• School of Economics and Management

• School of Agriculture

• School of Humanities and education

• School of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences

• School of Architecture

• School of Engineering

• School of Human Health Sciences

• School of Psychology

• School of Political Science "Cesare Alfieri"

• School of Law

The origins of the University of Florence date back to the Studium Generale set up by the Florentine Republic in 1321. The subjects taught were Civil and Canon Law, Literature, Medicine. There have been illustrious scholars such as Giovanni Boccaccio, who lectured on the Divina Commedia.

The importance of the Studium was ratified with a bull by Pope Clement VI whereby all titles awarded were officially recognised. The course of Theology was subsequently added. The Studium had also the privilegia maxima extended to it, as it was the case with the universities of Bologna and Paris.

In 1364 the Studium became an imperial university. When the Medici came to power in Tuscany in 1472 it was exiled to Pisa. From that time onward there were frequent transfers between Florence and Pisa according to the different changes in the government. Charles VIII brought back the Studium to Florence between 1497 and 1515. Then, a comeback of the Medici moved it again to Pisa. Throughout this period many teachings and research remained active in Florence supported by the numerous academies that came to flourish in the meantime, such as Accademia della Crusca and Accademia del Cimento.

In 1859 with the expulsion of the Grand Duke from Tuscany a unified structure re-emerged in the shape of the Istituto Superiore di Studi Pratici e di Perfezionamento(Higher Institute of Vocational and Advanced Studies). In 1924 the Istituto was officially granted the title of university.

Between 1924 and 1938 the university organised itself into the Faculties of Agriculture, Architecture, Economics, Pharmacy, Law, Humanities, Education, Medicine, Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences and Political Sciences. Engineering was added in 1970 and Psychology in 2002.

The University has various campuses scattered throughout the town and beyond, with the new Science Campus in Sesto Fiorentino, the ones in Empoli and Calenzano. Some teaching activities are carried out also in Pistoia and Prato.

There are two different types of foreign students, depending on their country of residence:

• EU and EU-levelled students
• non-EU students living abroad

The main difference between EU/EU-levelled students and non-EU ones living abroad concerns the need for pre-enrolment with entry visa procedures clearance that non-EU students must follow.  Moreover, EU and EU-levelled future students are not required to sit for the Italian language test and should enrol at the Student Administration Office of the School of choice, whereas non-EU students enrol via the International Desk.

Main deadlines of the various matriculation and enrolment procedures for the new academic year.
All students enrolling in programmes with unrestricted access need to take the self-evaluation test before sitting for any exam. More information on self-evaluation and on admission tests and their calendars.

Students enrolling in set quota programmes need to take an admission test.At the time of enrolment students must pay the first instalment of fees and charges. For detailed information please refer to the Manifesto degli Studi (in Italian), the official source of all relevant information about studying at the University of Florence.

Admission for Non-EU students

Non-EU students residing abroad who intend to enrol in the first year of an first cycle degree (laurea triennale, L) or single cycle degree course (laurea magistrale a ciclo unico, LM c.u.) must:

• have obtained a valid qualification for access to university courses at the end of a school period of at least 12 years (if the qualification was obtained following a shorter schooling period, consult the ministerial provisions on the Studiare in Italia website, attached 1 (pdf) submit the pre-enrolment application to the Italian Representation in the country of origin according to the deadlines set by the Ministry (see the Studiare in Italia website)

Non-EU students residing abroad who intend to enrol in a second cycle degree (laurea magistrale, LM) program must:

1. have obtained a university qualification, valid to access the intended master program
2. have obtained the admission document (nulla osta), issued by the assessment board of the intended master program.
3. submit the pre-enrollment form to the Italian Embassy/Consulate in their Country by the deadline set by the Italian Ministry of Higher Education.

To enrol in any unrestricted access programme, you need to register with the Online student services first and then complete the online application form starting from 9 September up to:

• Midnight on November 28 for first cycle degree (laurea triennale, L) and single cycle degree course (laurea magistrale a ciclo unico, LM c.u.)
• Midnight on December 19  for second cycle degree (laurea magistrale, LM)

The online system, at the end of the data registration, allows you to print the matriculation tuition and fees bill (payable by MAV slip to any Italian bank) which must be paid within the aforementioned deadlines.

