pontifical Gregorian University. The university has a diverse student body, with about 70% of students being foreign nationals. The Gregorian University offers a range of academic programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees across several faculties and disciplines.
Undergraduate Programs
The Gregorian University offers a baccalaureate degree program in the Faculty of Social Sciences. This program provides a robust introduction to the main areas of social sciences and basic tools for social research. It has a total of 180 ECTS and is equivalent to the degree of Social Sciences for Cooperation, Development, and Peace (L-37) in the Italian higher education system.
Graduate Programs
The university offers a Licentiate in Social Sciences, requiring a Baccalaureate grade of "cum laude" or higher for admission. Students without an undergraduate degree in social sciences may need to take additional courses before being admitted. The Licentiate program has a duration of two years and a total of 120 ECTS, including final examinations. This degree provides access to doctoral studies.
Postgraduate Programs
The Gregorian University offers a doctoral program in the Faculty of Social Sciences. This program begins with the "cursus ad doctoratum," which includes two seminars and additional courses as required. Students work on a personalized study plan approved by the Dean or their delegate. The "cursus ad doctoratum" concludes with the presentation of a dissertation project, which is evaluated by three professors from the Faculty.
In addition to the social sciences, the Gregorian University has a strong focus on ecclesiastical studies, including theology and philosophy. The university also has a Centre for Interreligious Studies, where students can obtain a Diploma in Interreligious Studies in areas such as Christianity and Islam or Christianity and the Religions of Asia.
The Gregorian University provides a multicultural and interdisciplinary learning environment, attracting students and scholars from various countries and disciplines. With its rich history and distinguished scholars, the university continues to foster excellence in studies and the holistic growth of its students.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, lay students can attend the Gregorian University. In fact, the university serves a global community of students, including priests, religious, and laypersons from various countries, making it a significant centre for international theological study and dialogue.
The Gregorian University has around 2750 students from over 150 countries. About 70% of the students are foreign nationals, with 65% of them coming from non-European Union countries. Most students are priests, seminarians, and members of religious orders. Diocesan and religious priests represent about 45%, seminarians 25%, lay men and women 22%, and nuns 8% of the student body.
Applicants must have completed secondary education and possess a high school diploma that is recognised and equivalent to the Italian diploma di maturità. Language proficiency in Italian is usually required, as most undergraduate courses are taught in Italian. A basic knowledge of English is also required.





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