University of Florence

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About the University of Florence

The University of Florence dates from 1859, when several institutions of higher study were combined into the Istituto di Studi Superiori Pratici e di Perfezionamento. The Kingdom of Sardinia recognised it as a full university a year later, and in 1923 the Italian Parliament renamed it a university. Its predecessor, the Studio Fiorentino, was established by the Florentine Republic in 1321.^[1]

It is a public research university with around 50,000 students.^[1] Its sites are spread across the city: social sciences (Economics, Law, Political Science) in Novoli, Medicine and Pharmacology in Careggi, Engineering at Santa Marta, Agriculture near the Parco delle Cascine, and the mathematical, physical and natural sciences in Sesto Fiorentino.^[1]

How is the University of Florence ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Florence is 409th in the world (37.2 points). A press list of the Italian results puts it 13th in Italy, behind the University of Turin (405th, 12th in Italy) and ahead of the University of Trento (438th, 14th in Italy).^[2]

Reports on the change differ. One news agency writes that Florence rose from 451st to 409th, a gain of 42 places;^[8] another report says it lost 5 places compared with the 2026 edition,^[9] and Wikipedia lists =404 for 2026.^[1] We do not know on which base the 451st place rests, so we state only the 2027 position. Rankings differ by publisher and year. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at the University of Florence?

Wikipedia lists twelve schools: Agriculture, Architecture, Arts, Economics, Education, Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacology, Political Science, and Psychology.^[1] We could not read the university’s own course catalogue, so check the number of degrees and their languages on the university site.

Access to degrees works in two ways. Open-access degrees do not limit places but require an entry test, the TOLC (Test Online CISIA), which checks initial knowledge. Programmed-access degrees have limited places and admit students by selection under published admission calls. For master’s degrees the School of Economics and Management points to a clearance procedure (nulla osta).^[6]

The School of Economics and Management publishes a list of its 2026/27 courses that are held in English.^[10] Part-time enrolment is available for students who cannot study full-time for work, family, personal or health reasons.^[3]

How much does the University of Florence cost?

We could not confirm a tuition amount. The university’s website (unifi.it) blocks automated access, so we could not read its fee rules. The faculty pages we could read give no amounts: they refer to the university’s Manifesto degli Studi 2026/27, which contains the rules on fees, contributions and reductions, and to a student guide.^[3][6] They do not mention ISEE (the Italian family-income indicator) or separate rates for non-EU students.

What the pages do state:

• Late enrolment in open-access degrees is possible for a further period against an administrative fee of €100.^[3]
• Future students who must prove their language level at the university’s language centre need a laboratory card, which costs €24.^[7]

Before you plan a budget, read the Manifesto degli Studi 2026/27 for your degree. For rent and living costs in Florence see our Study in Italy guide and the Italy overview.

How do you apply to the University of Florence?

The route depends on the degree and on where you live.

• Open-access degrees: you need the TOLC entry test and then enrol in the enrolment period; see the pages of your school.^[6]
• Programmed-access degrees: places are limited and the admission call of the degree sets the rules; each call is published separately.^[6][3]
• Non-EU citizens living abroad: the application is made only through the Universitaly portal. Universitaly pre-enrolment does not guarantee a visa, because the consulate decides on the study visa. Recognition of foreign qualifications is the responsibility of the university.^[4] After a positive evaluation the university can issue a letter of eligibility for enrolment, which you need for the visa appointment.^[11]

We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by degree. Check the admission call of your degree before you start.

Which language level do you need?

The university’s language centre (CLA) says that future students must certify their language knowledge, generally at level B2 of the CEFR (the European scale from A1 to C2) for master’s degrees. Tests are offered in English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.^[7]

Non-EU citizens living abroad who want to enrol in a degree taught in Italian must show Italian at level B2. Those who do not hold a CLIQ certificate and are not exempt take a procedure at the centre: applicants with at least 55 points in a CISIA test taken at Florence are invited to an oral interview by videoconference; those who fail or who did not take the test sit a B2 Italian test. The interview is valid only for enrolment at Florence.^[5] The page does not list the exemptions.

More about studying in Italy

• Italy: best universities
• Study in Italy: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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