Studying
Three large public universities (Florence, Pisa, Siena) plus the University for Foreigners of Siena, the elite schools of Pisa (Normale and Sant'Anna) and IMT Lucca; dozens of US university programmes in Florence. Grants, halls and canteens managed by DSU Toscana, the single regional agency.
Sections: Schools · Universities · Admissions · Scholarships · Language courses · Degrees & recognition
- Università degli Studi di Firenze – public, all disciplines, sites also in Prato, Empoli, Sesto Fiorentino, Calenzano
- Università di Pisa – public, among Italy's oldest, strong in sciences, engineering, computer science, medicine
- Scuola Normale Superiore and Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna – Pisa, public university schools with very small intakes by competitive exam, free board and lodging
- Università degli Studi di Siena and Università per Stranieri di Siena – public; Siena Stranieri for Italian as a second language and linguistic mediation
- IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca – public, English-taught PhDs
- Fine arts academies and conservatories in Florence (Cherubini), Lucca (Boccherini), Siena, Carrara; Polimoda and private fashion and design schools in Florence
Where and in which language
Pisa is Tuscany's university city par excellence, with students making up roughly a third of its population and three elite public institutions; Florence has the largest university and Italy's highest concentration of US university programmes and private fashion, art and design schools taught in English, with a very expensive rental market for students. Siena is small and welcoming, with lower costs. Degrees taught entirely in English are numerous, especially in Pisa and Florence in the sciences and economics.
Grants and halls
Student support is managed by the Regional Agency for the Right to University Study (DSU Toscana), the single body for Florence, Pisa and Siena: annual call for grants, beds in the halls of the three cities, canteens and contributions, with online application and the university ISEE. Tuscany is among the regions that have guaranteed grants to all eligible students in recent years; DSU also runs services for students with disabilities and housing for doctoral students.
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/20/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-04-30
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