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Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)

Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)

USI Università della Svizzera italiana is one of the 12 public Universities in Switzerland, with courses taught in Italian and English: USI’s faculty members and students come from more than 114 different countries USI comprises 6 Faculties: Architecture, Economics, Communication, Culture and Society, Biomedical Sciences, Informatics and Theology (affiliated).

Top reasons to study here

  • USI is a young and lively university, a hub of opportunity open to the world where students are offered a quality interdisciplinary education.
  • The Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is an independent institution regulated by the Swiss public law and it is separated from public administration.
  • USI is in constant evolution, always taking on new challenges while remaining true to its three guiding principles: quality, openness and responsibility.

History

With the inauguration of USI, in 1996, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland chose to play an active role towards the intellectual and socio-economic growth of the country, and not only – by leveraging at best its convenient cultural position between northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Education

International faculty, small size, dynamic attitude and informal atmosphere, good infrastructures, connections to the labour market, and a favourable context within the Swiss university system – these are all elements that are much appreciated by students and that make for a rewarding study experience at USI.

USI offers quality and interdisciplinary study curricula where theory and practice go hand in hand and where students play an important role: small-sized classes are the ideal venue for exercising in groups and for each individual student to express him/herself and thus develop their personalities and their uniqueness.

Research

Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) engages in many national and international research programmes, in a network with partners in several countries. Research at USI is marked by ambitious projects seeking new developments and new solutions through interdisciplinary perspectives in several areas, namely:

  • architecture
  • computational science
  • communication
  • data science
  • economics
  • health studies
  • humanities
  • informatics
  • law
  • medicine and biomedicine

USI’s flexible structure allows for decisions to be made swiftly, thus enabling the fluid exchange of ideas. Researchers at the University are provided with an unfettered and open access to the world to develop projects independently.

Career

The Career Service supports USI students and graduates entering the job market, in particular it:

  • Promotes internship opportunities, coordinating curricular and extracurricular internships.
  • Provides career-oriented services and preparation of the application dossier.
  • Organizes information sessions and meetings with a variety of companies and organizations.
  • It is available to USI graduates for a career counseling and continued support.

Student services

  • Housing Service: looking for an accommodation can be stressful; through the Housing Service you will receive support in this process;
  • Careers and Alumni: always ready to suggestions on how to improve your curriculum and support your job research during and after your studies;
  • Sports Service: over 50 weekly courses and a Gym at complete disposal of all students;
  • International Relations and Mobility: planning a semester abroad is a good way to stand out with your study profile;
  • Library: the library offers various multimedia tools and a comprehensive collection of periodicals. It also provides photocopying services and individual spaces for studying with facilitated opening hours.

Housing services

The best option for our students is to find a shared apartment (with other students or with locals) or a studio apartment for a bit more privacy: a series of links and suggestions are available at our Housing Service Facebook Page as well as by contacting directly our Housing Service.

Students who come to USI for an exchange Semester are invited to contact the Housing Service directly.

Library services

Founded in 1996, the University Library Lugano is the body responsible for organizing documents (books, periodicals, electronic media etc..) within the Lugano faculties of the Università della Svizzera italiana. The Library responds to aims of study, research and Information.

ICT services

The Lugano Campus offers members of the USI community:

  • various study areas equipped with PCs and printers;
  • Wi-Fi connection in all parts of the campus;
  • a copy-and-print facility ("Copy center");

Campus life

The Lugano campus is divided in West and East campus.

  • The West campus is home to the Lugano university library, lecture rooms, event theaters, cafeteria, study areas, offices for the academic staff as well as the Student Services.
  • The East campus (established in 2021) is eserved for the Faculty of Informatics as well as the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences it is a hub of shared spaces, a multi-purpose hall, an exhibition space, a canteen, a crèche and sports areas.

The Campus of Mendrisio is allocated to the Academy of Architecture. The campus is located in various administrative, educational, research, study and service buildings.

Sports facilities

A Service for Sport and Leisure has been set up to promote joint sporting activities and to coordinate local members’ participation in national and international university sports events.

Over 50 weekly courses and a Gym at complete disposal of all students;

Student clubs

Several student associations have been created within the University. The main objectives are to improve relations between students and the institution and to enrich the range of educational and recreational offer during school. The associations are concerned mainly with the collection of didactic material, organisation of parties and meetings, cultural and sporting events, and networking among University students and the business world.

Some of the acknowledged student associations active at USI are listed below:​

  • ACE Swiss

  • AGORÀ - Pastorale Universitaria
  • AIESEC
  • Associazione Studentesca Ratio 
  • Associazione Militare delle Università Ticinesi

  • Blockchain club
  • ESN Lugano
  • Il Letterificio
  • Law and Politics in USI
  • L'universo

USI in the Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS), which are amongst the world's most popular and well-known global rankings - latest available data:   

  • QS World University Rankings 2023: 240th globally (out of 1500 universities considered)  
  • THE World University Rankings 2023: Range 201-250 (out of 1799 universities considered)  
  • THE World's Best Small Universities 2022: 15th worldwide among small universities.  
  • THE Young University Rankings 2022: 57th worldwide among ‘young’ universities (less than 50 years old)  
  • QS Top 50 Under 50 2021: 26th worldwide among ‘young’ universities (less than 50 years old)

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Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland

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