Studying
Three state universities (Palermo, Catania — the island's oldest, 1434 — and Messina) and the non-state Kore University in Enna. Student support is run by four separate ERSU bodies (Palermo, Catania, Messina, Enna), agencies of the Sicilian Region.
Sections: Schools · Universities · Admissions · Scholarships · Language courses · Degrees & recognition
- Università degli Studi di Palermo – the island's largest university, viale delle Scienze campus and branch sites in Trapani, Agrigento and Caltanissetta
- Università degli Studi di Catania – founded in 1434, the oldest in Sicily; all disciplines, with sites in Ragusa and Syracuse (architecture)
- Università degli Studi di Messina – founded in 1548; medicine, law, engineering, sciences, veterinary medicine, with university hospital
- Università degli Studi di Enna Kore – legally recognised non-state university (2005), Cittadella campus; engineering, architecture, economics, psychology, medicine
- Fine Arts Academies of Palermo and Catania; Scarlatti (Palermo), Bellini (Catania), Corelli (Messina), Toscanini (Ribera), Bellini (Caltanissetta) and Scontrino (Trapani) conservatories
Student support and housing
Unlike almost all other regions, Sicily has four regional student-support bodies, one per university seat: ERSU Palermo, ERSU Catania, ERSU Messina and ERSU Enna, each with an annual call for grants, housing places and canteens, with rankings based on the university ISEE means test and merit. Residences do not cover demand, but student rents in Palermo, Catania and Messina remain among the lowest of Italy's large cities; in Catania and Palermo the growth of tourist rentals in the historic centres is reducing supply. Many Sicilians choose universities in the Centre-North, a student outflow documented by the Ministry.
International programmes
English-taught programmes are concentrated in Catania (engineering, computer science, economics, data science) and Palermo (engineering, economics, sciences); Messina has English-taught courses in medicine and biotechnology. The Ministry's Universitaly portal lists courses and procedures for international students, who come especially from North Africa and the Middle East.
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
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/22/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-04-30
No questions in the community · Ask the community