Ca’ Foscari is a public university with a history spanning more than 150 years. Founded in Venice in 1868, it was the first Business School in Italy and the second in Europe. Today, it is recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of its research and its high-level international and interdisciplinary teaching. The main campus is located in Venice, with additional sites in Mestre and Treviso. Our university community includes around 21,000 students and 1,400 faculty and staff members from all over the world.
We contribute to progress through excellence in research, addressing global challenges and generating impact across disciplines. We develop frontier research by actively applying the hard sciences and digital sciences to a centuries-old tradition rooted in the social sciences, humanities, and economics. We are world-ranked in 16 different subject areas and are among the top institutions in Europe in terms of the number of EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie grants. We also host many prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grants.
The University
We offer innovative, interdisciplinary study programmes with an international focus across a wide range of fields – from science and technology to economics and management, from arts and humanities to languages. We enrich our programmes with innovative courses, activities, and workshops to provide an education aligned with the highest European standards. We support students throughout their university experience and facilitate their transition into the workforce through welcome services, orientation activities, and career guidance. With an extensive network, we take part in international training and research initiatives, promoting mobility and exchanges at all levels.
Founded: 1868 (started as Italy’s first business school, evolved into so much more).
Location: A gothic palace on the Grand Canal, Palazzo Foscari
Student Body: 21,000+ students from 100+ countries.
Faculty: 1,000 faculty members (inclusive of researchers) from all over the world.
Our Mission
Global community / innovation / inclusion
Excellence in research and education is essential to addressing global challenges and driving impact across disciplines. We promote a comprehensive study experience: teaching is research-led and attentive to the needs of stakeholders, while student life is dynamic and rewarding. We attract and support a diverse and international community of people who study, teach, and conduct research in the heart of a unique city. As an institution, we are committed to transparency and accountability, and we foster an open, inclusive, and sustainable learning and working environment. Our motto, “Value in Plurality,” reflects our belief that diversity—and therefore uniqueness—is an opportunity for personal growth, exchange, and learning to respect different points of view.
Key Strengths
A strong international profile in Arts and Humanities, with recognised excellence in Classics, Ancient History, History, Archaeology, and Religious Studies. These fields benefit from deep scholarly traditions and active research communities.
A leading University for Modern Languages and Linguistics, distinguished for its breadth of languages taught, high-quality research, and strong international orientation—one of Ca’ Foscari’s historical pillars.
A well-established reputation in the Social Sciences and Management area, particularly in Economics, Econometrics, Business, Accounting, Finance, Politics, International Studies, Communication, Anthropology, and Hospitality
Management. Together, these disciplines reflect a vibrant environment that combines more than 150 years of expertise, analytical rigor and real-world relevance.
Growing recognition in Environmental Sciences, driven by impactful research on sustainability, climate challenges, and territory.
An expanding presence in Digital and Information Sciences, especially Computer Science and Engineering Physics, highlighting the university’s commitment to innovation and technological development.
Numbers
■ 21,000 students, including 1500 international students each year
■ 1,000 faculty and staff members from all over the world
■ 8 departments spanning the academic spectrum
■ Top 3 in Italy for internationalisation (not surprising given the location)
■ 1 million+ volumes across five specialised libraries
The Campus Experience
■ Palazzo: Built in 1452, housing the Aula Baratto, with views on the Grand Canal.
■ Modern Facilities: State-of-the-art labs, digital humanities center, advanced language learning resources.
■ Sustainability: Palazzo Foscari is one of the oldest buildings in the world to receive a LEED certification.
■ Student Life: International Welcome Unit, career services, student associations, and dedicated spaces for collaboration. Plus, the entire city becomes your campus.
