Parthenope University Naples: economics, engineering and marine sciences on the Gulf of Naples
Parthenope University — heir to the 1919 Naval University Institute — overlooks the Gulf of Naples with 14,000 students and 50 programmes in economics, management, naval engineering and marine sciences. CENSIS 83.7/100 (12th medium state), 73% employment rate. Italy's most scenic university campus, with views of Vesuvius.
Parthenope: economics, nautical sciences and management on Italy's most beautiful seafront
The University of Naples 'Parthenope' is a state university strongly focused on economics, management, engineering and marine and environmental sciences. With approximately 14,000 students and 50 degree programmes, Parthenope has built a solid reputation in business economics, management, law, naval engineering, sport sciences and marine and environmental sciences.
Its privileged geographical position — the main campus overlooks the Gulf of Naples directly, with views of Vesuvius and the Gulf islands — reflects the university's historic vocation in nautical sciences, meteorology, oceanography and maritime economics. Parthenope University is the heir to the prestigious tradition of the Naples Naval University Institute, dating to 1919.
The CENSIS 2025-2026 score is 83.7/100 (12th among medium state universities). The employment rate is 73% and 4% of students are foreign, with active Erasmus+ agreements. For those wishing to combine solid economic or scientific training with one of Italy's most scenic university campuses, Parthenope is an original and stimulating choice.
Academic Areas
Parthenope University by the numbers
From 1919 to marine sciences: Parthenope and Naples' nautical tradition
Parthenope University has its roots in the Naples Naval University Institute, founded in 1919 to train professionals in navigation, maritime trade and nautical sciences. This institute inherited the tradition of the Royal School of Navigation from the Bourbon period, which had made Naples one of Europe's leading centres of nautical knowledge.
Transformed into a state university after the war and renamed Parthenope — after the siren who, according to legend, founded Naples — the university progressively expanded its offering to include economics, law, engineering and environmental sciences alongside the traditional nautical programmes.
Today Parthenope is a comprehensive university that retains its original vocation in marine sciences and maritime management, areas in which it holds distinctive competences. The campus on Naples' seafront, overlooking Vesuvius and the Gulf islands, is one of Italy's most scenic.
FAQ — Università degli Studi Parthenope – Napoli
Study marine sciences in Naples: useful resources for your journey
Parthenope University Naples is the ideal choice among Italian universities for those wishing to combine economics and marine sciences on Italy's most scenic gulf. Explore the guide to master's degrees in Italy and discover everything about living and studying in Italy.



