Erasmus guide Sapienza University of Rome
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Sapienza University of Rome in Rome, Italy.
Study abroad at Sapienza University of Rome: overview
Study abroad at Sapienza University of Rome makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. Sapienza – University of Rome (Sapienza Università di Roma), founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303, is the largest university in Europe by student enrollment with approximately 130,000 students. Useful proof points: 130,000 students; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Law, Medicine and Pharmacy, Architecture and Design. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
130,000 students
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Law, Medicine and Pharmacy, Architecture and Design and are willing to check language, seats and campus rules before choosing. In rome, housing and the daily route matter as much as reputation.
Language of instruction: Italian (primary); growing English-taught course catalogue especially at master's level
Exchange & application at Sapienza University of Rome
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Sapienza University of Rome, rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, online application, academic transcript, learning agreement, language proof, and valid health insurance.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates you to Sapienza's Area Relazioni Internazionali. Sapienza then contacts the student with application instructions by faculty.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students do not need an Italian visa. Non-EU students need an Italian student visa (Type D) — apply at Italian consulate at least 8 weeks before arrival. Sapienza provides the pre-enrollment certificate needed for the visa.
👥Buddy System
ESN Sapienza and Sapienza International Student Buddy Programme connect incoming exchange students with local student volunteers.
🧭Orientation Week
Sapienza runs a Welcome Day at semester start — registration, student card (Tesserino), and faculty orientation. ESN Sapienza organises parallel social welcome events.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| First semester (Oct–Feb) | June 30 | July 31 |
| Second semester (Mar–Jul) | November 30 | December 31 |
Arrival Checklist
- Non-EU: apply for Italian student visa (Type D) at least 8 weeks before arrival.
- Non-EU: apply for Italian residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno) within 8 working days of arrival at local police station.
- Get ATAC monthly transit pass for Rome buses and metro.
- Open Italian bank account or use N26/Revolut — needed for Italian transactions and deposits.
Academics & courses at Sapienza University of Rome
Academics combine ECTS credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Course registration managed via Infostud (Sapienza's student platform). Exchange students pre-select courses on learning agreement with faculty approval. Some faculties use separate systems — confirm with your receiving faculty.
🎓Credit System
Italy uses ECTS. Full-time semester = 30 ECTS. Italian universities map directly to European credit standards.
💯Grading System
Italian 18–30 scale (with 30 e lode for highest distinction). 18 = minimum pass, 30 = maximum, 30L = summa cum laude. Conversion tables provided by Sapienza for Erasmus transcripts.
✍️Exam Culture
Exams often oral — direct discussion with professor in Italian. Written exams and practical assessments also common. Exam sessions have specific dates (appelli) — do not miss registration windows.
📚Library Access
Sapienza Library System — 70+ libraries across faculties. Biblioteca Centrale di Lettere e Filosofia is one of Rome's most important humanistic libraries. Full digital access with Tesserino student card.
Tuition & fees at Sapienza University of Rome
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | €0 to Sapienza (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Sapienza. Living costs in Rome: €900–1,400/month including accommodation, food, transport, and personal — higher … |
| Full degree - EU/EEA | €1,000–2,000/year (income-based) | Italian public university fees are income-based (ISEE bracket system). Low-income students may pay very little; upper-bracket students pay ~€2,000/year. One … |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA | €2,000–5,000/year | Non-EU full-degree fees apply a similar income-based approach. Sapienza excellence scholarships and DSU Lazio grants available for eligible international stu… |
€0 to Sapienza (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Sapienza. Living costs in Rome: €900–1,400/month including accommodation, food, transport, and personal — higher …
€1,000–2,000/year (income-based)
Italian public university fees are income-based (ISEE bracket system). Low-income students may pay very little; upper-bracket students pay ~€2,000/year. One …
€2,000–5,000/year
Non-EU full-degree fees apply a similar income-based approach. Sapienza excellence scholarships and DSU Lazio grants available for eligible international stu…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Sapienza University of Rome
Housing near Sapienza University of Rome should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Rome
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Sapienza University of Rome
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — EHIC + SSN registration for EU; private insurance for non-EU.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
Sapienza campus medical centre — basic GP services. Policlinico Umberto I (Rome's main teaching hospital) affiliated with Sapienza Medical School.
🧠Mental Health
Sapienza Counselling Service (CAPA) — free psychological counselling for students. Appointment-based. Access via student services portal.
EHIC + Italian SSN registration
Free (EHIC from home country; SSN registration free)
Best option for EU students — SSN registration gives GP, specialist referrals, and emergency care.
Private health insurance
€200–500/year depending on coverage
Required for non-EU student visa. Allianz Care and Generali most common for students in Italy.
Campus services
Area Relazioni Internazionali (International Relations)
Central contact for Erasmus exchange administration, learning agreements, and arrival guidance.
ESN Sapienza
Very active ESN chapter running welcome events, cultural trips, buddy matching, and semester social calendar.
DSU Lazio (Housing & Canteen)
Regional body managing subsidised student housing and canteens for Sapienza students.
Infostud Student Portal
Sapienza's main digital platform for course registration, exam booking, and academic management.
Student life at Sapienza University of Rome
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Student Clubs
- ESN Sapienza
- Faculty student associations
- CUS Sapienza Sport
Buddy Program
ESN Sapienza buddy programme and Sapienza International buddy scheme pair incoming students with Italian and international volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- CUS Sapienza Sport Centre (gym, pool, courts)
- Running in Villa Borghese (10-min walk from campus)
- Cycling across Rome's historic centro
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend Sapienza Welcome Day — Tesserino (student card), library access, Infostud activation, and faculty intro.
- Register with Italian SSN (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) if EU — brings free GP access.
- Get ATAC monthly pass for Rome metro and buses — CityMapper app for navigation.
- Visit San Lorenzo neighbourhood — the authentic Roman student quarter right next to campus.
Key exchange dates at Sapienza University of Rome
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Before nomination
Confirm active Sapienza Erasmus agreement for your faculty — each faculty manages exchange separately.
-
2
Nomination deadline (Semester 1)
June 30
Home Erasmus coordinator nominates to Sapienza international office.
-
3
Italian visa (non-EU)
July–August
Apply for Type D student visa at Italian consulate after receiving pre-enrollment certificate. Allow 8 weeks.