Overview

The University of Naples Federico II is a public research university in Naples, Campania, Italy. Established in 1224 and named after its founder Frederick II, it is the oldest public, non-denominational, non-sectarian, and state-funded university in Italy and the world, and one of the world's ten oldest universities in continuous operation. It was Europe's first university dedicated to training secular administrative staff. 

Frederick II had specific goals when he founded the University of Naples: to train qualified administrative and bureaucratic professionals for the Curia Regis, to prepare lawyers and judges to assist sovereign bills, and to facilitate the cultural development of promising young students and academics, thereby avoiding unnecessary and expensive trips abroad for education. It was not until 1987 that the university was formally renamed Federico II in recognition of its founder. 

Located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Naples, the university is home to more than 80,000 students, 2,547 professors and 1,500 staff. The University of Naples Federico II offers more than 152 undergraduate and postgraduate programs and 30 doctoral programs. Courses in 26 departments are organised into 4 faculties — the Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, the Faculty of Polytechnic and Basic Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities — which oversee 13 schools and 82 departments. 

The university is a "city university" in that it does not have one single main campus; instead, its colleges, departments, accommodation, and other facilities are scattered throughout the city of Naples and Portici. The three main campuses are in central Naples, the Fuorigrotta district to the west, and on Camaldoli Hill to the north. The university possesses a vast architectural heritage, including the University Palace (built in neo-Baroque style between 1897 and 1908) and the Casa del Salvatore — an architectural complex in Baroque style from the 16th century. 

Federico II is the third university in Italy by number of enrolled students, but despite its huge size it remains one of the best universities in Italy, being particularly notable for research. It is the only generalist Italian university included in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings, which lists the world's top 200 universities by global academic reputation. 

The university is also home to 50 research centres and 3 academies in partnership with world leaders including Apple, Cisco, and Deloitte. In October 2016, the university hosted the first Apple iOS Developer Academy in Europe, and in 2018 the Cisco Digital Transformation Lab. Notable alumni include Thomas Aquinas (medieval philosopher and theologian, who studied in Naples) and numerous Italian politicians, jurists, scientists, and engineers.

Intakes

The University of Naples Federico II follows the Italian semester-based academic calendar:

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

Application Deadlines (Indicative):

Note: Non-EU students must pre-enroll via Universitaly (universitaly.it) before applying directly to UNINA. The IMAT entrance examination is required for the Medical degree taught in English. Always verify the latest deadlines on the official UNINA website (unina.it/en).

Top Courses

University of Naples Federico II offers 157 courses in 13 teaching areas: Agriculture, Architecture, Economics, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnological Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences, Political Sciences, Sociology, and Humanities — covering essentially every existing academic discipline.

Key faculties and flagship programs include:

• Faculty of Engineering (School of Polytechnic and Basic Sciences) — MSc in Aerospace Engineering, MSc in Computer Engineering, MSc in Civil Engineering, MSc in Electronic Engineering, MSc in Industrial Engineering, MSc in Automotive Engineering, MSc in Environmental Engineering
• Faculty of Medicine and Surgery — MD in Medicine and Surgery (6 years, Single-Cycle — also available in English), MSc in Nursing, MSc in Physiotherapy, MSc in Pharmacy
• Faculty of Science (Mathematics, Physics, Natural Sciences) — MSc in Physics, MSc in Mathematics, MSc in Computer Science, MSc in Data Science, MSc in Artificial Intelligence, MSc in Biotechnological Sciences
• Faculty of Economics — MSc in Economics and Finance (English), MSc in Management, BSc/MSc in Business Administration
• Faculty of Law — LLM in International and European Law, BSc in Law, MSc in Legal Studies
• Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine — MSc in Agricultural Sciences, MSc in Veterinary Medicine, MSc in Food Science and Technology
• Faculty of Architecture — MSc in Architecture, MSc in Urban Design, BSc in Architecture
• Faculty of Political Science — MSc in International Relations, MSc in Political Science, MSc in Public Administration
• Faculty of Humanities — MA in History, MA in Classical Studies, MA in Archaeology, MA in Philosophy
• Notable English-Taught Programs — Medicine and Surgery (6-year English MD), MSc in Economics and Finance, MSc in SEAS 4.0 (Sustainable Ship and Shipping 4.0), MSc in BE in PM (Precision Medicine), MSc in Dynamics of Cultural Landscapes, MSc in Aerospace Engineering

Cost of Studying at University of Naples - Federico II

The University of Naples Federico II annual tuition fee is approximately €1,600 per year for most programs. This is one of the most affordable fee structures among Italian public universities of comparable academic standing.

