Università della Svizzera italiana

Play your future at Università della Svizzera italiana
Lugano. Bellinzona. Mendrisio.
Three cities. One university. Where ambition begins.

At Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Students are at the center stage. As a young and dynamic university, we offer students an inclusive, creative and dynamic space for growth through a high quality, interdisciplinary and engaging education,
A people-oriented university where everyone can discover and make their voice heard, cultivating their talent and uniqueness.

Portrait

USI is one of the 12 certified public universities in Switzerland and member of swissuniversities.
We offer programms across six Faculties in Italian and/ or English: Architecture • Communication • Economics • Informatics • Medicine and Biomedicine • Theology.
Established in 1996, USI is constantly evolving, always taking on new challenges while remaining true to its three guiding principles: quality, openness and responsibility.

A place, where opportunity comes together

With 4’749 students and 1’591 professors and researchers from 115 countries, our campuses are international, connected and human-in-scale. Small classes mean direct access to professors, ideas move quickly, conversations matter.
This means:

• Close academic guidance
• Strong mentoring relationships
• A safe, supportive environment
• Degrees grounded in quality, openness and engaging education

The Teacher’s/ student ratio of 1 to 7, gives the opportunity to study in a familiar environment, where you are guided and fostered to find your path.

Essential Summary, Big Picture and Startup

We offer Bachelor’s programmes in Italian and English, while our Master’s programme are mostly offered in English.

Application by end of June 2026 (anticipated deadlines for the faculty of Architecture, please consult the website). Late applications are accepted until the semester begins, subject to availability.

Study and Startup your career: USI’s Founders’ Option makes it possible to start your company and earn your master’s degree. It is currently offered as an option in the following programs Master in Financial Technology and Computing, Master in Management and Informatics and Master in Artificial Intelligence.

USI is also active in several study and research areas, among which: architecture, communication sciences, computational science, data science, economics, health studies, humanities, informatics, law, medicine and biomedicine.

Where Swissness meets Italian culture.

Our location is part of our identity.

Positioned between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, USI combines Swiss academic standards with Italian creativity and lifestyle. It’s structured, yet vibrant. Precise, yet imaginative.
We encourage students to:

• Think differently
• Explore boldly
• Turn curiosity into innovation

If you want to be challenged — and inspired — you’ll feel at home here.

Stay up to date

To receive timely updates on open days, opening and closing applications, scholarships, and other organisational aspects: https://join.usi.ch/en/book-a-meeting.

So, why USI?

• Teacher/student ratio 1 to 7
• Direct dialogue with professors
• Strong ties with the business world with our Career Service
• Leading interdisciplinary education
• Opportunities for individual initiative
• International, dynamic and welcoming environment
• Campuses located in Lugano and Mendrisio, two cosy and safe cities, strategically positioned at the crossroads of Northern and Southern Europe
• Located in a region of sunshine, mountains, lakes, culture, outdoor activities, wellbeing and quality of life.

Your future is not something you wait for.
It’s something you play.
Play Your Future at USI.