The University of Pisa is a public institution with twenty departments, and high level research centres in the agriculture, astrophysics, computer science, engineering, medicine and veterinary medicine sectors. Furthermore the University has close relations with the Pisan Institutes of the National Board of Research, with many cultural institutions of national and international importance, and with industries, especially those based in information technology, which went through a phase of rapid expansion in Pisa during the nineteen sixties and seventies.

The University of Pisa was officially established in 1343, although a number of scholars claim its origin dates back to the 11th century.

The earliest evidence of a Pisan "Studium" dates back to 1338, when the renowned jurist Ranieri Arsendi transferred to Pisa from Bologna. He along with Bartolo Da Sassoferrato, a lecturer in Civil Law, were paid by the Municipality to teach public lessons.

The papal bull 'In supremae dignitatis', granted by Pope Clement VI on 3 September 1343, recognized the 'Studium' of Pisa as a 'Studium Generale'; an institution of further education founded or confirmed by a universal authority, the Papacy or Empire. Pisa was one of the first European universities that received this papal attestation, which guaranteed the universal, legal value of its educational qualifications.

The subjects taught first were: Theology, Civil Law, Canon Law and Medicine. In 1355 Francesco Da Buti, the well-known commentator of Dante's Divine Comedy, began teaching at the "Studium".

Pisa and its "Studium" underwent a period of crisis around the turn of the 15th century: the Florentines' conquering of the town ruined its economic and social life. However, there is a lack of documented evidence on the University's regular functioning for decades.

In 1473, thanks to Lorenzo dei Medici, the Pisan Studium resumed its systematic development and the construction of a building for holding lessons was built in 1486. The building - later known as Palazzo della Sapienza (The Building of Knowledge) - was located in the fourteenth-century Piazza del Grano. The image of a cherub was placed Above the Gate 'Dell'Abbondanza' (the Gate of Abundance), leading to the Piazza, which is still today the symbol of the University.

Following the rebellion against Florence in 1494 and the war following, the Pisan Studium suffered a period of decline, and was transferred to Pistoia, Prato and Florence. The ceremonial re-opening of the University, on 1 November 1543, occurred under the rule of Duke Cosimo I dei Medici, who was considered as a second inauguration. The statute of 1545 improved the quality of the University and the Pisan Athenaeum became one of the most notorious in Europe for teaching and research. Luca Ghini held the chair of "Semplici" (Botany), and was the founder of the world's first Botanical Gardens, succeeded by Andrea Cesalpino, who pioneered the first scientific methodology for the classification of plants and is considered a forerunner in the discovery of blood circulation. Gabriele Fallopio and Marcello Malpighi lectured in Anatomy and Medicine.

Galileo Galilei, who was born and studied in Pisa, became a professor of Mathematics at the Pisan Studium in 1589.

The University's role as a state institution became even more noticeable during the Medici Grand Duchy period. A protectionist policy ensured that there were a consistent number of scholars and teachers: laws issued by Cosimo I, Ferdinando I and Ferdinando II obliged those who intended to obtain a degree to attend the Studium of Pisa. This period sees various illustrious figures lecture at Pisa, especially in the field of law and medicine.

The University's development continued under the dynasty of Lorenas. They completed the construction of the astronomic observatory (a project initiated by the Medicis), as well as enriching the University Library with important publications, developing the Botanical Gardens and Natural Science Museum and they established new chairs, such as Experimental Physics and Chemistry. 

The annexation of Tuscany to the Napoleonic Empire resulted in the transformation of the Studium into an Imperial Academy: the Athenaeum became a branch of the University of Paris and the courses and study programs were structured following the French public education model. Five new faculties were established (Theology, Law, Medicine, Science and Literature), along with examinations, different qualification titles and graduation theses. In 1813 'La Scuola Normale Superiore' was established, as a branch of the 'Ecole Normale de Paris'.

The Restoration wasn't able to erase the effects of the Napoleonic experience. The first Congress of Italian Scientists was held in Pisa in 1839. 421 scientists and over 300 experts of various disciplines discussed zoology, comparative anatomy, chemistry, physics, mathematics, agronomy, technology, botany, vegetation physiology, geology, mineralogy, geography and medicine.

In 1839 - 1840 the Director of Education, Gaetano Giorgini, brought about the most important reform in the University of Pisa by raising the number of faculties to six (Theology, Law, Literature, Medicine, Mathematics and Natural Sciences) and created the world's first chair of Agriculture and sheep farming.

