University of Catania
Università degli Studi di Catania
Sicily's oldest university, founded in 1434, teaching 41,000 students in baroque Catania at the foot of Mount Etna.
- Students
- 41,031
- Tuition
- €306
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1434
- QS World Ranking
- 851-900
- 2027 edition
About UniCT
The University of Catania is the oldest university in Sicily. King Alfonso of Aragon authorised its Studium Generale in 1434, Pope Eugene IV issued the founding bull of the Siculorum Gymnasium in 1444, and teaching began in October 1445. For almost four centuries it held the exclusive right to award degrees in the Kingdom of Sicily. Its 18th-century Palazzo dell'Università, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, still stands on Piazza dell'Università in the city centre.
With 41,031 students in 2025/26, UniCT is one of Italy's largest universities. Teaching is run by 17 departments, the Faculty of Medicine and special teaching units in Ragusa and Siracusa, with 51 bachelor's, 9 single-cycle and 52 master's programmes in 2026/27. The humanities department is housed in the former Benedictine monastery, and the sciences, engineering and medicine are concentrated in the Cittadella Universitaria and Via Santa Sofia area.
Almost all bachelor's teaching is in Italian (Medicine and Surgery also has an English-taught course), while 10 master's degrees, mostly in engineering and science, are taught in English. The university's Scuola Superiore di Catania selects about 20 talented students a year for a free residential honours programme alongside their degree. UniCT suits students who want a large, affordable public university in a lively Mediterranean city, especially in physics, engineering, agriculture and medicine.
Why students choose UniCT
Students not resident in Italy, from the EU or outside it, pay a flat 306 euros a year in 2026/27: the 156 euro regional tax and stamp duty plus a 150 euro contribution.
The Scuola Superiore di Catania offers about 20 places a year in a free residential honours college at Villa San Saverio, alongside a normal degree.
Ten master's degrees are taught in English, including Physics, Electronic Engineering, Data Science for Management and Global Politics and Euro-Mediterranean Relations.
Research partners on the doorstep include the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, the INGV Etna Observatory and the INAF Catania Astrophysical Observatory.
Admissions
Entry 2027/28 (academic year starting autumn 2027)
Selectivity
Most bachelor's programmes are open access, with a non-selective entry knowledge check that can assign additional learning requirements (OFA). Some programmes have a local admission test and limited places, and Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture and Building Engineering-Architecture have national limited places.
Typical entry requirements
| Italian diploma di maturità | Gives access to all bachelor's programmes; limited-access programmes also require passing their admission test |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary diploma | At least 12 years of schooling (or university study to make up missing years), plus any academic aptitude exam required in the home country (e.g. Gaokao, Vestibular), with a Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement of comparability |
| Italian language (non-EU applicants living abroad) | B2 level: CILS B2, a secondary diploma obtained in Italian, or at least 40/72 on the CISIA Italian L2 test |
| English language | Bachelor's courses are taught in Italian (B2 required). English proficiency requirements for the English-taught master's and the English-taught Medicine and Surgery course are set in each course's admission call. |
Deadlines
- Universitaly pre-enrolment, non-EU applicants living abroad (2026/27 cycle, past) Non-binding Passed31 July 2026
Pre-enrolment is for one programme only; admitted students had to obtain the visa, arrive and complete enrolment by the start of the second semester (1 March 2027). UniCT's 2026/27 international guide gives 30 July as the usual annual cut-off, while its 2026/27 web page set 31 July 2026.
- ISEE authorisation for fee calculation (Italian residents) Non-binding Next deadline · In 56 days1 December 2026
Later authorisation costs a 50 euro penalty; the first fee instalment is due 30 November 2026.
- English-taught master's call for non-EU applicants Non-bindingSet in each course's admission call
English-taught master's run their own admission calls for non-EU applicants; follow the call's deadlines, then complete Universitaly pre-enrolment after admission.
The 2027/28 pre-enrolment deadline had not been published at the time of checking; the university's guide says Universitaly pre-enrolment normally closes in late July each year.
How to apply
Italian, EU and non-EU students resident in Italy enrol online on the student portal under the same rules as Italian citizens, taking the admission test for limited-access programmes. Non-EU applicants living abroad can first ask UniCT to evaluate their diploma through an online form (optional for bachelor's), then must submit the Universitaly pre-enrolment application for one programme, have it validated by the university, and present it to the Italian embassy or consulate to obtain a type D study visa and the Declaration of Value. For Medicine, Dentistry and Architecture they must also register for the admission test on Universitaly. Enrolment is completed in person at the International Students' Office after arrival.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary diploma after at least 12 years of schooling that gives university access in your country.
- Italian at B2 level for Italian-taught programmes.
- For limited-access programmes, a place in the admission test ranking.
- For master's degrees, the curricular requirements and adequate preparation set by each course.
Tips for applying to UniCT
- 1 Non-EU applicants abroad: use UniCT's optional online diploma check before Universitaly pre-enrolment, so you know your diploma is valid for the course.
- 2 Take the CISIA Italian L2 test (40/72 needed) if you do not have a CILS B2 certificate.
- 3 Apply to ERSU Catania for a regional scholarship, meals and a residence place; if your family lives abroad you need an ISEE parificato from a CAF, built from home-country documents translated into Italian and validated by the Italian embassy, so start gathering them early.
