Sapienza University of Rome, founded in 1303, is one of the oldest universities in the world and describes itself as the largest university in Europe. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was 111th in the world, its best-ever result, and the second-highest-ranked university in Italy. It’s known for classics and archaeology, physics, engineering, medicine and the humanities.
Sapienza has a dedicated online pre-selection process for its English-taught degrees and low fees for international students, but the deadlines for visa applicants are early. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Sapienza’s own guidance and official Italian government information.
1. Decide between English- and Italian-taught programmes
Sapienza offers 8 bachelor’s and 45 master’s programmes taught entirely in English, and many more in Italian. If you’re a non-EU applicant who needs a visa and you choose an Italian-taught programme, you must have at least a certified B2 level in Italian. Sapienza international admissions.
2. Apply through the online pre-selection
For a programme taught entirely in English, you apply for an admission evaluation from home through Sapienza’s online pre-selection procedure. You can submit up to two applications per intake, and each one costs €30, with no fee waivers. Some English-taught programmes also require an in-person admission test, so check your programme’s page.
3. Meet the early deadline for visa applicants
For 2026-27 entry, the pre-selection deadline for non-EU candidates who needed a visa was 15 May 2026, while EU and equivalent candidates could apply until 31 July 2026. Expect similar dates for 2027-28, and apply early in the cycle if you need a visa. Sapienza programmes in English.
4. Pre-enrol on Universitaly by Sapienza’s deadline
After pre-selection, non-EU students living abroad must also pre-enrol on the Universitaly portal to get a study visa. For 2026-27, Sapienza’s deadline was 30 June 2026 at 23:59 Italian time, which is much earlier than the national visa deadline, so don’t leave it late.
5. Check your school qualification and years of schooling
Italian universities usually require 12 years of schooling, and some countries’ qualifications also need a pass in a national university entrance exam. If you don’t meet the minimum schooling requirements, the Sapienza University Foundation Year, taught in Italian, can prepare you for admission tests at Italian state universities.
6. Prove your language level
You generally need at least a B2 (upper-intermediate) level in English or Italian, depending on your programme. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
7. Understand the fees
Sapienza says full tuition for its bachelor’s and master’s programmes is €300 to €1,500 a year for international students, depending on your country of residence. That makes it one of the cheapest top-ranked universities in Europe. Scholarships are available based on academic merit and/or family income.
8. Budget for life in Rome
Rome is cheaper than Milan but more expensive than many Italian cities, and student housing is in demand. Look for accommodation early, and check the regional right-to-study agency, Lazio DiSCo, for grants and housing based on family income.
9. Pre-enrol on Universitaly and get your study visa
EU citizens don’t need a visa to study in Italy. If you’re from outside the EU and live abroad, you must pre-enrol for your programme on the national Universitaly portal, and once Sapienza has validated your pre-enrolment you apply for a type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country. You’ll need to show that you can support yourself, with a minimum amount set each year by the Ministry of University and Research (about €6,000 a year in recent years), as well as accommodation and health insurance. The national deadline for 2027-28 study visa applications is 31 October 2027, but universities set much earlier pre-enrolment deadlines, so follow Sapienza’s dates. Within eight working days of arriving in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit for study (permesso di soggiorno). Universitaly portal.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
With a residence permit for study, you can work up to 20 hours a week, up to a maximum of 1,040 hours a year. After you graduate, you can convert your study permit into a work permit if you find a job, or apply for a permit to look for work for up to 12 months, as long as you register with your local job centre (Centro per l’Impiego) before your study permit expires. Rules can change, so check the latest guidance with the Questura (police immigration office) or Sapienza’s international office.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Sapienza?
Sapienza’s 45 English-taught master’s programmes use the same online pre-selection, and for 9 of them, pre-selection is also required if you choose the Italian-taught curriculum. Admission is based on your bachelor’s degree and subject background. For a PhD, Sapienza publishes an annual call for doctoral programmes. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Apply to more than one university to give yourself options. Read our guides to Politecnico di Milano, the University of Bologna, the University of Padua and Politecnico di Torino. Our guide to studying in Italy explains how the Italian system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Sapienza University of Rome’s official admissions pages, Italian government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on Sapienza’s international admissions website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Sapienza University of Rome.