Lori Meadows
Italy is home to some of the oldest universities in the world, and its higher education system attracts international students for a variety of reasons. The country offers high-quality education, multiple degree programs taught in English, affordable tuition fees, and a rich student life. In the 2022/2023 academic year, La Sapienza University of Rome was the largest Italian university with over 103,000 students enrolled. Other large universities in Italy include the University of Bologna and the University of Turin, each with more than 70,000 students. Online universities have also gained popularity in Italy, with Pegaso Online University enrolling over 95,000 students in 2022/2023. According to the Ministry of University and Research, there were approximately 109,681 international students with foreign country citizenship in Italy, with the majority coming from European countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of international students in Italy | 109,681 |
| Number of Italian students studying abroad | 77,505 |
| Number of students enrolled at La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy's largest university | 103,000 |
| Number of students enrolled in economics programs, the most popular field of study | 264,000 |
| Number of students enrolled in medicine programs, the second most popular field of study | 256,000 |
| Number of students enrolled in industrial and information engineering programs | 228,000 |
| Number of students enrolled in agricultural sciences and veterinary programs | 40,000 |
| Number of students enrolled in online bachelor's programs | 152,000 |
| Number of students enrolled in online master's programs | 47,000 |
| Dropout rate of Italian universities | 45% |
| Percentage of students who receive their Laurea in three years | 30% |
| Percentage of Italians with a college degree | 20% |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- In 2022/2023, there were 103,000 students at Italy's largest university, La Sapienza University of Rome
- Economics is the most popular field of study, with 264,000 students enrolled
- There were 109,681 international students in Italy in 2021/22
- The number of international students in Italy has been steadily increasing
- Italy has some of the oldest universities in the world
In 2022/2023, there were 103,000 students at Italy's largest university, La Sapienza University of Rome
In the 2022/2023 academic year, Italy's largest university, La Sapienza University of Rome, had approximately 103,000 students enrolled. This figure includes a large number of international students, with Italy being a popular study-abroad destination. La Sapienza University is a public research university located in Rome, Italy, and was founded in 1303, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. The university has a rich history and is known for its size, funding, numerous laboratories, and libraries, contributing to its reputation as a global centre for education and research.
La Sapienza University of Rome, also known as Sapienza or Sapienza – Università di Roma, has a main campus called Città Universitaria, which covers 44 hectares (110 acres) near the monumental cemetery Campo Verano and, according to another source, near the Roma Tiburtina Station. In addition to its main campus, the university has satellite campuses outside of Rome, with the primary one located in Latina. The university accommodates its large student population with various facilities, including 48 libraries, 19 museums, orientation offices, a disabled students office, a placement office, and a public relations office.
La Sapienza University offers a diverse range of academic programmes, with 309 degree programmes (Bachelor's and Master's), 200 Advanced Professional Courses, over 95 PhDs, and 87 specialisation schools. The university also provides international opportunities, such as double degrees, scholarships, internships, and international PhDs. Sapienza is highly regarded academically, ranking #132 in the QS World University Rankings in 2025. It has produced notable alumni, including 10 Nobel laureates, Italian prime ministers, a pope, presidents of the European Parliament, and European commissioners.
The university has a long-standing tradition in academia and was established as a Studium for ecclesiastical studies under the control of Pope Boniface VIII. Over the centuries, the university has undergone various transformations and reorganisations, including a period of decline during the sack of Rome in 1527. However, it was later restored and continued to evolve, eventually becoming a public university in 1870. Today, La Sapienza University of Rome is a renowned educational institution, attracting students from Italy and abroad with its academic offerings and rich student life.
On-Campus Living at Roger Williams University
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Economics is the most popular field of study, with 264,000 students enrolled
Economics is the most popular field of study in Italy, with 264,000 students enrolled in economics programs in the academic year 2022/2023. This popularity can be attributed to several factors, including the rise of Italian universities in world rankings for economics, business, and finance, as well as the country's strong economy and attractive study abroad opportunities.
Italy's position within the European Union offers students a unique perspective on the EU market and policy impacts. Additionally, the country's economic history, with cities like Milan serving as a financial centre and Rome contributing significantly to tourism, provides a rich context for studying economics. Italian universities also offer a wide range of economics courses taught in English, making them accessible to international students.
The high enrolment in economics programs reflects Italy's strong position in the field of economics globally. Italian professors and researchers in economics are internationally recognised, providing mentorship opportunities for students. Bocconi University, for example, is considered one of the best economics universities in the world, offering a well-rounded experience with a variety of extracurricular activities and exchange programs.
The large number of students enrolled in economics programs in Italy indicates a strong interest in the field among Italian and international students alike. With its vibrant culture, high-quality education, and affordable tuition fees, Italy continues to attract students from around the world, contributing to the popularity of economics as a field of study in the country.