In 1846 the Scuola Normale was re-opened. Meanwhile, liberal and patriotic ideals were spreading at Athenaeum and a battalion of the University - composed of lecturers and students - distinguished itself in the Battle of Curtatone and Montanara in 1848.

During the 'Second Restoration', in 1851, Leopoldo II united the universities of Pisa and Siena in a unique Etruscan Athenaeum, which was motivated partly by economic reasons, but primarily for political control. The faculties of Theology and Law rested at Siena; while those of Literature, Medicine, Mathematics and Natural Sciences remained at Pisa. Following the Florentine insurrection and the fleeing of the Grand Duke in 1859, one of the initial measures imposed by the Provisory Government was the restitution to the city of Pisa of its Studium with all six of its faculties. 

With the birth of the Kingdom of Italy, the University of Pisa became one of the new state's most prestigious cultural institutions. Between the second half of the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries the following prestigious lecturers taught at Pisa: the lawyers Francesco Carrara and Francesco Buonamici, philologists Domenico Comparetti and Giovanni D'Ancona, historians Pasquale Villari, Gioacchino Volpe and Luigi Russo, philosopher Giovanni Gentile, economist Giuseppe Toniolo and mathematicians Ulisse Dini and Antonio Pacinotti. The first European institute of Historical Linguistics was founded in Pisa in 1890. 

During the years of fascism the Pisa Athenaeum was an active centre for political debate and antifascist organisation. 

After the Second World War the University of Pisa returned to the avant-garde in many fields of knowledge. During the 1900s, the University continued to grow and the Engineering and Pharmacy faculties, were established before the war, and then after the Second World War the Economics, Foreign Languages and Literature and Politics faculties were established. In 1967 the 'Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e Perfezionamento S. Anna' was founded which, together with 'La Scuola Normale', formed a highly prestigious learning and teaching centre.

If you would like to practise your own religion in Pisa there are many opportunities.

If you are Catholic, in the historical centre there are more than 40 churches. The churches in downtown are often monuments of historical and artistic interest. Many of these, however, are freely accessible, such as: Chiesa di Santa Caterina, Chiesa di San Frediano, Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri and Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina.

The San Frediano University Church, located in Piazza San Frediano near Sapienza, offers guidance and special services and welcomes all students wishing to worship in the church.
The Church offers discussions and confession, Holy Sacraments, Bible lectures and the Apostoline Sisters offer personal talks and meetings to listen to the word of God.

San Frediano
Tel. +39 050 46190

For those who practice the religion of the Waldensian Church there is the Chiesa Valdese of Pisa in the historical center of the town.

Chiesa Valdese
Via Derna 13, Pisa - Website

If you are Muslim there is the Islamic Cultural center where people meet to profess their faith. The Center is in the heart of town.

Islamic Cultural center
Via Delle Belledonne 16, Pisa
Tel. +30 050 45466

If you would like to practise the Jewish religion there is a Synagogue in the town centre.

Synagogue
Via Palestro 24, Pisa
Tel. +39 050 542580 - Website

If you are Buddhist there is the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Pomaia, a little town a few kilometers from Pisa. It is the most important Buddhist centre of Italy and one of the biggest Buddhist centres in Europe.

Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa
Website

In Pisa there is also a group named Gruppo buddista di Pisa.
Mobile +39 338 7544251

Pisa is a university city full of life. Its centre boasts a wide range of meeting places: piazzas, bars, pubs, restaurants, pizzerias, clubs and live music pubs. Around Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza delle Vettovaglie you have the chance to plunge into the heart of a youthful lifestyle and enjoy the classic "happy hour" in one of the many bars of this area.

The cultural life in Pisa revolves around museums, cultural associations, cinemas and theatres where programmes of events include theatre, concerts, opera, dance and other events.

The most important theatre is the Teatro Verdi located in the city centre, built between 1865 and 1867 which was officially opened with the opera "Guglielmo Tell" by Rossini. This theatre has one of  the biggest stages in Italy. Besides the Teatro Verdi there is Sant'Andrea Theatre located inside the Romanesque Sant'Andrea Church (12th Century).

There is also CinemaTeatroLux located in Santa Caterina Square in the ancient chapel of SS. Salvatore (14th Century). The two latter theatres often host shows of local companies at very cheap prices.

If you like going to the cinema, there are many in the city centre as well as outside the medieval walls. At the Arsenale Cine Club you can find movies in various European languages. Wednesdays is

Spectator's Day at the cinemas, so tickets cost only 4,50€ instead of 7,00€. Many young people take advantage of this discount to go to the cinema.

