About

Founded in 1996, the Università della Svizzera italiana is a member of the Swiss university system, together with the nine other cantonal universities and the Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich and Lausanne. It is the only Italian-speaking university in Switzerland and comprises four Faculties: Architecture on the Mendrisio campus and Communication Sciences, Economics and Informatics, on the Lugano campus. All the faculties follow the European study plan which awards a Bachelor degree after the first three years of study and a Master degree after the following two years.

Its geographical, political and cultural background has enabled USI to grow into a multilingual academic institution with great international openness. More than half of the students and professors come from abroad and the majority of the Master programmes offered are taught in English, thus creating a cosmopolitan and multicultural environment.

Its small size, close relationships between students and professors, the integration of different disciplines, the generous space and the top-quality technical infrastructure allows USI to offer ideal conditions for study and research.

Services

Administrative services

The administrative services include the USI secretariat, the faculties secretariats and the human resources department.

University Library Services

The University of Lugano offers library services for students, teachers and collaborators, but also open to the public, with headquarters in the Lugano and Mendrisio campuses.

Study Advisory Service

The Study Advisory Service aims at supporting and accompanying students in the choice of a study programme. The Service provides detailed information and is available through the entire academic year to discuss students educational options via email, phone, or personal appointment. Read more

International Relations and Study-abroad Office

This office exists to facilitate the participation of the USIs students and academic staff in different student exchange initiatives. Read more

Sport Service USI/SUPSI

Created to raise the awareness of faculty, staff, and students to the importance of sport, this service promotes and organises various sporting activities and events. Read more

USI Career Service

USI's Career Service aims at fostering exchange and contacts with the professional world, and at acquainting students with the working environment, thus making the transition from the academic world to the workplace easier and more successful. Read more

Alumni

The offices main task is to overlook relations with former students of the University of Lugano, aiming at creating a successful network between former students and the university. Read more

Equal Opportunities Service

The service organises concrete projects and campaigns aimed at generating awareness for gender issues and fostering equal opportunities. Read more

Quality Assurance

Responsible for a sound administration of quality assurance within the University of Lugano, focused mainly on teaching, research, and services to the academic community. Read more

Research Service USI/SUPSI

A joint service of the University of Lugano and of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), aiming to provide support to researchers of both institutions. Read more

Start-up Promotion Centre

The Start-up Promotion Centre has been created with the purpose of providing assistance to Swiss and foreign graduates and, in particular, to those who intend starting up a business in the Canton Ticino. Read more

Student life

The University of Lugano (USI) has 2 campuses: one in Lugano, for the faculties of Economics, Communication Sciences, and Informatics, and the other in Mendrisio (15 km south, closer to the Italian border), for the Academy of Architecture.

In both cities the campus has developed around ancient neoclassic buildings, skilfully adapted to host lessons, laboratories and ateliers. New buildings and infrastructures have recently been added to provide students, faculty and researchers with more highly functional spaces and top quality equipment. The campus is continuously evolving to better address the needs of its growing community.

Classrooms and study rooms, ateliers, computer labs accessible day and night, and libraries equipped with the most modern systems offer ideal conditions both for individual study and for teaching activities.

The contained number of students, the wide availability of top-level resources, and the beauty of the surroundings make USI campuses a safe, friendly and familiar environment, where students, teachers and researchers can engage in stimulating dialogue, take part in extra-curricular activities, and enjoy university life at its fullest.