- 4 Book one to two weeks of temporary accommodation on arrival rather than paying deposits for long-term rentals online, as the university warns about scams.
- 5 If you are a strong all-rounder, consider the Scuola Superiore di Catania admission exam in your first year.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Italian-resident students with an ISEE up to 22,000 euros who are on track pay no contribution, and students with a disability of 66% or more are exempt. ERSU Catania awards regional scholarships, free or reduced meals and residence places by income and merit; winners who meet the credit targets also get the 140 euro regional tax refunded and university fees waived. International applicants whose family lives abroad apply to ERSU with an ISEE parificato, obtained at a CAF (tax assistance centre) with family, income and asset documents from their home country translated into Italian and validated by the Italian diplomatic authorities. Refugees can apply to the UNICORE university corridors scholarship.
- ISEE up to 22,000 euros
- No contribution (regular students)
- 2,150 euros, plus 156 euros fixed fee
- Maximum contribution (regular students)
- About 200 to 350 euros a month plus 25 to 50 euros bills (university guide)
- Private single room in Catania
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters
Physics (MSc, English-taught)
Run by the 'Ettore Majorana' department, next to the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Sud.
Electronic Engineering (MSc, English-taught)
One of several English-taught engineering master's in the DIEEI department, alongside Electrical, Communications and Automation Engineering.
Medicine and Surgery
A nationally limited single-cycle degree, offered in Italian and in an English-taught course; alumni include Lasker Award winner Napoleone Ferrara.
Global Politics and Euro-Mediterranean Relations (MA, English-taught)
An English-taught master's in the Department of Political and Social Sciences.
Agriculture Science and Technology (MSc, English-taught)
Offered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Scuola Superiore di Catania
A free residential honours programme with about 20 places a year for students enrolled in any UniCT degree.
Research
- 34 university research centres, plus national research bodies in Catania: INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, INGV Etna Observatory, INAF Catania Astrophysical Observatory and CNR's Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems.
- The university's botanical garden dates from 1858 and its astrophysical observatory from 1890.
- 22 doctoral programmes (41st cycle) and 34 medical specialisation schools.
Schools & faculties
- Department of Physics and Astronomy 'Ettore Majorana'
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A)
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR)
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DIEEI)
- Department of Economics and Business
- Department of Law
- Department of Political and Social Sciences
- Department of Humanities (DISUM)
Student life
UniCT's buildings are spread through Catania, from the baroque Palazzo dell'Università and the Benedictine monastery in the historic centre to the Cittadella Universitaria science campus. ERSU Catania runs student residences, canteens (meals from 0 to 6 euros depending on income) and scholarships, and the university sports centre CUS has a running track, football and basketball courts, a gym and tennis courts. The city has a single metro line and buses, and Taormina, Siracusa and Etna are close by.
- CUS Catania sports centre in the Cittadella Universitaria, with discounted gym and fitness courses for students.
- ERSU canteens with meals from 0 to 6 euros.
- The Scuola Superiore di Catania residential college at Villa San Saverio.
- A university theatre centre (CUT), orchestra and museum system.
Housing. ERSU Catania assigns residence places with its scholarships (150 euro refundable deposit); most other students rent private rooms, typically 200 to 350 euros a month.
Location
Catania is Sicily's second-largest city, on the Ionian coast between the sea and the slopes of Mount Etna. The university's own palazzo was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake destroyed the earlier building. Buses and trains link it to Taormina, Messina, Siracusa and Ragusa, and Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is a 25-minute bus ride from the central station.
Nearest airport: Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)
Notable alumni
- NF Napoleone FerraraMolecular biologist behind anti-VEGF therapies, Lasker Award 2010; medical degree 1981
- NG Nicola GratteriAnti-mafia prosecutor; law degree 1984
- PB Pippo BaudoTelevision presenter; law degree
- VB Vitaliano BrancatiNovelist and screenwriter; graduated in letters
- PB Pietro BartoloDoctor on Lampedusa and later Member of the European Parliament; medicine graduate
- NT Nadia TerranovaNovelist; doctorate in modern history
Frequently asked questions
How much does the University of Catania cost for international students?
For 2026/27, students not resident in Italy, whether from the EU or outside it, pay a flat 306 euros a year (a 150 euro contribution plus 156 euros of regional tax and stamp duty). Italian residents pay 156 to 2,306 euros depending on their ISEE.
Does the University of Catania teach in English?
Bachelor's courses are in Italian, except an English-taught Medicine and Surgery course. Ten master's degrees are taught in English, including Physics, several engineering programmes and Data Science for Management.
What Italian level do I need for a bachelor's at Catania?
B2: a CILS B2 certificate, a secondary diploma obtained in Italian, or at least 40/72 on the CISIA Italian L2 test.
When is the Universitaly pre-enrolment deadline for Catania?
For 2026/27 it was 31 July 2026 for non-EU applicants living abroad. Check the 2027/28 date on UniCT's international pages.
Is the University of Catania a good university?
It is in the 851-900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, the 501–600 band of THE 2026 and the 401-500 band of ARWU 2026, and it is Sicily's oldest and largest university.
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.
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