If you like exhibitions many of them are hosted at the Palazzo Blu and at the Expo Center SMS San Michele degli Scalzi.

Events

During the year you can participate in several events. Don't forget to mark the following dates on your calendar:

May

The feast of Saint Ubaldo, flower market along the river Arno at Le Piagge.

June

In this month many events are organized, which is why residents call it "giugno pisano".

• 16th June: the Luminara, on the eve of the feast of the Patron Saint, all the façades of the buildings on the Arno embankmentsare illuminated by candles and nightlights (also called lampadini). The feast, also called "the Lights of San Ranieri" reaches its climax with a beautiful firework show.
  
  
• 17th June: Palio of San Ranieri, feast of Pisa's Patron Saint. In the afternoon four boats representing the colours of the most ancient districts of the city take part in a regatta on the river Arno. This is a vestige of the prestigious tradition of Pisa as oneof the ancient Maritime Republics.
  
  
• Last Sunday of June: the Battle of the Bridge (Gioco del Ponte). It is played on the Ponte di Mezzo (the Middle Bridge) between the teams of Tramontana and Mezzogiorno. The Gioco del Ponte starts in the evening after the historical 16th century costume parade.

Mid October

Pisa Book festival: reading, publishing workshops and discussions take place and food is also available.

End of October

Dolcemente Pisa. Festival of typical sweets of the Tuscan tradition.

November

Pisa Vini: an important exhibition dedicated to wines and to the typical high quality products of the Pisa area.

More

Every second week end of the month, Pisa hosts a craftsmanship market.

Every second and fourth Saturday of the month in Piazza Santa Caterina there is a food market with a wide variety of local and organic vegetables, honey and cheese.

The University of Pisa is not a campus-based university and instead has its buildings and departments spread throughout the city.

In terms of accommodation, students usually find housing through the city's many estate agents or by checking out postings placed on notice boards in each of the University's departments. Students often share an apartment with other Italian or international students. The cost of renting a room is roughly 250.00/400.00 euros per month excluding the cost of utilities and the individual share of general expenses for the building's maintenance.

DSU Toscana (Regional Agency for the Right of Study) offers accommodation to students who win the DSU scholarship. For more information, please read art. 18 of the call for application.

 ♦ When to start looking for an accommodation

To look for an accommodation in Pisa could be challenging, especially if you arrive when lessons already started. The International Office cannot help you finding an accommodation but can support you with information about dedicated portals and websites. We strongly recommend you begin your searching quite early and book an accommodation well in advance (before your arrival). We suggest you that the right time to book an accommodation in Pisa is in summertime, namely June and July. This is the time when most of the students leave the city for Summer holidays and rooms are available for renting.

For a more detailed list of accommodation in Pisa, please consult our guide, attached at the bottom of this page.

♦ Safestay Hostel

They offer special discounts for Unipi students as you can see in the flyer attached at the bottom of this page. To book a room, please, visit Safestay Hostel website.

Plus, you can consult the Comune of Pisa's website Walking in the City to find a complete list of accommodation (for a short period of stay) and facilities.

 ♦ HousingAnywhere

To book your accommodation in Pisa before your arrival, University of Pisa recommends HousingAnywhere, the international housing platform for mobile talents. Through HousingAnywhere you can safely book your new room, offered by verified private landlords and by outgoing students.

To receive a 20% discount on the booking fee, a University of Pisa VIP profile and priority access to the listings, sign up here.

NB: First you will have to pay the entire price and then e-mail Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo. to have that amount back.

You can find information about finding your new place on the how it works page. Do you need more information or have a specific question? Send an e-mail to Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo..    

 ♦ Cerco Alloggio

Find your accomodation is a service that has been recently activated to find accommodation for students. It is funded by the Regione Toscana and the ARDSU (the Regional Programme for the "Right to Study"). It is a web-based application where you can find single or shared rooms and flats.”

 ♦ What do you need to know when signing a rental agreement for a private accommodation

Carefully review the rental agreement for a private accommodation (single or double room and studio). When you visit the apartments, check if the price they ask you is consistent with the settled price and make sure you are clear on all the services and household items the rent includes. For example, is the cost of bills inclued or not? Are there any extra costs? Is the washing machine available? Remember that landlords will ask you to pay a deposit (usually is equal to 2 o 3 monthly rent). To be sure that you do not forget anything, note down all the details and, when it comes the signing step, check both price and rental conditions in the contract have remained the same.

The cost of living in Pisa can be quite low but of course this depends on a student's individual needs and how much is spent on monthly rent.

