University Partner
The University of Naples Federico II was founded in 1224 by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, making it not only one of the world's oldest universities, but specifically one of the oldest state-funded, secular universities, established by imperial decree rather than the Church, unlike most of its early European contemporaries. Located in Naples, Italy's third-largest city, UNINA is ranked 379th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. This guide covers exactly what Bangladeshi students need for admission, based on the university's own criteria and current source data.
The University of Naples Federico II, commonly known as UNINA, was founded in 1224 by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. This detail matters more than it might seem: most universities founded in this era, including Bologna and Padua, originated as ecclesiastical or guild institutions, while UNINA was established directly by imperial decree, making it one of the oldest state-funded, secular universities anywhere in the world. This guide is put together by Study Abroad in Italy, drawing on our direct experience preparing Bangladeshi student visa applications for Italian universities including UNINA.
The university is a member of the European University Association (EUA) and is ranked 379th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with particular strength in engineering, technology, science, and medicine. UNINA sits in Naples, the regional capital of Campania and Italy's third-largest municipality after Rome and Milan, with a city population of roughly 967,000 and a wider metropolitan area exceeding 3.1 million residents.
UNINA's own application guidance explicitly names Bangladesh among the eligible non-EU applicant countries, alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, confirming applications from Bangladeshi students are processed through the standard official portal without any additional restriction.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Academic | Varies by department; generally 12 years of schooling for Bachelor's admission |
| English-taught programmes | TOEFL iBT 80-85, or equivalent IELTS score, generally required |
| MOI exemption | IELTS not mandatory for many English-taught programmes if prior education was conducted in English |
| Italian-taught programmes | CILS or CELI certification |
| Competitive programmes | Medicine, Architecture, and some Engineering tracks may require an entrance test or interview |
Note the two-track system here: if your prior education wasn't conducted in English, expect a genuinely higher bar than at many other Italian universities, TOEFL 80-85 or an equivalent IELTS score (commonly interpreted around 6.5-7.0) is a stricter threshold than the 6.0 minimum common elsewhere. If your education was in English, the MOI exemption path may apply instead. Our full guide to Italy's language requirements breaks down the MOI exemption and how universities apply it in more detail. Confirm which track your specific programme uses before assuming either applies.
Beyond its broad strength in engineering, science, and medicine, UNINA offers several specialized international programmes worth knowing about specifically, including Sustainable Ship and Shipping (tied to Naples' maritime industry), Precision Medicine, and Dynamics of Cultural Landscapes and Heritage Management, each reflecting a genuine regional or academic specialty rather than a generic course offering.
International students at UNINA can access DSU Regional Scholarships (Campania's regional student aid body, the same category of support as DSU Toscana or ER.GO in other regions), alongside merit-based tuition reductions and need-based financial aid.
On the work side, UNINA students holding a valid study permit can work part-time up to 20 hours per week during term, and notably, full-time during scheduled academic vacations, a detail not commonly highlighted on other university guides but genuinely useful for managing living costs across the year rather than only during term time. Our scholarship guidance service can help you work out which of these regional and merit-based options you're actually eligible for before you apply.
Tuition at UNINA is calculated based on family income, and international students generally pay competitive rates compared to many European and North American institutions. Exact fees vary meaningfully by programme and household income bracket, so confirm your specific figure directly with UNINA's official website rather than relying on any single third-party estimate, since published figures for this university vary unusually widely across sources.
Department-specific requirements vary meaningfully at UNINA, so confirm your target programme's exact admission criteria first.
Determine whether the MOI exemption applies to you, or whether you'll need a TOEFL/IELTS score at the higher UNINA threshold.
Transcripts and supporting records, prepared according to UNINA's international applicant guidelines.
Some UNINA programmes accept applications directly through Universitaly, while others require university-specific portal submission first.
File your Type D student visa application through the Italian Embassy in Dhaka, aligned with MAECI requirements.
Confirming which application route applies, direct university portal versus Universitaly, is one of the more common points of confusion for UNINA applicants specifically. Our Admission Process service handles this distinction directly, so you're not left guessing which portal to use for your specific programme.
Naples offers a genuinely different experience from northern Italian cities like Bologna or Milan, more affordable living costs, a distinct southern Italian culture, and strong maritime and heritage-focused academic programmes not replicated elsewhere. If you're still comparing cities and institutions before committing, our directory of Italian universities we support applications for lays out admission requirements and costs side by side.
University details above are based on publicly available admissions information for the University of Naples Federico II. Fee amounts, language thresholds, and application routes vary by department and are reviewed annually, so confirm current figures directly with UNINA or with our team before applying.
Our Support
We confirm the exact academic and language requirements for your specific target department.
We assess whether you qualify for the MOI exemption or need TOEFL/IELTS at UNINA's specific threshold.
We confirm whether your programme requires direct UNINA application or Universitaly, and manage the correct route.
MAECI-aligned visa filing and practical guidance for settling into student life in Naples.
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