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 3350 students and about 1000 professors and researchers, hailing from over 100 countries, convene every day on the four 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.
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 3350 students and about 1000 professors and researchers, hailing from over 100 countries, convene every day on the four 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
USI Bachelors's degrees are 3-year (6 semesters) full-time study programs that comply with the principles set out by the Bologna Declaration.
The USI Bachelor's diploma enables students to continue at the postgraduate level (Master's degree).
Our programmes
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) offers 5 Bachelor's programmes:
Architecture
Italian Language, Literature and Culture
Communication
Economics
Informatics
The Bachelor in Architecture is organised at the Academy of Architecture, on the Mendrisio campus.
All other Bachelor programs are organised on the Lugano campus. USI Bachelor curricula provide levels of specialisation and, at the same time, a multidisplinary approach, combining quality education with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, offering many opportunities for informal dialogue between faculty and students.
Credits
All courses are awarded with ECTS points. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) guarantees that credits are compatible and transferable within all European universities. A full time academic year consists of 60 ECTS (30 credits each semester). Full Bachelor studies correspond to 180 ECTS. The second level of university studies (postgraduate or Master's degree), which completes the "3 + 2" system (Bologna system), consists in three or four semesters, equivalent to 90 or 120 ECTS.
Educational model
International faculty teach students with an interdisciplinary, engaging and interactive approach. The USI educational model is enhanced by a system that closely accompanies students in their learning path, with small classes enabling group exercises and direct dialogue with professors.
Teaching language
The official teaching language of the Bachelors in Architecture, Economics, Communication and Italian Language, Literature and Civilisationis Italian. Interested students can attend intensive Italian courses before the beginning of the autumn semester and the extensive courses throughout the academic year.
The Bachelor of Science in Informatics is taught entirely in English. Interested students are offered an intensive English language course before the beginning of the academic year and a technical English course during the first semester.
The Master's degrees at USI are defined by their high level of specialization, leading to international careers both in the professional and academic fields. Distinguished faculty in the respective disciplines provide innovative and quality teaching with a strong interdisciplinary approach and in collaboration with local and international institutions. The direct dialogue with professors and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Univeristy are the elements that enable students to broaden their views and to define their education individually. Theory is applied in case studies and consulting projects for companies and other business entities (field project).
The Master of Science or Master of Arts degrees are full-time graduate-level specialisation programs (3 or 4 semesters) awarded with 90-120 ECTS points.
Master's degrees are offered in the following subject areas:
Humanities
Master in Architecture
Master in History and Theory of Art and Archictecture
Master in Lingua, letteratura e civiltà italiana
Master in Philosophy
Finance
Master in Finance
Master in European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication
Master in Financial Technology and Computing
Tourism
Master in International Tourism
Political Economy
Master in Economia e politiche internazionali
Master in Economics
Master in Public Management and Policy (PMP)
Management and Marketing
Master in Management
Master in Management and Informatics
Master in Marketing and Transformative Economy
Master in Digital Fashion Communication
Master in Corporate Communication
Master in Public Management and Policy (PMP)
Health
Master in Communication, Management and Health
Master in Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication
Media and Communication
Master in Media Management
Master in Communication, Management and Health
Master in Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication
Master in Corporate Communication
Master in Digital Fashion Communication
Master in European Studies in Investor Relations and Financial Communication
USI - Università della Svizzera italiana
# =240
QS World University Rankings5
Undergraduate programs24
Postgraduate programs1864
International studentsUSI - Università della Svizzera italiana
Follow University
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 3350 students and about 1000 professors and researchers, hailing from over 100 countries, convene every day on the four 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.
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 3350 students and about 1000 professors and researchers, hailing from over 100 countries, convene every day on the four 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.
University information
Admission to the Undergraduate programmes:
1. Swiss diplomas, awarded in Switzerland
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.
IELTS - Masters
Minimum score
5
Maximum score
7
TOEFL - Masters
Minimum score
183
Maximum score
0
Total students
2,695
UG students
48%
PG students
52%
International students
1,864
UG students
44%
PG students
56%
Total faculty staff
403
Domestic staff
23%
Int'l staff
77%
Student life
Why USI
Seven reasons for choosing USI:
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.
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:
More in detail:
Rankings & ratings
QS World University Rankings
QS WUR Ranking By Subject
World University Rankings - Masters In Management
World University Rankings - Masters In Finance
QS World University Rankings
Ranking criteria
Available programs
USI Bachelors's degrees are 3-year (6 semesters) full-time study programs that comply with the principles set out by the Bologna Declaration.
The USI Bachelor's diploma enables students to continue at the postgraduate level (Master's degree).
Our programmes
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) offers 5 Bachelor's programmes:
The Bachelor in Architecture is organised at the Academy of Architecture, on the Mendrisio campus.
All other Bachelor programs are organised on the Lugano campus. USI Bachelor curricula provide levels of specialisation and, at the same time, a multidisplinary approach, combining quality education with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, offering many opportunities for informal dialogue between faculty and students.
Credits
All courses are awarded with ECTS points. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) guarantees that credits are compatible and transferable within all European universities. A full time academic year consists of 60 ECTS (30 credits each semester). Full Bachelor studies correspond to 180 ECTS. The second level of university studies (postgraduate or Master's degree), which completes the "3 + 2" system (Bologna system), consists in three or four semesters, equivalent to 90 or 120 ECTS.
Educational model
International faculty teach students with an interdisciplinary, engaging and interactive approach. The USI educational model is enhanced by a system that closely accompanies students in their learning path, with small classes enabling group exercises and direct dialogue with professors.
Teaching language
The official teaching language of the Bachelors in Architecture, Economics, Communication and Italian Language, Literature and Civilisation is Italian. Interested students can attend intensive Italian courses before the beginning of the autumn semester and the extensive courses throughout the academic year.
The Bachelor of Science in Informatics is taught entirely in English. Interested students are offered an intensive English language course before the beginning of the academic year and a technical English course during the first semester.
The Master's degrees at USI are defined by their high level of specialization, leading to international careers both in the professional and academic fields. Distinguished faculty in the respective disciplines provide innovative and quality teaching with a strong interdisciplinary approach and in collaboration with local and international institutions. The direct dialogue with professors and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Univeristy are the elements that enable students to broaden their views and to define their education individually. Theory is applied in case studies and consulting projects for companies and other business entities (field project).
The Master of Science or Master of Arts degrees are full-time graduate-level specialisation programs (3 or 4 semesters) awarded with 90-120 ECTS points.
Master's degrees are offered in the following subject areas:
Humanities
Finance
Tourism
Political Economy
Management and Marketing
Health
Media and Communication
Informatics
Computational Science
Campus locations
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