Overview

Sapienza University of Rome is one of the oldest Italian universities, founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII. In the seven centuries since its foundation, it has been at the centre of the history of Rome and the entire country — first as a university linked to the Popes, then as an autonomous institution gradually extending its academic prestige to new disciplines, both scientific and humanistic. 

In the 1650s, the university became known as "Sapienza" — meaning "wisdom" or "knowledge" — a title it still retains today. After the capture of Rome by the forces of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870, Sapienza rapidly expanded as the chosen main university of the capital of the newly unified state. In 1935, the new university campus — planned by architect Marcello Piacentini — was completed and remains the heart of the university today.

Sapienza University of Rome, founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII, is one of the oldest universities in the world. The 122,143 students enrolled at Sapienza can choose from over 404 degree programmes (Bachelor's, Master's, and PhDs) and over 330 specialisation and professional courses, while the School of Advanced Studies runs honours programmes with free tuition for the best students. 

Since the 2011 reform, Sapienza University of Rome has eleven faculties and 65 departments. With 140,000 students and 8,000 among academic, technical, and administrative staff, it is the largest university in Italy and in Europe. Sapienza houses 50 libraries with over 2.7 million books, 19 museums, a botanical garden, and three university hospitals. 

The university's motto is "Il futuro è passato qui" — meaning "The future was here." The main campus, Città Universitaria, is situated in the very centre of Rome, within walking distance of the main rail station, Termini. Through the Erasmus exchange programme, Sapienza is partnered with at least 400 other universities and maintains a strong international presence. 

Scientific research at Sapienza covers an extremely broad spectrum of disciplines, reaching levels of excellence in many areas including archaeology, physics and astrophysics, humanities and cultural heritage, the environment, nanotechnologies, cell and gene therapy, design, aerospace, and social and economic sciences. Nobel Prize winners and internationally renowned scientists have taught and/or studied at Sapienza. 

Intakes

Sapienza uses a semester-based academic calendar, with courses beginning in September and February. Almost all undergraduate programs are taught in Italian, though there are a growing number of English-taught master's programs.

• September/October Intake (Autumn Semester) — Primary and main intake for all Bachelor's and most Master's programs
• February Intake (Spring Semester) — Available for select Master's and PhD programs

Application Deadlines for International Students:

The pre-selection procedure for 2026–2027 runs from December 22, 2025 to May 15, 2026 for non-EU candidates residing abroad who require a visa. Pre-accepted students must register on the Universitaly platform by end of June 2026. EU candidates and equivalent have a deadline of July 31, 2026. 

Note: All non-EU students must apply through the Italian government's Universitaly portal (universitaly.it) before applying directly to Sapienza. Always verify program-specific deadlines on the official Sapienza admissions page.

Top Courses

Sapienza currently offers 59 Bachelor's and Master's programmes taught entirely in English, over 240 programmes in Italian, a Foundation Year for international students, PhD programmes in most disciplines, and a wide range of Advanced Professional Courses and Summer/Winter Schools. 

Sapienza is organised into 11 faculties. Key faculties and flagship programs include:

• Faculty of Engineering (Civil and Industrial) — MSc in Aerospace Engineering, MSc in Chemical Engineering, MSc in Civil Engineering, MSc in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Computer Engineering
• Faculty of Information Engineering, Informatics and Statistics — MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, MSc in Data Science, MSc in Computer Science, MSc in Statistics
• Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry — Medicine and Surgery (MD), Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy
• Faculty of Architecture — MSc in Architecture, MSc in Sustainable Building Engineering, MSc in History of Architecture, BSc in Architecture
• Faculty of Law — LLM in International and European Legal Studies, BSc in Law
• Faculty of Arts and Humanities — MA in Classical Philology, MA in History of Art, MA in Archaeology, MA in Global Humanities, MA in Modern Languages
• Faculty of Economics — MSc in Economics, MSc in Business Management, MSc in Finance
• Faculty of Political Science, Sociology and Communication — MSc in Political Science, MSc in International Communication, MSc in Public Administration
• Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences — MSc in Physics, MSc in Mathematics, MSc in Astrophysics
• Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine — MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, MSc in Pharmacology
• School of Advanced Studies (Scuola Superiore di Studi Avanzati) — Honours programmes with free tuition for the best students

Cost of Studying at Sapienza University of Rome

Sapienza is one of the most affordable universities in Europe for its level of academic prestige and global reputation, as it is a public institution funded by the Italian Ministry of Higher Education.

