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Meta description: Naples Federico II guide: ~30 English-taught programmes, contribution waived for non-EU ($190/yr in taxes), 15 June Universitaly deadline, ADISU grant.
Last modified: 2026-09-24

# University of Naples Federico II (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II)

The University of Naples Federico II (UniNa) is the public university of Naples, founded by Emperor Frederick II in 1224; it celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2024. Its strongest argument for non-EU applicants is cost: under the 2026/27 rules, non-EU citizens are fully exempt from the university contribution and pay only the regional tax and stamp duty — $190 (€167) a year. Around 30 programmes are taught in English, mostly engineering and science master's. The catch is timing: in the 2026/27 cycle, Universitaly pre-enrolment for Federico II closed on 15 June.

The historic main building of the University of Naples Federico II on Corso Umberto I, Naples, Italy. Photo: Giuseppe Guida / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Università_degli_Studi_di_Napoli_Federico_II._(5663).jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Naples; main offices in the UNESCO-listed historic centre |
| Founded | 1224 |
| Rankings | QS World University Rankings 2027: 401; THE World University Rankings 2026: 301–350 |
| Structure | 26 departments, 4 faculties, 50 research centres, 3 academies run with companies |
| Fee for non-EU citizens (2026/27) | contribution waived; regional tax $170 (€151) + stamp duty $18 (€16) = $190 (€167) |
| Universitaly deadline (2026/27) | closed 15 Jun 2026; afterwards only limited-enrolment programmes (the 2027/28 deadline is usually in mid-June) |
| Visa | apply at the consulate by 30 Nov 2026 |
| Funding | ADISU Campania grant up to $9,410 (€8,246.78) for off-site students |

## Who Federico II suits, and who should look elsewhere {#section-1}

| Pros | Cons and risks |
| --- | --- |
| Non-EU citizens pay only $190 a year in taxes and stamp duty | Early Universitaly deadline: 15 June |
| About 30 English-taught programmes, large engineering cluster | Only three fully English-taught bachelor's |
| ADISU grant up to $9,410 for off-site students | Residence places only through the ADISU competition |
| 800-year-old university with 264 exchange partners | No admission letters for visas — only Universitaly |
| Visa possible even with conditional admission | No official cost-of-living estimate |

Federico II suits applicants on a tight tuition budget heading for English-taught engineering or science master's who are ready for a large southern city. For northern Italy and a broader English-taught offer, compare the [University of Bologna](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-bologna) and [Sapienza](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sapienza).

## Which programmes are taught in English {#section-2}

The 2026/27 international course catalogue includes:

Bachelor's: Civil and Environmental Engineering (English); Electrical Engineering and Information Technology — EEIT (English); Biology for One Health (English); Hospitality Management (Italian/English, professional).

Master's:

| Area | Programmes (IT/ENG = mixed language) |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering | Autonomous Vehicle Engineering; Data Science; Industrial Bioengineering; Mathematical Engineering; Transportation Engineering and Mobility; Chemical Engineering (IT/ENG); Structural and Geotechnical Engineering (IT/ENG); Mechanical Engineering for Design and Manufacturing (IT/ENG); Mechanical Engineering for Energy and the Environment (IT/ENG) |
| Sciences | Quantum Science and Engineering; Volcanology; Marine Biology and Aquaculture; Biology of Extreme Environments; Industrial Chemistry for Circular and Bio Economy (Naples–Turin); Chemical Sciences (IT/ENG); Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology (IT/ENG) |
| Architecture | Architecture & Heritage; Design for the Built Environment |
| Agriculture and veterinary | Sustainable Food Systems; Precision Livestock Farming |
| Economics and society | Economics and Finance (LMEF); International Relations; DIGISOC — Digital Society, Social Innovation and Global Citizenship (European joint master's) |
| Medicine and humanities | Medical Biotechnology (IT/ENG); Languages and Literatures for European Plurilingualism |

Medicine and Surgery is also offered in English, with a national admission test; test registration does not replace the visa procedure. See our guide to [medicine in Italy in English](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-imat-medicine-in-italy).

## How to apply to Federico II, step by step {#section-3}

For a non-EU citizen living abroad:

1. Choose a programme and contact its coordinator (listed in the catalogue). The university does not issue admission letters for visas; everything goes through Universitaly.
2. Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 June. In 2026/27 Federico II set 15 June 2026; after that, programme changes were not allowed and only limited-enrolment programmes remained open. You select Federico II, the programme and your consulate.
3. Entry-requirement check. Pre-enrolment is not admission: you must pass the programme's verification or selection (a test and ranking for limited-enrolment programmes).
4. Visa by 30 November. The consulate issues a type D "Immatricolazione Università" visa; candidates accepted with reservations (pending qualification or entrance exam) can still receive a visa to sit exams in Italy. See our [student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-italy).
5. Enrolment at the programme's secretariat: passport copy, form, photo, tax code, residence permit receipt, and a Declaration of Value or ENIC-NARIC (CIMEA) certificate. The residence-permit steps are in our [permesso di soggiorno guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-permesso-di-soggiorno-for-students).

