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Everything about Medicine at La Sapienza University

Do you want to enter the Medicine program at La Sapienza University? Below, you will find a brief but comprehensive guide on this university and the Medicine and Surgery degree program offered by this institution, including how to apply, costs, study opportunities, and useful information for living in this town.

La Sapienza, founded in 1303, is the oldest university in Rome and holds another record. In fact, it is the largest in Europe.

For centuries, UniRoma1 has contributed to the development of knowledge and society through education, research, and international cooperation.

Find out how to enter the medical faculty in English at La Sapienza University in Rome.

Tables of contents

La Sapienza University of Rome: general information

According to 2022/23 data (source https://www.uniroma1.it), the University of Rome La Sapienza has over 120,000 students, including 11,000 international students, and more than 3,500 faculty members.

The university offers around 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including 66 in English, 200 master’s programs, 95 PhD programs, and 87 specialized schools.

Additionally, the university boasts 48 libraries, some with 24/7 reading rooms, 19 museums, and numerous student services.

The main campus of La Sapienza is located at the University City, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, in Rome.

La Sapienza: rankings

La Sapienza University of Rome is ranked 132nd in the 2025 edition of the QS World University Rankings. The university also holds the 70th spot globally for its academic reputation, placing it among the top 100 universities in the world.

In Italy, La Sapienza ranks first for the quality of its services and the value of its research. It is first in Italy and 87th globally for Employment Outcomes, which assesses the employability and career prospects of its graduates. Additionally, for the International Research Network, which measures the university’s internationalization in scientific research, La Sapienza is first in Italy and 41st in the world.

According to the 2024 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), La Sapienza is first in Italy and 124th globally.

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject, the university is ranked first in the world for Classical Studies.

What is the ranking of Sapienza University of Rome Medicine? The university has improved its position in Life Sciences & Medicine, moving from 137th to 128th, with the Medicine program specifically ranking 92nd, up from 112th in 2023.

Finally, in the 2023 Censis Ranking of Italian Universities, La Sapienza ranks 11th in Italy among medical faculties. Among the mega state universities (those with over 40,000 students), it is 3rd, preceded by the universities of Bologna and Padua.

La Sapienza University Medicine

The master’s degree course in Medicine and Surgery in English at La Sapienza is designated with the letter “F”. The course lasts six years and is part of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine.

All classes are conducted entirely in English. The single-cycle master’s degree consists of a total of 360 CFU credits, with at least 60 to be earned through practical training activities.

The main objectives of the degree course are:

  • providing the scientific foundations and theoretical-practical training necessary for the medical profession;
  • imparting the methodology and culture needed for continuous education;
  • achieving a sufficient level of professional, decision-making, and operational autonomy through a holistic approach to health problems, addressing both healthy and ill individuals in relation to their environment.

Campus and hospital of Medicine

Classes are held on the main campus of the University of Rome La Sapienza, located in the Quartiere San Lorenzo, a historic Roman district with attractions, pubs, and nightclubs.

The affiliated hospital, Policlinico Umberto I, is situated right next to the main campus.

Medicine and Surgery Sapienza 2024: available places

The places are limited. Their number is decided each year by the Ministry of Education in agreement with the Regions and the National Health Service.

In 2024, the available places are:

  • 45 places for Italian, EU, and equivalent non-EU citizens;
  • 13 places for non-EU citizens residing abroad.

Medicine and Surgery program at Sapienza University

The curriculum is divided into:

– 1st and 2nd year, Basic science and Applied methodology;

– from the 3rd to the 6th year, Clinical science, Practical training, Traineeship for graduating Internship for Degree.

The first 3 years are organized as follows:

  • 1st year, 9 courses (5 in the 1st semester, 4 in the 2nd semester);
  • 2nd year, 8 courses (4 in the 1st semester, 4 in the 2nd semester);
  • 3rd year, 8 courses (5 in the 1st semester, 3 in the 2nd semester).

From the 4th to the 6th year, the program includes:

  • access to the Honour Path in the 4th year;
  • commencement of the qualifying traineeship for graduation (TPVES) and the thesis course in the 5th year.

TPVES is the qualifying traineeship for graduation, beginning in the 5th year for students who have successfully completed all exams in the first 4 years on time. Each student must undertake research or clinical work and write and defend a final thesis (typically lasting 2 years).

Additionally, an additional Research Program Course is available for students who have completed all exams in the 3rd year of Medicine with an average score above 27/30. This program consists of supplementary training activities beyond the standard curriculum.

Students must attend at least 67% of course lectures and practical activities to sit for exams. It is essential to understand and speak Italian before starting the 4th year in order to fully participate in practical skill acquisition for becoming a doctor.

Italian language courses are provided at the Centro Linguistico di Ateneo, held at the Marco Polo Building, formerly the Post Office headquarters, on Viale dello Scalo S. Lorenzo, 82 in Rome. The course, scheduled during the second semester of the academic year (February–June), consists of 40 hours delivered in-person and/or online:

  • A1 and A2 levels are offered as online and recorded courses;
  • B1 and B2 levels are interactive online courses.

Students must attend at least 70% of the total course hours (28 out of 40 hours) to be eligible for the final exam and to receive a Certificate of Attendance indicating their language proficiency.

In the first year of the English-language Medicine program, the following exams are required:

1st semester

  • Human anatomy – 5 CFU
  • Biology and Genetics – 5 CFU
  • Chemistry and Introduction to biochemistry – 9 CFU
  • Medical physics – 6 CFU
  • Basic medical scientific methods – 6 CFU

2nd semester

  • Biochemistry – 6 CFU
  • Biology and Genetics – 8 CFU
  • Histology and Embryology – 8 CFU
  • Basic medical Scientific Methods – 6 Ects CFU

Sapienza University of Rome Medicine: requirements

What are the requirements for studying medicine at Sapienza University of Rome? To be admitted, candidates must pass an admission test (IMAT). In addition to Italian citizens, the following can apply:

  • citizens of other EU countries and non-EU countries residing regularly in Italy (non-EU equivalents) who hold or are set to obtain a secondary school diploma by the year 2024;
  • non-EU citizens residing abroad who must apply for a study visa upon entry, including Chinese students from the Marco Polo project, provided they possess a secondary school diploma obtained or to be obtained in the year 2024 and the online pre-enrollment application for obtaining the entry visa for study purposes “University Enrollment” for the relevant academic year, on the Universitaly website.

In fact, for non-EU students, a pre-enrollment procedure on the Universitaly website is mandatory to obtain the study visa. Pre-enrollment itself does not guarantee admission to study programs.

All details regarding qualifications and admission of international students to Italian universities are published on the Studiare in Italia website. The university evaluates the eligibility of foreign qualifications in each case.

Regarding language proficiency, English proficiency at the required level is assessed during the admission test. While English language qualifications are not mandatory, candidates who possess one can use it in case of a tie in their IMAT score.

Candidates should note that although knowledge of Italian is not required for enrollment, a B1 level or higher proficiency in Italian is necessary to participate in clinical activities.

For detailed instructions on how to register for the IMAT test, refer to the admission call published on the university’s website each year, usually at July.

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IMAT La Sapienza

The IMAT test is the entrance exam for studying medicine in English in Italy. The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions with 5 answer options, only one of which is correct. The duration of the IMAT test is 100 minutes.

The IMAT quizzes are divided as follows:

  • 4 questions on reading skills and general knowledge
  • 5 questions on logical reasoning and problem-solving
  • 23 questions on biology
  • 15 questions on chemistry
  • 13 questions on physics and mathematics

The IMAT scoring is calculated as follows:

  • +1.5 points for each correct answer
  • -0.4 points for each incorrect answer
  • 0 points for each omitted answer

The maximum score is 90 points. The minimum score to be eligible for ranking is 20 points for EU and equivalent non-EU candidates. Non-EU candidates must achieve a score greater than 0.