It is possible to complete the online enrolment application or pay the resulting fees and charges calculated by the system even beyond the above deadlines until 24 February 2020 by paying an additional late fee of € 100.

All candidates wishing to enrol must complete the online application from the Online student services and hand it in to the International Desk, together with the following documents:

• pre-enrolment application with authentication of the signature and of the photograph, returned by the Italian representative in the country of origin

For first cycle degree and single cycle degree course:

• the original educational qualification or certified copy, with official translation in Italian, legalization and “dichiarazione di valore in loco” by the Italian diplomatic or consular representation of the country where the document was issued
• photocopy of an identity document
• copy of a valid residence permit or receipt of the residence permit application
• receipt of the payment of the first instalment of fees and charges

For second cycle degree (laurea magistrale, LM), future students must also provide:

• A diploma supplement in English, or a certificate indicating the exams passed and related programmes, on letterhead of the foreign university, officially stamped and signed. The certificate and the programmes, if not issued in English, must be translated into Italian or English and provided with an official declaration of conformity issued by the educational institution of origin.

Italian language knowledge test

The test of knowledge of the Italian language for admission to the courses of study is the same for access to all the courses, the date, location and examination procedures are published in Italian language test). 
The candidates who do not pass the Italian language test cannot take the admission tests for the restricted access study programmes nor can they enrol in the free access courses.

Public University of Florence in Italy is regulated by the Ministry of education, which sets educational standards and monitors it implementation. This system exists to ensure that graduates of all universities (regardless of the source of funding) have the same knowledge and skills required for successful work in the chosen field.

The formal system for accreditation of State University programs in Italy began in 1933. This law accredits a set of Universities, faculties, and courses. It involves two separate but correlated programs that were instituted at the same time: First, each University went through a four-step process to adopt and approve its own Regolamenti Didattici di Ateneo (RDA). The RDA establishes the rules for the organisation of teaching at the university, including establishing the requirements and objectives of each degree program, the curricula, credits awarded and requirements and objectives of examinations.

The RDA's were developed in consultation with representatives of the individual university, the regional coordinating committee (CRC), employers and the National University Council and are ultimately approved by the Ministry of Education (MIUR). Second, a series of formal, objective standards was adopted as minimum requirements for approval of any programs.

The University Choir

The University Choir of Florence was founded in 1996. Open to the participation of students, administrative staff and teaching staff, it is the official chorus of the University of Florence. It was made into an association in 2000 with the aim of promoting cultured choral music within the university through the organization of concerts, competitions and festivals. In December 2011 the Choir received the special recognition of 'choir of national interest' from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage  for the quality and excellence of its work.

The Orchestra

The Orchestra of the University of Florence was formed in 1996 to give students and staff the opportunity to live the experience of ensemble musical practice as well as enrich individual musical and technical skills and knowledge. In a fortunate combination of music and science, the Orchestra has opened up to the Florentine community, offering free concerts, during which a classical repertoire is juxtaposed to new pieces or ones expressly created and arranged by contemporary composers taking part in the project.

The Theatre company

The theatre company "Binario di scambio" (switch track), recognized since August 2014 as the University of Florence's Theatre Company, is a specific educational and scientific activity of university students with an experimental approach. Founded by Teresa Megale in the academic year 2006-2007, it is a permanent creative workshop, open to all members, which brings together students of different ages and experiences to put their artistic inclinations and talents to fruition. The Company takes part regularly to the official ceremonies and the initiatives promoted by the University.

The University Sports Centre

The University Sports Centre is equipped with three facilities. It promotes recreational activities and offers courses at basic, advanced and competitive levels in many sports. In addition to that it organises competitions, tournaments, national and international inter-university sporting events.

The University Language Centre

The University Language Centre organises Italian language courses throughout the academic year. Students with international study grants (Erasmus and similar) can attend, during their stay, one Italian language course free of charge, starting from A2 level.