Why choose the University of L'Aquila: STEM, research and renaissance in Abruzzo
The University of L'Aquila is Abruzzo's leading state university, with 22,000 students and 70 programmes. CENSIS 82.0/100, 74% employment rate and unique synergies with the Gran Sasso National Laboratories (INFN) for physics and engineering. Campus completely renewed after the 2009 earthquake in a city in full cultural renaissance.
UniAQ: STEM excellence, Gran Sasso and resilience in the Abruzzese Apennines
The University of L'Aquila is Abruzzo's leading state university, located in the heart of the central Apennines. With approximately 22,000 enrolled students and 70 degree programmes, it offers multidisciplinary training spanning engineering, medicine, psychology, natural sciences, economics and humanities. Its privileged location near the Gran Sasso National Laboratories (LNGS-INFN) — one of the world's most important underground physics laboratories — creates unique scientific synergies, particularly for STEM programmes.
The University of L'Aquila is known for a privileged student-faculty relationship that guarantees personalised study paths and particular attention to individual development. The campus, completely renewed following the 2009 earthquake, offers modern facilities and cutting-edge laboratories set in a landscape of exceptional natural beauty.
5% of students come from abroad, with active Erasmus+ agreements with dozens of European universities. The graduate employment rate stands at 74%, with good prospects in engineering, medicine and psychology. The CENSIS 2025-2026 score is 82.0/100.
Academic Areas
University of L'Aquila by the numbers
From 1952 to the Gran Sasso: L'Aquila, science and renaissance after the earthquake
Founded in 1952 as a branch of the University of Rome, the University of L'Aquila gained full institutional autonomy in 1964, becoming the main university hub in inland Abruzzo. In subsequent decades it developed a strong scientific vocation, consolidating partnerships with the Gran Sasso Science Institute and the INFN National Laboratories, helping position L'Aquila as an internationally recognised city of science.
On 6 April 2009, the devastating earthquake that struck L'Aquila profoundly affected academic life: the university was forced to completely reorganise its activities, demonstrating extraordinary resilience. Post-earthquake reconstruction led to deep renewal of teaching facilities, with modern buildings housing cutting-edge research laboratories.
The University of L'Aquila has contributed significantly to the scientific and technological development of central Italy, training generations of engineers, doctors and researchers. Among its faculty and collaborators are leading figures in particle physics, earthquake engineering and neuroscience.
FAQ — Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
Study in Abruzzo: useful resources for your journey
The University of L'Aquila is the natural choice among Italian universities for those wishing to study engineering and STEM at a university in full renaissance, close to the world's most advanced underground physics laboratories. Discover everything about living and studying in Italy.
