Self-portrait

An international university that fosters inclusion and dialogue among peoples and cultures, that promotes internationalization—including at the local level—that creates synergies and partnerships both locally and internationally, that focuses on innovation and the use of technology to promote the Italian language and culture, and on training young people who are able to spread it, capable of interacting and communicating in international contexts for the development of peace, dialogue, and exchange among peoples and cultures.

The University for Foreigners of Perugia:

Is a University of small size with a dense network of international relationships, able to attract students from all over the world and to support all its enrollees in their study-abroad journey, offering over 150 possible destinations for academic and internship mobility. The University for Foreigners of Perugia must continue to invest increasingly in the specialization and enhancement of its own skills, focusing on the quality of teaching and research.

Is a University true to its institutional mission, standing out in the Italian academic landscape for its international dimension. Every year, it attracts a high proportion of foreign students, who study in undergraduate, master's, and doctoral courses alongside Italian students, fostering creative and fertile cultural exchange, and guaranteeing quality international study programs.

Is a University that attracts a high number of students even from outside the province and is able to meet its students’ expectations: according to the 2018 ANVUR university indicators, 91.3% (a figure above the national average) of graduates declare themselves “very satisfied” with the program they chose and the extra-curricular skills they acquired.

Is a University that has always been characterized by the cross-disciplinary nature of its research, making multidisciplinarity the methodological basis for the scientific investigation of Italy's linguistic and cultural heritage. To this end, it also benefits from the extensive network of collaborations established by international agreements, while respecting its own cultural specificity and scale.

Is a University that enjoys international visibility and fame due to its tradition of disseminating and promoting Italian culture in all its most important expressions: language, art, music, literature, history, philosophical thought, theater, cinema, lifestyle. From this legacy, it aims to move forward by focusing on the overall quality of its academic offerings, on specialization in its traditional areas of expertise, and on a continuous process of improvement and development.

Is a University increasingly committed to enhancing its postgraduate education system, expanding the range of advanced courses and first- and second-level Masters, paying particular attention to the research doctorate, which must become even more attractive to master’s graduates.

Is a University that has always promoted inclusion and dialogue among peoples and cultures, that values and promotes diversity in all its forms.

The University for Foreigners of Perugia aims to continue growing and to respond positively and with strong determination to the needs of a context closely linked to its mission, which requires ever greater flexibility and dynamism. The international environment, quality of life, and the local characteristics are, for the University for Foreigners of Perugia, important tools to increase its competitiveness and appeal.

The University for Foreigners of Perugia is the oldest and most prestigious Italian institution dedicated to the teaching, research, and dissemination of the Italian language and culture in all their forms.

Its history began in 1921, when the lawyer from Perugia, Astorre Lupattelli, who had long been working on this ambitious project, established the first courses of higher culture in his city with the aim of promoting knowledge of Umbria both in Italy and abroad, and illustrating its history, institutions, natural and artistic beauties.

Until 1926, the courses were held in the classrooms of the University of Perugia, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Italy, and in the Sala dei Notari of the historic Palazzo dei Priori.

Since 1927, the University has had its own premises in the prestigious Palazzo Gallenga, located in the heart of the city.

Alongside the main site of Palazzo Gallenga, there are now the four buildings Prosciutti, Lupattelli, Orvieto, and Valitutti, which, situated in a splendid park in the heart of the city within walking distance from Palazzo Gallenga, are at the center of a building complex that further enhances the facilities dedicated to teaching and research. In addition, there is the prestigious Villa La Colombella, a historic patrician residence surrounded by green hills near Perugia, which completes the valuable assets available to the institution.

With Law no. 204 of February 17, 1992, it was reorganized as a University. In addition to Italian language and culture courses, the University also offers undergraduate and graduate degree courses as well as master's programs.