For the Medicine and Surgery program taught in English, fixed fees are €156 (for non-EU students) and €356 (for EU students) annually — making it exceptionally affordable for an internationally recognised English-medium medical program. 

Note: Figures are indicative based on 2024–25 data. Naples is one of Italy's most affordable major cities for students. Please verify at unina.it/en before applying.

Scholarships

ADISU (Agenzia per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario) scholarships range from €2,000 to €5,200 per year for eligible students, along with merit-based grants from the university itself. 

The COIN-OR scholarship programme, part of the "Internationalisation of Study Courses" project co-financed by the Compagnia di San Paolo, allocates up to 24 two-year scholarships — each worth €5,529.96 gross per year — to international incoming students enrolled in the university's international study courses. Applications are submitted electronically via the official portal. 

Key scholarships for international students include:

Admissions

The acceptance rate of the University of Naples Federico II is estimated to be around 50–60%, depending on the program and the number of applicants. Admission to some competitive programs such as Medicine, Pharmacy, and some Engineering courses requires mandatory national or university entrance examinations.

For Undergraduate Programs (Laurea / BSc):

Academic qualifications required include a higher secondary certificate (10+2) with minimum 65–70% overall marks. For Italian-taught courses, a B2 level Italian (CEFR) is required. For English-taught programs, IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 80 minimum is required. 

• Completion of 12 years of secondary education (CBSE/ISC Class 12 for Indian students)
• Minimum 60–70% in Class 12 (program-dependent)
• IMAT entrance examination for Medicine and Surgery (English program) — held annually in September
• National TOLC or university-specific entrance test for Engineering, Architecture, and some Science programs
• IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 80 for English-taught programs; Italian B2 for Italian-taught programs
• Pre-enrollment via Universitaly.it (mandatory for non-EU students requiring visa)

For Postgraduate Programs (Laurea Magistrale / MSc):

• Bachelor's degree (Laurea or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Minimum GPA 2.0–3.0/4.0 (program-dependent)
• IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL iBT 80–90 for English programs
• Motivational Letter / Statement of Purpose
• CV / Résumé
• Academic transcripts with certified English translations
• Letters of Recommendation (for research programs)

For PhD Programs:

• Master's degree with strong academic record
• Research proposal
• IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 88+ (where required by department)
• Interview with department supervisor
• PhD positions are awarded through public competitive calls (bandi)

Placements

Graduating from the University of Naples Federico II means entering the Italian job market. The best-paying degree at the university is a Bachelor's degree, with alumni earning an average salary of €79,521 per year in their careers. 

The University of Naples Federico II is home to 50 research centres and 3 academies in partnership with world leaders including Apple, Cisco, and Deloitte. The university is also the leader of MUNA — the Mediterranean and Middle East University Network Agreement — comprising 30 universities across the Mediterranean region, giving graduates strong international professional networks. 

The university also runs "GULUNAP" — an initiative launched in 2004 that trains doctors from Uganda and neighbouring countries — reflecting the strong international reach of its medical and humanitarian programs. The university has partnerships with 264 partner universities globally, enabling double and joint degrees.

Naples — as the capital of the Campania region and the third-largest city in Italy — provides graduates with access to a wide range of employment sectors. The city is a major hub for aerospace (Leonardo), pharmaceuticals (Roche, GSK, BMS South Italy), fashion (Marinella), maritime, and public administration.

Key career sectors and top employers for UNINA graduates:

• Engineering & Aerospace — Leonardo S.p.A., Avio Aero (GE Aerospace), Fincantieri, MBDA, Italian Navy Research
• IT & Digital — Apple Developer Academy (hosted at UNINA), Cisco, IBM, Accenture, Engineering Group
• Medicine & Life Sciences — AOU Federico II University Hospital, Cardarelli Hospital (largest in Southern Italy), GSK, Pfizer, Roche
• Agriculture & Food — IEO (Istituto Europeo di Oncologia), Strega Alberti, Acetaia Malpighi, major Campania agri-food companies
• Law & Public Sector — Italian Ministry of Justice, EU institutions, Italian Civil Courts, major Italian law firms
• Finance & Consulting — Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, UniCredit, Banca Intesa Sanpaolo

Jobs After Graduating from University of Naples Federico II

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

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