Where to study psychology in Italy: best universities for employment, research and internships
Understanding how the human mind works is complex and requires solid preparation, both theoretical and practical. This is why choosing the right university is critical, especially for international students who want a globally recognized and expendable degree.
Italian universities with psychology courses score highly in international rankings. According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Padua rank among the top 20-25 universities in Europe for Psychology and among the top 70 in the world, respectively.
To provide a more comprehensive overview than a simple ranking, we have created a selection of the best universities for psychology in Italy based on combined indicators: graduate employability, research quality, services and facilities, and international reputation.
Methodology: how we constructed our ranking
To make an analyze as transparently and objectively as possible, we cross-referenced more recent data from official and independent sources.
Data on graduate employment come from AlmaLaurea reports, which monitor employment rate, time to labor market entry and consistency between studies and profession. Research quality was assessed through the results of the VQR published by ANVUR, which analyzes the scientific production of Italian university departments. Finally, we considered Censis indicators of services and facilities and international ranking in the per-subject QS World University Rankings.
Top 5 best psychology universities in Italy
University of Padua: excellence in research
Padua is among the historically strongest universities for psychology in Italy. The department achieves excellent results in ANVUR evaluation and maintains a solid international reputation (69th place worldwide for Psychology according to QS). The employability of graduates is among the highest in Italy, and the educational offerings include various fields, including: clinical, developmental, neuroscience and occupational psychology.
It is a highly coveted university for those imagining a future in research or doctoral studies; every year it attracts thousands of students from abroad as well as from all over Italy, and the admission selection is competitive.
- Censis score for bachelor’s degree programs: 107
- Censis score for master’s degree programs: 87.5
- AlmaLaurea percentage of student employment one year after graduation (for Clinical Psychology LM-51): 49 percent
University of Bologna: excellent employability
TheUniversity of Bologna stands out for its employment results. According to AlmaLaurea, the employment rate of the university’s master’s graduates is higher than the national average, with good consistency between studies and professions.
Students can do internships in university laboratories or at external institutions, including collaborations with the Regional Health Service (AUSL of Bologna). The university also participates in international research projects with institutions such as University of California and Université de Montréal.
- Censis score for bachelor’s degree programs: 106.5
- Censis score for master’s degree programs: 91
- AlmaLaurea percentage of student employment one year after graduation (for clinical psychology LM-51): 48.8 percent
Sapienza University of Rome: benchmark for clinical training
La Sapienza offers one of the largest networks of clinical conventions in Italy, thanks to the presence of large hospitals and health facilities in the capital, such as Policlinico Umberto I and Sant’Andrea Hospital. One of Sapienza’s Faculty of Medicine and Psychology campuses is located right inside the Sant’Andrea Hospital.
The variety of master’s degree programs allows students to specialize in areas as diverse as clinical psychology, humanities psychology, communication psychology and cognitive neuroscience. International mobility is promoted through 40 Erasmus agreements for the areas of psychology, social sciences and educational sciences.
- Censis score for bachelor’s degree programs: 84.5
- Censis score for master’s degree programs: 87.5
- AlmaLaurea percentage of student employment one year after graduation (for clinical psychology LM-51): 35.8 percent
University of Trento: teaching quality and international environment
Trent’s psychology faculty is valued for its focus on teaching and less crowded classes than large metropolitan universities. The university focuses on research and innovation, collaborating with organizations and research centers. One example is the Interdepartmental Mind/Brain Center (CIMeC), which integrates neuroscience and psychology in the study of human behavior.
- Censis score for bachelor’s degree programs: 106
- Censis score for master’s degree programs: 110 (highest)
- AlmaLaurea percentage of student employment one year after graduation (for Psychology LM-51 course): 69.1%
University of Milan-Bicocca: neuroscience and clinical applications
Milan-Bicocca stands out for its integration of psychology and neuroscience, with numerous hospital collaborations and a good balance between theory and practice. Graduate placement is also stable above the national average, making it an attractive choice for those who want to combine clinical training and professional opportunities in the city of Milan.
- Censis score for bachelor’s degree programs: 92
- Censis score for master’s degree programs: 82
- AlmaLaurea percentage of student employment one year after graduation (for clinical psychology LM-51): 61.7 percent
Where to study Psychology in English in Italy
There is a trend in all Italian universities to implement English-language degree program offerings. This is also true for Psychology courses, both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Courses in English meet a demand from both international students and Italian students who wish to travel abroad to seek employment after their studies.
Among the most active universities in this regard are the University of Padua, with master’s programs in psychology in English, and the University of Trento, known for its strong international orientation. The University of Bologna also offers courses with teaching in English or entire international curricula.
What is the best psychology university in Italy?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If your goal is academic research, Padua and Trent represent excellent choices. If you aim for a solid clinical education with many internship hours, Sapienza and Bologna offer the widest networks. If you want to maximize employment opportunities, Bologna and Padua are particularly competitive.
The best choice depends on your career plan, the context in which you want to live, your budget, and the type of college experience you seek. Looking beyond a single ranking allows you to make a more informed and strategic decision.
If you already know where to study psychology in Italy and are beginning your path to enrollment and transfer to Italy Welcome Association Italy can help you. Learn about our services.