EU and equivalent non-EU candidates are included in the national ranking. Non-EU candidates are included in the local university rankings.

The official merit ranking list is published about 3 weeks after the test.

How hard is the IMAT? The IMAT is a difficult exam to pass because every year, there are many more candidates than available places. Additionally, the syllabus is extensive. Finally, to pass the IMAT, it is not enough to know the theory; one must also practice solving exercises and problems.

For complete information about the test, go to the section dedicated to IMAT FAQs.

La Sapienza University medicine tuition fees

To calculate the comprehensive annual fee, all degree courses are divided into two groups. Based on this, the tuition fees for Medicine at Sapienza University amount to 2,924 euros per year, payable in 3 installments:

  • 1st installment: 877 euros
  • 2nd installment: 1,023 euros
  • 3rd installment: 1,024 euros

However, students who earn income in foreign countries pay a fixed contribution of a different amount depending on their country of origin. Additionally, there are discounts and scholarships available.

Services for international students

La Sapienza provides numerous services for international students. Among them, we highlight:

  • Student Coaching;
  • Italian Language Courses. These courses are offered free of charge to all first-time foreign students enrolled at Sapienza University, providing the opportunity to assess their knowledge of Italian and achieve basic or intermediate proficiency levels;
  • Mental Health and Psychological Counselling. A free counseling service available to all students upon request, including services offered in English.
  • Sapienza Salute. A medical-health counseling service offering access to specialist medical visits (e.g., gynecology, dentistry, endocrinology, etc.). This service is free and allows students to schedule specialist consultations online with healthcare professionals at Policlinico Umberto I, Hospital Sant’Andrea, and Polo Pontino.

Additionally available are: orientation desks such as Ciao and Hello, an office for disability rights, the Job Soul placement service, as well as mail and telephone front office services provided by the Public Relations Office.

Through the Centro SapienzaSport, the university promotes numerous cultural, social, and sports activities to enrich campus life, featuring over 100,000 square meters of sports facilities for various sports activities, the orchestras and choirs of MusicaSapienza, the Theatron project, and the web radio RadioSapienza.

Finally, the university promotes student mobility with a dedicated desk for students interested in both incoming and outgoing international mobility programs.

Contacts

Hello, the international student office, handles:

  • evaluation of international academic qualifications for admissions to all undergraduate and postgraduate courses for international students and Italians with foreign qualifications;
  • information regarding the academic offerings;
  • management of databases for non-EU and Chinese student quotas;
  • liaison with Italian Embassies worldwide.

You can contact the service via:

– email, studentistranieri@uniroma1.it. Remember to include your full name, surname, and student ID number in the email;

– skype, settore.studentistranieri. Skype reception hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and Tuesday, Thursday from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

If you need to meet with a staff member in person, please refer to the Hello – Welcome Office page.

What is student life like for international students in Rome

Studying in Rome is an incredible experience. The city captivates its visitors with its beauty. It’s like an open-air museum. Not just for its most famous landmarks, such as the Colosseum or the Roman Forum. There are hundreds of cultural attractions, some wonderful even if less well-known.

Moreover, there are various neighborhoods, from Trastevere to Ostiense, Monti and Via del Corso with the Palaces of power, not to mention Vatican City and the surroundings of Rome.

There are dozens of musical and cultural events as well as sporting events. All of this is accompanied by excellent Italian food and Roman cuisine specialties like pasta Carbonara.

You don’t have to spend a lot to eat well. However, renting a house or a room can be expensive. Typically, students in Rome live in rooms in a shared apartment. The cost of a room can vary from 350 euros to 600 euros or more, depending on the neighborhood.

The Hello Office is located at Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 – 00185 Rome, General Services Building, Scala C – 2nd floor.

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