Overview
Unimore, as it is usually called, is a state university spread across two neighbouring cities in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Modena is the base for engineering, medicine, law and the sciences, while Reggio Emilia hosts economics, communication, education and agriculture. The region is Italy’s motor valley, home to Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Ducati and a dense network of suppliers, and the engineering school has built programmes around that industry, including advanced automotive engineering taught in English.
Beyond engineering, medicine and biotechnology are strong, with a university hospital in Modena, and the economics school in Reggio Emilia attracts a steady number of international students. English-taught teaching is mostly at master’s level, in engineering, economics, data science and some life sciences, while bachelor’s degrees are mainly in Italian. The international office runs central admissions for non-EU students and provides support with residence permits and fee documentation.
Both cities are pleasant, compact and affluent, with historic centres, famous food and good train connections to Bologna, which is less than half an hour from Modena. Rents are lower than Bologna and well below Milan. The two-city split means students should confirm where their programme runs before arranging housing, since commuting between Modena and Reggio Emilia is possible but adds time to the day.
Who it suits
Unimore suits engineering students who want to be close to the automotive and motorsport industry, medicine and biotech applicants looking for a mid-sized university with a teaching hospital, and economics students who want a quieter base in Reggio Emilia. It fits applicants who can study in Italian or who have found one of the English master’s degrees, and who value moderate costs.
What to check before applying
- Confirm whether your programme is in Modena or Reggio Emilia before looking for housing.
- Check the application deadlines and selection process for English-taught engineering master’s degrees.
- Apply to ER.GO for residence places and grants when the call opens.
- Review entrance test requirements for medicine and other restricted-entry courses.
- Verify the teaching language and certificate requirements for your course.