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Ca' Foscari Venice: CENSIS 2nd medium state, Asian languages and management in the world's most beautiful university

Ca' Foscari ranks 2nd in the CENSIS 2025-2026 medium state ranking (93.0/100), with an 85% employment rate and 20% international students. 22,000 students, 80 programmes. Absolute excellence in Oriental languages, economics and environmental sciences in the Grand Canal palace — the world's most beautiful university setting.

May 2026
Admin
~6 min read
Logo Università Ca' Foscari Venezia
#2 CENSIS Medium State · QS Top 6002025–2026 · Score 93.0/100 · 85% employment
Table of Contents
    University Profile · Università Ca' Foscari Venezia

    Ca' Foscari: #2 CENSIS medium state, Oriental languages, economics and environmental sciences on the Grand Canal

    The University Ca' Foscari Venice is one of Italy's most prestigious and captivating universities: second in the CENSIS 2025-2026 medium state ranking (93.0/100), with an employment rate of 85% and 20% international students. With approximately 22,000 students and 80 degree programmes, Ca' Foscari is European-recognised for excellence in Oriental languages and cultures, economics and management, environmental sciences and digital humanities.

    Ca' Foscari's most extraordinary feature is its setting: the historic palazzo on the Grand Canal, one of Venice's most beautiful and symbolic buildings, complemented by modern facilities in the Dorsoduro sestiere. Studying at Ca' Foscari means having Venice — UNESCO World Heritage and the world's unique city of art — as a permanent campus. This geographical and cultural uniqueness is reflected in the university's academic identity, oriented towards internationalisation, intercultural dialogue and environmental sustainability.

    The Department of Asian and North African Studies is world-class for Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Persian languages and cultures. The QS World University Rankings places Ca' Foscari in the global top 600. The university is among the founders of the Coimbra Group and EPIC, networks of leading European universities of excellence.

    Academic Programmes · Università Ca' Foscari Venezia

    Academic Areas

    Oriental Languages and CulturesEconomics and ManagementEnvironmental SciencesPhilosophy and Cultural HeritageDigital HumanitiesPolitical ScienceEuropean LanguagesChemistry
    Data & Statistics

    Ca' Foscari Venice by the numbers

    Active students
    Degree Programmes
    International Students
    Female Students
    CENSIS Score
    #2 Medium State
    Employment Rate
    Degrees in English
    Year founded
    Key Indicators
    CENSIS Reputation93.0/100
    Employment85%
    Female Students63%
    International Students20%
    Quality Profile
    History & Tradition · Università Ca' Foscari Venezia

    From 1868 to the Grand Canal: Ca' Foscari and the Venetian tradition of international commerce

    The University Ca' Foscari was founded in 1868 as the Regia Scuola Superiore di Commercio (Royal Higher School of Commerce), aiming to train merchants, diplomats and cultural mediators for post-Risorgimento Venice, which sought to reclaim its role as a crossroads of international trade. The name 'Ca' Foscari' honoured Doge Francesco Foscari, symbol of Venetian greatness.

    The institution was pioneering in Italy: it was among the first to offer teaching of Oriental languages and trade with the East, reflecting Venice's millennia-old mercantile tradition. During the twentieth century it expanded to include economics, political science, European languages and eventually environmental sciences.

    Today Ca' Foscari is recognised as one of Italy's best universities for international vocation and research quality. Its position in Venice — also a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status for the challenges of human-environment coexistence — makes it a natural laboratory for sustainability sciences.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    FAQ — Università Ca' Foscari Venezia

    Ca' Foscari ranks #2 CENSIS among medium state universities with 93.0/100, with 20% international students and an 85% employment rate. The university offers programmes in Oriental languages (Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Persian), economics, environmental sciences and digital humanities in one of the world's most beautiful cities. The international community is extremely lively and the Venetian campus is a unique experience.
    Ca' Foscari offers numerous master's programmes in English in economics, international management, environmental sciences, computer science and Asian studies. Double degree programmes are available with universities in China, Japan, South Korea, the USA and France. The Asian Studies Department is one of Europe's most renowned for Oriental languages and intercultural studies.
    Living in Venice is an unrepeatable experience: every alley, square and canal is a masterpiece. Rents are higher than the Italian average but the university supports students with subsidised residences. Venice is connected to Milan (2.5 hours), Verona (1 hour), Padua (30 minutes) and has an international airport. Venetian university life is intense, with world-class cultural events, exhibitions and festivals.
    Yes. ESTU (the Veneto Agency for the Right to University Education) manages scholarships accessible to foreign students. Ca' Foscari offers specific excellence scholarships for international students and contributions for double degree programmes. Erasmus+ is very active, with over 500 European agreements. The international office supports students in all bureaucratic aspects, from accommodation to residence permits.
    Related Resources

    Study in Venice: useful resources for your journey

    Ca' Foscari Venice is the most captivating choice among Italian universities for those wishing to study Oriental languages, economics and environmental sciences in the world's most beautiful city. Discover everything about living and studying in Italy.