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State University

University of Messina: medicine, sciences and law on the Strait between Sicily and Calabria since 1548

Founded in 1548, the University of Messina is among Italy's oldest. With 25,000 students and 70 programmes in medicine, pharmacy, sciences, law and economics, it is the main university of eastern Sicily. CENSIS 79.1/100, 70% employment rate, university hospital and a unique panoramic position on the Strait.

May 2026
Admin
~6 min read
Logo Università degli Studi di Messina
Since 1548 · Strait of Messina2025–2026 · CENSIS Large 79.1/100 · 70% employment
Table of Contents
    University Profile · Università degli Studi di Messina

    UniMe: almost five centuries of academic history at the gateway to the Mediterranean

    The University of Messina is one of Italy's oldest universities — founded in 1548 by Ignatius of Loyola with the support of Emperor Charles V — and the main university hub of eastern Sicily. With approximately 25,000 enrolled students and 70 degree programmes, it covers medicine and surgery, pharmacy, law, economics, political science, humanities, mathematics and natural sciences, engineering and veterinary medicine.

    The 'G. Martino' University Hospital is one of the leading university hospitals in southern Italy, with recognised excellence in cardiac surgery, neurology and oncology. The Faculty of Pharmacy and the Department of Chemical Sciences are among the university's most established and academically recognised areas. Messina also hosts important marine biology research centres — connected to the unique ecosystem of the Strait — and environmental sciences.

    The CENSIS 2025-2026 score is 79.1/100. The employment rate is 70%. 4% of students are international. Messina overlooks its eponymous Strait directly, with extraordinary views of Calabria and Etna, making it one of the Mediterranean's most evocative university settings.

    Academic Programmes · Università degli Studi di Messina

    Academic Areas

    Medicine and SurgeryPharmacyLawEconomicsNatural SciencesEngineeringVeterinary MedicineHumanities
    Data & Statistics

    University of Messina by the numbers

    Active students
    Degree Programmes
    International Students
    Female Students
    CENSIS Score
    Large State
    Employment Rate
    Degrees in English
    Year founded
    Key Indicators
    CENSIS Reputation79.1/100
    Employment70%
    Female Students57%
    International Students4%
    Quality Profile
    History & Tradition · Università degli Studi di Messina

    From 1548 to the Strait: Ignatius of Loyola, Charles V and almost five centuries of Messina scholarship

    The University of Messina was born in 1548 on the initiative of Ignatius of Loyola under the patronage of Emperor Charles V: it was the first Jesuit college in the world to hold university status. This origin makes Messina a symbolic place in the history of European higher education.

    Over the centuries, the Messina university trained generations of Sicilian and southern Italian professionals, surviving the devastating 1908 earthquake — which razed Messina to the ground — and progressively rebuilding its structures. This resilience is an integral part of the university's academic and cultural identity.

    Today the University of Messina is a complete academic hub, with faculties of medicine, pharmacy, sciences, economics, law and humanities covering the educational needs of all of eastern Sicily. Its hospital is one of the leading healthcare facilities in insular southern Italy.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    FAQ — Università degli Studi di Messina

    The University of Messina is one of Italy's oldest (founded 1548) and offers a wide range of programmes in medicine, pharmacy, sciences, law and economics. Its position on the Strait of Messina offers an extraordinary natural and cultural context. Living costs are low, the climate is excellent and the city is well connected to Palermo, Catania and Calabria.
    The university offers some master's programmes in English, particularly in sciences and medicine. The Language Centre organises Italian courses for foreigners. The university actively participates in Erasmus+ with European university agreements and has international collaborations in marine biology and environmental sciences with Mediterranean institutions.
    Messina is a lively and welcoming city, overlooking the Strait with a spectacular view of Etna. Rents are among the lowest in Sicily. The city is connected by ferry to Calabria and by rail and air to all of Italy. Local gastronomy is extraordinary. The university offers accommodation support and dedicated services for international students.
    Yes. The 'G. Martino' University Hospital is one of the leading university hospitals in southern Italy, with high-level specialist departments in cardiology, neurology and oncology. Medical students complete their clinical training in a large hospital with a wide caseload, gaining rich and varied practical experience.
    Related Resources

    Study in eastern Sicily: useful resources for your journey

    The University of Messina is the historic choice among Italian universities for those wishing to study at an almost five-century-old institution at the heart of the Mediterranean. Discover everything about living and studying in Italy.

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