At a glance
- City
- Catania, in Sicily
- Founded
- 1434
- Students
- About 40,000 enrolled
- Fees from abroad
- 306 euros in the first year for students who do not live in Italy
The story
Established in 1434, the University of Catania is the oldest university in Sicily. The king of Spain, who was also king of Sicily, authorised the foundation of a studium generale. The university was officially established in Catania only after recognition from Pope Eugene IV ten years later. The first schools of Medicine, Philosophy, Canon and Civil Law, Theology and Arts were established in 1444.
The main building is in Piazza Università. It was formerly occupied by St. Mark's Hospital, which the 1693 earthquake destroyed. Before the building was rebuilt, some students moved their classes to wooden huts near the harbour. The present building was designed by Giovan Battista Vaccarini.
Today the university has 17 departments and 2 didactic units. Besides Catania, it has two other educational units, in Ragusa and in Syracuse.
Who studies here
The university has about 40,000 enrolled students. In 2026/27 it offers 51 bachelor's degree courses, 9 one-cycle degree courses and 52 master's degree courses.
The departments cover agriculture, chemistry, civil and industrial engineering, medicine, economics, education, the humanities, law, mathematics and computer science, physics and astronomy, and political and social sciences.
Outside Medicine and Surgery, its bachelor's courses are taught in Italian and need B2 Italian to enrol. It also offers master's degree courses taught in English.
Programs taught in English
We list 1 Master's and 1 single-cycle degree at Catania taught entirely in English.
A selection of them:
- Chemical Engineering for Industrial Sustainability
The city
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily by population. It spreads across the Plain of Catania, between the Ionian Sea and the slopes of Etna.
The airport is Catania-Fontanarossa. A shuttle bus runs from the airport to Catania Centrale railway station in about 25 minutes. The main bus station is opposite the railway station, a 10-minute walk from the city centre, and a daily overnight car ferry runs between Naples and Catania. Inside the city there are buses and a single metro line, which runs from Monday to Saturday between Monte Po and Stesicoro. A bus ticket costs 1 euro and lasts 90 minutes. Enrolled students can buy an annual bus and metro pass at a reduced rate of 20 euros.
How admission works for international students
For master's degrees taught in English, the university publishes a call each year for non-EU students living abroad.
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine in English are covered on our Medicine in Italy page.
Fees
For students who do not live in Italy, the first year costs 306 euros: an all-inclusive annual contribution of 150 euros plus a fixed fee of 156 euros that includes the regional tax and the stamp duty.
How we help
We keep your Universitaly pre-enrolment and the visa in one plan, and prepare the documents the university asks for. If Catania is one of several options, we compare them with you.
Questions students ask about Catania
We list 1 Master's and 1 single-cycle degree at Catania taught entirely in English.
The first year costs 306 euros for students who do not live in Italy: a 150 euro contribution plus a 156 euro fixed fee.
Applying to Catania?
Answer a few short questions. A mentor replies in the chat with what applies to you at Catania.
Sources
- Useful Information (University of Catania)
- History (University of Catania)
- Facts and Figures (University of Catania)
- Fees, international students (Italian page) (University of Catania)
- Departments (University of Catania)
- Welcome to the University of Catania (University of Catania)
- International Students' Guide 2026-2027 (PDF) (University of Catania)
- Admission procedure, Medicine and Surgery 2026/27 (call PDF) (University of Catania)
Rules, dates and fees change every year. Confirm them in the official call for your own year before you act on them.