Overview

The University of Florence (Italian: Università degli Studi di Firenze — UNIFI) is an Italian public research university located in Florence, Italy. It comprises 12 schools and has around 50,000 students enrolled. The university dates from 1859, when Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany lost power and a group of disparate higher-studies institutions were grouped together. In 1923, the Istituto was renamed as a University by the Italian Parliament. An earlier university in Florence was the Studio Fiorentino, which was established by the Florentine Republic in 1321. 

The university is subdivided into 12 schools: Agriculture; Architecture; Arts; Economics; Education; Engineering; Law; Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences; Medicine and Surgery; Pharmacology; Political Science; and Psychology. Faculties are located in traditionally strategic areas based on their subject matter.  The university's buildings are woven into the very fabric of Florence — one of the world's most spectacular Renaissance cities — with its main Humanities campus in the historic city centre, its scientific departments in Sesto Fiorentino, its Law and Economics faculties in the modern Novoli campus, and its Medical and Health Sciences campus adjacent to the Careggi University Hospital.

UNIFI offers 127 Bachelor's Degrees, 57 Master's Degrees, 9 Long-cycle degrees, 24 PhD Programs, and over 50 specialization schools. Amongst those programmes, over 40 are international: 10 taught in English and 31 with double or joint degrees. UNIFI is one of the most popular universities for Erasmus students, welcoming over 900 incoming Erasmus students per year, and is part of EUniWell, a European Universities Alliance. 

Its significance to higher learning can be traced all the way back to its origins. Celebrated poet and The Decameron author Giovanni Boccaccio lectured on Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy at the university. Enrico Fermi, the Nobel Laureate for Physics in 1938, was a lecturer in Mathematical Physics and Mechanics at Florence.  Notable faculty have included Mario Draghi (professor of Monetary Economics, 1981–1991; later President of the ECB and Prime Minister of Italy), Antonio Cassese (international jurist and president of international tribunals), and Giovanni Sartori (political scientist). 

The University of Florence is Italy's largest research and higher education institute. It has 1,800 teachers, 1,600 technical and administrative staff, and more than 1,600 doctoral and research students. Every year, 9,000 students graduate from this university. 

Intakes

The University of Florence operates on an Italian academic calendar with two primary intakes.

Fall Semester (September/October) — Primary and main intake; open to nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Applications for open-admission Master's programs: January–May 15 (for the following academic year)
• Capped programs (Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture) have specific entrance exams published in March/April; exams held May–July
• Application deadline for non-EU students via Universitaly: 31 July

Spring Semester (February/March) — Available for select programs; limited intake.

• Application deadline: December 31 (program-dependent; verify with faculty)

Important for Indian Students:

• All non-EU students residing abroad must submit a pre-enrolment application on the Universitaly website (universitaly.it) in order to obtain a student visa; this must be done for one university and one program only
• Application fee: €20 (non-refundable; paid through the university portal)
• Indian students must have completed 12 years of formal schooling (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC recognised as equivalent)
• A Declaration of Value (DoV) or CIMEA statement is required to certify the equivalence of Indian degrees
• Medicine and Surgery (international track): IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) mandatory; held annually in September
• Architecture: entrance examination mandatory
• Italian language proficiency (B2 level — CILS or CELI certification) required for Italian-taught programs
• Post-study: EU Blue Card and Italian job-seeker visa options available after graduation

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Students are encouraged to verify specific intake dates and program availability on the official UNIFI portal (unifi.it).

