Why study in Rome?

Rome is the archetypal Italian city, full of history, art, food and learning, making it one of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world.

Once known as the capital of the world, Rome was the centerpiece of the Roman Empire and seat of the Papal Empire. It is home to world renowned sites like the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’Angelo, as well as amazing restaurants and boutique shops.

Located in the center of Italy towards the west coast, Rome is well connected by public transport giving easy access to the rest of the country for those that what to get out and explore.

Universities in Rome

Rome has always been a center of educational excellence, and is one of the biggest providers of university education in Italy, with many academies, colleges and universities located in the city.

The city is also home to one of the largest universities in Europe, as well as specialist schools and colleges focusing on subjects like medicine, management, business and religious studies.

What to study in Rome

As a large university city with several institutions, you can study most subjects in Rome. You can also study at all degree levels including bachelor’s, master’s and PhD.

Rome is a popular destination for degrees in language subjects, architecture and the arts, but whatever your subject of choice, you should be able to find multiple options for you in Rome.

5 Cheapest Universities in Rome for International Students

Rome is widely popular due to its historic sites, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, to name a few. But apart from having throngs of tourists – about 9 million of them every year – the city is very attractive to foreign students too. That’s because Rome is home to many prestigious universities.

In fact, Rome is heralded as one of the best cities for foreign students. With its relaxed atmosphere, natural beauty, and rich culture & history, it comes as no surprise that more and more students are flocking to the Italian capital.

Although some of Rome’s universities prove to be expensive, some remain to be very affordable. If you’re looking for a mix of value and quality education, then you should consider these cheap universities in Rome:

Cheap Universities in Rome

1. Università Europea di Roma

• Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $3,997 a year
• Tuition Fee Link

The European University of Rome or UER is a private institution located along via degli Aldobrandeschi. Founded in 2005, the university was established by the Legionaries of Christ, a congregation that has several educational institutions under its belt. Università Europea di Roma is the cheapest university in Rome for international students.

UER has a beautiful campus located 10 minutes away from St. Peter’s Square. With modern buildings surrounded by lush greenery, the school offers a conducive area to learn and grow.

International students have the option to take the 3-year courses in Business Administration, Psychology, and Tourism. Integrated Master’s Degrees (double degrees) in Law and Primary Education are available as well.

To enroll, foreign applicants need to submit a secondary school certificate and a B2 CEFR Italian language certificate. Students need to pass an admission test as well.

UER has very unique offerings for its international students. These include a Certificate Training Program for the World Youth Alliance, a Certification of International Skills, and a Buddy Program, to name a few.

2. Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta

• Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $4,240 year
• Tuition Fee Link

Next cheap university in Rome is the Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta or LUMSA, a private Catholic university founded in the year 1939. Formerly an institute for nuns known as the Istituto Superiore di Magistero Maria Ss. Assunta, it eventually adopted its current name 50 years after – in the year 1989.

As one of the older universities in Rome, its curriculum follows a humanist vocation – with a Catholic orientation. This is reflected in the courses taught through its two departments in Rome – that of Law, Economics, Politics, & Modern Languages, and Human Studies, Communication, Education, & Psychology.

In response to the increased number of foreigners studying in Rome, LUMSA offers several degree programs in English. These include International Relations, Management & Finance, Marketing & Digital Communication, Law, Political Science, and Psychology, to name a few.

To apply at LUMSA, Non-EU applicants should complete the pre-enrolment procedure through the Italian Embassy in their home countries. Apart from these, enrollees should submit proof of secondary studies (at least 12 years) – and sit in for the Italian language test as well.

3. Pontifical Gregorian University

• Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $5,233 a year
• Tuition Fee Link

Also known as the Gregoriana, the Pontifical Gregorian University is an ecclesiastical (pontifical) school based in Rome, Italy. Due to this status, the Holy See oversees its curriculum offerings.

Gregoriana can trace its beginnings back to the year 1551, having been part of the Roman College. It is historically famous for being the first school founded by the Jesuits, many thanks to the effort of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

In 1584, Pope Gregory XIII provided a generous new home for the university. This has made him the namesake of the school.

