Deep-dive

Studying in Cagliari

The University of Cagliari, recognised by Pope Paul V in 1606 and active since 1626, has sites in the centre (rectorate in Via Università, in Castello), at Sa Duchessa (humanities) and in the university Cittadella of Monserrato (medicine, sciences), reached by metro-tram. Student support through ERSU Cagliari. Students in Is Mirrionis, San Benedetto, Villanova and Monserrato.

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The university

The Università degli Studi di Cagliari (UniCa) is Sardinia's largest university and one of Italy's oldest: recognised by Pope Paul V in 1606 and founded by privilege of King Philip III of Spain in 1620, it began its activity in 1626. Its faculties are spread between the historic centre, with the rectorate in Via Università in Castello and law and economics nearby, the Sa Duchessa hub in Is Mirrionis for the humanities and education, engineering and architecture at Piazza d'Armi, and the university Cittadella of Monserrato for medicine, pharmacy and sciences, with the Policlinico next door. The offer includes English-taught courses and an office for international students. The city also has the Pierluigi da Palestrina Conservatory.

Student support

ERSU Cagliari, a regional body, publishes every year a single call for scholarships and beds in the university residences, with rankings by ISEE and merit, and runs the canteens in Via Trentino and Piazza Michelangelo at subsidised rates; contributions towards private rents and international mobility are also available. The residences are in the city and in Monserrato.

Where students live

Out-of-town students, many from the rest of Sardinia, live in Is Mirrionis and San Michele (near Sa Duchessa, the cheapest), in San Benedetto and Villanova for those who want the centre, and in Monserrato for those attending the Cittadella; the metro-tram and CTM buses link the hubs. Single rooms in shared flats are the standard format and are scarce in September.

Enrolled university students (city's universities)

City figurePeriod: academic year 2025/26Validsample unknown

Source: MUR – Ufficio di Statistica, Portale dei dati dell'istruzione superiore: dataset «Iscritti», risorsa «Iscritti per ateneo» (02_iscrittixateneo.csv), con anagrafica atenei (metadati, 01_atenei.csv) · Iscritti ai corsi di laurea, laurea magistrale e a ciclo unico dell'ateneo nel suo complesso: comprende anche gli studenti delle sedi decentrate fuori dal comune. Dataset MUR aggiornato l'8 settembre 2026.

25,922students

Public university tuition (year)

City figurePeriod: academic year 2025/26Validsample unknown

Source: Università degli Studi di Cagliari – Regolamento contribuzione studentesca a.a. 2025/2026 · Minimo: contributo 0 € (esoneri artt. 9–17) + bollo 16 €, dovuto anche dagli esonerati (art. 2). Massimo: contributo 3.447,10 € (fascia 20, ISEE oltre 87.723,05 € o senza ISEE, Medicina e chirurgia; altre facoltà 3.368,20–3.420,75 €) + bollo 16 €. ESCLUSA la tassa regionale DSU, dovuta se prevista,

€16 – €3,463/ person·year