Top Courses

UNIFI offers 127 Bachelor's Degrees, 57 Master's Degrees, 9 Long-cycle degrees, and 24 PhD Programs.  English-taught programs span Architecture & Related Services, Biological & Physical Sciences, Business & Economics, Engineering & Engineering Technology, Environmental Science, and Social Science.  Key schools and popular programs include:

School of Agriculture (Agraria)

• BSc in Agricultural Sciences (Italian-taught)
• MSc in Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture — English-taught
• MSc in Food and Nutrition Sciences — English-taught
• MSc in Sustainable Agriculture — English-taught
• PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

School of Architecture (Architettura)

• Single-Cycle Degree in Architecture (Italian-taught; IMAT entrance exam)
• MSc in Planning and Design for Urban and Territorial Sustainability — English-taught
• MSc in Architecture and Architectural History — Italian-taught

School of Economics and Management

• BSc in Economics and Business Management — English-taught (international track)
• MSc in International Management — English-taught (flagship international program)
• MSc in Economics — Italian-taught

School of Engineering (Ingegneria)

• BSc in Civil, Environmental, Industrial Engineering (Italian-taught)
• MSc in Management Engineering — English-taught
• MSc in Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability — English-taught
• MSc in Computer Engineering — Italian-taught

School of Medicine and Surgery (Medicina)

• Single-Cycle Degree in Medicine and Surgery — IMAT entrance exam
• Single-Cycle Degree in Dentistry
• MSc in International Health — English-taught
• MSc in Nursing Sciences

School of Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences

• MSc in Physics — partly English-taught
• MSc in Molecular and Applied Biology
• MSc in Environmental Sciences

School of Political Science (Scienze Politiche)

• BSc in International Politics, Communication and Public Affairs — English-taught
• MSc in International Studies — English-taught
• MSc in Development Economics — Italian/English

School of Law (Giurisprudenza)

• Single-Cycle Degree in Law (Italian-taught)
• MSc in International Trade Law — partly English-taught

School of Psychology

• MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology
• MSc in Neuroscience and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation — English-taught

Cost of Studying at University of Florence

Tuition fees can range from €156 for those in the lowest income bracket to approximately €2,900 for those in the highest bracket. The exact fee is calculated after evaluating submitted economic details. Additionally, fee waivers and partial or full fee exemption schemes are available for students who meet specific economic criteria. 

The first instalment of university fees amounts to €156 (composed of €140 regional tax for the right to university education and €16 stamp duty). Foreign students holding a scholarship from the Italian Government within the framework of development cooperation programs and intergovernmental cultural and scientific agreements are exempt from paying the all-inclusive contribution.

Florence is one of Italy's most beautiful cities but is generally more affordable than Milan or Rome, making it an excellent value destination for international students.

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 EUR = ₹91. Tuition at UNIFI is income-based (ISEE system); non-EU students with families outside Italy are assessed at a fixed favourable rate. Florence is more affordable than Milan or Rome — among the best value study destinations in Italy. Italy requires non-EU student visa applicants to demonstrate sufficient financial means (typically €6,000–€8,000/year). Please refer to UNIFI's official website (unifi.it) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

The University of Florence offers a range of scholarships for both domestic and international students. These include merit-based awards, government-funded scholarships, and need-based support covering tuition fees, living expenses, and accommodation. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• ARDSU (Regional Agency for the Right to University Education) Scholarship — Italy's primary scholarship program for eligible students; covers tuition fee exemption, free canteen access, accommodation support, and a living stipend of approximately €5,000–€6,000/year; available to all students including international; income and merit-based; apply through ARDSU Toscana (ardsu.toscana.it); deadline typically September each year
• Italian Government Scholarships (Borse di Studio del Governo Italiano) — Fully-funded scholarships for non-EU students offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; covers tuition, living allowance, and health insurance; apply via the Italian Embassy in India; highly competitive; application opens in the spring preceding enrollment
• Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship — Targeted at exceptional international students; provides tuition support, living stipend, and mentorship in business and technology fields
• Unicor Scholarship — Aimed at refugee students; provides AUD $5,000 per year, free housing, tuition fee reduction, mentorship, and food support, as part of a collaboration with UNHCR 
• DSC Tasani Scholarship — Offered in partnership with regional bodies within Tuscany; merit- and need-based; covers tuition, accommodation, and includes the possibility of a semester abroad 
• Erasmus+ Mobility Grants — For exchange periods within Europe; UNIFI is one of Italy's most active Erasmus universities with 900+ incoming students annually
• UNIFI Merit Discount — Students with excellent academic performance who have earned 90% of credits on time receive a €500 automatic discount on the second instalment of fees — no separate application required
• Pao Valente Scholarship — Targeted at students from disadvantaged countries pursuing Master's degrees in the School of Economics and Management

Note: Indian students must apply for Italian Government Scholarships through the Italian Embassy in New Delhi well before their planned enrollment year. The ARDSU scholarship deadline is typically in September — ensure registration on the ARDSU portal immediately upon enrollment.

