The University of Pisa: everyday life, inspiring learning
At the University of Pisa, centuries of history meet a culture of innovation and discovery. Founded in 1343, it is one of Europe’s oldest universities – a place where ideas have shaped science, culture, and society for nearly seven centuries. From Galileo Galilei’s groundbreaking experiments to Nobel laureates such as Enrico Fermi, Giosuè Carducci, and Carlo Rubbia, Pisa has long been a city where curiosity drives change.
An ancient university for a modern world
Today, the University of Pisa is a leading public research university with around 50,000 students and 20 departments covering the full spectrum of disciplines – from engineering, mathematics, physics and computer science to medicine, life sciences, agriculture, law, economics, the social sciences and the humanities.
Its educational offer is equally broad and forward-looking, with around 150 degree programmes and a growing number of international courses taught in English. Alongside traditional study paths, students can take part in interdisciplinary and joint degree programmes, research projects, fieldwork and special learning experiences that extend well beyond the classroom, fostering collaboration, creativity and global awareness.
Rooted in a long academic heritage, the University’s community continues to explore new frontiers of knowledge with the same curiosity that has guided it for centuries. Seven of its departments have been recognised by Italy’s Ministry of Universities and Research as Departments of Excellence, confirming Pisa’s role at the forefront of scientific and cultural progress.
A university at the heart of the city
The University of Pisa is part of the city itself. Its buildings, spread across more than 150 locations, are integrated into Pisa’s historical and urban landscape – from medieval cloisters to modern laboratories. Students live and learn in a city-campus where knowledge, history and everyday life naturally connect.
Pisa’s museum system, among the richest in Italy, includes ten museums ranging from natural history to art and science. Seventeen libraries and numerous study spaces provide an environment where research and reflection flourish side by side.
A centre of knowledge and collaboration
Beyond its own community, the University of Pisa anchors a wider ecosystem of excellence. The city hosts renowned institutions such as the Scuola Normale Superiore, the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and the National Research Council’s largest campus. Together with international research centres like the European Gravitational Observatory, they make Pisa one of Europe’s most vibrant places for scientific and cultural exchange.
This collaborative spirit extends well beyond Italy. The University maintains strong partnerships with universities and research centres worldwide, offering joint and double degrees, exchange programmes and international research opportunities. Its growing number of programmes in English, and its active participation in the Circle U. Alliance, reflect a deep commitment to openness, dialogue and global engagement.
A city made for students
Pisa is not only a place of study – it is a place to live, grow and connect. Nearly half of its 90,000 residents are students, making it one of Europe’s most student-centred cities. Compact, welcoming and full of history, Pisa offers the perfect balance between intellectual vitality and quality of life. The city’s rhythm follows the academic year, animated by festivals of science, literature, robotics and digital culture. Moving by bike or on foot, students enjoy a truly human-scale city where learning continues far beyond the classroom.
Where learning feels like living
Studying at the University of Pisa means joining a community that values knowledge as a shared, living force – one that connects people across disciplines, generations and cultures. It is a place where academic excellence, curiosity and inclusion come together to shape responsible global citizens.
For almost seven centuries, Pisa has shown that learning is not confined to books or buildings – it’s part of life itself. In the heart of Tuscany, the University of Pisa continues to inspire generations to study, explore and imagine the world anew.
