University of Lugano, USI

The Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is a university in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, with campuses in Lugano and Mendrisio. It is made up of the Academy of Architecture (Accademia di architettura) and the faculties of communication, culture and society; biomedical sciences; economics; and informatics, together with the affiliated Faculty of Theology of Lugano.

USI offers nine bachelor's programmes following the Bologna system: six-semester, full-time degrees worth 180 ECTS credits, followed by master's programmes of three or four semesters (90 or 120 ECTS). It also offers doctoral studies.

• Architecture (Mendrisio campus)
• Communication, Economics, and Italian Language, Literature and Civilisation
• Informatics and Data Science
• Theology and Philosophy (Faculty of Theology of Lugano)
• Medicine (bachelor's taught at the University of Basel)

Most bachelor's programmes are taught in Italian, and intensive Italian courses are offered before the academic year and during the semesters. Informatics and Data Science are taught entirely in English, Economics has had an English-language track since 2024-25, and the Medicine bachelor's is taught in German in Basel. Classes are small and exercises are done in small groups. USI also takes part in exchange programmes.