While most universities in Italy are public, there are many private institutes as well. These universities have comparatively higher tuition than their public alternatives. However, there is no compromise in the quality of education. Almost all of the top private universities in Italy offer a wide range of programmes for international students. Students from every corner of the world come to Italy for undergraduate, post-graduate, and diploma courses. The employment rate for Indian students in Italy increases to 82% from a lower percentage of 73%. Read further to check the list of Italy’s top private universities and what they hold unique.
List of Top Private Universities in Italy
1. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) –
Also known as the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, this university is situated in the urban area of Lombardy, Milan. In addition to this, they also have campuses in cities like Cremona, Piacenza, Brescia, and Rome. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programmes in medicine, business, language, arts and humanities.
Tuition fee for international students at UCSC (annual) –
- For undergraduate programmes – €5,500 – €7,400
- For post-graduate programmes – €7,500 – €9,200
2. Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi (Bocconi University) –
This university, again, is located in Milan. Bocconi University has a strength of at least 10 to 15 thousand students in any academic year. It offers business degrees on different educational levels starting from pre-bachelor’s (diploma/ certificate courses) to doctorates. This top private university in Italy accepts applications from all over the world. The yearly tuition fee for overseas students seeking a bachelor’s degree from Bocconi University can be anywhere from €7,400 to €9,200. While post-graduation courses from this university can cost them €11,000 to €13,000.
3. Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli (LUISS Guido Carli) –
LUISS Guido Carli is a prestigious institute and is slightly more selective than other top private universities in Italy. The university was founded in 1974. It is situated in Rome and offers courses in economics, business, management, politics, philosophy, etc. The yearly tuition fee for international students getting an undergrad degree from LUISS can be €9,200 to €11,000. However, prices for postgrad programmes is similar to that of Bocconi.
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4. Libera Università di Bolzano (UNIBZ) –
This relatively new private university is located in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. They offer a wide range of courses at UNIBZ. International students can choose to get a diploma, bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, arts, humanities, science and technology, etc. The annual tuition fee for international students at UNIBZ is significantly lower than other top private universities in Italy. One academic year costs international students €750 to €1,800 at UNIBZ.
5. Libera Università di Lingue e Communicazione IULM –
IULM is located in Lombardia, Milano, with branches in Rome. It usually admits about 6000 to 7000 students. Many consider these numbers low or medium strength. Currently, the strength here is 4500 to 5000. Their motto at IULM is “Sapere, saper essere e saper fare”, which translates to “Knowing, knowing how to be and how to do. IULM offers bachelor’s and master’s courses in communication, interpreting & translation, and arts & tourism. Italy is famous for its rich language, arts, history, and numerous historical monuments. Because of this, IULM attracts many international students.
The annual tuition fee for international students at IULM is –
- €3,700 – €5,500 for undergrad programmes.
- €5,500 – €7,400 for postgrad programmes.
6. LIUC Università Cattaneo (Carlo Cattaneo University) –
LIUC was founded in 1991 and is located in Castellanza. They teach business & economics, business law, and management engineering at LIUC. The yearly tuition fee can be anywhere between €5,500 – €7,400 for students from countries other than Italy.
7. Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche (University of Gastronomic Sciences/ UNISG) –
UNISG is an international university located in Pollenzo, Piedmont. Academic studies at this university include fields like gastronomy, biology, food innovation and management, agriculture, and other related sciences, as suggested by the name. Carlo Petrini, the founder of the Slow Food Movement, founded UNISG in 2004. It offers BSc and MSc courses. The students engage in studies in a classroom, on the campus, and make numerous field trips around Europe. The annual tuition fee at UNISG for international students is €11,000 – €12,900 for a bachelor’s degree and €12,900 – €14,700 for a master’s degree.
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8. Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta (Maria Santissima Assunta Free University/ LUMSA) –
LUMSA is the second oldest university in Rome after Sapienza. It also has campuses in Palermo. Courses are offered in law, human studies, economics, communication, modern languages, psychology and education. It has about 7000 students. The annual tuition fee at LUMSA is around €3,500 and above.
9. Link Campus University –
Despite it being a young institution, Link attracts students from all over the world. It offers bachelor’s, master’s and at least one single cycle diploma/ certificate course. Economics, political science, communications, communication technology, etc., are some course fields at Link. According to the Link International website, the annual tuition fee for bachelor’s and master’s degrees is €12,000.
10. Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma (Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome/ UCBM) –
Situated in Trigoria, this private university was founded in the year 1993. It offers bachelor’s, master and doctorate degrees in medicine, health, engineering, science, and technology. The university holds minimal student strength every year. Which implies its selective approach towards admitting students. It has no more than 2000 students approximately. The annual tuition fee in this university is around €11,000 to €13,000. Like some of the top private universities in Italy mentioned above, bachelor’s and master’s courses at UCBM have a similar tuition range.
FAQs on Top Private Universities in Italy
Ques – What cities have private universities in Italy?
Ans – Most of the private universities in Italy are in cities like Rome and Milan.
Ques – Are public universities better than private universities in Italy?
Ans – Many international students consider public universities over private ones in Italy due to their significantly lower tuition fees. The quality of education and facilities like boarding, libraries, labs, faculty members rarely have a big difference.
Ques – What language proficiency test do I have to take to study in Italy?
Ans – CELI and CILS are two Italian Proficiency Tests that international students take to study in Italy. However, their score may or may not be considered by individual universities.
Ques – How much does it cost to study in a private university in Italy?
Ans – Private universities in Italy are often more expensive for international students than public ones. The tuition fee ranges from as low as €750 to €15,000 per year, depending on the course and the university.