Student life in Italy
Studying in Italy
Italy is a very welcoming country and has been a place of international study and educational excellence for centuries, the oldest university, University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and is still in operation! Italy has been and still welcomes students from all over the world. It is a great place to learn, discover the culture and enjoy the experience.
There are around 97 universities in Italy and are divided in different categories. State universities are publicly funded by the state and are the majority in Italy. There are some universities that are publicly funded, but by Province rather than state. Private universities and superior graduate schools (Scuola Superiore Universitaria), these independent institutions offer advanced training and specialise in postgraduate courses.
In Italy there are other higher education institutions that specialise in certain areas, from art, music and dance to research and technical institutions. There are a lot of different educations places to choose from.
Most courses are taught in Italian, but there are a number of English programmes and this is increasing all the time. In Italy, there are several levels to higher education. Undergraduate courses (bachelor’s degrees ‘laurea’ in Italian), Master’s degrees (‘laurea magistrale’) and PhDs. They lead on from one another. In order to obtain a Masters, you must first have a Bachelors degree and to study for a PhD, you must have a Bachelor and a Masters. Usually, a Bachelors will take 3 years to complete the course, a Masters degree is 1 year and a PhD is usually 3 years, but can last longer.
Culture
There is so many things to discover and experience when you are studying in Italy. The country is home to the largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites, and transport around the country is great so you won’t find it difficult to travel around to see the sites.
Sport is a big part of Italian culture and if you are interested in outdoor pursuits, there is choices aplenty. Hike, bike and tour to your heart’s content. But of course, football is a big game in Italy.
Italians are outdoor types and don’t tend to spend too much time at home in doors, especially in a city. A great opportunity to meet people and test out your Italian is to discover the evening when Italians fill the streets chatting, gather at cafes and having drinks at bars and having a meal at restaurants (rather than clubbing).
Food is just as important as sport in Italy, and while you study you will have the chance to taste the authentic food of Italy.
Attractions to visit
No matter which university or city you decide to studying in, each has their own unique attractions beauty. There are many things for you to discover when studying abroad and to show your relatives when they visit.
Rome
The capital of Italy, Rome is great city with a history that spans over 28 centuries. With the historical city centre listed as a UNESCO World and there is plenty to discover with history throughout the ages. Sites like the Vatican and the Colosseum are must-see, but there are plenty of other unusual and away from the main tourist traps.
We have tours like the Trastevere Underground. Under the surface of Rome there is a treasure trove of well preserved ruins of the Roman ages of Rome. Walking in the footsteps of the everyday Roman. Take a stroll along the oldest Roman Road, the Appian Way and discover a gentle and quieter parts of the city.
Take a look at our tours below to see what else you can discover in Rome.
Milan
Milan is a well known and fashionable place, there are magical places to visit and discover. Obviously, one of the must see attractions is that of the Last Supper, but it can sell out very quickly. So in case there is no opportunity to visit the famous image, there are many other sites to explore. Milan has many art galleries and museums that are visited by millions of people each and every year. The museums and galleries are home to some of the most important collections in the world, including works by Leonardo da Vinci.
Missed out on the Last Supper? Do not worry, take our fabulous walking tour of Milan, and discover more of this charming city.
Florence
Florence a beautiful city, tucked in the Tuscany countryside. Florence has a UNESCO World Heritage classification for the historical city centre and have been continuously ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and have a fascinating and turbulent history, including periods of rile under the famous Medici family. Florence is full of breath-taking architecture, art galleries and museums.
There are also many places to visit that are outside of Florence, including Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano.
Venice
With its Grand Canal, architecture and that is is built on waterways, Venice is a unique little city. The famous Basilica di San Marco is an beautiful mix of Byzantine, Romanesque and Renaissance and the Ducale Palazzo, built in the Venetian Gothic style are great attractions to visit. But take a stroll through the back alleys of Venice, away from the tourist sites and you will discover the real Venice, with the quiet bars to sit and have a drink and the restaurants that a frequented by locals. It is a great place to just wander and discover and finish off your day with a bubble Prosecco.
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