Deep-dive

Studying in Trieste: the University, SISSA, ICTP and the research system

The University of Trieste with its main site at Piazzale Europa, SISSA for doctorates, ICTP for theoretical physics, the Tartini Conservatory; grants, canteens and student residences run by ARDiS FVG. A small city with a very high density of researchers.

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

Universities

The University of Trieste (UniTS) has its main site on the Piazzale Europa hill, with departments also in via Fabio Severo, in the San Giovanni complex and at Cattinara hospital (medicine); it offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, with several English-taught master's degrees listed on its international portal. SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), in via Bonomea on the heights, is a school of excellence for doctorates in physics, mathematics and neuroscience, with English as the working language. ICTP at Miramare, founded in 1964 by Abdus Salam and run with UNESCO and IAEA, hosts physicists and mathematicians from around the world in diploma, doctoral and visiting programmes.

Student support

ARDiS FVG (the regional agency for the right to education) manages for Trieste the grants, places in student residences (including the Gozzi residence and the via Fabio Severo complex), the central canteen and affiliated canteens; the call opens in summer and is based on ISEE income and merit. Students use the TPL FVG school or annual pass; many walk between Piazzale Europa, via Fabio Severo and the centre.

Where students live, and research

Student areas are San Giovanni, Barriera Vecchia, via Giulia and via Fabio Severo, a few minutes' walk from the University; SISSA doctoral students and ICTP researchers often live in Roiano, Barcola or the centre. The system is completed by the Tartini Conservatory, the Area Science Park at Padriciano and Basovizza, the Elettra synchrotron, INFN, INAF and OGS: Trieste has one of the highest concentrations of researchers per inhabitant in Italy.

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.

17,424students

Public university tuition (year)

City figurePeriod: academic year 2025/26Validsample unknown

Source: Università degli Studi di Trieste – Avviso tasse primo e secondo livello a.a. 2025/2026 · Minimo: contributo 0 € (ISEE ≤ 30.000 €) + tassa regionale 120 € (ISEE ≤ 27.948,60 €) + bollo 16 € «da pagare in ogni caso». Massimo: contributo 2.820 € (ISEE > 75.000 € o senza ISEE) + tassa regionale 160 € + bollo 16 €. Chi non ha i requisiti (Tabella B) paga fino a 3.105 €.

€136 – €2,996/ person·year