Private University
Private University

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Milan: Italy’s largest private university with global Erasmus mobility

With 42,000 students, 120 programmes and 3rd place in the CENSIS 2025-26 ranking among large private universities (78.0/100), Cattolica Milan is Italy’s largest private university and among the world’s top 5 universities for outgoing Erasmus students. A historic campus with a Bramante cloister, excellence in economics, law, medicine and communication in the heart of Milan.

May 2026
Admin
~5 min read
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#3 CENSIS Large Private Universities 2025–2026 · Score 78.0/100
Table of Contents
    University Profile · Unicatt Milan

    Unicatt: Italy’s largest private university, between the Bramante cloister and a world top 5 Erasmus position

    Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Milan is Italy’s largest private university and one of Europe’s most important Catholic universities, with around 42,000 enrolled students and 120 degree programmes covering all the main academic areas: economics, law, medicine, psychology, education, humanities, political and social sciences, and agriculture. With campuses in Milan, Rome (medicine), Brescia, Piacenza and Cremona, Cattolica is a comprehensive university system.

    Its most remarkable international achievement is its position within the Erasmus+ programme: the university ranks among the world’s top 5 institutions for outgoing Erasmus students, a record that reflects a deeply rooted culture of internationalisation. 6% of enrolled students are international, with agreements with over 500 universities. It ranks 3rd in the CENSIS 2025-2026 ranking among large private universities (78.0/100). The employment rate is 80%.

    The historic campus in Largo A. Gemelli, in the heart of Milan, is one of the most beautiful university campuses in Italy: the Bramante cloister, historic classrooms and internal gardens create an academic atmosphere of great charm, at the centre of one of Europe’s most dynamic cities.

    Academic Programmes · Unicatt Milan

    Academic Areas

    120 programmes across all academic fields in Milan, Rome, Brescia, Piacenza and Cremona

    Economics & ManagementLawMedicinePsychologyEducation SciencesHumanitiesPolitical and Social SciencesAgriculture
    Data & Statistics

    Unicatt Milan in numbers

    Active students
    Degree Programmes
    International Students
    Female Students
    Large Private 2025-26
    #3 CENSIS
    CENSIS Score
    Employment Rate
    Worldwide · 500+ agreements
    Top 5 Erasmus
    Key Indicators
    CENSIS Reputation78.0%
    Employment80%
    Female Students60%
    International Students6%
    Quality Profile
    History & Tradition · Unicatt Milan

    From 1921 to the Bramante cloister: a century of Catholic excellence in the heart of Milan

    Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore was founded in Milan in 1921 by Father Agostino Gemelli — a Franciscan friar, physician and intellectual — with the support of the Federation of Italian Catholic University Students. The foundation took place at a time of intense cultural debate between secular and Catholic culture, and Cattolica set out to become a centre of academic excellence inspired by Christian values.

    Since its foundation, Cattolica has been based in the complex of the Monastery of Sant'Ambrogio ad Nemus, one of Milan’s oldest and most prestigious convents, building its campus around the famous Bramante Cloister. This choice gave the university a unique historical and architectural identity within Milan’s university landscape.

    During the twentieth century, Cattolica expanded by opening campuses in Rome, Brescia, Piacenza and Cremona. The “Agostino Gemelli” Polyclinic in Rome, founded in 1961, became one of Italy’s most important university hospitals, also known for treating John Paul II after the 1981 assassination attempt.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    FAQ — Unicatt Milan

    Cattolica has a deeply rooted international tradition: with over 500 agreements and a mobility culture consolidated over decades, it has positioned itself among the world’s top 5 universities for outgoing Erasmus students. For international students, this means finding a campus that is highly open to cultural diversity.
    The Faculty of Economics is one of the most renowned in Italy, with programmes in management, finance and marketing highly valued by leading Italian companies and multinationals. The Faculty of Communication Sciences, Law and Political Sciences are other recognised strengths.
    Yes. Cattolica offers numerous courses and curricula in English, especially at master’s level in economics, management, political sciences and international communication. Its international network and Erasmus leadership support a multilingual academic environment.
    As a private university, tuition fees are higher than at public institutions. They vary depending on the programme and year. Scholarships, merit-based reductions and agreements with local organisations are available. Cattolica’s scholarship system is among the most generous in the Italian private university landscape: more than 1,700 forms of financial support are awarded every year.
    Non-EU students must complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly and apply for a study visa. EU students enrol directly. For information: international.admissions@unicatt.it or +39 0272345801. Cattolica has a very active dedicated international office.
    Related Resources

    Study at Cattolica: useful resources for your academic path

    Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Milan is the most ambitious choice among Italian private universities for students seeking an institution with an international outlook, excellence in economics and management, and a campus of extraordinary historical beauty. Read the guide to master’s degree programmes in Italy and discover everything about living and studying in Italy.

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