The City
Size
With around 1 million people in the city and over 3 million in the metropolitan area, Naples is the third largest city in Italy and the largest city in the southern half of the country. Naples is one of the more chaotic and busy cities in Italy, if you are fine with a lot of chaos and a busy city vibe, then Naples might be for you. You will also be close to the beach!
However, if you prefer being in a quiet and calm environment, then this won’t be for you. This is a loud city, things are often dysfunctional and you need to be prepared for the unexpected.
The University Location
Located quite centrally, your medical school will involve you being in the city. If you thrive in the chaotic and adventurous side of life, then this will be a fun experience for you.
Transport
The metro, busses and trams are good options for taking you around the city and to the university. About €40 per month will be enough to cover daily transport. As a typical chaotic southern Italian city, do not expect public transport to arrive on time. If you have a car, then expect the traffic and driving to be a bit crazier than in the rest of Europe.
Weather
Prepare for hot rain-free summers reaching about 32 degrees Celsius. The winters are mild, with lows of about 6 degrees Celsius, and the occasional rain. Naples has the perfect location and climate for a beach lifestyle
Cost of Living
Naples is more affordable than Rome or Milan. Rent will depend on how you choose to live, expect around 250-300 euros for a room if you are sharing an apartment with a few roommates in the centre. If you prefer to live alone this will increase to 500-600 euros. You can bring these costs down by moving further away from the centre. You can also apply for dormitories if your ISEE (family economic situation) permits.
Groceries, drinks at the pub, restaurant food etc are in general cheaper than compared to the more northern cities. A typical Margherita pizza will cost you about 4 euros.
Safety
Naples is fairly safe but is not among the safest in Italy. While the reputation of it being a mafia capital has some truth to it, the mafia is not likely to cause you any trouble. However, pickpockets, scammers, petty crime etc are something to watch out for. Women also tend to report a higher level of unwanted attention (catcalling, wolf-whistling etc). You should also avoid the dangerous neighbourhoods, which you can find here.
Activities
Naples has all the features a big city offers, if you like clubs, bars, restaurants, museums etc then you are covered. What’s more, is that you have the beach right by the city, so weekends will not be boring. The city is also the home of pizza! You will find many historical buildings in the centre as well. The city is also filled with character, and people tend to be more passionate, loud and vibrant than in the north. If this interests you, definitely consider Naples!
There is of course nature outside the city. You also have Pompeii very nearby and mt Vesuvius.
The University
The Students
You will have quite a large class, with 50 EU spots and 40 non-EU spots. This provides for a diverse mix of students, most EU will be Italian, while the non-EU will come from all over the world.
Exam Structure
In typical Italian fashion, the exams are mainly oral. You can take an exam up to 7 times per year (each exam is offered on average every 2 months per year). Often times there are written exams that you need to pass first to progress to the oral exam, which is the exam that determines your grade. You can always reject your grade and attempt the exam again.
Ranking
The university rankings usually place this university around 30th in Italy for medical education. However, ranking agency scores change all the time and have virtually no impact on your future employment prospects. So do not let this sway your decision
Tuition Fees
Tuition is based on family income (ISEE). At the very lowest level you can end up paying just €16, and the maximum yearly amount is €3,168.
You can find more information about tuition fees here https://international.unicampania.it/doc/students/TAXES_AND_TUITION_FEES_NOTICE_22-23_1.pdf
Competitiveness
Considered among the easier universities to enter, Vanvitelli may be a good choice for those of you from a non-EU background who are not willing to risk going for the more competitive choices. However, please note that past scores do not guarantee anything. Future scores required for entry may very well be higher!
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
| EU | 33.8 | 38.8 | 35.2 | 35.9 | 36.9 |
| Non-EU | 33.1 | 30.8 | 30.4 | 18.7 | -1.2 |
MD-PHD Program
The university offers an MD-PHD program which you can undertake during your 6-year course. You will take the normal courses in your medical degree as usual, but on top will study more advanced courses. This prepares you for a PhD program after your graduation (meaning you will be fast-tracked to a PhD!). On top of this, you will receive 12,000 euros as a scholarship and pay zero fees!
This is a very competitive program, you can find more information here https://international.unicampania.it/index.php/en/students/opportunities/md-phd-excellence-programme
Scholarships
You can apply for regional scholarships based on your ISEE. Check out the scholarships here https://www.adisurcampania.it/
Canteen Facilities
There is a Mensa (state-sponsored fee-reduced canteen) as well as a bar, café and restaurant at the university campus.
Attendance
You are technically required to attend 75% of your lectures in order to be allowed to take the exam. This is however not always enforced, you will find out at the start of the class whether the lecturer feels like enforcing the rule
More Information
University website: https://international.unicampania.it/index.php/en/