EU citizens and non-EU residents of Italy send their documents directly to the programme coordinator.

## When to apply for 2027/28 {#section-4}

As of 23 September 2026 the 2027/28 dates were not published. Last cycle as a guide:

| Step | 2026/27 | Guide for 2027/28 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Universitaly pre-enrolment | by 15 Jun 2026 | mid-June 2027 |
| After the deadline | only limited-enrolment programmes | — |
| Visa application at the consulate | by 30 Nov 2026 | ideally in summer |
| Classes start | September–October | — |

Federico II's deadline is about six weeks earlier than at many Italian universities, so have documents, translations, Declaration of Value or CIMEA certificate and language test ready by spring 2027.

## Which documents and language certificates you need {#section-5}

- Bachelor's: 12 years of schooling before university; applicants from 11-year systems need an extra year of university study or a recognised foundation course.
- Italian-taught programmes: B2 Italian, by CLIQ certificate (CILS, CELI, PLIDA, CERT-IT) uploaded to Universitaly or through a university test arranged by the coordinator; see our guide to [Italian language certificates](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-italian-language-certificates-cils-celi-plida).
- English-taught programmes: no Italian required; the university recommends an international English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, etc.) for the visa; programme calls set the level.
- Qualification validity: Declaration of Value or CIMEA certificate.

## How much studying in Naples costs in 2026/27 {#section-6}

The 2026/27 enrolment guide states that non-EU citizens are fully exempt from the university contribution and pay only the regional right-to-study tax and stamp duty by the first-instalment deadline.

| Category | University contribution | Regional tax | Stamp duty | Annual total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-EU citizens | waived | $170 (€151, family abroad) | $18 (€16) | $190 (€167) |
| EU citizens | fixed $225 (€200, if the calculated amount is higher) | by ISEE | $18 (€16) | — |

The international page still shows a $160 (€140) regional tax, an earlier figure; the 2026/27 guide sets $170 (€151) for students whose family lives abroad and $150 (€130) for citizens of countries on the ministerial list of particularly poor countries (MUR decree 176 of 24 February 2026). Some programmes, such as European joint master's, may have their own conditions.

The university pages we checked give no cost-of-living estimate for Naples. With tuition this low, rent, food, transport, residence-permit health cover and a rental deposit are your main costs. Dollar amounts use the ECB rates of 23 and 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1411 and $1.1355).

## How to get an ADISU Campania grant and other funding {#section-7}

Regional grants, residence places and mobility top-ups in Campania are awarded by ADISU Campania. Applicants whose family lives abroad apply by the deadline and then submit an ISEE Universitario Parificato — calculated at a CAF (tax assistance centre) from family income and asset documents — by 31 March 2027; no grant is paid until it arrives. See our guide to [ISEE parificato](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-isee-parificato-international-students).

| 2026/27 parameter | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Deadline | 12:00, 10 Sep 2026 |
| ISEE / ISPE ceiling | $28,960 (€25,500) / $61,320 (€54,000) |
| Base amount, off-site students | $8,180 (€7,171.11) with ISEE up to $19,300 (€17,000) |
| Increase | +15% with ISEE up to $14,480 (€12,750) — up to $9,410 (€8,246.78) |
| Taper | down to $5,210 (€4,589.28) at ISEE $28,960 (€25,500) |
| Other increases | +20% for female STEM students; +40% for students with disabilities (increases do not stack) |

ADISU Campania makes the decision. In 2024/25 the university and the Compagnia di San Paolo foundation offered 26 two-year "Study in Naples" scholarships of $12,560 (€11,059.92) for first-year international-programme students; as of September 2026 that was the latest published call. Italian government and other options are covered in our [scholarships in Italy guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-italy).

## Where to live: ADISU residences and private rentals {#section-8}

ADISU Campania allocates residence places in the same competition as grants, so search the private market in parallel. Look near your programme's buildings, make sure your lease is registered (you need it for the residence permit and off-site grant status), and never pay for a flat nobody has seen; our [student housing guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-italy) has more checks. The international office publishes a guide to useful contacts in Italian and English.

## Which mistakes to avoid when applying {#section-9}

- Planning around a 31 July deadline: Federico II closed on 15 June in 2026/27.
- Waiting for an admission letter for the visa: the university does not issue one.
- Treating pre-enrolment as admission: programme checks and selection are separate.
- Forgetting B2 Italian for Italian-taught programmes.
- Confusing the tax with the contribution: the waiver covers the contribution; everyone pays the regional tax and stamp duty.

