Why UniCa?

The story of the University of Cagliari began on October 31, 1620, when King Philip III of Spain signed the foundation privilege. Today, following four hundred years of history, culture, research, and interaction with the territory and its stakeholders, the University is projected to be a strong and dynamic force in the fabric of the nation’s future. With its strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the University provides more than 25.000 enrolled students with a wide range of academic offerings, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees, single-cycle degrees, Ph.D. programs, and specialisation schools. UniCa operates satellite campuses in the entire region of Sardinia: a degree course in Nursing in Nuoro; a specialisation in Economics and Management of Tourist Services (as part of the degree course in Economics and Business Management) and one in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology (as part of the degree course in Biotechnology) in Oristano; a newly launched degree course in Naval Engineering in Olbia. Our University also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with several museums and historical buildings, and many sports activities; all aspects fundamental to guaranteeing its students a complete and high-quality experience. 

The city of Cagliari 

Cagliari is Sardinia's political, administrative, economic, and cultural centre. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the city is the epitome of the island's history contested by Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Pisans, Aragonese, and Savoy. The ruins of the ancient Roman city of Karalis are still visible today. Cagliari has much to offer visitors who adore the sun, sea, and countryside, with the opportunity to experience a unique and rich culture and enjoy numerous open-air archaeological sites and unspoilt natural environments. Cagliari is 'the city of the sun, thanks to its particularly mild climate. The warmth of the locals, the stunning beaches, the cultural activities, the great food, and the particularly mild climate, which has given Cagliari the nickname of “the City of the Sun”, make the capital of Sardinia an attractive destination to visit and a special place to live in. For more information, please visit the dedicated website: Cagliari Turismo: the tourist portal of the city of Cagliari 

The island of Sardinia 

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean with a total area of 24,090 km². Its territory is predominantly hilly and plateaus, while the central-eastern zones are mountainous, with the highest peak measuring 1,834 m. Due to its geo-morphological characteristics, the island possesses some of the most varied natural and climatic ecosystems of any Italian region. The island has undoubtedly been inhabited since the Neolithic. The nuraghes, 3000-4000 years old tholos-shaped stone constructions, are evidence of human presence in remote times. Historically, the Sardinian economy has been based on agriculture, livestock breeding, and fishing. The last fifteen years have witnessed a growth in entrepreneurship and local businesses, especially in tourism and the agri-food industry. For more information about Sardinia, please visit: Sardegna Turismo: the tourist portal of our island 

Italian Language Courses 

Our Italian language courses are designed by the CIS and ISMOKA Office and focused on acquiring knowledge of all aspects of the Italian language (grammar, phonetics, and vocabulary) and developing skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Courses are scheduled for levels based on the EU framework from A1 to B2 for a total of 64 hrs and 6 ECTS. 

REGISTRATION FOR THE UPCOMING ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSES IS NOW OPEN. Click on the following link to find out more: unica.it - Italian Language Courses for Incoming Students

Additional documents for extra-EU students

STUDY VISA 

Non-EU students from a non-EU member state university must apply for a STUDY VISA in order to be enrolled at UniCa as an exchange or a regular student. 

The application must be presented to the Italian consulate of the student’s home country, which will inform about the necessary steps to follow. To facilitate the process, the ISMOKA office can prepare and send both the student and the consulate an invitation letter stating that the student has been admitted to study at our university. For invitation letter requests, please contact incoming@unica.it 

HOW TO APPLY for RESIDENCE PERMIT 

EU students, and Extra-EU students with a valid residence permit in one of the EU member countries, do not need to apply for an additional residence permit to stay in Italy.  

All Extra-EU students who are coming with a STUDY VISA for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit using the "kit Permesso di soggiorno" available at post offices. 

• Go to a post office and take the kit with the yellow stripe. Before starting the procedure, you can ask for information by contacting foreignstudents@unica.it
• Fill in Form 1 thoroughly
• Pay €70.46 at the post office using the appropriate postal payment slip. This sum is required in order to issue a residence permit which lasts between 3 and 12 months
• Put all the required documents: Form 1, a €16.00 value “marca da bollo” (revenue stamp), an A4 copy of your ID, and the other necessary documents in an envelope, but DO NOT close it
• Return the envelope to the post office, paying a €30.00 delivery charge

The post office will give you a receipt with the user ID and password to check the status of your application. Keep it in a safe place until the application has gone through. 

