• #=405 QS Global World Ranking
  • PublicStatus
  • Very HighResearch Output
  • 3,865Total Students
  • 459Faculty
  • 2,686Int'l Students

About

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USI. Create freely, act responsibly.

Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is one of the 12 certified public universities in Switzerland and member of swissuniversities. It is organised in five faculties and is active in several study and research areas, among which: architecture, communication sciences, computational science, data science, economics, health studies, humanities, informatics, law, medicine and biomedicine.

USI is a young and lively university, a hub of opportunity open to the world where students are offered a quality interdisciplinary education in which they can be fully engaged and take centre stage, and where our researchers can count on having the space to freely pursue their initiative.

Around 2900 students and about 850 professors and researchers, hailing from over 100 countries, convene every day on the three campuses in Lugano, Mendrisio and Bellinzona. The relatively small size of the campuses encourages the free flow and open exchange of ideas within the academic community. USI encourages faculty, students and researchers to develop their potential, and appreciates their curiosity and willingness to experiment with new ways of thinking, learning, teaching and working.

Established in 1996, USI is in constant evolution, always taking on new challenges while remaining true to its three guiding principles: quality, openness and responsibility.

Why USI

Seven reasons for choosing USI:

  • Quality of the Swiss university system
  • International faculty
  • Leading interdisciplinary education
  • Teacher/student radio 1 to 8
  • Strong ties with the business world
  • Flexible structure, open to the exchange of ideas
  • International, dynamic and welcoming environment

USI is a young and agile university that offers to its students a quality education and an enhancing study experience. International faculty teach students with an interdisciplinary, engaging and interactive approach, leaving room to practical application.

The quality of the study curricula is complemented by USI small size, by its cosmopolitan environment and its informal and dynamic culture.

These elements make USI a hub of opportunity open to the world, where students can engage in direct dialogue with their professors and define their educational path, discover unexpected horizons and embrace international careers.

Admission to the Undergraduate programmes:

1. Swiss diplomas, awarded in Switzerland

  • Maturità federale and Maturità cantonale recognised by the appropriate Federal Commission;
  • Maturità commerciale cantonale (Scuola cantonale di commercio, Bellinzona);
  • Final diploma from a university of applied sciences or diploma of a technical college recognised by the appropriate federal authorities: in these cases, where the field of study selected is the same as the previous one, the single Faculties may recommend admitting candidates to an advanced level of the programme and exempt them from particular examinations or from the internship period.
  • School-leaving certificates issued by Swiss schools abroad are equally accepted.

2. Foreign diplomas

Applicants in possession of a foreign secondary education and/or of a foreign university diploma considered to be equivalent are admitted to the undergraduate programme. As a rule, reference is made to the guidelines of the University Admissions Commission of the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities. Should there be doubt about the equivalence of a foreign qualification, this can be resolved by means of an interview or exam; language requirements and/or supplementary courses may also be required.


Admission to the Postgraduate programmes:

1. General requirements:

Bachelor's (undergraduate) degree from an acknowledged university. Holders of a Bachelor’s degree are admitted unconditionally to a Master’s program in the same subject area. Admission to programs in other subject areas can be subject to the addition of levelling courses, by assessement of the competent Faculty in charge of evaluating the application.

2. Specific requirements:

Please refer to the individual Master programme websites, in the Admissions secton.

3. Language

The admission to English-language Master programmes at USI requires a good command of English.
Find out more about English level and official language certificate required for admission.

The University, through the Career Service, offers to its students a series of activities and contact services with the job market.

In particular, the Service:

  • promotes and develops internship opportunities, coordinating curricular internships;
  • helps students who are seeking their first jobs, providing counselling and career-oriented services;
  • organises information sessions on a variety of companies and organisations, in the private and public sector, nationally and internationally.

More in detail:

  • The internship: Find an internship / job, Internship stories / Info stage
  • Application dossier
  • Career grants
  • Meet the companies
  • USI Career Forum
  • Long Night of the Careers
  • USI & Careers Guide

About

USI. Create freely, act responsibly.

Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is one of the 12 certified public universities in Switzerland and member of swissuniversities. It is organised in five faculties and is active in several study and research areas, among which: architecture, communication sciences, computational science, data science, economics, health studies, humanities, informatics, law, medicine and biomedicine.

