Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Higher education in Italy - statistics & facts
In Italy, public investments in education have constantly increased in recent years. However, funds allocated to universities comprised only a small percentage of the total spending, and the divide with other European countries expanded. Although students must pay tuition fees for enrolling at both public and private universities, with the former having lower fees and more scholarship opportunities, insufficient state funding disadvantages universities in terms of research influence and international attractiveness, while limits the pursuit of academic careers compared to other sectors. In fact, no Italian university is among the top-20 higher education institutions in Europe and professors often have precarious contracts.
Italy ranks among the worst European countries in terms of tertiary education, as the population鈥檚 higher educational attainment remains extremely low. In 2023, fewer than 20 percent of Italians held at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree, whereas the EU鈥檚 average stood at 30 percent, and when looking at those aged between 30 and 34 years alone, the disparity grows larger.
Moreover, online universities have become more and more attractive in recent years. The Pegaso online University is the largest among them and the second institution with most enrollments nationwide. Additionally, the Scuole Superiori Universitarie are public research institutions that primarily focus on doctoral and post-doctoral education. Among the most prestigious one is the Scuola Normale Superiore located in Pisa.
Every student enrolled at public and private universities must pay a tuition each year for taking exams and graduating. The amount in state institutions varies considerably depending on the degree program, but generally it is higher for master鈥檚 degrees than for bachelor鈥檚. However, students have the possibility to obtain scholarships that fully cover yearly fees or ask for reduction based on their personal or family鈥檚 income. Private and online universities require much higher fees for enrolling.
Despite being among the lowest in Europe, the share of Italians aged between 25 and 34 holding a tertiary education title has progressively increased in recent years. Better career opportunities and higher professional skills are among the reasons why young Italian people enroll at university. However, recent graduates are faced with relatively low salaries at the beginning of their professional career. Overall, female graduates are paid less than male graduates at every stage, and the salary gap increases as careers progress.
Hence, greater investment in tertiary education is necessary to enhance the competitiveness of Italian universities and provide more opportunities for deserving students and scholars.
Italy ranks among the worst European countries in terms of tertiary education, as the population鈥檚 higher educational attainment remains extremely low. In 2023, fewer than 20 percent of Italians held at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree, whereas the EU鈥檚 average stood at 30 percent, and when looking at those aged between 30 and 34 years alone, the disparity grows larger.
Academic qualifications and titles
Italian universities award three higher education qualifications: Laurea (Bachelor鈥檚 degree), Laurea Magistrale (Master鈥檚 degree), and Dottorato di Ricerca (PhD). A laurea is usually completed after three years of study, while a master鈥檚 degree requires two years. Instead, PhDs are usually accomplished within three or four years. For disciplines like medicine, law, primary school education, dentistry, veterinary studies, and architecture the division between bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 does not apply, and students must study between five and six years before obtaining a Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico, equivalent to a master鈥檚 degree. Unlike in most other countries where only PhD graduates receive the title of 鈥淒octor鈥, students in Italy successfully graduating with a bachelor鈥檚 degree obtain the academic title of Dottore (Doctor), while those attaining a master鈥檚 and PhD are conferred the titles of Dottore Magistrale and Dottore di Ricerca, respectively.Universities in Italy: the oldest education institutions worldwide
Currently, 81 private and public in-person universities are active in Italy. The University of Bologna is the oldest university in continuous operation in the world, actively teaching since 1088. The largest Italian university is La Sapienza University of Rome, founded in 1303. Organized into twelve faculties, it offers a wide range of disciplines, from medicine and engineering to social sciences and archeology. However, Bologna stood as the best university in the country in 2024.Moreover, online universities have become more and more attractive in recent years. The Pegaso online University is the largest among them and the second institution with most enrollments nationwide. Additionally, the Scuole Superiori Universitarie are public research institutions that primarily focus on doctoral and post-doctoral education. Among the most prestigious one is the Scuola Normale Superiore located in Pisa.
Every student enrolled at public and private universities must pay a tuition each year for taking exams and graduating. The amount in state institutions varies considerably depending on the degree program, but generally it is higher for master鈥檚 degrees than for bachelor鈥檚. However, students have the possibility to obtain scholarships that fully cover yearly fees or ask for reduction based on their personal or family鈥檚 income. Private and online universities require much higher fees for enrolling.
Academic research and professional career after graduation
Given the scarcity of public financial resources invested on tertiary education, pursuing an academic career in Italy may be less attractive compared to other professional sectors. Scholarships for PhD students and salaries for tenured professors are significantly lower than other European countries. Moreover, the insufficient state spending on universities causes job insecurity among academic staff. In fact, one third of the teaching personnel comprised professori a contratto. Exclusively hired to teach for an academic year, they are non-tenured instructors with specific expertise in one discipline and are not part of the university's regular staff. Therefore, a professore a contratto receives a salary only for teaching, although he or she performs several tasks like those of tenured professors. Gender balance for permanent personnel constitutes a further challenge. In fact, women and men are equally distributed among temporary staff, but two thirds of full and associate professors are men.Despite being among the lowest in Europe, the share of Italians aged between 25 and 34 holding a tertiary education title has progressively increased in recent years. Better career opportunities and higher professional skills are among the reasons why young Italian people enroll at university. However, recent graduates are faced with relatively low salaries at the beginning of their professional career. Overall, female graduates are paid less than male graduates at every stage, and the salary gap increases as careers progress.
Hence, greater investment in tertiary education is necessary to enhance the competitiveness of Italian universities and provide more opportunities for deserving students and scholars.