A suggested monthly budget could be:

Option 1: student living in his/her own room in a rented apartment

Accommodation with utilities: 350/400 euros +
Food: 300 euros +
Other living expenses 150 euros =
TOTAL: 800/850 euros

Option 2: student living in a rented studio apartment

Accommodation with utilities: 600/700 euros +
Food: 300 euros +
Other living expenses 150 euros =
TOTAL: 1050/1150 euros

The cost of some basic food items in Italy is the following:

• Milk (1 litre) 1,60 euro
• Coffee (1 cup) 1,20 euro
• Loaf of bread (1 kilo) 3,50 euros
• Pasta (1 kilo) 2 euros
• A beer at a pub 5 euros
• Whole pizza + drink 15-20 euros
• Bus ticket within the city 1,40 euros
• Magazines 1-5 euros
• Newspaper 1,70 euros
• Movie ticket 8-12 euros

By plane: Pisa International Airport "Galileo Galilei" offers a large and ever-growing number of flight connections with Europe, America and Asia. It is the preferred hub in Tuscany for Low Cost companies as well as for major airlines. The airport is very close to the city centre, and can be reached very quickly by bus, "people mover", car or bicycle.

By train: Pisa Central railway station offers frequent connections with Florence, Lucca, Viareggio and other Tuscan destinations as well as with major Italian and European cities. The train journey to Rome takes 3 hours. For further information see the official FS Italiane website.

Transportation in the city: the urban bus service is operated by the CPT (Pisa Transport Consortium). By far the most popular means of transportation among students, given the convenient size of the city, is by foot or by bicycle.

All students enrolled at the University of Pisa, including exchange programme students, are covered by insurance.

The University of Pisa has activated an accident policy for students of the University. This is a broad insurance cover which, in addition to providing for basic guarantees, also covers the costs of treatment incurred for the treatment of the accident and a daily allowance in the event of hospitalization and immobilization of the limbs.

The policy was activated with the company Poste Assicura S.p.A. with the number 90104. Find out moreat this link. 

Who is insured?

Under this policy, the list of those covered is very broad, and includes: students, undergraduates, foreign exchange students, PhD students, research assistants, interns, postgraduates, specializing students, students with scholarships, master's students, those on traineeship courses, refresher courses and the like, representatives who carry out work for the benefit of disabled students, experts and visitors, and in any case all those engaged on behalf of or with the University of Pisa for an academic or research activity, at university facilities and at third party institutions.

For what, how and where are you insured?

Given that it is an accident policy, you are only covered for the following damages that result from an accident and thus, for example not those caused by illness.

Those who fall into the student category are automatically covered by insurance:

• for all activities carried out in the university facilities;
• for travel between the various university facilities;
• for participating in sports activities organized by the University of Pisa or operated by the CUS (University Sports Centre), with the exclusion of certain types (boxing, weightlifting, wrestling in its various forms, hiking with rock or ice climbing, caving, ski jumping, waterskiing, acrobatic skiing, bobsledding, rugby, skydiving, paragliding and air sports in general);
• for travel from home to the university facilities or to any other facilities open to students.

All other activities elsewhere (other universities, research organizations, companies etc., worldwide) are covered by insurance if:

• carried out under the auspices of the University of Pisa;
• authorized by an officer of the University of Pisa.

*in this case, it means the director of the department of reference, the president of the course of studies, and so on.

Guarantees and coverage

The basic guarantees are:

• for death: 250,000.00 Euros (two hundred and fifty thousand euros)
• for permanent disability: 250,000.00 Euros

In the reimbursement for permanent disability, an exemption system is included, which penalizes permanent damage of a lower ranked disability, but favours the most serious cases.

Some additional guarantees are also included:

• Daily allowances for:
  • Hospitalization: 50,00 Euros a day (up to a maximum of 300 days);
  • Immobilization of one or more limbs: 50,00 euros a day (up to a maximum of 100 days).
• Compensation for medical expenses with a maximum of 10,000.00 euros (ten thousand euros), which includes:
  • Hospitalization stays and fees;
  • Surgery and operation fees;
  • Use of the operating theatre, equipment, therapeutic, prosthetic and endoprosthetic appliances used during operations;
  • Examinations, laboratory and diagnostic tests;
  • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatments, baths, supplies and other necessary medical treatments;
  • Transport of the injured person to the hospital or clinic and safe return home by ambulance and/ or special rescue vehicles;
  • Medical and nursing services, medicines, blood, plasma, purchase and/ or rental of prosthetic and sanitary appliances and similar equipment.

