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Rankings: The 52 best universities in Italy for 2021/2022

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Rankings: The 52 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 2020 THE Ranking 2020 ARWU Ranking 2019
Politecnico di Milano 149 301 201
University of Bologna 177 168 201
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies 177 149 –
Sapienza University of Rome 203 251 151
Scuola Normale Superiore 204 152 401
University of Padua 234 201 201
University of Milan 302 301 151
Politecnico di Torino 348 501 501
University of Pisa 389 351 151
University of Trento 389 301 401
University of Naples Federico II 424 351 301
University of Florence 448 351 201
University of Rome Tor Vergata 511 501 501
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 511 501 401
University of Turin 541 401 201
University of Pavia 581 401 301
University of Milano-Bicocca 591 401 401
University of Genoa 651 401 401
University of Trieste 701 401 601
University of Siena 701 401 501
University of Brescia 751 501 601
University of Perugia 751 351 401
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia 751 401 701
Ca' Foscari University of Venice 751 601 –
University of Verona 801 401 501
University of Parma 801 601 601
University of Bari Aldo Moro 801 401 501
University of Palermo 801 601 601
Roma Tre University 801 501 901
University of Salerno 801 351 701
University of Ferrara 801 401 501
University of Catania 801 501 601
Polytechnic University of Bari 801 401 –
University of Udine 801 501 801
University of Salento – 601 901
Università degli Studi dell’Insubria – 501 901
University of Chieti-Pescara – – 901
University of Urbino – 401 801
University of Messina – – 801
University of Calabria – 601 801
University of Cagliari – – 801
Marche Polytechnic University – 501 801
Tuscia University – – 701
University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” – – 701
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano – 401 701
International School for Advanced Studies – – 601
University of L'Aquila – 501 601
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University – 201 501
Humanitas University – – 501
University of Sassari – 601 –
University of Eastern Piedmont – 601 –
University of Bergamo – 601 –

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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