General description
Today, the Università degli Studi di Perugia is a modern, multi-campus educational institution whose primary aim is to provide the highest quality degree programmes and advanced scientific research and development. By Italian standards it is considered a medium-sized university and is a public institution and a legal entity, that is, it is entitled to award qualifications with legal validity.
There are currently more than 31.000 students enrolled at the Università degli Studi di Perugia and 1.100 teaching staff members supported by more than 1.000 administrators. The University offers a wide variety of degree programmes in 11 faculties: Agriculture; Economics; Education; Engineering; Arts and Humanities; Law; Mathematics, Physical and Natural Sciences; Medicine; Pharmacy; Political Science; Veterinary Medicine. The University offers courses at its main campus in Perugia as well as at other sites in Assisi, Città di Castello, Foligno, Orvieto, Spoleto, and Terni.
In recent years, the University has developed into an ever more multi-cultural environment. There are more than 1.500 international students enrolled at the University on full degree courses and around 450 students who arrive at the University every year on exchange programmes.
The University structure is further enhanced by the 29 Departments where research and development activities are carried out. The Departments coordinate and promote scientific research, in addition to drafting the annual research plan and producing a report on the results of projects that have been completed. Each Department is headed by its own Director. The University is also the home to various structures and associations dedicated to research and student/non student services, as well as numerous libraries containing rich collections, equipped for every possible research need. These include the Rare Book Library which holds great importance as The Università degli Studi di Perugia is the only Italian University that still maintains its own entire Historical Archive. Recent inventories have revealed that the collection includes some 27 incunabola – first publications printed with movable type, dating back to the 15th century - and about 9.300 prestigious volumes. The collection includes publications printed from the 15th century to the 19th century on a huge variety of subjects from theology to law, from medicine to literature and history. There are also numerous computer labs, internet points, accommodation and dining facilities. To improve the quality of university life, students also have at their disposal the free use of wi-fi internet connection, ad hoc facilities for differently-abled students, and Italian language courses at the CLA (University Linguistic Centre). There is also a University Sports Centre (CUS), which provides students with a variety of activities, including athletics, basketball, chess, climbing, dance, fencing, football, five-a-side football, gymnastics, hiking, judo, karate, parachuting, rugby, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, target shooting, volleyball, wrestling, country/alpine skiing, kick boxing and savate, personal defence, lacrosse, sailing and fitness.
The Università degli Studi di Perugia's constantly updated website offers students an ideal interface to communicate with the University and gain access to information, regarding, for instance, the possibility of signing up for exams via Internet, downloading administrative forms and accessing a personal email provided by the University to each student.