Admissions

The University of Florence has an estimated acceptance rate of approximately 60%, making it a moderately selective institution. Admission is primarily based on academic credentials, although more competitive programs such as Medicine, Engineering, and Architecture have stricter requirements and lower acceptance rates. 

For Graduate (Master's) Programs — Open Admission:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field from a recognised university; equivalent to an Italian Laurea Triennale (180 ECTS / 3 years)
• Declaration of Value (DoV) or CIMEA statement certifying Indian degree equivalence
• Language Proficiency for English-taught programs: IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall / TOEFL iBT 79+ / Cambridge B2 level equivalent
• Italian Language Proficiency (B2 level — CILS or CELI certification) for Italian-taught programs
• Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter
• CV / Résumé
• Academic transcripts (certified English or Italian translation required)
• Application fee: €20 (online payment during application)
• Pre-enrolment on Universitaly platform by 31 July (mandatory for non-EU students outside Italy)
• Valid student visa obtained through the Italian Embassy in India

For Undergraduate / Single-Cycle Degree Programs:

• Higher secondary certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC) with minimum 12 years of schooling; Declaration of Value (DoV) required
• Medicine and Surgery: IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) mandatory
• Architecture: entrance examination mandatory
• Italian language proficiency B2 level for Italian-taught programs
• Application fee: €20

Indian students can check the University of Florence's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

Florence's position as Italy's cultural capital — home to international fashion, luxury goods, tourism, agri-food, biomedical, and engineering industries — along with its proximity to the thriving Tuscany startup and SME ecosystem, gives graduates strong career pathways across Italy and Europe.

The University of Florence's Job Placement Office assists students in finding job opportunities, internships, and placements relevant to their field of study. The university collaborates with local, national, and international companies to offer students internships and work experience opportunities. The university's alumni network is a valuable resource for current students, offering networking events, mentorship, and insights into industries. Employment prospects are particularly strong in fields where the university has established expertise and connections, such as architecture, engineering, health sciences, and the humanities. 

Jobs After Graduating from University of Florence

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 EUR = ₹91. Salary figures are indicative and reflect typical starting salaries in Italy. Graduates who remain in Northern Europe, UK, or Switzerland after graduation command significantly higher salaries. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

The University of Florence's career support ecosystem includes:

• UNIFI Job Placement Office (Ufficio Placement) — Career advising, CV workshops, job board access (job-matching platform), internship matching, and individual counselling for all enrolled students and recent graduates
• EUniWell Alliance — UNIFI is part of the European University for Well-Being (EUniWell), a consortium of six leading European universities; provides joint research projects, student mobility, and European career pathways across Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, and the UK
• Careggi University Hospital Network — Italy's third-largest hospital complex; direct clinical training and research career pathways for Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences graduates
• Tuscany Agri-Food and Wine Industry Network — UNIFI is Italy's leading agriculture and food science university; direct connections to Barilla, Ferragamo, Gucci, and Tuscany's world-renowned wine, olive oil, and food production industries
• Erasmus+ Network — 900+ incoming Erasmus students per year; UNIFI's strong bilateral exchange program creates pan-European career networks for graduates
• UNIFI Alumni Network — A growing global community of graduates spanning architecture, medicine, engineering, law, economics, and the humanities
• Italian Post-Study Visa — Non-EU graduates can apply for an Italian job-seeker visa allowing them to remain in Italy for up to 12 months after graduation; EU Blue Card pathway available for qualified STEM and medical professionals

For personalised guidance on University of Florence admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.