Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele
A small private university inside a Milan research hospital, known for its English-taught International MD Program.
- Students
- 4,573
- International
- 6%
- of students
- Tuition
- €20,690
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1996
About UniSR
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (UniSR) is a private, non-profit university in Milan, founded in 1996 by Don Luigi Maria Verzé within the Opera San Raffaele and closely tied to the San Raffaele Hospital, a large research hospital. It began with psychology and cognitive science, added philosophy in 1999, and has three faculties: Medicine and Surgery, Psychology, and Philosophy.
It is small and selective: THE counts about 4,600 students. Medical and biotechnology students train alongside the hospital's clinical wards and IRCCS research centres from early in their studies. Its best-known programme is the International MD Program, a six-year medical degree taught entirely in English since 2010, with separate quotas for EU and non-EU candidates (86 and 64 places for 2026-27) and its own admission test.
As a private university, UniSR charges much higher fees than state universities: 20,690 euros a year for the International MD Program, 20,190 euros for Medicine in Italian and 5,490 euros for Philosophy in 2026-27, with regional grants, merit awards and loans available. It suits focused students aiming for medicine, biotechnology, psychology or philosophy who want a research-hospital environment rather than a large generalist campus.
Why students choose UniSR
The International MD Program is taught entirely in English and is recognised by the World Health Organization, the UK General Medical Council and the US ECFMG, according to the university.
Medical students do clinical and lab rotations at the San Raffaele reference hospital and its IRCCS research centres.
The two campus residences, Cascina Melghera and Cassinella, are restored Lombard farmhouses with over 170 single en-suite rooms near the university.
English-taught master's degrees include Biotechnology for Innovative Therapeutics, Health Informatics and Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (dates below are from the 2026-27 International MD Program calls, for reference)
Selectivity
UniSR publishes no overall admission rate. All degree programmes have limited places: the International MD Program had 86 places for EU candidates and 64 for non-EU candidates residing abroad in 2026-27, filled by ranking on UniSR's own admission test.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school diploma | Required for enrolment (not for sitting the test); students in their final school year may take the International MD Program test |
|---|---|
| Non-Italian diplomas and international schools | Register on the UniSR Admission Portal at least 5 days before the deadline and upload transcripts, predicted grades and any exam results (e.g. AP, YKS, ENEM) for evaluation before test registration |
| International MD Program | Rank within the EU or non-EU quota on the UniSR admission test; English at CEFR C1 must be proven at enrolment |
| English language | Admitted International MD Program students must prove English at CEFR C1 at enrolment; accepted certificates are listed on UniSR's language certifications page and in Article 7 of the call. |
Deadlines
- International MD Program, non-EU candidates residing abroad Non-binding Passed5 February 2026, 12:00 Italian time (2026-27 cycle)
Registration opened 17 December 2025; test sessions 11 February and 4 March 2026; 64 places.
- International MD Program, EU candidates Non-binding Passed6 February 2026, 12:00 Italian time (2026-27 cycle)
Registration opened 17 December 2025; test sessions 14 February and 14 March 2026; 86 places.
The 2027-28 calls had not been published when this profile was checked; based on the 2026-27 cycle, expect registration to open in mid-December 2026 and close in early February 2027, with tests in February and March. Candidates with non-Italian diplomas must register at least 5 days before the deadline.
How to apply
Read the official call for your programme (separate calls for EU and non-EU candidates), register on the UniSR Admission Portal within the registration window, pay the test fee and sit the online admission test. Candidates with non-Italian diplomas must first have their school documents evaluated. Admitted candidates then follow the enrolment steps and deadlines in the call, including visa procedures for non-EU candidates residing abroad.
What admissions looks for
- A strong score on the UniSR admission test, which alone determines the ranking within the EU or non-EU quota.
- A secondary school diploma valid for university access, verified through the UniSR Admission Portal for non-Italian qualifications.
- English at CEFR C1 for the International MD Program.
- Motivation for a research-intensive, hospital-based medical education.
Tips for applying to UniSR
- 1 Register early if you have a non-Italian diploma: UniSR must evaluate your documents before you can book the test.
- 2 Use both test sessions: the 200 euro fee covers two attempts in the same cycle.
- 3 Check your device and workstation before the home-based test; UniSR sends technical instructions 5 days before and asks you to complete the check at least a day ahead.
