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At a glance

Founded in 1996, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) is Switzerland’s only Italian-speaking public university. Located in southern Switzerland, with its main campus being in Lugano, USI offers easy access to Zurich, two hours away, Milan, one hour away, and Como, only 40 minutes away.

Despite its Italian-speaking context, exchange programmes are taught in English, reflecting USI’s strong international outlook, showcasing a highly diverse community with members from 115+ countries.

A young, dynamic, and relatively small university, USI fosters a close-knit, cosmopolitan environment with strong student engagement. It is organised into six faculties and emphasises interdisciplinary, interactive, and practical learning.
Established : 1996
Student Population : 4749

Website and links

Website :

Who can go

Students on degree programmes in the following subject areas may apply to study abroad during their Junior Honours year at Università della Svizzera italiana:

• Philosophy

Semesters Available

• First Semester
• Second Semester

Note: Joint Honours students may only apply for a full year abroad if BOTH subjects are listed above. Joint Honours students applying for one semester must seek permission from both Schools.

Study abroad coordinator

Each School has a designated Study Abroad Adviser.

Your studies abroad

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø academic requirements

• Minimum Credit in Academic year : 48
• Minimum Credit in Semester : 24
• Maximum Credit in Academic year : 60
• Maximum Credit in Semester: 30
• Module Weighting : 3,5,8

Partner Course Catalogue :

See our Credits and Modules Abroad webpage for information on the number of credits we expect students to take at our partner institutions. St Andrews expects students to attend all classes as part of their programme abroad. Assessment methods may vary across partners and could include class participation, continuous assessment in the form of homework and final exams. All courses must be agreed with your Study Abroad Coordinator. See our academic information webpage for further details, as well as information about credit and grade conversion.

Application and selection

This is a School Abroad programme.

Places available

Places available : Places will be confirmed during the selection process each year.

Places available may vary from year to year depending on the exchange balance. Numbers for the following academic year will be confirmed at the information meeting.

Getting there and getting around

If you arrive at Lugano airport, you can go to Serocca train station (5 minutes away) and reach Lugano in just 30 minutes. The University is approximately 20 minutes away from the train station on foot.

If you arrive at Zurich airport, you can take the train from the airport to Zurich train station, 9 minutes long, and then to Lugano, approximately 2 hours.

In Lugano, there is a good bus service and a train station. It is well connected to both Italy and the rest of Switzerland.

Accommodation

USI offers two student residences, one in Lugano and one in Mendrisio, mainly reserved for exchange students. However, the university also encourages students to look for private accommodation, as they are unable to offer accommodation to everyone.

When looking for accommodation, you can rely on support from the University .

Please note that St Andrews is unable to guarantee housing at any of our partner institutions. Guidance on finding accommodation abroad is available on the Global Office webpage.

Student services and orientation

Please be aware that student support services will be different across all of our partner universities.