Silvio Berlusconi’s daughter, Barbara Berlusconi, has graduated in philosophy at Milan’s San Raffaele university with top honours but not without controversy. Clearly being the prime minister’s daughter (and just any prime minister, we should add), there were whisperings that she could have stayed at home and she still would have received a degree.

With Silvio Berlusconi at the graduation ceremony, what better opportunity than to spruik for a new faculty, possibly headed by his daughter? In fact, a university lecturer present at the ceremony has accused the chancellor of inappropriately offering Ms Berlusconi a future place as teacher at the university, in an Economics faculty which has yet to be established.

The university lecturer went on to say that such declarations in the presence of students and staff, and of Italy’s prime minister, were insulting and that there was a lack of respect and dignity during what is a public ceremony. In fact, the professor went so far as to say that it was against the “ethical requirements of a university of excellence, which is what San Raffaelle aspires to be”.

Continue reading: Barbara Berlusconi graduates with top honours amidst controversy

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If you’re looking for a university with a small town feel in Italy, you could try out the Università di Cassino, in Italy’s south. The university is in the small town of Cassino, which is two hours from Rome and an hour and a half from Naples.

The town itself is famous for Montecassino, a benedictine abbey that was damaged by German troups in the second world war, although it’s an impressive sight now with some great views.

Positive aspects of the university include a closer relationship with teaching staff, a more laid back atmosphere and a good number of students without being over crowded.

While there’s not a huge choice of faculties, plenty of students come from outside Cassino itself as they want to escape the frenetic pace of universities in Naples and Rome, although if you’re looking for the city party life, Cassino is probably not the place for you.

Photo | Flickr

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We got a couple of responses for our request about studying in Rome, both on University Roma Tre and both quite different. As a humanities university it has a good offering, including jurisprudence and languages with international communication.

The university is quite modern and students are well-supported by professors, although a negative response (from the communications degree!) was that the professors were not open to dialogue.

Erasmus students are followed closely in their studies, thanks to student tutors who help them out with adjusting to life in Italy and on campus. The university, situated in Rome’s north, is easily accessible by Rome’s public transport, and is equipped with an impressive library.

Continue reading: Study in Italy: University Roma Tre, location for Benigni film

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Leaving aside jokes of living in the rubbish, going to study in Naples would be a really unique experience. I have heard that to appreciate this city with all its elegance, squalor and personality you need to tour with someone local, who can show you all its secrets.

So you might want to think about Naples university for an authentic Southern Italian experience. The University of Naples is famous for jurisprudence, but also engineering. The university is well connected via metro with the city centre.

If you’re looking for fun, Naples is the right place to be as there’s plenty to be had - and most of which costs less. And apparently you can eat like a god down here, with the pizza obviously being the most famous.

Continue reading: Study in Italy at the University of Naples

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Appearing in today’s La Gazzetta dello Sport is Milan’s Politecnico University, said to be the best university in Italy. Italy’s economic newspaper, Sole24Ore, compiled a classification of Italy’s most prestigious universities, with the Politecnico topping the list, followed closely by Milan’s economic university, the Bocconi.

The classification examines criteria such as ability to attract both students and funds, exams undertaken, quality of teaching staff, and research investment. The chancellor, Giulio Ballio, has said that hard work, research and the visible presence of professors at all times, are some of the secrets to obtaining such status.

While Ballio didn’t take the bait on how Milan’s Politecnico, a public university with large numbers of students, overtook the prestigious and private Bocconi, evidence can probably be found in the high quality specialisation the Politecnico has in engineering - it is Italy’s breeding ground for great engineers.

Source | Gazzetta dello Sport

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If you wanted to duck out to the leaning tower of Pisa during lunch hour, or live not far from some beautiful Italian coastline, you could consider studying at the University of Pisa. It’s famous for jurisprudence, but is also well-renowned for engineering and medicine.

Despite a provincial feel to the city at times, and stories of hystrionic professors at exams (we didn’t ask for details), our source says the city costs slightly less than other Italian cities, and it’s close to Florence and Siena without paying the rent of those destinations. In addition, if you’re wanting a little sun-soaked Tuscan countryside, you’re only a step away from San Gimignano and other towns of the area.

While after only a few nights out on the town, it’s possible you’ll know everyone already as it’s not a big smoke here. But, better the devil you know, right…? For foreign students, oral exams are said to be a cinch with some preferential treatment (we’re not sure why but our source reckons that the way it should be). Go the university’s website for more information, which you will find in English.

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If you’re an engineer who wants to study in Italy, you must go to the Politecnico of Milan - it’s the most famous and prestigious university in Italy for engineering. If you want to then work in Italy, it will definitely help to have a qualification from the Politecnico, in addition to the contacts it can provide in the world of work in Milan.

From one of our writers, we learn that the Politecnico has got some great digital innovation facilities and initiatives, and some extra-curricula activities which is important in Italy as university campus life is very different from an American or English view of college life.

A negative point he thinks is some of the politicking that goes on between faculties but welcome to universities the world over. He also reckons that there are a limited number of appeal exams but I got some inside information (ie from my boyfriend) that you get a second and even third (and possibly a fourth!) shot at passing an exam failed the first time around.

Continue reading: Study in Italy at Milan's Politecnico

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I would say if you’re interested in skiing or hiking, then you’ve come to the right place - if you’re not that focused on studying, that is. If you are, the Università della Valle d’Aosta is well known for languages, communication and tourism studies.

With courses provided in other European languages, the university is also registered for the Erasmus program. One positive thing is that this is a smaller university, meaning professors and tutors are more available to students and you’re closely followed and supported in your studies.

A negative aspect brought to our attention is that the secretariat is qiute disorganised - but isn’t that a pre-requisite for universities…? If you don’t like smaller universities, then this probably isn’t the place for you and apparently there’s not a raging night life in the city.

But if you want to be supported in your studies, be in a great geographical location (think France on the weekends), it could be an option. Go to www.univda.it for more information.

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It’s a mistake to attend the Sociology faculty at Milan’s Bicocca and think that you’ll become a sociologist. Two exams and a few words to blather in any conversation that will make you look like a sophisticated analyst of social systems.

In fact, it’s just like philosophy students thinking they’re going to become philosophers, when it’s actually a whole different story. The Milan Bicocca University of Studies (Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca) is celebrating its 10 year anniversary. And if you’re looking for fun, then you’ve come to the right place, and sociology is the faculty to be in.

Course material can be found on the web and you’ll find some excellent friends, have wonderful evenings, and if you’re male we remind you that the ratio of men to women is one to three… Lecturers and professors are international experts in research but are welcoming, comprehensive and even genial at times. Like Gianmarco Navarini who, in his study of ethnography, spent three months pretending to be homeless at Milan’s central station, managing to write a book on the experience.

This is highly recommended for anyone wanting to do an Erasmus in Italy, who wants an informal environment. For more information go to www.unimib.it, international students can find information at www.international.unimib.it.

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