True to its’ roots, the university continues to offer religious education. To date, this cheap university in Rome is comprised of 6 faculties in Theology, Canon Law, Philosophy, Historical & Cultural Heritage of the Church, Missiology, and Social Science.

Gregoriana has a very diverse student body, with its 2,750 students representing about 150 countries. These enrollees are overseen by the Foreign Students Office, which has been servicing the university’s international community for over a decade.

4. Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma

• Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $6,057 a year
• Tuition Fee Link

Known in English as the International University of Rome, UNINT is a private university founded in the year 1996. The former Libero Istituto Universitario “San Pio V” eventually adopted its current moniker in 2013 to reflect its globalized education.

True to its’ name, UNINT offers several courses in English through the Faculties of Economics, Interpreting & Translation, and Political Science & Psycho-Social Dynamics. It also promotes the advanced study of 8 cultures – Chinese, French, Portuguese, Brazilian, Arabian, Spanish, German, and Russian.

While UNINT already offers affordable tuition fees, these can be further reduced for students who have garnered the top 10 marks at school.

Foreign students may also apply for the Lazio Disco scholarship, granted that it has proof of status/residency for at least 10 months.

5. Link Campus University of Rome

• Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: $14,537 a year
• Tuition Fee Link

We end our list of cheap universities in Rome with the Link Campus University of Rome. The former Link Campus – University of Malta was founded in the year 1999 by former presidents Francesco Cossiga of Italy and Guido de Marco of Malta. It opened as the branch of the Maltese university, eventually becoming the first foreign-operated institution in all of Italy.

In 2011, it shed its ties with Malta, which helped start its formal incorporation into the Italian university system.

The Link Campus University of Rome offers bachelor’s degrees in International Business Administration, Political & International Relations, and Communications. It also offers a single-cycle degree in Law, as well as Master’s degrees in Communications, Business Management, and Strategic Studies.

Foreign applicants at the Link Campus University of Rome should have finished at least 12 years of schooling. Applicants who are required to undergo an academic competence exam in their home countries (i.e. Gao Kao in China or Selectividad in Spain) also need to take such tests as part of the admission process.

How to study in Rome

You’ll need to submit a pre-application request to the Italian embassy in the country you live in once you’ve chosen a university and program you want to study in Rome. You’ll need to submit a number of documents including an application form, your secondary education certificates and passport photos of yourself.

The embassy will then submit the application to the university for you. If your application is accepted, you’ll then need to arrange an Italian student visa before you can study at a university in Rome.

Cost to study in Rome

Like the rest of Italy, universities in Rome set their own fees, so how much you pay will depend on the institution and your chosen program of study. Tuition fees are more expensive if you’re an international student from outside the EU, and you could pay anything from $2,000 to $20,000.

Living costs in Rome are quite high, however it is cheaper than many other big cities like London or New York, and is also generally lower than other big cities in Italy, like Milan.

Key facts of Rome

• 74/47°FSummer/winter temperature
• 2.9 millionPopulation
• 28Universities
• ItalyCountry

Student reviews for Rome

• Albert Gimenez BusquetsSpainOverall experienceAcademicUniversity socialAccommodationUniversity facilitiesLuiss Guido CarliLawTell us about RomeRome is an amazing city, the food is very good, the buildings, the museums, the parks and so on. Although this year has been very different due to the restrictions by the COVID, I still have been able to make many plans and spend a great time in this cityWhat’s it like to study in Italy?Italy is a country located in the south of Europe as you may know, it has spectacular landscapes, from paradisiacal beaches to high mountains in the alps.
  People are very nice, the language is very beautiful, and it is also easy to make yourself understandable by speaking English with the majority of people.Tell us about Luiss Guido CarliLUISS is an extraordinary university, located in one of the best neighborhoods in Rome, 10 minutes from the center of the city. LUISS takes care of its students and is always aware of its members both on a learning and personal level
  What has your academic experience been like?The program of Law, Digital Innovation and Sustainability is a new program, very cross-sectional, focused on training future professionals who are able to deal with new challenges, teaching us to face different problems in several areas, from ethical, legal, sustainability, technological and much more.