Italian University Students: How Many Are There?

Italy has 90 universities, with a total of 1.9 million students enrolled in 2020. As of May 2023, 1.16 million students were enrolled in a bachelor's program, while master's students numbered 406,000. Sapienza University of Rome was the largest Italian university in the 2022/2023 academic year, with over 103,000 enrolled students.

Student enrolment in Italy's universities: 1.9 million in 2020

Italy's tertiary education enrolment rate is 62%, with 1.9 million students enrolled in 2020. This is a notable increase from the turn of the century when only 10% of Italians had obtained a university or college degree.

The Italian constitution guarantees freedom of education and provides for state schools and universities. It also ensures that public schools are open to all and makes provisions for scholarships and grants.

Italy's higher education system consists of three-year bachelor's degrees, two-year master's degrees, and three-year PhDs. There are 90 universities in Italy, along with several specialised postgraduate centres, polytechnics, and other academies.

The largest Italian university in the 2022/2023 academic year was La Sapienza University of Rome, with over 103,000 enrolled students.

Italy's largest university: La Sapienza University of Rome with 103,000 students

Italy's largest university is La Sapienza University of Rome, with 103,000 students enrolled in the academic year 2022/2023. This makes it not only the largest university in Italy but also the largest university in Europe.

La Sapienza University of Rome, founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII, is the oldest university in Rome. The university offers a broad range of academic programmes and courses, with 280 degree programmes and 200 specialist courses across 63 departments. Students have access to an extensive network of libraries and museums on campus. Specifically, the university provides its students with 50 libraries, the most extensive collection of any Italian university, and 18 museums.

In addition to its large student body, La Sapienza University of Rome also boasts a substantial academic staff, with nearly 4,000 instructors employed at the institution. The university further welcomes a significant number of international students, with almost 9,000 students from outside Italy enrolled.

La Sapienza University of Rome is one of the top-ranked universities in Italy, recognised by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Bachelor's students: 1.16 million enrolled as of May 2023

As of May 2023, there were 1.16 million students enrolled in bachelor's programs in Italy. This accounts for over half of the total 1.9 million students enrolled in higher education in the country as of 2020.

Bachelor's programs in Italy are only offered in Italian, so international students are expected to have a sufficient command of the Italian language. The country's higher education system consists of a three-year bachelor's degree called the "laurea triennale", which can be followed by a two-year master's degree ("laurea magistrale", previously the "laurea specialistica").

Italy has 90 universities, as well as a number of specialized postgraduate centers, polytechnics, and other academies that form part of the higher education sector. The largest Italian university as of the 2022/2023 academic year was La Sapienza University of Rome, with over 103,000 enrolled students.

The Italian constitution guarantees the freedom of education and provides for state schools, ensuring the independence of universities. It also states that public schools are open to all and makes provisions for scholarships and grants. Despite this, Italy's investment in education is well below the EU average, particularly in higher education.

Master's students: 406,000 enrolled as of May 2023

As of May 2023, there were 406,000 students enrolled in master's programs in Italy. This is a significant number of students pursuing graduate-level studies in the country.

In Italy, the master's degree is known as the "laurea magistrale," which was previously called the "laurea specialistica." It typically follows the completion of a three-year bachelor's degree, known as the "laurea triennale." The master's degree in Italy falls under the category of higher education, which also includes specialized postgraduate centers, polytechnics, and other academies.

The Italian constitution guarantees the freedom of education and provides for state schools and universities. It ensures that public schools are open to all and also makes provisions for scholarships and grants to support students' access to education.

The higher education sector in Italy is quite diverse, with 90 universities and a range of other specialized institutions. The largest Italian university as of the 2022/2023 academic year was La Sapienza University of Rome, with over 103,000 enrolled students.

University investment: Italy's investment in higher education is below the EU average

Italy has around 89 universities, with approximately 50% of Italian youths entering higher education. In 2022, almost 2 million students were enrolled in public and private universities in the country. However, Italy's investment in higher education is well below the EU average, causing a growing number of university graduates to emigrate.

Italy's tertiary education system consists of state-funded public universities, universities funded by public authorities other than the state, private universities recognised by the Ministry of Education, and superior graduate schools. State-run universities are under the supervision of Italy's Ministry of Education and are mainly managed by the government. There are 76 public universities, 16 private, and one jointly public-private institution.

Despite being the eighth most developed and industrialised country in the world, Italy faces challenges due to its stagnant economy. The most prominent issue is its low investment in education, particularly in higher education, which lags behind other European countries. In 2022, the Italian government allocated 6.4 billion euros for tertiary education, amounting to just 0.3% of its Gross Domestic Product. In comparison, France and the Netherlands invested 17.6 billion euros and 12 billion euros, respectively.

Insufficient funding for universities has several negative consequences. It disadvantages Italian universities in terms of research influence and international attractiveness, with no Italian university ranking among the top 20 higher education institutions in Europe. It also affects the career prospects of graduates, as starting salaries are relatively low, and there is a gender pay gap that increases as careers progress.

Furthermore, Italy's investment in tertiary education has repercussions for academic staff. There is job insecurity, and salaries for professors are significantly lower than in other European countries. Additionally, there is a gender imbalance, with two-thirds of full and associate professors being men.

While Italy's higher education system has its challenges, the country is home to some of the oldest universities in the world, including the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, and the University of Padua, established in 1222. These institutions are known for their cultural and historical significance.

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