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Studying in Catania: Sicily's oldest university

The University of Catania, a state university founded in 1434, is the oldest in Sicily and among the largest in Italy by enrolment; it also has a seat in Siracusa and a School of Italian for foreigners. The Foreign Students Office is at Palazzo Centrale; scholarships, beds and canteens are run by ERSU Catania.

Sections: Schools · Universities · Admissions · Scholarships · Language courses · Degrees & recognition

The university

The university, a state institution founded in 1434, is the oldest in Sicily and among the largest in Italy by number of students. It is organised in departments, the School of Medicine, special teaching units (including the Siracusa unit for architecture and cultural heritage) and the School of Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners. Its sites are spread across the city: the Department of Humanities occupies the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena, in the historic centre.

International students

The Foreign Students Office is at Palazzo Centrale, Piazza Università 2. It handles enrolment, residence documents, fees and benefits, statements of comparability and recognition of foreign qualifications (including for refugees), and offers a cultural mediator for non-EU students. The university takes part in the UNICORE (refugees) and IUPALS (Palestinian students) university corridors, publishes an international course catalogue and runs a Foundation Year.

Right to study

ERSU Catania, a regional body, awards scholarships (the main benefit) through an annual call, plus grants for international mobility and out-of-town transport, extraordinary subsidies and graduation awards. It manages the university residences, allocated only by competition, and the canteens, including the one at the university Cittadella, with a dedicated app.

Sources

Università degli Studi di Catania· Università di Catania

Updated: 2026-10-14

Università di Catania – Studenti internazionali· Università di Catania

Updated: 2026-10-14

Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena (Officine Culturali)· Officine Culturali

Updated: 2026-10-14

ERSU Catania – Ente Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario· ERSU Catania

Updated: 2026-10-14

ERSU Catania – Servizio abitativo· ERSU Catania

Updated: 2026-10-14

Reviewed: 10/22/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-13

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