Overview
Federico II is the largest university in the south of Italy and one of the oldest public universities anywhere. For students who are watching their budget, it offers a combination few other large research universities can: a wide range of departments, strong research in engineering, physics, biotechnology and medicine, and a city where rent and daily expenses are far lower than in the north.
Engineering is the department most international students look at, with the full range of branches taught at the Fuorigrotta campus and newer programmes in technology and digital fields at the San Giovanni a Teduccio campus in the east of the city, where several corporate training academies are based. Medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, agriculture, veterinary science, architecture and economics are also substantial. English-taught degrees are concentrated at master’s level, and the majority of teaching remains in Italian.
Naples is not for everyone, and we say so openly. It is a dense, loud, warm and intensely alive city with extraordinary food, a dramatic coastline and a strong sense of community, but it is also disorganised, and the university’s administration reflects a large southern public institution. Students who adapt tend to love it; those who want a tidy northern campus should look elsewhere.
Who it suits
Federico II suits resourceful, adaptable students, particularly in engineering, biotechnology, medicine and the sciences, who value low living costs and a big-university research environment over a polished experience. It is a strong fit for applicants who are willing to study in Italian or who have found one of the English master’s degrees in their field.
What to check before applying
- Check whether your programme is in English or Italian and the language certificate required.
- Identify the campus where your course is taught, since they are far apart across the city.
- Apply to ADISURC for housing and grants when the call opens.
- Research neighbourhoods carefully before signing a lease, and visit the flat if you can.
- Confirm the entrance test requirements for medicine, engineering and other restricted-entry courses.