Pope Boniface VIII founded the Studium Urbis in 1303. It eventually became known as Sapienza University, the oldest university in Rome and one of the oldest in Italy. It is also the largest university in Europe, with over 115,000 students and 8,000 faculty members and staff. Its main campus, Città Universitaria, opened in 1935. It also has several facilities and buildings all over Rome. The university is massive enough to house 58 departments, two hospitals, 18 museums, and roughly 50 libraries.
Sapienza has ranked among the top 200 universities globally and the first in Italy in many evaluation areas such as quality of teaching, technology, and more. It is home to seven Nobel Prize awardees in the fields of Chemistry, Medicine, Economics, and mainly in Physics. In its 700-year history, Sapienza University has become a venue for teaching by famous professors like Copernicus and produced world-renowned alumni like Maria Montessori.
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How do I apply to the Sapienza University of Rome Scholarships?
International students at Sapienza University need to pay different tuition fees depending on various factors such as their country of origin or source of income. You may find more information here.
Scholarships at Sapienza University range from need-based to merit-based. There are also some collaboration scholarships for students who are amenable to working while studying. The collaboration terms may involve clerical work, document delivery, tutorial services, and more. International students may also apply for external scholarships.
Each type of Sapienza University of Rome scholarship has a corresponding requirement. Interested applicants must check them carefully and submit them on time.
Standard documentary requirements include a CV, updated transcript of records, a motivation letter, and occasionally a recommendation letter. Applicants must also check the language requirement. Although most scholarships require English, some providers may require the documents in Italian.
As some scholarships require applicants to be current students at Sapienza University or those holding an admission offer, applicants must first secure admission to the university. There are currently 55 English-taught programs at the university to cater to international students.
Nonetheless, non-EU applicants must still pass the Italian language test at level B2 as an admission requirement. You may refer to this page for the test schedules.
For incoming Bachelor’s Degree students with high school diplomas issued from their home country or Master’s Degree students with an undergraduate certificate issued abroad, a merit scholarship at Sapienza University requires an excellent score in the Scholastic Assessment Test from the College Board.
As an international student at the Sapienza University of Rome, you must comply with visa or other entry requirements. You may find more helpful tips through the university’s International Student Help Desk.
Sapienza University of Rome Scholarships for International Students
1. Merit Scholarship for International Students
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: free tuition and €4,300
- Degrees Offered: Master
Graduates of universities from countries outside Italy may apply for a merit scholarship if they plan to enter a Master’s Degree program at Sapienza University. Applicants must present their Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) certificate from the College Board during application.
Eleven outstanding applicants may receive financial assistance worth €4,300 per year in addition to free tuition. This Sapienza University of Rome scholarship is valid for two years. Check the scholarship link for recent updates on application procedures and deadlines.
2. Student Collaboration Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €1,095
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master
International students currently enrolled in their second year or higher in a Bachelor’s Degree program or first-year Master’s Degree students may apply for a scholarship worth €1,095. Applicants must be willing to work 2-4 hours per day for a total of 150 hours at any of the university facilities such as libraries and laboratories.
3. Califano Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €2,000
- Degrees Offered: Ph.D. (Electronics)
In honor of Professor Francesco Paolo Califano, the Califano family awards €2,000 to a Ph.D. student taking up Electronic Engineering or equivalent at Sapienza University. The awarding of this Sapienza University of Rome scholarship depends on the scholar’s potential for future scientific collaboration in Italy or abroad.
Interested applicants must submit all the required documents, including a project proposal relevant to the merit requirement, a CV, a letter of recommendation from the research supervisor, and more.
4. University Corridor for Refugees (UNICORE 3.0)
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: comprehensive
- Degrees Offered: Master
Refugees or individuals with international protection status may apply for the UNICORE 3.0 scholarship to pursue an English-taught Master’s Degree program at Sapienza University.
The scholarship is a joint effort among the Sapienza University of Rome, Caritas of Rome, Cooperative Rome Solidarity by the Diocesan Caritas of Rome (CRS), Astalli Center for Assistance to Immigrants, and the Waldensian Diaconia.
The scholarship covers living allowance, free access to the university cafeterias, learning materials and equipment, and more. You may find more information when you check the updated call for application on this page.
5. Collaboration Scholarship at the Library of the Department of Human Neuroscience
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €1,095
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master
The library of the Department of Human Neuroscience is looking for nine recipients of a collaboration scholarship. Each recipient of this Sapienza University of Rome sccholarship will receive €1,095 for 150 hours of work per year.
The scholars’ tasks include managing the consultation rooms or reading rooms, distributing and labeling books for binding, online bibliographic research assistance, and document delivery.
6. Collaboration Scholarship at the Department of Chemistry
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €1,095
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master
The Department of Chemistry needs 37 students for a collaboration scholarship for tasks at the department’s library, museum, and laboratory. Successful applicants may receive €1,095 for 150 hours or service at about 2-4 hours per day.
Those who work at the library need to help out with the organization of books and references. Students assigned at the museum must help out before and during an exhibition. Laboratory assistants must assist with the different stages of ongoing laboratory exercises or experiments.
Scholars only need to support the faculty and staff at the department. They don’t need to take over any teaching or administrative role.
For ongoing calls for scholarship applications at the Sapienza University of Rome, click here.
More Sapienza University of Rome scholarships and awards calls are available on this page.
