University of Florence
trusts
HousingAnywhere
with accommodation for their students since 2013

• Founded in 1321

• Ranks 51-100 (300) - QS Ranking by subject 2017 - Pharmacy& Pharmacology

• Offers English courses

• 50,338 Students

• 1,000 International students

• 1,800 professors and researchers

• 10 Faculties

• Has partnered with Housing Anywhere since September 2013

Campus Facilities

The University of Florence is rather unique in that it does not have one main campus. Instead, it has buildings that are located throughout the city, with many situated in the centre, but also with locations in surrounding areas as well. In the city centre, you can expect to find the departments of Languages, Architecture and Humanistic Studies. The faculty of Agronomy is located just outside of the city, and there is a separate location for the faculties of Economy, Law and Political Sciences.

At every faculty, you can find a cafeteria serving full meals and snacks. There are also 24 libraries located throughout the entire city of Florence, making it easy to find a quiet, convenient place to study alone or with a group. There’s also a university sports centre, where students and faculty members alike can stick to a good workout regimen.

Of course, even though there is plenty to do around campus, get out and explore the lovely city of Florence. Read more in our Florence City Guide!

Courses

Founded in 1321, the University of Florence is now one of the largest Athenaeum in all of Italy. There are many well-known faculties to choose from, including Law, Economy, Political Sciences, Psychology, Agronomy, Architecture, Medicine, Mathematics, Pharmacy, Chemistry and Physics.

Since Florence was the official cradle of the Renaissance, studying at the University of Florence can provide you with opportunities that you won’t be able to take advantage of anywhere else. Many opt for the Bachelor’s degree in the Renovation of Works of Art.

Also, due to Florence’s location in the hills of Tuscany, this makes the production of wine and the cultivation of grapevines an extremely profitable source of income for Florence. Therefore, it is only fitting to offer a Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture as well.

However, if you are attending the university to earn a Master’s degree, there are numerous programmes and courses that are taught in the English language, like European Studies, International Relations and Natural Resources Management for Tropical Rural Development. Some do not even require an admissions exam!

For more information, check out the complete list of courses taught in English.

International Dimension

The University of Florence ranks third in Italy for hosting the largest number of Exchange and Erasmus students, and it is 17th in all of Europe. Plus, the university boasts over 200 agreements with a myriad of European cities, as well Japan, China, Australia, Russia, Brazil, the USA and more.

The university also offers a joint and double Bachelor’s degree, and they are very selective about their enrollees in these courses. Typically only 20 students are allowed to obtain a degree that will be recognized both in Italy and in their home location. A good example is the joint degree that is offered in French and Italian law, which is studied for partially while at Sorbonne University, located in Paris, or one focusing on intercultural languages, studies and literature at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, located in Bonn, Germany.

If you’re an incoming international student, be sure to check out the useful information in our Florence City Guide!

Getting Here

The University of Florence is rather unique, in that it is not located on one campus, but has buildings located throughout the city. This makes the ways that you can arrive at the campus very different.

In Florence, most residents and visitors alike enjoy riding bikes, especially since the city centre is small and easily navigated. However, be sure to watch for rush hour traffic, generally between the hours of 8 and 9, as well as between 18 and 20. It is alo readily suggested that all persons riding bikes should also wear helmets, as do the locals.

Buses are also a great form of transportation, and they run throughout the city up until 2 a.m. Plus, there are also plans to expand the tramway.

Florence also offers a unique opportunity for those who wish to rent cars while in the city. These cars can be rented for short trips at a rate of just 0,25 for km. Plus, the first 15 minutes are always free. Women may also purchase a women’s night voucher, which will allow them to rent a car for 3 euros for 30 minutes.

If you really want to learn how to get around Florence like a local, you can find more detailed information in our helpful Florence City Guide!

Student Neighbourhoods

Each and every year in Florence, approximately 8,400 students enroll at the university. Therefore, plenty of young people live in the city centre, and there are many events geared toward engaging them, along with pubs, supermarkets, shops and the Dome. This is also truly an international city, so expect to hear a myriad of languages spoken!

If you are going to be a part of the faculties for Political Science, Economy or Law, living in the city centre will place you very close to those faculties. You will also be in near proximity to bars and restaurants, as well as only two minutes from the Tribunal of Florence and S. Donato, a large park.

Another popular neighborhood is called "Campo di Marte". It is located south of the city of Florence, but it is also just 10 minutes from the city centre by bus. This makes it a convenient option if you are looking for a more residential area, even though it is close to the Stadium of Florence, home to the city’s football team.

There is so much more to learn about Florence’s bustling neighborhoods, so read on in our informative Florence City Guide!

Common Housing Practices

Florence is actually one of the simpler cities to locate housing in, even with its smaller size in comparison to its larger neighbors, like Rome. There is also a large amount of available housing when Italian students go to study at other universities, leaving their apartments empty and ready to be rented out to another student. Sometimes they also leave rooms available in private residences. This is commonly referred to as a "fuorisede".

Housing Anywhere provides a safe, easy way to deal with many of the issues related to moving away from home. We provide students with tips on the best neighbourhoods to live in, as well as the best places to hang out and meet new people. Check out our tips here!

Most rental agreements typically last for a term of four years, being automatically renovated (referred to as 4+4). It can also be set for the initial three years, and it can then be automatically renovated for three more years (referred to as 3+2). Students who are in Florence only for a short time can arrange rentals that can range anywhere from one month to 18 months as well.

Most students find a shared room, which is ideal when you are on a budget, as that the price will typically start at 250€. Generally a single room will start off at 450€.

To learn even more about finding housing in Florence, be sure to read more useful, pertinent information in our Florence City Guide!

As that the University of Florence is one of the largest universities in all of Italy, you can expect to find many student associations and organizations to assist international students. The two largest and most well-known are AEGEE and ESN Florentia, who are both partnered with Housing Anywhere.

As a student of the university, you will have the option to participate in events ranging from volunteer experiences to professional opportunities. Click the link to find the complete list of events organized by ESN.

With so many students and associations, you will never run out of events to attend. Click here to check out our city guide to learn more information about what to do and where to go while studying in Florence!