Italy | Est. 1303Italy | The Rieti campus operates as an official decentralized branch of Sapienza University of Rome and holds full institutional accreditation through the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) (formerly MIUR) and evaluation via ANVUR (National Agency for | Italian medium
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When people think of Sapienza medical school, they picture Rome. They think of huge, busy hospitals. They think of thousands of students on historic streets. But Sapienza does not just teach in Rome. The university has other teaching sites. Rieti is one of them. It is a hidden gem. If you want to study medicine in Italy, you need to look at Rieti. It deserves much more than a quick glance.
Rieti is a small, quiet city north of Rome. The local teaching site is called Polo di Rieti. It offers a full medical degree called Medicina e Chirurgia, which means Medicine and Surgery in Italian. The entire course is taught in Italian. If you pick Rieti, you do not get a lesser degree. You get the same Sapienza degree as students at the Rome sites. The course follows the applicable national rules, while students learn in a quieter city with its own local hospital network.
Sapienza is one of the largest universities in Europe. The Rieti site benefits from the wider university's academic resources and reputation. The main university has more than 120,000 students and thousands of teachers. The main difference for students is the setting: Rieti offers a calmer lifestyle compared with central Rome.
Admission is through the national entrance process. The government determines the number of available seats each year. Applicants apply through the national student portal and rank their preferred sites. Rieti can be included among those choices, with placement depending on the student's examination ranking. There is no donation or management quota mentioned in the source.
Tuition at Rieti follows Sapienza's income-based public university model. For students with income earned abroad, the source gives an indicative tuition figure of around EUR 2,900 per year, although the actual amount can depend on the applicable income bracket. Students in lower-income brackets may qualify for a much lower or zero tuition amount, apart from applicable taxes and charges.
Life in Rieti is slower than in Rome. It is a smaller city where students can experience lower accommodation and daily living costs. Smaller cohorts can also mean closer interaction with professors and clinical staff. At the same time, students should understand that a smaller hospital network may provide exposure to fewer types of cases than the large hospitals of central Rome.
The biggest challenge for international students is language. The Rieti Medicine and Surgery programme is taught in Italian rather than English. Students need strong Italian skills to follow lectures, understand textbooks, complete examinations and communicate with patients. This makes language preparation an important part of planning for Indian applicants.
Students may also apply for the DSU regional scholarship through the Lazio government. Eligible students can receive support towards accommodation, meals and other living expenses. Scholarship assistance is separate from the tuition structure and depends on eligibility.
For Indian families, Rieti is a trade-off. It offers a public Italian medical degree, income-linked tuition, regional scholarship opportunities and a quieter living environment. In exchange, students need to study Medicine in Italian and accept a smaller clinical environment than the major Rome hospitals. Indian applicants must also check the current NMC requirements and ensure they meet all applicable requirements before enrolling.
Why the Polo di Rieti Deserves a Harder Look Than You've Given It
Most families searching for Sapienza medicine focus entirely on the main Rome campuses and never notice that a satellite teaching site exists at all. However, this happens mostly because Rieti gets far less attention online, not because it offers a lesser degree. Sapienza has extended its medical training footprint beyond the capital, giving students another location in which to study Medicine and Surgery.
Rieti is not presented as a separate lower-tier institution. It operates under Sapienza and offers the Sapienza Medicine and Surgery degree. Students are admitted through the applicable national ranking process, with the same university and national framework applying to the programme.
The cost structure can also work in students' favour. Students with lower declared income may fall into a lower or no-tuition bracket, while accommodation and everyday expenses in Rieti can be lower than in central Rome. Over six years, this difference can have a meaningful impact on the overall cost of studying medicine.
The smaller scale of Rieti can also offer academic advantages. Smaller cohorts may provide students with more direct interaction with lecturers and clinical staff. For students who prefer a quieter environment and closer academic contact, this can be an attractive alternative to a large metropolitan campus.
However, Rieti should not simply be treated as a cheaper version of Rome. Students need to consider the smaller hospital network and, most importantly, the fact that the Medicine and Surgery course is taught in Italian. Choosing Rieti should therefore be a deliberate decision based on language ability, lifestyle preferences, cost and clinical expectations.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at MBBS in Sapienza University of Rome Rieti Campus.