## What Federico II is known for {#section-10}

Federico II is one of the oldest universities founded by a head of state rather than by a guild of scholars. Frederick II wanted a university that trained loyal administrators and balanced the influence of Bologna and Padua; he hired and paid the professors and examined candidates himself. The university describes itself as the oldest state university in Europe.

Today it has 26 departments, 4 faculties, 50 research centres and three academies run with major companies, plus agreements with 264 partner universities, including double and joint degrees.

## Where the university stands in the rankings {#section-11}

| Ranking | Position |
| --- | --- |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 401 (=379 in 2026) |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 301–350 |

In THE 2026 Federico II sits in the same band as the University of Milan. For applicants, the real question is whether the programme you want is taught in English.

## Where classes take place and how the year is organised {#section-12}

The main offices are in Naples' historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while departments and teaching buildings are spread across the city; check your programme's location in the catalogue before looking for housing. The academic year has two semesters, September–February and February–July, with breaks at Christmas, Easter and from late July.

## How to find work after graduation {#section-13}

The university stresses that its graduates enter both the Italian and international job markets. Check whether one of the three company-run academies has an intake relevant to your field and in which language it teaches. After graduating you can apply for a job-seeking permit in place of your study permit; confirm the conditions with the Questura. Italian is close to essential for jobs in Campania.

## FAQ {#section-14}

### Is studying at Federico II almost free for non-EU students?

Yes, under the 2026/27 enrolment guide non-EU citizens are exempt from the university contribution and pay only the $170 (€151) regional tax and $18 (€16) stamp duty — $190 (€167) a year. Some programmes may have their own conditions.

### When should I apply?

In 2026/27, Universitaly pre-enrolment for Federico II closed on 15 June 2026, after which only limited-enrolment programmes remained; visa applications were due by 30 November. The 2027/28 dates have not been announced.

### Which bachelor's degrees are taught in English?

Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and Biology for One Health; Hospitality Management is taught in Italian and English.

### Do I need Italian for an English-taught programme?

Not for admission. Italian-taught programmes require B2; for the visa, the university recommends an international English certificate.

### Are scholarships available?

The ADISU Campania grant pays up to $9,410 (€8,246.78) to off-site students; the 2026/27 deadline was 10 September. The latest published Study in Naples call was for 2024/25.

### What does an international student need for the ADISU grant?

Apply by 10 September, stay within the ISEE $28,960 (€25,500) and ISPE $61,320 (€54,000) limits, and submit an ISEE Universitario Parificato from a CAF by 31 March of the following year. Payments start only after that.

### Can I apply after 11 years of school?

No. You need a 12th year: a year of university at home or a recognised foundation course.

### Can StudyU help?

Under an agreement with StudyU, we shortlist programmes, check requirements, prepare documents and the Universitaly application for the early deadline, and support the visa stage. The university decides on admission; ADISU Campania decides on grants and, as the housing provider, confirms housing; the consulate as the consular authority decides on the visa.

## Sources {#section-15}

- [Admission regulation — EU and non-EU students](https://www.international.unina.it/education/admission-regulation/)
- [International courses catalogue](https://www.international.unina.it/international-courses-catalogue/)
- [Enrolment guide 2026/27 (PDF, Italian)](https://www.unina.it/documents/d/guest/guida_studente_rapida_26-27_10-7-2026)
- [ADISU Campania call 2026/27 (PDF)](https://www.adisurcampania.it/sites/default/files/2026-07/Bando%20di%20Concorso%20a.a.%202026.27.pdf)
- [International students opportunities (Study in Naples)](https://www.international.unina.it/education/international-students-opportunities/)
- [Why choose UniNa](https://www.international.unina.it/students/prospective-students/why-choose-unina/)
- [History](https://www.international.unina.it/history/)
- [800 years of UniNa](https://www.800anni.unina.it/)
- [QS World University Rankings: University of Naples Federico II](https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-naples-federico-ii)
- [THE World University Rankings: University of Naples Federico II](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-naples-federico-ii)

For more on studying in Italy, see [Study in Italy](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-italy). To meet the early Universitaly deadline, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Italian Language Certificates CILS, CELI and PLIDA: Which One You Need for University and When to Sit It](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-italian-language-certificates-cils-celi-plida)
- [ISEE Parificato for International Students: Home-Country Documents, CAF, Timing and Tuition](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-isee-parificato-international-students)
- [Studying Medicine in Italy in English: IMAT, Non-EU Places and the 2026/27 Rules](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-imat-medicine-in-italy)
- [Permesso di Soggiorno for Students: How to Get and Renew Your Italian Residence Permit](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-permesso-di-soggiorno-for-students)
- [Studying in Italy for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-italy)
- [University of Bologna](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-bologna)

Updated: September 2026