History
With the inauguration of USI, in 1996, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland chose to play an active role towards the intellectual and socio-economic growth of the country, and not only – by leveraging at best its convenient cultural position between northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Education
USI offers quality and interdisciplinary study curricula where theory and practice go hand in hand and where students play an important role: small-sized classes are the ideal venue for exercising in groups and for each individual student to express him/herself and thus develop their personalities and their uniqueness.
Direct interaction with faculty enables students to discover unexpected realities within a cosmopolitan and friendly environment, open to international careers.
Classes are taught in Italian, mainly in the Bachelor’s programmes, and English in most Master’s programmes, in doctoral programmes and in Executive education.
Research
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) engages in many national and international research programmes, in a network with partners in several countries. Research at USI is marked by ambitious projects seeking new developments and new solutions through interdisciplinary perspectives in several areas, namely:
- architecture
- computational science
- communication
- data science
- economics
- health studies
- humanities
- informatics
- law
- medicine and biomedicine
Researchers at the University are provided with an unfettered and open access to the world to develop projects independently.
USI engages mainly in fundamental research though it conducts also applied research and projects.
Career
The Career Service supports USI students, new graduates and companies.
The aim of the service is to foster relations and privileged links with the main professional realities and to facilitate, for its students, the transition from the academic world to the world of work through meetings, training and counselling sessions on tools and careers.
The Career Service manages an online database in which job and internship opportunities are offered by companies and institutions in search for talent to be included in their professional context.
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Key Statistics & Highlights
- #251 Ranking
- 49 Scholarships
- 1,591 Academic Staff
- 4,749 Students
- 3,291 Students (int'l)
- 2,236 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Overview
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Scholarships
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Anytime
AUFIN Global Impact Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2027
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
CryptoRunner Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2026
Florida Rentals Annual Dream Vacation Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Student Reviews & Awards
4.4
Based on 93 reviews
- 5 Star 59 Reviews
- 4 Star 23 Reviews
- 3 Star 3 Reviews
- 2 Star 2 Reviews
- 1 Star 6 Reviews
Comprehensive and Enlightening
USI is a university that values international experience, while offering a masters program that is focused on scholastic immersion.
Great journey
It was a great journey and it has been pivotal to achieve my current job position in the crypto valley (Kanton Zug) in a digital bank. The level of knowledge shared in the Minor in Digital Finance was absolutely of high quality. The chance to go six months to HSG was also really appreciated and useful to enhance the future career path. I recommend it especially for being very open and with brilliant professors.
USI Experience
USI is a very international university; while small, it allows students to meet people from all over the world.
Studied here? Share your experience
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 5.6% Switzerland
Top 8.1% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
251
By Times Higher Education
Climbed 50 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 251 | 301 | 251 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
473
By TopUniversities
Dropped 68 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 328 | 405 | 473 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
550
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 36 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 676 | 586 | 550 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
601
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 601 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
- USI Alumni: The University, through its Alumni Service, is committed to maintaining relationships with its graduates and aims to strengthen and develop an international and interconnected USI Alumni community. It seeks to facilitate contact between alumni and the University, the academic staff, and students, and to enhance the alumni community to support the development of USI.
- Career Service: The aim of the service is to foster relations and privileged links with the main professional realities and to facilitate, for its students, the transition from the academic world to the world of work through meetings, training and counselling sessions on tools and careers.
Housing services
Unfortunately, USI does not have on-campus housing capable of accommodating all students.Most students and doctoral students looking for housing must therefore proceed on their own , but can count on the assistance of the Reception and Housing Service .
Library services
The University Library Lugano (BUL) responds to aims of study, research and Information. The establishment of a specialized collection, however, is intended to support not only academic activities, but also the professional and cultural life of the Canton Ticino. The library therefore offers its services to all persons interested in the subjects studied at the University.
ICT services
The West Campus Lugano offers, among other things:
- study areas equipped with computers, and with Internet access and printers;
- wireless connection throughout the campus;
- an ATM;
- a copy center;
Campus life
The West Campus Lugano – or West Campus – is located in Via Giuseppe Buffi 13, Lugano (Switzerland). It is home to USI central administration.
The campus is home to
- the Rectorate of the University;
- lecture rooms and offices for the academic staff of the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, the Faculty of Economics and the Lugano Faculty of Theology;
- event theaters (Auditorium, Aula magna);
- the Lugano university library.
It is surrounded by public gardens, a cafeteria and a number of study areas equipped with computers and Internet access.
The Lugano city centre and lakeside are within walking distance
Sports facilities
As part of the "SostA... verso un Ateneo sostenibile" project, all members of the USI community may benefit from a subscription at discounted rates of the PubliBike bike sharing service with access to the Lugano and Mendrisio networks (PubliBike Map).
Student clubs
Several student associations have been established within the University with the aim of improving student-institutional relations and expanding the range of educational and recreational opportunities during their studies. Specifically, these associations organize parties and gatherings, cultural and sporting activities, and facilitate contacts between students and the world of work.
- Off-course Lugano: Fuoricorso Lugano aims to be the go-to place for university entertainment.
- The Academy Student Organization (OSA): is the umbrella association for students at the USI Academy of Architecture.
- Radio 131 is a space for all USI students who have something to say and want to be part of a community.
Accreditation
USI is in the Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS), which are amongst the world's most popular and well-known global rankings - latest available data:
- QS World University Rankings 2026473th worldwide(out of 1501 universities considered
- THE World University Rankings 2026Range 251-300(out of 2191 universities considered)
- THE Young University Rankings 202444th worldwideamong ‘young’ universities (less than 50 years old)
- THE World's Best Small Universities 20249th worldwideamong small universities (less than 5'000 students)
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Switzerland Country
Lugano City
#2 Branch Campus
Switzerland Country
Mendrisio City