Iuav bachelor’s degrees on the podium: in the latest Censis Ranking, which provides an annual overview of Italian universities, Università Iuav di Venezia ranks first in Italy for its bachelor’s degrees in architecture and engineering (including urban, territorial and environmental planning) as well as those in design and arts.
This major achievement highlights the appeal of design disciplines and recognises the distinctive nature of Iuav’s teaching method, which effectively integrates theoretical coursework with practical hands-on experience in design studios.
The bachelor’s degree in architecture ranks first in Italy for the second time, achieving an overall score of 108 points—an increase from the previous edition's 107.5 points—and placing 2.5 points ahead of Politecnico di Milano. The programme achieved the maximum score (110) for career progression and once again demonstrates its strong demand, receiving 901 pre-enrolment applications for 420 available places. Results are also strong for Iuav’s master’s degrees, with architecture ranking sixth in Italy.
The first-place ranking of Iuav’s bachelor’s degrees in design and arts, achieved in previous editions, is reconfirmed this year with an overall score of 106 points and a maximum score (110) in internationalisation, one of Iuav’s established areas of excellence. Demand for the bachelor’s degree in product, visual and interior design remains high with 590 pre-enrolment applications for 240 available places.
The arts field is further reinforced by international recognition from the QS World University Rankings, which ranks Iuav 14th worldwide for art history (a discipline category that, in the Anglo-Saxon academic system, includes the history of architecture).
Giuseppe D’Acunto, Director of Teaching and Learning at Iuav, commented: “This result represents an extraordinary confirmation of the quality of our educational vision. Being once again the leading Italian university for bachelor’s degrees in architecture, arts and design - and among the top institutions for master’s degrees - validates an educational model that combines scientific rigour, design experimentation, internationalisation and close student-faculty interaction.
This achievement makes us particularly proud because it rewards the daily dedication of our entire academic community: faculty, technical and administrative staff, and students. Our teaching continues to stand out for training conscious, creative and well-prepared designers, architects and artists, ready to tackle major contemporary challenges - from the ecological transition to digital transformation, urban regeneration, and innovation in design and artistic languages.
This recognition is even more significant in today’s increasingly competitive academic landscape. It confirms that investing in teaching quality, student support, and curriculum innovation is the right direction. It is the result of a collective effort that strengthens Iuav’s prestige nationally and internationally.
Retaining our leading position in the Censis Ranking is not a finish line, but a motivation to look further ahead. We will continue to invest with determination in educational excellence, so that Iuav remains the place where new generations of architects, designers and artists are trained to design the future of our cities, landscapes and culture.”
Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year remain open for the bachelor’s degrees in Design (Vicenza campus) until 30 July (1 pm) and in Planning and Urban Design until 27 August (1 pm).
As for master’s degrees, applications can be submitted until 24 August 2026, 1 pm for the following programmes:
– Fashion
– Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment
– Sustainable Transportation and Smart Maritime Mobility