Overview
The University of Florence is a large, comprehensive state university in one of the most visited cities in the world. Its strengths follow the city’s character: architecture, art history, restoration, humanities and languages are naturally strong, but it also has solid schools of agriculture and forestry, economics, engineering, medicine and the natural sciences. It is not a specialist institution, and the quality of international support varies between departments.
English-taught teaching is concentrated at master’s level, with programmes in fields such as economics, natural resources, computer engineering, design and international relations, while almost all bachelor’s degrees are in Italian. Students who want to study here at undergraduate level should plan to learn Italian to the level the programme requires. The international office handles admissions through a central portal and provides support with residence permits and fee calculation.
Daily life depends heavily on where your programme is taught. The science campus at Sesto Fiorentino is outside the city and quieter; the Novoli campus for economics, law and political science is modern and well connected; the humanities and architecture schools are in the historic centre. Florence is beautiful but tight: tourism pushes up rents and crowds the centre, and students should expect to live a little further out than they imagine.
Who it suits
Florence suits students who want to study art, architecture, heritage or the humanities close to the material itself, and applicants in agriculture, food and environmental sciences who value Tuscany’s research links. It is a good fit for those who can study in Italian or who have found a specific English master’s degree, and who are prepared to search hard for housing.
What to check before applying
- Check the teaching language of your programme and the Italian level required where relevant.
- Identify which campus hosts your course and plan your housing search around it.
- Apply to DSU Toscana for a residence place and grant as soon as the call opens.
- Compare the architecture and design entry requirements, which may include a test or portfolio.
- Budget for rents that are higher than the Tuscan average because of tourism.