In the event that a payment of a daily allowance is provided, this is only paid for any excess over the original compensation allowed for medical expenses.

In the event that the person insured is not considered treatable at the hospital nearest to where the accident happened, a reimbursement is included of up to 3,000.00 (three thousand) euros for the transfer fees to the hospital closest to the place of residence of the injured person.

What to do when there is an accident

If the accident happened in a scientific, educational or services building (department, interdepartmental centre, etc.) or while travelling to the said structures, the following original documents must be sent to:

David Arduini
Settore Economato e Servizi Generali
Lungarno Pacinotti, 43/44 - 56126 Pisa
(tel. 050 2212163 - e-mail: Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.):

• copy of first aid medical certificate, or the equivalent;
• description of the events, with the date, time and place of the accident indicated and the process of the event by filling out the form*;
• information from any potential witness who was present at the accident;
• entire contact information about where to access the company’s insurance information needed to deal with the accident;
• If it is a sports injury, statement issued by CUS (e.g. arbitration report) which states that the activity carried out was amongst those organised by the University of Pisa or managed by CUS Pisa;
• Any further documents that may be considered useful.
  • *A signature is essential for the authorization of the processing of personal data required for dealing with the accident.
  • If the accident happened outside of one of the structures previously mentioned, send the documentation listed above to:

Direzione Didattica e Servizi agli Studenti
Settore Studenti - Esami di stato e servizi esterni
Largo Pontecorvo, 3 - 56124 Pisa
(ala nord - sportello 8 - orario 9-12 dal lunedì al venerdì)
referente: sig.ra Antonella Mannucci
tel. 050 2213438-424 - fax 050 2213408 - e-mail: Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.

The student must then follow the prescribed treatment and keep all receipts, invoices and anything else related to document the expenses incurred.

He/she will then receive from the insurance company the information and documentation to use for the processing and closure of the reimbursement procedure.

Our goal is to provide for the needs of our incoming international students and guests. Our office runs a welcome service which is set up as an information and support centre solely for international students and teaching staff.

The Welcome Office provides information on visas and residence permits, the possibility of attending Italian language courses, services offered by the University and in the city of Pisa such as public transport, cultural, recreational and sports events.

Info

Ufficio Accoglienza - Welcome Office
Lungarno Pacinotti 44 I-56126 Pisa - Italia
Tel. +39 050 2212249
e-mail Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.

Opening hours
Monday - Friday 11-13
Português, Español, English, Français
中文 周一15-17 周三11-13 or send an e-mail to Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo..

Funding for students' activities

Every year, the University of Pisa assigns part of its budget towards the organization of cultural, sporting and recreational activities. Usually, the call for the allocation of these funds is published in the autumn. Some of the activities that have been funded in the past include conferences, exhibits, publications, student newspapers, film reviews, theater and musical activities, video production and sports activities.

The requests may be made by the president of students' associations and committees in which at least 70% of the members are enrolled at the University. They may also be requested by the leader of groups composed of 5 University students. Some of the financed activities have been a Film festival, the Pisa Rock Festival, the Pisa Folk Festival, amongst others.

Please consult the activities financed in 2015 (only in Italian).

Funding for students' trips

The request may be made by the president of students' associations and committees in which at least 70% of its members are enrolled at the University. They may also be requested by the leader of groups composed of 5 University students. Previous trips include visits to factories such as Danone in Vidolasco (CR) or Maserati in Rome; the National park of the Majella (Abruzzo); London and Istanbul. For more information, please visit the related page (only in Italian).

Besides the Orchestra and the Choir, you can also sign up to participate in many other university associations:

• The VOICES OF HEAVEN GOSPEL CHOIR is formed by a group of 30 people (some of whom are students) who come from various Italian regions and share a love for singing, in particular for Gospel music. The choir performs at social events which may include the support of humanitarian and volunteer activities at a local, national and international level. Since 2010 the VOHGC has also performed in wedding celebrations which involve Catholic, Evangelical or non-religious rituals.
  
  
• A.L.A.P. Associazione Laureati Ateneo Pisano (Alumni association).
  
  
• E-Team. Squadra Corse is the University's racing team which is made up of students from Engineering and other departments.
  
  
• Radioeco is the Student web radio at the University of Pisa.
  
  
• Ingegneria senza frontiere (ISF) is an association involved in international cooperation in developing countries. In collaboration with other organizations, ISF implements appropriate sustainable technologies which can work in a given social and cultural context.
  
  
• Chiesa Universitaria di San Frediano is the University Church of Pisa.