Overview
Roma Tre is the third state university in the capital and the most compact of the three. Founded in the early 1990s, it took over former industrial sites in the Ostiense and Garbatella districts and turned them into a cluster of modern faculties, so most of the teaching happens within a short walk or a stop or two on the metro. It is a more manageable institution than Sapienza and an easier place to navigate for a newly arrived international student.
The university is particularly recognised for architecture, engineering, economics and business, law, political science and a wide humanities and education school. English-taught teaching is mainly at master’s level, with programmes in fields such as economics, finance, engineering, political science and international relations, while bachelor’s degrees are overwhelmingly in Italian. Students who learn Italian to a solid level can access the full catalogue.
The Ostiense area is a good base for student life. It has converted warehouses, markets, cafes and a younger population than the historic centre, with the Testaccio and Garbatella neighbourhoods nearby. The university has its own student services, sports facilities and a central international office that handles admissions, fee calculation and residence permit guidance for non-EU students.
Who it suits
Roma Tre suits students who want to live in Rome at a university that is easier to navigate than Sapienza, particularly in architecture, engineering, economics and political science. It is a good choice for applicants prepared to study in Italian or who have found an English master’s degree that fits, and for those who like a compact, modern campus inside a historic city.
What to check before applying
- Check the teaching language of your programme and the Italian certificate level required.
- Review the architecture and engineering admission test requirements.
- Apply to DiSCo Lazio for housing and grants when the call opens.
- Look at the non-EU application round for your course and its document list.
- Compare rents in Ostiense, Garbatella and Marconi before deciding where to live.