10 Fun, Crazy & Surprising Facts About Studying at Italian Universities

Studying at a university in Italy is an unforgettable experience. Beyond the world-class academic heritage, gorgeous historic campuses, and affordable tuition, student life in Italy comes with its own unique traditions, quirks, and cultural rituals.

Whether you are an international applicant or preparing for your entrance exam, here are 10 fun, crazy, and surprising facts about studying at Italian universities!

1. The Oldest University in the World is Italian 🏛️ The University of Bologna (Università di Bologna), founded in 1088 AD, holds the official title of the oldest operating university in the world. It was here that the word "universitas" was first coined to describe a community of scholars and students!

2. Graduation Pranks: The Wild Papiro & Papirata Tradition 🎉 Graduating from an Italian university (Laurea) is not a quiet ceremony. Friends and family prepare a giant custom poster called a Papiro, filled with embarrassing childhood photos, funny caricatures, and rhyming poems about the graduate. The graduate is forced to wear silly costumes, read the poster aloud while drinking prosecco, and endure friendly pranks!

3. Top Grades Go Up to "30 e Lode" 🌟 In the Italian university grading system, exam scores are marked out of 30, with 18/30 being the passing grade. If a student delivers an flawless, exceptional exam performance, the professor awards 30 e lode (30 with praise), the highest academic honor!

4. Oral Exams (Esami Orali) Are Big Business 🗣️ Unlike many countries where university exams are strictly written multiple-choice or essays, Italian universities heavily feature oral exams. Students sit face-to-face across a desk from the professor (and in front of a live audience of fellow students!) to answer questions and defend their knowledge.

5. You Get Multiple Retake Opportunities (Appelli) 🔄 Failed an exam or unhappy with your grade? In Italy, you can reject a grade (rifiutare il voto)! Universities offer multiple exam sessions throughout the year called Appelli (usually in January–February, June–July, and September). If you don't like your score, you can simply retake the exam in the next appello.

6. Laurea Crown: Wearing the Laurel Wreath 🌿 When a student officially defends their thesis and graduates, they are crowned with a Corona di Alloro (laurel wreath) worn around their head. This ancient Roman tradition symbolises triumph and academic achievement — and you will see newly crowned graduates celebrating all over Italian university plazas every graduation season!

7. Aperitivo is an Essential Study Break 🍹 In Italian university towns like Bologna, Milan, Padua, and Turin, student life revolves around Aperitivo. Between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, students gather at local bars to enjoy a Spritz or glass of wine accompanied by a free buffet of pizza, pasta, and snacks — the ultimate budget-friendly social study break!

8. Tuition Costs Are Tied to Family Income (ISEE) 💶 Public higher education in Italy is exceptionally accessible. Tuition fees at public universities are calculated based on your family's financial situation using the ISEE indicator. Depending on your income bracket, annual tuition ranges from €0 (full fee waiver) up to around €2,500/year — a fraction of university costs in the US or UK!

9. No Mandatory Attendance in Many Faculties 📚 At many Italian public universities, attendance for lectures (frequenza non obbligatoria) is optional for non-lab courses. Students can choose to attend lectures in person or study independently from prescribed textbooks and lecture notes (appunti) before taking the exam.

10. The Ultimate Graduation Score: 110 e Lode 🏆 Your final degree grade in Italy is calculated out of 110 points, combining your course GPA with your final thesis defense score. Achieving 110 e lode is the ultimate mark of distinction on an Italian university diploma!

Ready to Start Your Italian University Journey? Before you can wear the laurel wreath and enjoy university life in Italy, you need to pass your entrance exam! Explore free prep courses and timed mock exams for TOLC-F, TOLC-E, TOLC-I, and Bocconi on Weprepuni (https://weprepuni.com/exams).