The University of Ferrara was founded in 1391 by the Marquise Alberto V of Este with the permission of Pope Boniface IX. The first courses to be inaugurated were Arts, Theology and Law and were taught by famous teachers such as Bartolomeo Saliceto, an expert among jurists.
The University of Ferrara is organized into 12 departments and encompasses 47 centres, offering over 50 degree courses and numerous research and postgraduate courses.
Scientific research is one of the essential functions of our University as well as the basis of teaching itself. In all recent Italian public rankings the University of Ferrara is always among the first 10 Italian Universities for Scientific Research.
Unife has selected some agencies which will help you to find accommodation in Ferrara. You can contact them to find out about availability, prices and all the information you need. If you are happy with the accommodation, you can sign the lease agreement directly with the agency.
The “Nuovo Sant’Anna” is now an innovative, integrated system linking university services and the public health system, and offering patients the latest, cutting-edge technologies and treatment methods.
The aim of the University of Ferrara sports centre is to promote and increase participation in sports. It houses three multi-purpose sports halls (basketball, volleyball, five-a-side football), two fitness sports halls, a gym hall, a cardio fitness hall (with cardiovascular and body conditioning machines), a spinning/walking hall, a rowing hall and a host of sportspecific facilities, such as football pitches, two rugby pitches, four tennis courts, a beach volleyball/beach tennis field, a golf club and a climbing wall. The facilities are open to University members and to the general public.
University of Ferrara (UNIFE) is located in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It is locally known as Università degli Studi di Ferrara. The university was established in 1391. It is accredited by Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca, Italia.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 110 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 556 | 558 | 668 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By TopUniversities
Climbed 50 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 851 | 951 | 901 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 501 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 701 | 601 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Based on 100 reviews
The Department of Architecture at Unife is consistently ranked among the best in Italy, and it's easy to see why. The curriculum balances historical restoration with modern urban planning perfectly. Being based in a Renaissance city like Ferrara serves as a constant inspiration. The workload is very demanding, but the technical preparation you receive is world-class. Highly recommended for students who are serious about their career in design.
Studying the Design of Sustainable Tourism Systems at University of Florence has been a really enriching and eye-opening experience from a master�s student perspective. What I appreciate most about this program is how interdisciplinary it is. You�re not just learning tourism in a traditional sense�you dive into economics, sustainability, culture, statistics, and even law. This mix actually helps you understand how tourism works in the real world, especially when it comes to balancing economic growth with environmental protection. The courses are quite practical as well. We work on projects, data analysis, and case studies, which makes learning more engaging compared to purely theoretical programs. You also gain skills in data interpretation and tourism trends, which are very useful if you want to work in planning or policy roles later. Another strong point is the focus on sustainability. The program really pushes you to think about responsible tourism�how to preserve cultural heritage, protect natural resources, and still create economic value. It feels very relevant in today�s world where tourism impacts are becoming more serious. Living in Florence is also a huge bonus. The city itself feels like a �living classroom� because you�re surrounded by history, culture, and tourism every day. It gives you a real-life perspective on what you study. At the same time, being a tourist-heavy city can sometimes make daily life a bit crowded and slightly expensive. However, the program isn�t perfect. Some courses can feel too broad, and if you�re looking for a highly specialized or technical degree, you might find it a bit general. Also, like many Italian universities, there can be some bureaucratic delays and organizational issues at times. Overall, I�d say this master�s is ideal if you want a balanced mix of theory, practical skills, and sustainability-focused knowledge in tourism. It prepares you well for careers in destination management, policy-making, or international tourism projects�but you need to be proactive to make the most out of it.
Speaking of Uda, I really like the campus area, i think it is very beautiful. The courses that you can choose are good and there are lot of them. Some things that need to be changed are the exams that are too focused in a few sessions
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
How would you rate your overall study experience?
How simple was it to apply to your programme?
Wishlist