USI is a young and lively university, a hub of opportunity open to the world where students are offered a quality interdisciplinary education in which they can be fully engaged and take centre stage, and where our researchers can count on having the space to freely pursue their initiative.

Around 2900 students and about 850 professors and researchers, hailing from over 100 countries, convene every day on the three campuses in Lugano, Mendrisio and Bellinzona. The relatively small size of the campuses encourages the free flow and open exchange of ideas within the academic community. USI encourages faculty, students and researchers to develop their potential, and appreciates their curiosity and willingness to experiment with new ways of thinking, learning, teaching and working.

Established in 1996, USI is in constant evolution, always taking on new challenges while remaining true to its three guiding principles: quality, openness and responsibility.

Why USI

Seven reasons for choosing USI:

  • Quality of the Swiss university system
  • International faculty
  • Leading interdisciplinary education
  • Teacher/student radio 1 to 8
  • Strong ties with the business world
  • Flexible structure, open to the exchange of ideas
  • International, dynamic and welcoming environment

USI is a young and agile university that offers to its students a quality education and an enhancing study experience. International faculty teach students with an interdisciplinary, engaging and interactive approach, leaving room to practical application.

The quality of the study curricula is complemented by USI small size, by its cosmopolitan environment and its informal and dynamic culture.

These elements make USI a hub of opportunity open to the world, where students can engage in direct dialogue with their professors and define their educational path, discover unexpected horizons and embrace international careers.

Admission to the Undergraduate programmes:

1. Swiss diplomas, awarded in Switzerland

  • Maturità federale and Maturità cantonale recognised by the appropriate Federal Commission;
  • Maturità commerciale cantonale (Scuola cantonale di commercio, Bellinzona);
  • Final diploma from a university of applied sciences or diploma of a technical college recognised by the appropriate federal authorities: in these cases, where the field of study selected is the same as the previous one, the single Faculties may recommend admitting candidates to an advanced level of the programme and exempt them from particular examinations or from the internship period.
  • School-leaving certificates issued by Swiss schools abroad are equally accepted.

2. Foreign diplomas

Applicants in possession of a foreign secondary education and/or of a foreign university diploma considered to be equivalent are admitted to the undergraduate programme. As a rule, reference is made to the guidelines of the University Admissions Commission of the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities. Should there be doubt about the equivalence of a foreign qualification, this can be resolved by means of an interview or exam; language requirements and/or supplementary courses may also be required.


Admission to the Postgraduate programmes:

1. General requirements:

Bachelor's (undergraduate) degree from an acknowledged university. Holders of a Bachelor’s degree are admitted unconditionally to a Master’s program in the same subject area. Admission to programs in other subject areas can be subject to the addition of levelling courses, by assessement of the competent Faculty in charge of evaluating the application.

2. Specific requirements:

Please refer to the individual Master programme websites, in the Admissions secton.

3. Language

The admission to English-language Master programmes at USI requires a good command of English.
Find out more about English level and official language certificate required for admission.

The University, through the Career Service, offers to its students a series of activities and contact services with the job market.

In particular, the Service:

  • promotes and develops internship opportunities, coordinating curricular internships;
  • helps students who are seeking their first jobs, providing counselling and career-oriented services;
  • organises information sessions on a variety of companies and organisations, in the private and public sector, nationally and internationally.

More in detail:

  • The internship: Find an internship / job, Internship stories / Info stage
  • Application dossier
  • Career grants
  • Meet the companies
  • USI Career Forum
  • Long Night of the Careers
  • USI & Careers Guide

Available programs

University highlights

Student & Staff

Total students
3,865

59%
41%

International students
2,686

65%
35%

Total faculty staff
459

329
130

Total students
3,865

59%
41%

International students
2,686

65%
35%

Total faculty staff
459

130
329
QS Stars is a rating system that helps you select the right university based on your interests. It provides a detailed look at an institution, identifying which universities rate highest in the specific topics that matter to you, like facilities, graduate employability, social responsibility, inclusiveness, and more.

Scholarships

Yes
The Scholarships above offer some form of financial aid to prospective students. Please always check the specific requirements and restrictions on scholarship availability.

Campus locations

Campus Lugano,

Via G. Buffi 13 , Lugano , Ticino , Switzerland , 6900

Accademia di Architettura,

Largo Bernasconi 2 , Mendrisio , Ticino , Switzerland , 6850

USI - Università della Svizzera italiana advanced Public Very High 8 yes 2686 S EN