At a glance
- City
- Naples, Campania
- Founded
- 1224, by the emperor Frederick II
- Type
- Public university
- Students
- Over 80,000 enrolled
- Fees from abroad
- 2026/27: no enrolment contribution for non-EU citizens; only a regional tax of 130 to 173 euros plus 16 euros stamp duty
A university founded in 1224
The University of Naples Federico II says it was founded by the emperor Frederick II on 5 June 1224, and calls itself the oldest public university in the world. The founding letter, the Licterae generales, invited students to come to Naples.
The university gives a reason for founding it in Naples: students from southern Italy could study close to home. It also says it has no actual founding charter, only the letter, and that the month, June or July, is not certain. The founding act provided for a school to train teachers and judges of the Kingdom.
The name Federico II dates from 1992, according to the university. Its headquarters are on Corso Umberto I, and its oldest buildings stand in the historic centre of Naples.
Who studies here
Federico II has over 80,000 enrolled students, 26 departments and more than 2,500 faculty members.
Medicine and Surgery is taught in English as a six-year single-cycle degree of 360 credits, run by the School of Medicine. The course is open to EU and non-EU high school graduates, whether or not they live in Italy. The School of Medicine and the Federico II hospital are at Via Sergio Pansini 5.
Programs taught in English
We list 2 Bachelor's, 17 Master's and 1 single-cycle degree at Federico II taught entirely in English.
A selection of them:
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Data Science
- Economics and Finance
- International Relations
- Architecture and Heritage
- Quantum Science and Engineering
Naples
The municipality of Naples covers 119.24 square kilometres, and ISTAT counted 921,142 residents at the end of 2021. The average density is about 7,725 residents per square kilometre.
The university is not on one campus. Its campuses are spread across the city, and the oldest buildings are in the historic centre, which the university describes as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The School of Medicine and the hospital sit on Via Sergio Pansini.
How admission works for international students
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine in English are covered on our Medicine in Italy page.
Fees
For 2026/27 citizens of non-EU countries are fully exempt from the enrolment contribution. They pay the regional tax for the right to study, from 130 to 173 euros depending on the band, and a stamp duty of 16 euros. Students from the particularly poor countries listed in the ministerial decree are in the lowest band, so for them 130 euros plus the stamp duty is the cost.
How we help
Federico II exempts non-EU citizens from the enrolment contribution, so the question here is which call applies to your course. We check that, keep the Universitaly registration and the visa in one plan, and prepare the documents the university asks for. If Naples is one of several options, we compare them with you.
Questions students ask about Federico II
We list 2 Bachelor's, 17 Master's and 1 single-cycle degree at Federico II taught entirely in English.
No. For 2026/27 citizens of non-EU countries are exempt from the enrolment contribution. They still pay the regional tax and a 16 euro stamp duty.
Applying to Federico II?
Answer a few short questions. A mentor replies in the chat with what applies to you at Federico II.
Sources
- Report Comune di Napoli (census areas) (ISTAT)
- About us: why choose Federico II (University of Naples Federico II)
- Quick student guide 2026/27 (enrolment and fees) (University of Naples Federico II)
- Historical background (University of Naples Federico II)
- Medicine and Surgery (ENG) student's guide (University of Naples Federico II (orientation site))
Rules, dates and fees change every year. Confirm them in the official call for your own year before you act on them.