The Best Universities for Computer Science in Italy (2026)

Italy has several respected universities offering strong Computer Science programmes, covering areas such as AI, cybersecurity, data science and software engineering. With so many specialisms available, it’s useful to know which universities offer the best mix of theory and practical skills.

In this guide, we’ll look at the best universities for Computer Science in Italy. I’ll keep things clear, so you can stop comparing course codes and start imagining where you might spend the next two years.

There are many reasons why someone might want to study Computer Science at a university in Italy. Here are just a few:

• Italy hosts globally recognised universities renowned for their high quality Computer Science Masters programmes, integrating both theoretical and practical elements.
• Study a forward-thinking curriculum that incorporates the latest industry trends in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity and Software Development.
• Italian universities have strong links with research institutes both locally and internationally offering students the opportunity to work on innovative research projects under expert guidance.
• The country has a rapidly growing tech sector. Studying here provides exposure to these advancements improving the understanding of applied Computer Science for students.

The following tables give the 10 best Italian universities for Computer Science, according to global and local university rankings. It can show you which Italian universities are amongst the best in the world and help you compare institutions on an international level.

This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education, QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Each ranking system uses its own methodology, with different factors having more or less influence on a university's result.

For more information on using international rankings as a postgraduate, see our guide.

The Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics. Additionally, the rankings may not include all specialist institutions.

The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff/student ratio, international recruitment and employer opinion. The rankings are balanced between qualitative and quantitative data, but give less weight to research than some other rankings.

The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. However, they do not directly assess the quality of education at a university or take into account other aspects of university performance.

Tips from the author

Before you settle on a university, here are a few things to consider:

• Check the programming languages taught – If the course still worships only C, you may want a second look.

• Look at industry connections – Links with tech companies can help you find internships and get real experience.

• Consider research strengths – Some universities excel in AI, others in data science or security.

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