Tuition Fee
Approximately EUR 2,900
Approximately EUR 2,900
Hostel Fee
EUR 3,600–6,000 per year
EUR 3,600–6,000 per year
Food & Meals
EUR 2,400–3,600
per year
Insurance
EUR 150–200
per year
Donation
no donation
no hidden fee
Total Estimated Cost
EUR 6,290–12,860
6 year
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. MBBS in Sapienza University of Rome Rieti Campus integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
The first year builds a strong foundation in basic medical sciences and introduces students to the academic approach used in the Italian university system, including essential study and learning skills.
Anatomy Biochemistry Physics Biology Medical Informatics
microorganisms, and basic disease mechanisms. Academic assessment typically includes both written and oral examinations.
Physiology Histology Microbiology General Pathology
Year 3 bridges pre-clinical learning with clinical medicine through case-based study, communication skills training, and early clinical exposure at hospitals affiliated with the Rieti site.
Pathology Pharmacology Pathophysiology
The fourth year introduces core clinical rotations, allowing students to apply medical knowledge in real healthcare settings. Training is conducted across relevant departments within the local hospital network.
Internal Medicine Surgery Paediatrics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Radiology Emergency Medicine Related Clinical Specialities
The fifth year focuses on advanced clinical practice and specialist disciplines. Students undertake further clinical rotations along with research project work and elective clinical placements.
Cardiology Neurology Oncology Endocrinology
The final year consolidates students’ clinical knowledge and professional skills. Students complete their remaining rotations, prepare their degree thesis, fulfil final state examination requirements, and prepare for subsequent medical licensing requirements.
Remaining Clinical Rotations Final Clinical Preparation Degree Thesis
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at MBBS in Sapienza University of Rome Rieti Campus.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
Our Italy specialist explains the IMAT process, the income-based fee system, Bologna vs Rome vs other universities, and a total cost comparison with Hungary and Poland.
Our team registers you for IMAT (September test) and begins structured coaching. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Critical Thinking. Begin preparation at least 6 months before the test.
Full Italian visa and IMAT application document set academic certificates, income documentation if applicable.
IMAT taken at designated test centres. We provide post-test analysis and guidance on university rankings.
Following IMAT ranking, the Italian university issues an admission confirmation. Our team can help with this process.
Full documentation submitted to the Italian Embassy or Consulate. Begin immediately after receiving the admission letter.
Our team advises qualifying families on the income-based fee reduction process.
Bologna /Rome orientation, accommodation, portico culture, Italian transport, Trenitalia app, banking, SIM card.
Our local team in Bologna (BLQ) or Rome (FCO) meets you and manages the first-week settlement.
We manage the Permesso application at the local Post Office within 8 days of arrival with our support, which is renewed annually.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
No. Polo di Rieti is a separate Sapienza teaching site located in Rieti. It offers the Medicine and Surgery programme and uses local hospitals and healthcare facilities for clinical training.
Yes. Applicants must participate in the national entrance process and obtain a ranking high enough to receive a seat at the Rieti site.
The supplied document estimates approximately ₹34–₹69 lakh over six years. The calculated range from the listed cost components is approximately ₹33.95–₹69.48 lakh, before scholarship reductions.
According to the supplied document, Indian students must qualify NEET-UG under the applicable Indian regulations, separately from Sapienza's national entrance examination.
Students train through local hospitals and healthcare facilities affiliated with the Rieti teaching site rather than the major hospitals used by the central Rome campuses.
Early clinical exposure begins around Year 3, with full clinical rotations beginning from Year 4 onward.
The source states that graduates can pursue FMGE or NExT under applicable NMC rules, provided they meet all relevant Foreign Medical Graduate requirements.
No. The Rieti Medicine and Surgery programme is taught in Italian. Students therefore need strong Italian language skills before beginning the programme.
Yes. Eligible students can apply for the DSU regional scholarship through the Lazio government. Support is based on financial eligibility and may help with living expenses, accommodation and meals.
Rieti may suit students who prefer a smaller city, potentially lower living costs and closer interaction with teaching staff. The trade-off is a smaller clinical network and an Italian-medium medical programme.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.