You will receive advice from the post office indicating that you need to go to the police headquarter (Questura) to have your fingerprints taken. Remember to bring with you 4 passport-sized photos. To check the status of your application, visit the dedicated website, logging in with your credentials: https://www.portaleimmigrazione.it/ELI2ImmigrazioneWEB/Pagine/StartPage.aspx 

Once your residence permit is issued, you will receive an SMS to your Italian phone nr. 

In case of lost or stolen documents, you should contact the Questura (Police) or Carabinieri of your district.  

Student life 

Find out about life as a student at the University of Cagliari, exploring the services meant for our students like libraries, canteens, sports facilities, public transportation, social activities, and more to make your experience at UniCa unforgettable. 

Libraries 

At UniCa, all faculties have their libraries where students can find publications, books, reviews, and electronic resources on specific subjects. Information on opening times can be found at the respective websites of the faculties and departments or at sba.unica.it 

Internet services 

Students have access to the wireless internet connection within the University campuses through the Eduroam Service developed for the international research and education community. 

Eduroam allows students, researchers, teaching, and administrative staff from participating institutions to get WLAN connectivity. Those who are not part of the Eduroam service can request a WI-FI account at ISMOKA office. 

SIA 

The responsible office for students with disabilities is S.I.A. (Servizi per l’inclusione e l’apprendimento). It offers a variety of services, including admission arrangements, personal and learning support, advice on equipment purchase, and special exam arrangements. The University has introduced a wide range of services in order to allow students with disabilities and special needs to participate in all aspects of university life. Those who need assistance can write to the following email address: tutor.sia@unica.it or call +39 070 6756222. 

Canteens 

Exchange students at UniCa are entitled to access the four university cafeterias at a discounted rate. Three of them are located within the city. 

The canteen of Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato is open from Monday to Friday, only for lunch. The two situated in via Premuda and Piazza Michelangelo are open from Monday to Saturday, both lunch and dinner. While the one located in via Trentino is accessible for 7 days (on Sunday as well), both lunch and dinner. In order to benefit from this university service, students have to register on ERSU (the Regional Agency for the Right to Higher Education) on the following website:  https://portalestudenti.ersucagliari.it/apps/V3.1/sol/public/.  After the registration, a QR code will automatically be generated, giving you the right to access the canteens. 

CUS 

The C.U.S. (Centro Universitario Sportivo) is the sports centre of UniCa, just a stone’s throw from the Faculty of Humanities in via Is Mirrionis. It features athletic and running tracks, multipurpose gyms and soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball fields.  Incoming students can get access to the facilities by applying for the CUS card, free of charge, at www.cuscagliari.it, creating an account and uploading a document showing the student's status. Both individual and team sports can be practiced, and leagues and tournaments are organized yearly. 

Student Associations 

The student associations provide a significant link between the students and the academic authorities. Their numerous tasks include assistance in finding accommodation, organisation of unforgettable events, such as sports competitions, international gatherings, and day trips all over the island. There are three active associations for exchange students:  

• Dipartimento Medico (Dipartimento Medico | Associazione Dipartimento Medico), which caters to students of the faculty of Medicine and Surgery and helps students cope with medical issues;
• Erasmus Student Network (ESN Cagliari);
• European Law Student Association (Home - ELSA Cagliari).

Accommodation 

The University of Cagliari owns a Guesthouse offering short-term stay (max 1 month) for professors, researchers, and students with 15 equipped single or double rooms. To check availability, requests need to be sent by email to foresteria@unica.it For long-term stay, students can ask the ESN staff for assistance incoming@esncagliari.org 

Public transportation 

If you are going to use public transport in Cagliari and the hinterland, you need to buy a CTM ticket or personal card. As a student, you can have a monthly or an annual ticket with a 60% discount. CTM is located in Viale Trieste 159/3. More information on office hours and ticket prices on the dedicated website: CTM SpA - Home