University of Lugano

Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), sometimes referred to as the University of Lugano in English-speaking contexts, is a public Swiss university

The history of the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) dates back to the 19th century, when the first plans for a public university in Ticino were made. However, it was not until 1995 that USI was officially established.

The founding of USI was the result of a long-standing desire in Ticino to have its own university. The canton's geographical location, at the crossroads of Italian and German-speaking Switzerland, made it a natural place for a university with an international focus.

The initial impetus for the creation of USI came from the city of Lugano. In the early 1990s, the city's mayor, Giorgio Giudici, and other city council members began to develop a vision for a new university. They wanted to create an institution that would be both academically rigorous and internationally oriented.

In 1993, the Cantonal Council of Ticino voted to establish USI. The university was officially inaugurated on October 21, 1996. USI began with two faculties: Economics and Communication Sciences.

Today, USI is a thriving university with a strong reputation for academic excellence and internationalism. The university is committed to providing its students with a world-class education and preparing them for success in the globalized world.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, University of Lugano is positioned as the #473 top university in the world, which makes it the #8 top university in Switzerland. The university's global rank decreased by 68 points from last year.