Studying in Florence – A Guide for Postgraduate Students (2024)

Situated in the heart of the country, Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region. It’s widely regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has a rich artistic, cultural and political history. Today, it’s a European economic centre and hotspot for students and tourists.

This guide covers everything you need to know about studying in Florence as a postgraduate student, covering top universities, living costs, employment opportunities and more.

Why study your postgraduate degree in Florence?

Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer for international students in Florence:

• A rich historical legacy: The origins of the Renaissance can be traced back to 14th century Florence. It was home to some of the period’s most influential artists including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, whose works you can see first-hand in well-renowned galleries such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti.
• Travel opportunities: Florence is nestled at the heart of Tuscan Hills, providing many opportunities for daytrips or longer stays further afield! Many charming hilltop towns, such as Fiesole and Montepulciano, are accessible from Florence by bus. You can also take in Tuscany’s breath-taking scenery by foot on one of its many hiking trails.
• Local cuisine: Florence is famous for its food and wine, from delectable Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) to countless flavours of authentic Italian gelato. Florence’s many open-air food markets sell local produce that you can use to recreate your favourite dishes at home.

Top university in for postgraduate study in Florence

The top-ranked university in Florence for 2023 is the University of Florence, which features in the top 500 of the Times Higher Education Rankings, QS World Rankings and the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.

A public university educating 50,000 students across its 12 schools, the University of Florence has a long history dating all the way back to 1321. It is notable for its leading Law school, which has educated several former Italian Prime Ministers and members of the Italian Constitutional Court.

Today, it offers 70 postgraduate programmes, 11 of which are taught in English.

Living costs for students in Florence

There’s no getting around the fact that Florence is one of the most expensive cities in Italy – but living costs are still relatively low compared to many other European locations.

We’ve put together a list of typical expenses in Florence, using crowdsourced data from Numbeo:

The rent costs above are for one-bed private apartments, but most students choose to save money by opting for student accommodation or living in shared housing. A typical house share in Italy costs between €400-€600 per month. You can find out more in our full guide to accommodation in Italy.

Working during your degree in Florence

Working part time can be a great way to bring in extra income while you study. Students in Italy can work up to 20 hours per week, not exceeding 1,040 hours per year.

Popular student jobs include roles in the service industry, such as waitressing or bartending. You will probably need a basic level of Italian to apply for one of these roles. You may also be able to apply for an on-campus role at your university, such as a research or administrative assistant.

Read more about working during your degree in Italy.

Things to see as an international student in Florence

You’d be remiss not immerse yourself in Florence’s rich culture are history during your stay!

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, was completed in 1436 and once held the title of the world’s largest Church (it still ranks as the third biggest in Europe!). If you can brave the 463-step climb, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views from Florence’s highest point.

The Uffizi Gallery houses many of Italy’s most famous works of art by the likes of Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Students enrolled in a degree programme relating to Archaeology or Art History may even be able to enter for free!

Take a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, one of Italy’s oldest bridges. This landmark bridge is bustling with unique market stools offers stunning views across the River Arno. It is famous for being the only bridge in Italy to be spared destruction during World War Two.

For a sweet treat, make sure to visit Vivoli Gelato, the oldest artisanal ice-cream shop in Florence. When Vivoli first opened for business, it depended on ice shipped down from the Apennine mountains. Fortunately, the invention of the freezer has since made the process much more efficient – but Vivoli’s handmade gelato maintains its original quality!

Graduate careers in Florence

Florence can be a great city to start your career as an international graduate, with many opportunities available in commerce, fashion and hospitality.

As one of Italy’s main cultural hotspots, Florence is a centre from creative careers such as museum curation, art consultancy and graphic design.

Italy offers generous post-study work opportunities for international graduates. EU and EEA students can work in the country without restrictions (you must continue to renew your residence permit, however). Other international students can apply for a temporary post-study permit while they seek work, which is valid for up to 12 months.

Read more about working in Italy after graduation.