- 4 Apply for the residence calls and Lombardy Region grants early, since rooms are assigned through an annual competition.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
UniSR students can apply for Lombardy Region right-to-study scholarships and other regional assistance, UniSR financial aid and merit awards, merit loans and paid student job postings. Fees are fixed by programme rather than by nationality.
- 20,690 euros a year
- International MD Program fee (2026-27)
- 200 euros (two sessions)
- Admission test registration fee
- 190 euros (as stated for the Cognitive Psychology programme)
- Regional fee for the right to study (2026-27)
- Over 170 single en-suite rooms, assigned by annual competition
- Campus residences
Academics
Academic calendar: Academic year with fee instalments in October, January and March
International MD Program
A six-year, English-taught medical degree with 150 places split between EU and non-EU quotas and rotations at the San Raffaele Hospital.
Medicine and Surgery (Italian)
The Italian-taught six-year medical degree, with ward experience from the first year according to the university's history.
Biotechnology for Innovative Therapeutics (MSc, English)
An English-taught master's with its own admission test, fee 7,890 euros a year.
Psychological Sciences and Psychology
UniSR's founding discipline, grown out of a cognitive science department started in 1993 by Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini and Andrea Moro.
Philosophy
A three-year bachelor's (5,490 euros a year) and master's programmes including Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs in English.
Health Informatics (MSc, English)
An English-taught master's at 6,690 euros a year.
Research
- Students take part in research at the San Raffaele Hospital's IRCCS scientific research centres.
- UniSR runs research centres and divisions and a PhD school, and publishes research news on its UniScienza&Ricerca blog.
- Research fields studied include neurology, diabetology, molecular biology and cognitive science, alongside philosophy of science and biolinguistics.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
- Faculty of Psychology
- Faculty of Philosophy
Student life
UniSR is a compact campus on Via Olgettina in the north-east of Milan, built around the San Raffaele Hospital, so medical students move between lecture halls, labs and wards. The two residences, Cascina Melghera and Cassinella, are restored farmhouses with single en-suite rooms, gyms and common areas, assigned through an annual competition. The International MD Program brings a mixed community of Italian, EU and non-EU students, and there are sports teams including rugby and running. For wider city life, students use Milan's services for international students, such as the YesMilano hub.
- Over 170 single en-suite rooms in two campus residences.
- Clinical and lab rotations at the San Raffaele Hospital.
- An international student body in the English-taught MD programme.
- University sports teams, including rugby and running.
Housing. UniSR's two residences, Cascina Melghera and Cassinella, offer over 170 single en-suite rooms close to the university, assigned through an annual competition; other students rent privately in Milan.
Location
Milan is Italy's financial and industrial capital and a major centre for fashion, design and business, with excellent rail links across Italy and Europe. UniSR sits beside the San Raffaele Hospital on the north-eastern edge of the city, so campus life is quieter than in central Milan, though rents in the city are among the highest in Italy.
Nearest airport: Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
Notable alumni
- ML Marco LoggiaNeuroscientist and professor at Harvard Medical School; degree in experimental psychology
- BB Barbara BerlusconiBusinesswoman and Fininvest board member; philosophy degree (2010)
- MR Matteo RizzoFigure skater, 2026 Olympic team event bronze medallist; attended UniSR
- MM Michelina ManzilloPhysiotherapist and rehabilitation specialist; master's degree
Frequently asked questions
How much does the International MD Program at San Raffaele cost?
20,690 euros a year for students enrolling in 2026-27, paid in three instalments. The fee is the same for EU and non-EU students.
Does San Raffaele use the IMAT?
No. The International MD Program uses UniSR's own online admission test, with two sessions each year (February and March in the 2026-27 cycle) and a 200 euro registration fee.
How many places are there in San Raffaele's International MD Program?
For 2026-27 there were 86 places for EU candidates and 64 for non-EU candidates residing abroad.
What English level do you need for San Raffaele medicine?
Admitted International MD Program students must prove English at CEFR C1 when they enrol.
Is Vita-Salute San Raffaele a public or private university?
It is a private, non-profit university founded in 1996 and linked to the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, so its fees are much higher than those of Italian state universities.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026: Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- UniSR: Admissions (English-taught programmes)
- UniSR: International Medical Doctor Program admissions 2026-2027
- UniSR: International Medical Doctor Program
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