University of Parma: medicine, pharmacy and food sciences in the world capital of food since 962
Founded in 962, the University of Parma is among the world's oldest. With CENSIS 87.4/100, 28,000 students and 80 programmes in medicine, pharmacy, food sciences, engineering, economics and law, it is embedded in the Emilian Food Valley. Parma is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and home to EFSA — the European Food Safety Authority.
UniPR: medicine, food sciences and pharmacy in the world capital of gastronomy and home of EFSA
The University of Parma is one of the world's oldest university institutions, with roots dating to 962 AD, and the main university of the Emilian city. With approximately 28,000 enrolled students and 80 degree programmes in medicine and surgery, pharmacy, food sciences, industrial and computer engineering, economics, law, psychology and biological sciences, UniPR is a comprehensive university with a very strong vocation in health and nutrition sciences.
The Faculty of Food and Drug Sciences is UniPR's most characteristic excellence: Parma is the world capital of food — Parmigiano-Reggiano, Parma Ham, Culatello di Zibello — and home to EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority. This unique combination creates world-class research and career opportunities in the food sector. The Faculty of Medicine with the Parma University Hospital is another pillar.
9% of students are international, with active Erasmus+ agreements with over 350 European universities. The employment rate is 80%. Parma was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015, recognising the city's unique role in the global food ecosystem. The campus is distributed through the historic city centre, in charming squares and historic buildings.
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University of Parma by the numbers
From 962 to the Food Valley: over a thousand years of knowledge in the world capital of gastronomy
The University of Parma has origins dating to 962 AD, when Emperor Otto I recognised a school of law and medicine in Parma, making it one of the world's oldest university institutions. Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance the Parma university trained jurists and physicians of European renown.
The link between the University of Parma and food sciences consolidated during the twentieth century, in parallel with the rise of the Parma agri-food district — Parmigiano-Reggiano, Parma Ham, Barilla — to world excellence. The creation of specific food technology and food science programmes made UniPR an international reference point for this sector.
The establishment of EFSA in Parma in 2002 further consolidated the city's and university's food vocation, creating unique synergies between academic research and European food safety regulation. Parma is today recognised worldwide as the capital of quality gastronomy.
FAQ — Università degli Studi di Parma
Study in Parma: useful resources
The University of Parma is the most flavourful choice among Italian universities for those wishing to study food sciences, medicine and pharmacy in the world capital of gastronomy. Discover everything about living and studying in Italy.
