Erasmus guide Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in Venice, Italy.
Study abroad at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice: overview
Study abroad at Ca' Foscari University of Venice for Venice's largest university: around 23,000 students, 1,500+ new international students a year, based in historic canal-side palazzi. Strongest for economics, languages, humanities and conservation sciences, with an unusually wide range of English-taught courses for an Italian university.
Enrollment
Around 23,000 students
International Mix
More than 1,500 new international students per year
Why students choose it
Best for students who want to study economics, languages, humanities or conservation sciences inside historic Venetian palazzi, with a genuinely wide choice of English-taught courses. The trade-off is Venice's limited and relatively expensive housing stock.
Language of instruction: Italian (primary); a wide variety of courses taught entirely in English or with English-language facilities, unusually broad for an Italian university
Exchange & application at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Exchange runs through Erasmus+ or bilateral overseas agreements with fixed nomination deadlines (April 15 for autumn, October 15 for spring) followed by a one-month application window.
✅Requirements
Home university nomination, online application within one month of receiving instructions, transcript, learning agreement, language certificate, and — for non-EU students — an Italian student visa via the Universitaly portal.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates you directly to Ca' Foscari by April 15 (autumn/full year) or October 15 (spring); EU citizens from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, San Marino and the Holy See are visa-exempt.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA and exempt-country students need no visa. Non-EU students apply through the Universitaly portal and must obtain a permesso di soggiorno after arrival.
👥Buddy System
ESN Venezia runs a buddy programme and welcome events pairing new exchange students with local student volunteers.
🧭Orientation Week
The Welcome Unit holds appointments to finalise enrollment and answer questions, alongside ESN Venezia's social welcome week for new arrivals.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | April 15 | Within one month of receiving registration instructions |
| 2nd semester | October 15 | Within one month of receiving registration instructions |
Arrival Checklist
- Start your private housing search the moment your nomination is accepted — Venice's housing stock is limited.
- Get a codice fiscale (Italian tax code) early.
- Apply for a permesso di soggiorno soon after arrival if you are a non-EU student.
- Decide whether to base yourself in the historic centre or in Mestre before signing a lease.
Academics & courses at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Ca' Foscari offers a genuinely broad set of English-taught courses, and exchange students can generally choose across departments rather than being restricted to one field.
📝Course Registration
Course registration happens after Welcome Unit enrollment; exchange students can generally choose courses across departments rather than being locked to one nominated field.
🎓Credit System
ECTS — Italy is fully aligned with the European Credit Transfer System.
💯Grading System
Italian 18-30 scale (18 is the minimum pass, 30 e lode is the highest distinction); the university provides ECTS conversion guidance for exchange students.
✍️Exam Culture
Mostly oral exams in humanities and languages; written exams and coursework more common in economics and sciences.
📚Library Access
Ca' Foscari's library system spans several historic and modern sites, with extensive digital access for enrolled students.
Tuition & fees at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Exchange students pay no Ca' Foscari tuition, only their home institution's fees; full-degree Italian tuition is income-based (ISEE) and often very low.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange students pay no tuition to Ca' Foscari, only their home institution's fees. |
| Full degree – income-based Italian tuition | Approximately EUR 200-2,500/year depending on household income (ISEE) | Like most Italian public universities, tuition for full-degree students is calculated on a sliding scale based on family income (ISEE). |
EUR 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange students pay no tuition to Ca' Foscari, only their home institution's fees.
Approximately EUR 200-2,500/year depending on household income (ISEE)
Like most Italian public universities, tuition for full-degree students is calculated on a sliding scale based on family income (ISEE).
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Venice's housing stock is limited and relatively expensive — start searching immediately after nomination and weigh the historic centre against cheaper Mestre.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Venice
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
The Welcome Unit and ESN Venezia cover most day-to-day needs — use both in week one alongside getting a codice fiscale.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes for non-EU students; EHIC generally sufficient for EU/EEA exchange students.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
No dedicated campus clinic; students register with the Italian national health service (SSN) or use private care.
🧠Mental Health
Psychological counselling is available through the university's student counselling service.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Accepted for EU/EEA exchange students for the duration of their stay.
Italian national health service (SSN) voluntary registration
~EUR 150-160/year
Common route for non-EU exchange students needing local healthcare access.
Campus services
Welcome Unit
Central office finalising enrollment, answering questions and supporting incoming exchange students throughout their stay.
ESN Venezia
Student-run Erasmus Student Network chapter organising buddy pairing, welcome week and social trips.
Inclusion Unit
Supports students with disabilities through classroom accommodations, exam modifications and tutoring.
Student life at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Campus life is spread across historic palazzi in Dorsoduro and nearby islands, with Campo Santa Margherita as the main student social hub.
Student Clubs
- ESN Venezia
- Faculty student associations
Buddy Program
ESN Venezia buddy programme pairs new exchange students with local student volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- CUS Venezia — subsidised university sports club
- Rowing (voga alla veneta) — a genuinely local Venetian student activity
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend a Welcome Unit appointment to finalise enrollment and course registration.
- Get a codice fiscale and finalise your housing contract.
- Apply for a permesso di soggiorno soon after arrival if non-EU.
- Join ESN Venezia's welcome week for social events and the buddy programme.
Key exchange dates at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Nomination deadlines (April 15 and October 15) are fixed, with a one-month application window afterward — plan around both dates, not just the first.
-
1
Nomination window
By April 15 (autumn/full year) / October 15 (spring)
Home university nominates the student to Ca' Foscari.
-
2
Application and enrollment
Within one month of receiving registration instructions
Student uploads transcript, learning agreement, language certificate and ID.
-
3
Exam period
January-February / June-July
Mostly oral exams; confirm exam session dates before booking return travel.