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Rankings: The 56 best universities in Italy for 2021/2022

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Rankings: The 56 best universities in Italy for 2021/2022

Italy seems to have it all: Amazing landscapes from coasts to mountains, an impressive history, and a remarkably tasty and diverse cuisine. Not to mention it was here that the very first university in Europe was founded, nearly one thousand years ago.

Today, several of Italy’s institutions are among the top-ranked universities in Europe. That includes centuries-old traditional universities like the University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome or the University of Padua - but also younger modern universities like Roma Tor Vergata or the University of Milan. Among dozens of world-class schools, it can be difficult to pick one when you are planning to study in Italy.

Top ranked universities in Italy

University QS Ranking 2021 THE Ranking 2021 ARWU Ranking 2020
Politecnico di Milano 137 351 201
University of Bologna 160 167 201
Sapienza University of Rome 171 201 151
University of Padua 216 251 201
University of Milan 301 351 151
Politecnico di Torino 308 501 601
University of Pisa 383 401 151
University of Naples Federico II 392 401 301
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University 392 251 401
University of Trento 403 301 401
University of Florence 432 401 301
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 511 – 601
University of Rome Tor Vergata 511 401 501
University of Turin 521 401 201
University of Milano-Bicocca 521 351 301
University of Pavia 601 401 401
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano 601 401 –
University of Genoa 651 401 501
University of Siena 651 401 601
University of Trieste 701 501 601
Ca' Foscari University of Venice 751 601 –
Polytechnic University of Bari 751 401 –
University of Brescia 751 401 701
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia 751 401 701
University of Perugia 751 – 401
University of Catania 801 501 401
University of Bari Aldo Moro 801 401 401
University of Salerno 801 401 601
University of Ferrara 801 501 501
University of Palermo 801 601 501
University of Verona 801 401 501
University of Parma 801 601 501
University of Calabria 801 601 801
Roma Tre University 801 601 –
Marche Polytechnic University 801 601 801
University of Udine 801 601 801
University of Messina – 501 801
University of L'Aquila – 501 701
University of Foggia – 801 –
University of Eastern Piedmont – 601 701
University of Chieti-Pescara – 601 801
University of Bergamo – 601 –
Università degli Studi dell’Insubria – 501 901
Tuscia University – 501 801
Scuola Normale Superiore – 181 401
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies – 170 –
Parthenope University of Naples – 601 –
University of Urbino – 501 701
University of Sassari – 501 –
University of Sannio – 401 –
University of Salento – 601 701
University of Cagliari – – 801
University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” – – 701
International School for Advanced Studies – – 701
Humanitas University – – 601
Bocconi University – – 501

Explained: How do the university rankings work?

The QS World University Rankings are among the most important, most-referenced rankings. The QS ranking relies heavily on its academic survey, asking thousands of academics worldwide about the reputation of universities.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (or the THE Rankings for short) compile a wide range of statistics. Equal weight is put on teaching quality, research excellence, and research impact through citations (meaning how often a university’s research is referenced elsewhere).

The Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (often just Shanghai Ranking, or ARWU) focuses on research output and quality, for example measured by the number of published and cited scientific papers and the number of staff or alumni winning the Nobel Prize or Fields Medal.

Study in Italy Italy - Flag

Italy offers the perfect combination of stunning history, academic tradition, and innovative research and education. In the birthplace of Europe’s first university, many of Italy’s institutions are today among the best in the world. International students are flocking to the Southern European country to receive world-class education and enjoy la dolce vita - “the sweet life”.

Read more about studying in Italy

Find the right study programme for yourself:

Bachelors degrees in Italy
Masters degrees in Italy
PhD programmes in Italy

Relevant links

  • Studying abroad in Italy: Basic information for international students
  • Study programmes in Italy
  • Visit the website of the QS World University Rankings
  • Visit the website of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings
  • Visit the website of the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities

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The oldest universities in 10 European countries

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