If you wish to come to Italy to study in Venice, this guide for international university students will be useful. In just 6 questions you will have the essential information to plan your student life in Venice.

Venice is a unique city renowned worldwide for its picturesque canals and rich artistic and cultural heritage. It is an unmissable destination for millions of tourists who stroll through St. Mark's Square every year and get lost in its narrow streets. But Venice is so much more. It is, for example, an excellent city for international students who want to attend university abroad. Here is a short and practical guide: 6 questions and answers to help you orient yourself in your studies and life in this jewel city.

Venice is an excellent choice for studying abroad, offering a mix of historic charm and modern academic facilities. It is no coincidence that almost 30 thousand university students currently live in the lagoon, many of whom come from abroad. The city is home to two important universities, Università Iuav di Venezia and Ca' Foscari University of Venice, both known for their academic excellence and international orientation. Università Iuav di Venezia specializes in architecture, urban planning, fashion, art, and design. Ca' Foscari University of Venice is mainly known for humanistic, linguistic, and economic studies. 

For some study programmes, Venice represents a notable added value. This is the case of the new master's degree courses in English launched by Università Iuav di Venezia for the 2024-2025 academic year, which are precisely focused on the sea and its leading role in Venice:

Università Iuav di Venezia and Ca' Foscari University of Venice both offer programmes in English for international students. If you want to learn about the bachelor's and master's degrees in English offered by Università Iuav di Venezia, browse our academic offerings.

Read also: "Studying in Italy, a short guide for international students"[FR2] 

Student life in Venice is lively and pleasant. The city offers a rich cultural scene with monuments such as St. Mark's Basilica and museums like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, as well as events such as the Venice Biennale and the Carnival. The student community is active, with various clubs and activities at the universities, which also offer extensive support services, ensuring a smooth academic experience. Finally, Venice's compact size makes it easily navigable on foot, and its efficient public transport, mainly vaporetti, is available to students with discounted season tickets.

Students in Venice have several accommodation options. Many choose to live in university residences offered by Università Iuav di Venezia and Ca' Foscari University of Venice, located in various parts of the city, including the island of Giudecca and the mainland area of Mestre. Others opt for private rentals in neighbourhoods like Dorsoduro and Cannaregio, which are close to the main university campuses and offer a lively student atmosphere.

Venice offers a myriad of places for students to explore. Iconic monuments such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge are must-sees. Art enthusiasts have numerous museums and galleries at their disposal. Then there are several city festivals, including the Venice Film Festival. Finally, there are so many opportunities for fun. For example, Campo Santa Margherita, located in the Dorsoduro district, is the beating heart of the "student area" because it is dotted with bars, taverns, and clubs where you can meet for an aperitif, dinner or spend an evening with friends. Then there are the Cannaregio district and Fondamenta della Misericordia, where you can find numerous “bacari” (traditional Venetian bars). These are perfect places to carry out the "bacaro tour", which consists of visiting different places to enjoy cicchetti and spritz. Finally, Venice also has no shortage of discos and clubs.

Venice has a reputation as a very expensive city. A statement that is certainly true if you visit it as a tourist, given that it is a unique and very complex city in the world. When you live there every day as a student, however, there are ways to manage costs. For example, regarding accommodation, while renting a house in the centre of Venice can indeed be very expensive, you can save by sharing apartments or living in university residences. Cooking at home and shopping at local markets can significantly reduce food expenses, and university dining halls offer affordable meal options. Finally, investing in a vaporetto pass is a good idea to save on transportation costs, as it is the main way to get around the city.