LUISS RANKS 1ST IN THE CENSIS RANKING OF THE BEST ITALIAN UNIVERSITIES

International development, the right to education, communication, and digital services

 the strengths of the university that has reached the top spot among medium-sized universities

Luiss ranked first in the Censis ranking among medium-sized non-state universities. It thus climbs to the top tier of the best universities, with fewer than 10,000 enrolled students, for its  international development, support for merit, scholarships,  communication, and digital services. These are the three areas Luiss has focused on in recent years, and which it was able to leverage even more during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, resulting in a double-digit increase in applications.

Looking ahead to the next academic year, the Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali has, in fact, seen a 13% increase in applications for master’s degree programs and a 25% increase in applications from abroad, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also driven by the university’s focus on internationalization, which sees over 1,600 students participate in exchange programs each year, thanks to 313 agreements with partner universities in 60 countries and 47 double degree programs, joint programs, the LLM Educational Program, the QTEM Masters Network, and structured partnerships. These numbers show just how much the university has been able to do during such a challenging time. In fact, from the day after its campuses closed during the lockdown, Luiss never stopped. It shifted all teaching activities to digital platforms, enabling over 10,000 students to attend classes, take exams, and graduate remotely, thanks in part to its partnership with Cisco. During this period, communication and digital services played a crucial role in maintaining continuous interaction among the entire Luiss community—students, professors, and staff.

So, we must be careful not to leave anyone behind. For this reason, since May, the University has implemented a plan of merit-based support measures, increasing the number of scholarships by 310. This adds to the more than 700 already planned, bringing the total to 1,000. This is an additional step to support families, current students, and future applicants. These initiatives complement other financial support the University provides, including in partnership with businesses and banks, during this challenging time.

Looking ahead to September, the University has informed students and faculty that about 70% of classes will return to in-person instruction for first-year students in the three-year degree programs of the Departments of Economics and Finance, Business and Management, and Political Science, as well as the single-cycle program in Law. For students in years beyond the first, however, nearly 50% of classes will be held on campus. Class schedules will be optimized to ensure all spaces are managed in a fully safe manner. For this reason as well, language courses and laboratory activities will all be conducted online, and most of them will take place on Saturdays. Furthermore, to ensure a high-quality study experience, both in-person and remotely, all classrooms will be equipped with new interactive devices for team collaboration (digital whiteboards with intelligent 4K webcams). Students will also be able to book study rooms and computer stations for group work with a simple click. The spaces will also be expanded. Starting in September, Luiss campuses will feature two new marquee structures—one with 160 seats—where students can study and attend classes.

For all other extracurricular activities—from workshops to tutoring for students, sports, and employability to prepare for the job market—the University will open its campuses during dedicated hours in the late afternoon and on weekends. These initiatives reaffirm the values of inclusion, openness, and sustainability that drive the entire Luiss community.

This reopening plan actually began in July, with in-person graduation ceremonies and the entrance exam. This year, there will be two dates for the admissions test for all those who wish to enroll in Bachelor’s and Single-Cycle Master’s degree programs : July 29 in seven Italian cities (Bari, Cagliari, Catania, Milan, Naples, Rome, and Reggio Calabria) and July 30 in Rome only.

For more information: https://www.luiss.it/entra-luiss/ammissione-triennali-e-ciclo-unico