Exercise and Academic Performance: The Student Study
You may want to see also
Explore related products
There were 109,681 international students in Italy in 2021/22
Italy is a popular study-abroad destination due to its rich culture, high-quality education, and multiple degree programs taught in English. In addition, Italy is home to some of the oldest universities in the world, with affordable tuition fees and living costs.
According to the Ministry of University and Research, there were 109,681 international students in Italy in the academic year 2021/22. This number represents a significant increase in international student enrollment in Italy. Between the academic years of 2018/19 and 2019/20, there was already a 6.8% increase in international student enrollment, bringing the total to 95,734 students. The majority of international students in Italy come from Europe, with a total of 47,936 students. Romania has the highest number of students studying in Italy, with 11,239 students, followed by Albania with 8,357 students.
The region of Lombardy hosts the highest number of international students in Italy, with 26,182 students, followed by Lazio with 19,374 students. Other popular regions for international students include Emilia-Romagna with 13,542 students, Piedmont with 12,246 students, and Veneto with 8,826 students. Tuscany is also a popular choice for international students, with 7,599 students enrolled in higher education in the region.
The total number of Italian students studying abroad is 77,505, with the UK hosting the most Italian students, at 14,412. The increase in international students in Italy can be attributed to the growing number of universities offering programs taught in English, allowing Italian universities to attract a more internationally diverse student body.
UCLA's Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The number of international students in Italy has been steadily increasing
Italy is a popular destination for international students, with over 100,000 international students currently enrolled in Italian universities. The number of international students in Italy has been steadily increasing, with a total of 109,681 students with foreign country citizenship in Italy according to the latest statistics of 2021/22. This number has increased from previous years, with 63,625 students with foreign citizenship enrolled in the academic year 2010/11, and 65,934 international students in the 2011/12 academic year.
There are several reasons why Italy is a popular study-abroad destination. Firstly, Italian universities offer high-quality education with multiple degree programs taught in English. The availability of English-language instruction has become an increasingly popular option, making Italian universities more accessible to international students. Italian universities also offer affordable tuition fees and living costs compared to other Western European countries. The rich history and cultural aspects of Italy, as well as its beautiful historical cities and areas of natural beauty, also attract international students.
According to the Ministry of University and Research, the highest number of international students in Italy are located in the region of Lombardy, with 26,182 international students, followed by Lazio with 19,374 students. Other popular regions for international students include Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Veneto, and Tuscany. The majority of international students in Italy come from Europe, with Romania being the highest-represented country, followed by Albania and Cameroon.
Italian universities also attract a large number of online students. In the academic year 2021/22, 152,000 students chose e-learning for their bachelor's studies, while 47,000 individuals were enrolled in online master's courses. The number of students graduating from online universities has also been constantly increasing, with a significant increase between the academic years 2013/14 and 2023.
Bristol University's Student Population: How Many?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Italy has some of the oldest universities in the world
Italy has a rich history of higher education, with some of its universities being among the oldest in the world. The country offers a high-quality education and multiple degree programs taught in English, making it an attractive destination for international students. According to the latest statistics, there were around 109,681 international students in Italy in the 2021/22 academic year, with the majority coming from European countries.
The University of Bologna, located in the city of Bologna, Italy, is considered the world's oldest university. Teaching at the university began around 1088, and it was organised into a university in the late 12th century. The University of Bologna is the oldest university in continuous operation, adhering to the strict definition of a university as an institution derived from the medieval European model.
While there were earlier institutions of higher learning in other parts of the world, such as ancient Greece, Africa, ancient Persia, ancient Rome, and the Islamic world, they are not included in the list of oldest universities due to their cultural, historical, structural, and legal differences from the medieval European university. These institutions, such as the University of al-Qarawiyyin, University of Ez-Zitouna, and Al-Azhar University, were founded as mosques between the 7th and 10th centuries and became universities much later in the 20th century.
The presence of some of the oldest universities in the world contributes to Italy's reputation as a desirable destination for higher education. In the 2022/2023 academic year, the largest Italian university by enrolment was La Sapienza University of Rome, with over 103,000 students. Other large public universities in Italy include the University of Bologna, with over 70,000 students, and the University of Turin, which also has more than 70,000 students.
Paying Off My Student Loans: My University of Dever Story
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, there are 109,681 international students in Italy. The number of Italian students is unclear, but sources indicate that Italy has a relatively low higher education rate, with only 20% of Italians holding a college degree.
As of 2024, there are 109,681 students with foreign country citizenship enrolled at Italian universities. This is an increase of 30.2% from the 2015/16 academic year.
La Sapienza University of Rome is Italy's largest university, with over 103,000 students enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year.
In the 2022/2023 academic year, over 95,000 students were enrolled at Pegaso online university.
Economics is the most popular field of study in Italy, with almost 264,000 students enrolled in economics programs in the 2022/2023 academic year.
