The Sapienza “Open Doors – Porte Aperte” Orientation Event for future university students, their families and anyone interested in learning more about the 2019-20 academic programme and the university’s new services will begin on July 16.

The 23^rd edition of the orientation event will last 3 days from Tuesday, July 16 to Thursday, July 18. Participants will be able to visit the “città universitaria” university campus and speak to professors and personnel who will provide them with information on the degree programmes, enrolment procedures and the activities promote by individual departments. A large pavilion with faculty information stands will be set up at the main entrance on Piazzale Aldo Moro, while the “aula magna” will host presentation conferences on degree programmes (that will also be streamed live on the Sapienza website).

“Every year, our orientation event raises greater interest in prospective and incoming students,” explains Rector Eugenio Gaudio. “Our future students know that by choosing Sapienza they will find a stimulating environment thanks to the vast number of academic programmes and our interdisciplinary programmes. Above all, however, they seek the international dimension of our university. And just a few days ago, the EU Commission selected the CIVIS Alliance, an integrated knowledge area in which Sapienza participates, as one of the university networks to fund. Globally, our university is one of the top ranked; in fact, for the second consecutive year, we are the leading global university for Humanities, according to QS Rankings.”

The main theme of this year’s edition is sustainability. Sapienza has adopted an energy plan that will produce savings and increase the amount of energy sourced from renewable resources, as well as a programme to eliminate the use of plastic water bottles. Moreover, the university has doubled the number of on-campus water fountains and our branded water bottles will be distributed at the event in place of plastic water bottles. 

The three days will also feature cultural and leisure activities with the MuSa – Music at Sapienza Orchestras, performances by Theatron – Ancient Theatre at Sapienza and others. Sapienza Museums will also be open throughout the event with extended opening hours to provide future students with the opportunity to visit our collections related to academic activities and scientific research.

There will also be a stand of the National Civil Service that will provide information on the opportunities it offers. 

The complete programme and the streamed conferences will be available on the university website in the “Admissions” Section.

Academic Year 2019-20

Academic Programmes

For the coming academic year, Sapienza provides 281 Bachelors and Masters programmes, 85 PhD programmes, 195 1st and 2nd level professional master courses, as well as specialisation, training and advanced training courses. The latter include the first European course on “Etiquette and Good Manners” that has been developed in collaboration with the Accademia italiana galateoand started in May. Moreover, there currently are 48programmes held in English (fully, partially or with individual courses).

New Programmes

Construction and Landscape Techniques for Surveyors – programme that will allow graduates on to the professional (Collegi dei Geometri e Geometri Laureati).

Food Science, Culture and Policies for Well-being – a Bachelors programme for food specialists, developed in collaboration with the Univeristy of Tuscia, will train sector experts: from the production of highly nutritional and sustainable recipes to international food policy consultants and e-commerce and food communications specialists.

Archaeological Materials Science – an interuniversity Masters programme with the University of Évora and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The course, which will be held in English, aims to train archaeological specialists with the knowledge, skills and competences necessary for the Archaeometry, a developing area that applies physical, chemical and biological sciences to the study of archaeological materials.

Clinical Psychosexology - this Masters programme, which will be held in English, will be the first in to train clinical psychologists and sexologists in Italy.

Health Economics (Economia sanitaria) - this Masters programme, which will be held in English, aims to develop executives for public and private agencies operating in the health sector. Graduates will direct public or private health facilities and manage typical processes and operations both in national and international bodies and public and private research agencies addressing health policy.

Student Services

In terms of student services, one of the main improvements for this year is the renovation of a 500-square-metre area in the centre of the main university campus dedicated to integrated student services that will provide everything necessary throughout students’ academic careers and help all students with specific needs. The new facilities will also host the Office for Students with Disabilities, which also provides support to students with learning disabilities thanks to a 130 square centre with advanced technology workstations (with ultrasensitive mouse, keyboards, ultrascan devices, etc.). The workstations are configurable and directly connected to nearly a dozen department multimedia labs (including the Rectorate’s Aula Magna) to follow lessons, seminars and other activities remotely. Portable ultrascan devices are also available for use outside the centre and enjoy books and materials that cannot be lent out by libraries and external institutes.

Next door, the psychological counselling service has been stepped up. It now provides frontal assistance to all students who feel they have issues with their studies. Sapienza has also reorganised it sports services. In October, a new facility will open on Via Osoppo with five-a-side football pitches not far from the main campus. And the pool at the renovated sports facility on Via delle Fornaci di Tor di Quinto has been open since July 1.

Opportunities for International Students

There also are new opportunities for students arriving from abroad. Sapienza is decidedly growing more and more international. The Foundation Year Programme is dedicated to students who need to complete their secondary schooling before accessing an Italian university, while a Humanities Summer School has been organised by CIVIS, a network with eight European universities (Sapienza, Aix-Marseille Université, Ethniko kai Kapodistriako Panepistimio Athinon, Universitatea din București, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Université libre de Bruxelles, Stockholms universitet). CIVIS aims to develop an integrated university area for 400,000 students and 55,000 academic and technical-administrative personnel. Other objectives include the promotion of multilingualism and European cultural diversity

For further information: Press and Communications Office (stampa@uniroma1.it)