Tuition for Bachelor's and Master's programmes at Sapienza is €700–1,500 per year depending on the country of residence. These convenient rates are made possible by public funding from the Italian Ministry of Higher Education. 

Tuition for Bachelor's and Master's programmes is €300–1,500 per year, according to country of residence.  Students from low-income families can qualify for full exemptions and study for as little as €186 per year when holding a scholarship.

Note: Figures are indicative based on 2025–26 data. Please verify on the official Sapienza website (uniroma1.it) before applying.

Scholarships

Each year, over 1,500 scholarships and grants are distributed to both EU and non-EU students at Sapienza. These include full tuition waivers, monthly stipends of up to €1,290/month, special funds for women in STEM, and exclusive thesis and research grants abroad. Many do not require a separate application — the academic record or admission letter may be sufficient. 

Key scholarships for international students include:

Note: Students whose family ISEE income does not exceed €24,000 are fully exempt from enrolment fees. Reductions apply up to an ISEE of €40,000.

Admissions

Sapienza's estimated acceptance rate is approximately 39%, making it moderately selective. Admission is competitive, especially for high-demand programs like Medicine, Architecture, and certain Engineering fields, which require entrance examinations. 

For Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's / Laurea Triennale):

Students applying for a Bachelor's programme must hold a high school diploma earned after at least 12 years of studies. All students must have at least an upper-intermediate knowledge of the language of instruction (Italian or English). 

• High school diploma (equivalent to 12 years of schooling — CBSE/ISC Class 12 for Indian students)
• Minimum 60–70% in Class 12 (program-dependent)
• IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 74 minimum for English-taught programs (B2 CEFR level)
• Italian B2 for Italian-taught programs
• Entrance examination required for Medicine, Architecture, and some other restricted-access programs
• Application fee: €30 per application (maximum 2 applications per year)

For Postgraduate Programs (Master's / Laurea Magistrale):

Students applying for a Master's programme must hold at least a 3-year Bachelor's degree from a recognised university in a relevant discipline. Top Universities

• Bachelor's degree (Laurea Triennale or equivalent 3-year degree) in a relevant field
• GPA equivalent to 3.0/4.0 or above (varies by program)
• IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL iBT 80 minimum for English programs
• Statement of Purpose / Motivational Letter
• CV / Résumé
• Academic transcripts with certified English translations
• Letters of Recommendation (for research programs)
• Portfolio required for Architecture and Design programs

For PhD Programs:

• Master's degree with strong academic record
• Research proposal
• Interview with department/supervisor
• IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 80+
• Full funding available for most PhD candidates

Placements

Sapienza is Italy's top-ranked university for Employment Outcomes, ranked 92nd in the world by QS — based on the employment rate and career prospects of graduates in the labour market. This national first reflects the strong professional readiness and industry recognition of Sapienza graduates. 

Sapienza's Career Service supports students through job fairs, internship placements, CV workshops, career coaching, and employer networking events. The university's proximity to Rome — Italy's capital and a major hub for government, international organisations, media, law, and business — provides graduates with unmatched access to career opportunities across multiple sectors.

Sapienza's research facilities and strong links to leading Italian and international organisations make its graduates highly sought after in research, public administration, healthcare, technology, and the arts. 

Key career sectors and employers for Sapienza graduates:

• Engineering & Technology — Leonardo S.p.A., Eni, Enel, Siemens, Thales Alenia Space, Accenture, IBM
• Medicine & Healthcare — Policlinico Umberto I, Gemelli Hospital, major international hospitals and pharmaceutical companies
• Law & Public Sector — Italian Government Ministries, European Institutions, major Italian law firms
• Architecture & Design — Architectural studios, urban planning agencies, UNESCO, Italian Ministry of Culture
• Sciences & Research — INFN (National Institute for Nuclear Physics), ENEA, NASA/ESA partner research centres, Italian National Research Council (CNR)
• Economics & Finance — Banca d'Italia, Italian Treasury, PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, major international banks
• Arts & Humanities — UNESCO, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, academic institutions, media organisations

Jobs After Graduating from Sapienza University of Rome

Note: Salary figures are indicative net monthly values. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, industry, location, and experience.

For personalised guidance on Sapienza University of Rome admissions, scholarships, and the Italy student visa process, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.