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
International faculty, small size, dynamic attitude and informal atmosphere, good infrastructures, connections to the labour market, and a favourable context within the Swiss university system – these are all elements that are much appreciated by students and that make for a rewarding study experience at USI.
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.
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
USI’s flexible structure allows for decisions to be made swiftly, thus enabling the fluid exchange of ideas. Researchers at the University are provided with an unfettered and open access to the world to develop projects independently.
Career
The Career Service supports USI students and graduates entering the job market, in particular it:
- Promotes internship opportunities, coordinating curricular and extracurricular internships.
- Provides career-oriented services and preparation of the application dossier.
- Organizes information sessions and meetings with a variety of companies and organizations.
- It is available to USI graduates for a career counseling and continued support.
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Key Statistics & Highlights
- #251 Ranking
- 54 Scholarships
- 267 Academic Staff
- 3,097 Students
- 2,075 Students (int'l)
- 1,487 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
5000 EUR
Deadline
15 May 2026
Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship
Merit-based
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
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial 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
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
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
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Student Reviews & Awards
4.4
Based on 96 reviews
- 5 Star 61 Reviews
- 4 Star 23 Reviews
- 3 Star 4 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 5.5% 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.
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.
Best Global Universities Rankings
No 2026 Ranking
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 586 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
- Housing Service: looking for an accommodation can be stressful; through the Housing Service you will receive support in this process;
- Careers and Alumni: always ready to suggestions on how to improve your curriculum and support your job research during and after your studies;
- Sports Service: over 50 weekly courses and a Gym at complete disposal of all students;
- International Relations and Mobility: planning a semester abroad is a good way to stand out with your study profile;
- Library: the library offers various multimedia tools and a comprehensive collection of periodicals. It also provides photocopying services and individual spaces for studying with facilitated opening hours.
Housing services
The best option for our students is to find a shared apartment (with other students or with locals) or a studio apartment for a bit more privacy: a series of links and suggestions are available at our Housing Service Facebook Page as well as by contacting directly our Housing Service.
Students who come to USI for an exchange Semester are invited to contact the Housing Service directly.
Library services
Founded in 1996, the University Library Lugano is the body responsible for organizing documents (books, periodicals, electronic media etc..) within the Lugano faculties of the Università della Svizzera italiana. The Library responds to aims of study, research and Information.
ICT services
The Lugano Campus offers members of the USI community:
- various study areas equipped with PCs and printers;
- Wi-Fi connection in all parts of the campus;
- a copy-and-print facility ("Copy center");
Campus life
The Lugano campus is divided in West and East campus.
- The West campus is home to the Lugano university library, lecture rooms, event theaters, cafeteria, study areas, offices for the academic staff as well as the Student Services.
- The East campus (established in 2021) is eserved for the Faculty of Informatics as well as the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences it is a hub of shared spaces, a multi-purpose hall, an exhibition space, a canteen, a crèche and sports areas.
The Campus of Mendrisio is allocated to the Academy of Architecture. The campus is located in various administrative, educational, research, study and service buildings.
Sports facilities
A Service for Sport and Leisure has been set up to promote joint sporting activities and to coordinate local members’ participation in national and international university sports events.
Over 50 weekly courses and a Gym at complete disposal of all students;
Student clubs
Several student associations have been created within the University. The main objectives are to improve relations between students and the institution and to enrich the range of educational and recreational offer during school. The associations are concerned mainly with the collection of didactic material, organisation of parties and meetings, cultural and sporting events, and networking among University students and the business world.
Some of the acknowledged student associations active at USI are listed below:
ACE Swiss
- AGORÀ - Pastorale Universitaria
- AIESEC
- Associazione Studentesca Ratio
Associazione Militare delle Università Ticinesi
- Blockchain club
- ESN Lugano
- Il Letterificio
- Law and Politics in USI
L'universo
Accreditation
USI 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 2023: 240th globally (out of 1500 universities considered)
- THE World University Rankings 2023: Range 201-250 (out of 1799 universities considered)
- THE World's Best Small Universities 2022: 15th worldwide among small universities.
- THE Young University Rankings 2022: 57th worldwide among ‘young’ universities (less than 50 years old)
- QS Top 50 Under 50 2021: 26th worldwide among ‘young’ universities (less than 50 years old)
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Switzerland Country
Lugano City
#2 Branch Campus
Switzerland Country
Mendrisio City