Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Ca' Foscari University of Venice overview
Ca' Foscari University of Venice, housed in a Gothic Venetian palace overlooking the famous Grand Canal, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1868. Established as the Royal School of Commerce, it became the first business school in Italy and the second in Europe. Its founding was championed by leading intellectuals such as Luigi Luzzatti, Edoardo Deodati, and Francesco Ferrara, who envisioned an institution that would educate not only merchants but also the economists of the future. Since its founding, Ca' Foscari has placed great importance on language learning, offering instruction in both Western and Eastern languages — a tradition that remains one of the university's defining characteristics to this day. Over the years, the university expanded by adding faculties of economics, foreign languages (a first in Italy), humanities, and natural sciences, ultimately attaining full university status in 1968. Ca' Foscari is renowned for its emphasis on economics, humanities, and foreign languages, consistently ranking among the top universities in Italy and Europe in these fields. Ca' Foscari continues to serve as a major center for research and education, attracting leading academics and producing successful graduates across a wide range of disciplines.
About Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Ca' Foscari University of Venice, housed in a Gothic Venetian palace overlooking the famous Grand Canal, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1868. Established as the Royal School of Commerce, it became the first business school in Italy and the second in Europe. Its founding was championed by leading intellectuals such as Luigi Luzzatti, Edoardo Deodati, and Francesco Ferrara, who envisioned an institution that would educate not only merchants but also the economists of the future. Since its founding, Ca' Foscari has placed great importance on language learning, offering instruction in both Western and Eastern languages — a tradition that remains one of the university's defining characteristics to this day. Over the years, the university expanded by adding faculties of economics, foreign languages (a first in Italy), humanities, and natural sciences, ultimately attaining full university status in 1968. Ca' Foscari is renowned for its emphasis on economics, humanities, and foreign languages, consistently ranking among the top universities in Italy and Europe in these fields. Ca' Foscari continues to serve as a major center for research and education, attracting leading academics and producing successful graduates across a wide range of disciplines.
Ca' Foscari University of Venice faculties and programs
Ca' Foscari University of Venice scholarships and financial aid
Italian universities offer scholarship programs for international students. These scholarships typically range from 5,000 to 12,000 EUR per year and may also be awarded to cover the full cost of one year of tuition. The DSU scholarship is one of Italy’s best-known scholarships and is awarded by the Italian government based on the student's family financial situation. In order to apply for this scholarship, the student must have already received a university acceptance.
Ca' Foscari University of Venice Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Prospective international students wishing to apply to undergraduate programs offered by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice must fulfill the admission requirements listed below.
- Completion of 12 years of primary and secondary education (students who completed high school in 11 years are required to complete a 1-year foundation/preparatory program)
- A language proficiency document of at least B2 level with international validity for English-taught undergraduate or graduate programs in Italy (such as IELTS or TOEFL)
- Sitting for the YKS exam (both the TYT and AYT sessions are required)
- Participation in and achieving the required score on entrance exams administered by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR) for undergraduate programs such as Medicine, Psychology, Engineering, Economics, and Architecture
- Alternatively, sitting for the SAT exam for programs such as Business Administration and Economics
Prospective international students wishing to apply to graduate programs offered by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice must fulfill the admission requirements listed below.
- 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- Strong GPA
- Completion of at least 180 ECTS credits during undergraduate study
- English Proficiency Certificate for programs taught in English (English Proficiency Certificate obtained from internationally recognized English proficiency exams such as IELTS and TOEFL i-BT)
- Italian Proficiency Certificate for programs taught in Italian
- GRE/GMAT score may be required depending on the admission requirements of the specific program applied to.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the Ca' Foscari University of Venice application process.
Take a closer look at Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Ca' Foscari University of Venice is located on a historic campus centered around the Ca' Foscari palace. This 15th-century Venetian Gothic masterpiece, which once served as the residence of Doge Francesco Foscari, stands on the Grand Canal. Having witnessed numerous historical events and transformations over the centuries, the palace has served as a commercial hub and even as a temporary residence for King Henry III of France. Today it houses the university's administrative offices and some of its academic departments. Beyond the main palace, the campus extends throughout the historic center of Venice, with various departments housed in restored palazzos and former monasteries. Notable buildings include Ca' Dolfin, home to the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage, and the Renaissance-era Palazzo Malcanton Marcorà, which houses the Department of Linguistics and Comparative Cultural Studies. For students seeking accommodation, Ca' Foscari offers options both on and off campus. The university has two student residences in Venice: Camplus Santa Marta, a modern complex near the main university center, and DoveVivo Campus Venezia, located near San Giobbe, which provides easy access to the Economics campus.
Student life at Ca' Foscari University of Venice is shaped by academic traditions, cultural events, student organizations, and sports activities. Ca' Foscari continues to maintain traditions such as Welcome Day — held annually at the beginning of the academic year — during which new students are introduced to university life through events and campus tours. Another important tradition is the Venice rowing races, which students participate in or attend as spectators. The university's campus, spread across various historic buildings in the heart of Venice, creates an environment that blends the allure of centuries-old architecture with modern student life, giving students the opportunity to engage with both their academic pursuits and the local culture. Students at Ca' Foscari actively participate in various student organizations, including cultural clubs, sports groups, and academic societies. The University Theater Center (CUT), along with the university choir and orchestra, are popular hubs for creative students. Throughout the year, the university hosts a variety of major events, including the International Ca' Foscari Short Film Festival — the first short film festival organized by a university in Italy. Other notable events include Sustainability Week, which focuses on environmental initiatives, and Career Days, which connect students with employment opportunities.
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice has a broad alumni network with many distinguished graduates who have excelled in various fields. Notable alumni of the university include;
- Simone Albrigi
- Michele Boldrin
- Carlo Carraro
- Paolo Costa
- Enrico Dallavecchia
- Giuseppe De'Longhi
- Nicolò Degiorgis
- Giuseppe Durato
- Barbara Frale
- Massimiliano Frani
among others.
Ca' Foscari University of Venice cost of living
Ca' Foscari University of Venice Location
Venice
Ca' Foscari University of Venice Contact
How to Get Into Ca' Foscari University of Venice
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