Going to study in Rome is the dream of many students around the world: its idyllic setting, culture, mild climate, architecture, and history make the Eternal City one of the most sought-after destinations in Italy. Where to find accommodation, what is the cost of living, what are the benefits, and where do students meet are certainly the questions students ask themselves before arriving in Rome.
Student life is undoubtedly one of the most important elements for anyone coming to do their university studies or an Erasmus year, for example, in the Italian capital.
Adapting to student life in Rome
Italy, including Rome, is one of the most popular destinations for European students for an Erasmus experience. Rome is a city of art, culture, fine cuisine and architecture. It offers a privileged natural setting if you study in one of these areas. You will be living in an open-air museum 24 hours a day. The universities in the Eternal City are numerous, offer a wide range of academic programs, and are world-renowned. Moreover, there are numerous exchanges between European and non-European students. Compared to other cities in Europe, the cost of living in Rome is quite reasonable (even compared to Milan, which is the most expensive city in Italy).
However, Rome is a larger city than Milan and can sometimes seem chaotic. In addition, the formalities to be completed can be complex, so if you intend to do an Erasmus course in Rome before actually moving there, be sure to contact your university, school or other institution, as well as your country's consulate in Italy for administrative assistance.
Universities in Rome
The leading public universities in Rome are:
- La Sapienza
- Tor Vergata (or Roma II)
- Università di Roma III
- Foro italico
The leading private universities in Rome are:
- Luiss Guido Carli
- Campus Bio Medico
- Lumsa
Where and how to find student accommodation in Rome
In Rome, there is little or no student accommodation that is actually reserved for Italian students on scholarship. An exception might be Tor Vergata University, which has been designed as an Anglo-Saxon campus, a city in its own right within the city.
In general, students in Rome choose to stay in studios or shared flats. Some flats in Rome have rooms that can be divided into 2 or 3 for those with a limited budget. The price of a posto letto, a shared room, is around €240 per month. The price of a single room, camera singola, varies from €350 to €500 depending on the area, the size of the flat and the number of people living in the flat.
The best way to start looking for accommodation in Rome before the start of the school year is to start looking in the spring and summer until the end of August on websites such as Uniaffitti, Dotstay, Camplus (new university residence), or Roomtastic. The Erasmusu forum is an excellent way to get in touch with students looking for accommodation in Rome. You can also join Facebook groups such as Stanze e Posti letto in affitto a Roma.
The best areas to look for accommodation in Rome are those that are popular with other students and close to the university where you will be studying. For example, there are many places to rent in San Lorenzo, San Giovanni, Piazza Bologna, Ostiense-San Paolo and Pigneto.
The most popular areas for students in Rome
Testaccio
This is an old working-class district of Rome south of the historic center. Testaccio is known for having some of the best restaurants in the city. Still somewhat traditional, it is popular with expats and students who want to experience authentic Rome. However, the nightlife is active with many traditional bars and trattorie.
San Lorenzo
This area is a favorite with students as it is home to one of the most important universities in Rome, La Sapienza. It is also home to the Verano Cemetery. San Lorenzo is also known for its cheap bars and typical Roman restaurants. If you are a street art lover, this area is also famous for the artworks that are produced here. The San Lorenzo Art District website lists all the artworks in the area and the names of the artists on a regularly updated map.
San Giovanni
This is a historic area of Rome as it is home to one of Rome's four major basilicas, San Giovanni in Laterano. It is well-served by two metro lines, the A and the C, and is ideal for students.
Administrative procedures for international students in Rome
As an international student in Rome, you will have to deal with specific administrative procedures. But don't panic; your university will be able to provide you with sound advice on how to overcome the slow and complex processes. In any case, you should apply for the following:
(before leaving, at the Italian Consulate in your country of origin)
- A Codice Fiscale (unique personalized tax code) ;
- A visa to study in Italy if you come from a country outside the European Union (see our article “Long stay visa in Italy”);
(once in Italy)
- Residence permit, permesso di soggiorno (for non-EU students and renewable every year) to be requested within eight days of your arrival in Milan from the Prefecture of Police ;
- Health insurance from the National Health Service (included in the cost of the residence permit).
To apply for the student residence permit in Italy, you will have to provide the following documents:
- the required form, duly completed;
- the passport, or any other valid document, together with your visa;
- a copy of the same document;
- four recent passport photos;
- the documentation required according to the type of residence permit requested (work, study, etc.);
- payment of the procedural fee for obtaining the student residence permit (from €80 to €130, depending on the type and duration of the stay, plus administrative costs and tax stamps, respectively €30 and €16).
Cost of living in Rome
The budget for an international student in Rome is estimated at between €800 and €1,000 in total per month. As mentioned earlier in this article, accommodation costs between €250 and €500 depending on the type of room you choose and is, in fact, the most expensive part of studying in Rome. For the rest, expect to pay around €200 for food, €100 for entertainment, and €35 for a monthly pass for ATAC public transport (a single ticket is €1.50). A special student annual pass is available from €141. The price increases according to the zones in which you travel and where you live.
If you want to eat out in Rome, you can spend very little in the student areas because the bars and restaurants are organized to offer very attractive prices. For leisure activities in Rome, a gym membership costs around 50€, a cinema ticket costs from 4 to 6€ at the student rate depending on the structure (with the Skin card in UCI cinemas), entrance to a museum from 2€ (for international students aged 18 to 25, in museums managed by the Ministry of Culture).
Student discounts in Rome
Students in Rome have access to discounts on certain fares, but be sure to show your student card or university pass, valid for the current year, as, without it, the fare cannot be applied.
It is, therefore, possible to benefit from discounts at cinemas, theatres, museums and archaeological parks, for example, simply by showing proof of your student status. Some restaurants also offer a discount to students at La Sapienza, such as the Subway chain, which is present throughout the capital, and the Architetto della Pizza. The university also gives access to advantageous rates with agreed structures for certain sports activities, but also certain banking services. Check with your destination university in Rome to find out the range of discounts available to you as a student.
Some shops also offer discounts, such as Eataly, which provides a 10% discount in restaurants and the supermarket.
As a new expat in Rome as part of your studies, you can also join the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) community, which organizes tours of the surrounding cities, aperitifs and affordable events to meet other expats! To benefit from a variety of advantages, consider applying for the ESN Card; it will also make you eligible for discounts on a wide range of services.
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