Private Universities in Italy for U.S. Students

According to the QS World University Rankings, numerous Italian universities find themselves within the top 100 across the globe. Italy is recognized for its applied education system, where students start to put their knowledge into practice during their studies. You can pursue a variety of relevant and popular fields of study at Italian universities.

Public vs. Private Universities in Italy: Key Features

In Italy, both public and private universities operate under the oversight of the Ministry of Education, which enforces educational quality standards and ensures compliance.

Furthermore, private universities are routinely accredited, a process necessary for their ability to issue valid diplomas.

Key Features of Public Universities:

Key Features of Private Universities:

Private universities in Italy

The most sought-after areas of study in private universities in Italy include:

• Design (interior, architecture, graphic, industrial and others);
• Art (art history, cultural studies, painting, music, sculpture, etc.);
• Humanities (linguistics, literary studies, philosophy, writing, and others);
• Economics (applied economics, management, marketing, etc.).

Private Italian universities combine the humanistic foundations of academic programs with modern technological facilities. As a result, more than 70% of students find a future job during their internship.

Let’s take a look at popular private universities in Italy, where applicants can enroll.

MIP Graduate School of Business

One of the best business schools in Milan. For more than 40 years, MIP has been providing management training programs for applicants, professionals, companies, institutions and public administrations.

MIP School of Business graduates are in demand for prestigious positions in large companies and organizations.

• MBA programs are included in the list of Top 100 programs in the world, according to the Financial Times rating.
• It is the only business school in Europe to be certified by B Corp. This recognition is given to organizations distinguished by their sustainable development and the building of a more inclusive society.
• Ranked No. 4 in the QS Online MBA 2023 and No. 10 in the FT Online MBA 2023. These awards recognize the implementation of digital learning.

Tuition is €10,000-18,000 per master’s program.

LUISS Guido Carli

LUISS is a private-accredited university that emerged from the earlier Roman institution Pro Deo between 1974 and 1978. In all four faculties of economics and finance, business and government, law and political science, LUISS offers an innovative and modern educational approach.

The university is also known for the fact that each university professor supervises a maximum of seven students, making for a high-quality, personalized learning experience.

• It is the best private university in Italy according to Il Sole 24 Ore.
• LUISS is among the top 50 universities with a political science program, according to QS rankings.
• Scholarship programs are available in the main faculties.
• A wide range of exchange and double-degree programs are available.

Tuition costs €11,000-12,000 per year (for bachelor’s and master’s programs).

Rome University of Fine Arts

The RUFA is a multidisciplinary international institution of higher education officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR). The university offers accredited and innovative courses in art, design and communication. RUFA collaborates with renowned professionals and prestigious companies, guaranteeing its students a high level of theoretical training combined with a practical academic approach,

• RUFA has 7 buildings in the center of Rome.
• The University offers 15 undergraduate and graduate programs that pave new paths in contemporary art and culture.
• Students can choose their internship placements from more than 250 partner companies.
• A great number of exchange programs with partner universities from European countries.

Tuition costs from €6,000 to 9,000 per year (for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs).

The University of Pavia

The Università degli Studi di Pavia (UNIPV) is one of the oldest universities in the country. It was founded in 1361. Alumni of UNIPV were famous cultural figures, scientists, politicians, such as Christopher Columbus (explorer), Carlo Rubbia (physicist), Lorenzo Mascheroni (mathematician).

The University of Pavia currently has 22 colleges. The university has two buildings, one in Pavia and one in Cremona. All in all, the university has about 26,000 students from all over the world.

• It ranks 15th in Italy according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities and is among the top 300 best universities in Europe according to QS Ranking.
• The University has about 500 partner relations with higher education institutions of the world and more than 900 agreements on exchange programs.
• The university has a well-developed infrastructure. The students have access to 37 libraries, museums, cinemas, theaters, sports facilities, cafes and restaurants.

Tuition costs from €1000 to 1,500 per year.

Required documents for admission to universities in Italy

• Certificate of language proficiency. It is necessary to specify what language is required in a particular university – English or Italian. Requirements for Italian language: level B2 in accordance with Europass Language Passport classification, it is possible to pass CILS or CELI test.
• Entrance examinations (test), for certain specialties (for example, for medical programs – IMAT test).
• Portfolios of work for some programs (mostly creative).
• High school diploma for admission to a bachelor’s degree program. 
• Bachelor’s degree for admission to a master’s program.
• Letter of motivation (for some programs).
• Recommendation letter 
• CV (mostly for master programs)

Interested in studying in Italy? We’re here to assist!

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