Studying
Two state universities: University of Cagliari and University of Sassari (with sites in Alghero, Nuoro, Oristano and Olbia), plus academies and conservatories. Grants, housing and canteens are run by two regional bodies, ERSU Cagliari and ERSU Sassari; the Region also funds grants to study off the island.
Sections: Schools · Universities · Admissions · Scholarships · Language courses · Degrees & recognition
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari – the island's largest university; all disciplines, with the Monserrato university campus (medicine, sciences) and sites in the historic centre
- Università degli Studi di Sassari – originating in a 1558 bequest and a royal university since 1617, the first in Sardinia; law, agriculture, veterinary medicine, medicine, humanities; architecture in Alghero and courses in Nuoro, Oristano and Olbia
- Mario Sironi Fine Arts Academy – Sassari; Pierluigi da Palestrina (Cagliari) and Luigi Canepa (Sassari) conservatories
- Consorzio UNO in Oristano and the Nuoro university consortium for branch courses; ITS Academy in tourism, agri-food and energy
Student support and housing
ERSU Cagliari and ERSU Sassari (the regional bodies for the right to university education) issue annual calls for grants, places in student halls and canteen services, with rankings based on the university ISEE means test and merit; the Region, thanks to its statute, tops up resources with its own funds and coverage of eligible students is among the highest in Italy. In Cagliari student rents have risen with tourism and residences are insufficient; Sassari is cheaper. The Region also funds grants for master's and courses off the island and abroad (the Master and Back programme in the past, annual calls today).
International programmes
English-taught programmes are limited to some master's degrees in Cagliari (engineering, computer science, economics) and Sassari (agriculture, biotechnology); both universities have wide Erasmus agreements. The Ministry's Universitaly portal lists courses and procedures for international students. Anyone studying in Sardinia must reckon with the cost and time of travel to the mainland, partly offset by territorial-continuity fares for residents.
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/22/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-04-30
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