Scuola Normale Superiore
Pisa, Italy
Quick facts
- World rank
- #168
- Acceptance rate
- 8%
- Students
- 600
- International students
- 29%
- Institution type
- Public
- Founded
- 1810
Overview
Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS) is an elite public research university in Pisa, Italy, consistently ranked among the top 200 universities in the world. Founded by Napoleon in 1810 on the model of France's École Normale Supérieure, SNS is one of the most selective universities in Europe, admitting only around 60 students per year through rigorous competitive entrance exams. Uniquely, studies are completely free — tuition fees are fully reimbursed, and accommodation and board are provided at no cost to students.
Fields of study
- Humanities
- Philosophy
- Letters
- History
- History of Art
- Classics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Natural Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Political Science
- Sociology
Accreditation: ANVUR (Agenzia Nazionale di Valutazione del Sistema Universitario e della Ricerca)
Admissions requirements
- IELTS (minimum)
- —
- TOEFL iBT (minimum)
- —
- GPA (minimum)
- —
- Intakes
- —
- Application deadlines
- Varies by program
- Rolling admissions
- No
- Admissions contact
- concorso.ammissione@sns.it
Requirements differ between programs. Check the program page and the university's admissions office for the latest criteria.
Tuition & costs
International students
Varies by program
From about Free / year
Domestic students
Free / year
No tuition fees. Board and accommodation are free for all enrolled students. Undergraduate students receive an income-adjusted annual scholarship. PhD students receive a scholarship, free canteen meals, and research funding. The School refunds the regional student tax.
Tuition varies by program. Confirm with the university before applying.
Programs
| Program | Level | Duration | Tuition | Deadline | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Jun 22, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Classics (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Apr 13, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| History (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Apr 13, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| History of Art (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Apr 13, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Modern Literature (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Apr 13, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Neuroscience (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Jun 22, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Philosophy (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Apr 13, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Political Science and Sociology (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Aug 3, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Politics, Economics and Sustainability (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Master's | — | Varies | Varies | — |
| Quantum Technology and Nanoscience (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Jun 22, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Romance and Italian Philology in the Digital Turn (FROID) (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | May 15, 2026 | 2026-2027 |
| Transnational Governance (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | Varies | Varies | — |
Information last verified Oct 4, 2026. Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Fees, deadlines and requirements change — always confirm with the university.