Sapienza Università di Roma (Sapienza University of Rome), Italy
The Sapienza University of Rome was founded in 1303 and is one of the oldest European universities. It is also one of the largest universities in Europe with roughly 140,000 students. Classics at Sapienza is ranked first in the world by QS World University Rankings 2023.
Please note this exchange is currently pending renewal of the exchange agreement.
Who can go?
Postgraduate research students in the Schools of Classics.
The exchange allows for two students to study abroad for one semester per academic year.
How to apply
In order to apply, you should submit the following to your School’s study abroad coordinator:
- cover letter explaining how the exchange will help your research and what activities you will undertake during your term in the host institution
- CV
- short description of the proposed research at the host institution (up to 500 words)
- letter from your supervisor approving the application and the proposed programme, and commenting on the progress of the student and the relevance of the proposed visit.
If more students apply than there are places, the directors of postgraduates will convene a committee to review all applications and make a decision on the basis of academic merit.
If you are selected to participate in this exchange, you will be required to complete an application for admission to Sapienza. This will include filling out an application, a CV, a letter of motivation and proof of language skills.
Current students can contact study abroad coordinators to find out more.
Your studies
The academic year at Sapienza is split into two semesters:
- Fall semester: September to December
- Spring semester: January to June
Passport and visas
If you are an EU national, you usually won’t require a visa and may enter Italy with your national identity card or passport. However, further information will be provided to you by Sapienza if your application is successful.
You should ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your trip, and for at least six months after you return to the UK. You should scan your passport and keep a copy for your records.
If you are a European Union national, you will not require a visa and may enter the European Union countries with your passport or national identity card. Please note that you may have to comply with legal obligations, such as registering your address with the local authorities.
If you are an international student who has a visa to study in the UK, and you have any questions about the implications of studying or working abroad whilst matriculated at St Andrews, you should consult Student Services by emailing advint@st-andrews.ac.uk. You can also check the passports and visas page for further information.
About the University
Sapienza is located in the heart of Rome, surrounded by museums, and only a quick bus journey to famous locales such as the Pantheon and Vatican City.
Founded in 1303, La Sapienza is a historic university with an expansive academic outreach. La Sapienza ranks highly in Italy for the quality of its teaching and research.
The Department of Classics at Sapienza spans 25 distinct areas of research, covering Ancient Greece, Rome, Africa, and the Near and Far East from prehistoric times to the medieval period. The department is divided into three key research areas:
- archaeology
- Greek and Latin philology
- history, epigraphy and topography (East and Ancient Mediterranean).
Finance
As an exchange student, you will not pay tuition fees to your host university, and will only be liable for your normal St Andrews tuition fees.
Research Council students should make sure that they have their funding body’s permission to study abroad, notifying them particularly for any mobility grants that they may be receiving.
Students from countries outside the EU or with which Italy does not have a social security agreement must pay for health insurance.
Accommodation
Sapienza University does not have student housing but offers a series of affiliated housing agreements and recommendations for finding housing. The Sapienza website provides up-to-date information on housing opportunities and rental agencies.
St Andrews is unable to guarantee housing at any of our partner institutions.
Travel and transport
Rome has two nearby airports and good transportation links once you're in the city.
Fiumicino Airport
The Rome Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci” Airport (FCO) is connected to the city centre via a direct express train which leaves the airport every 30 minutes. The train will take you to Termini Station.
There is also a slower FRI regional train which will take around 30 to 60 minutes. These trains leave every 15 minutes during the week and every 30 minutes at the weekend.
You can also take a taxi, but this will cost more and you should be wary of taxi drivers overcharging you.
Ciampino Airport
There are several bus companies which run direct bus services from Ciampino to Termini Station in Rome (SIT, Terravision, Schiaffini).
Termini Station
From Termini Station, it is a short 20-minute walk to the Sapienza campus. Once at Sapienza, the Metrebus, Rome’s public transport system, runs a variety of different transport services—underground, urban trains, buses and trams—which are easily accessible from the campus.
Student support
To help you settle in at Sapienza, the university runs a Welcome Week in September specifically for international students. Detailed information on the Welcome Week agenda and activities will be sent to you two to three weeks prior to your arrival.
Please be aware that student support services will be different across all of our partner universities.
Contact
Global Office
University of St Andrews
A11
Bute Building
Westburn Lane
St Andrews
KY16 9TS
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2245
Email: studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk