University of Lugano - USI

In both cities the campus has developed around ancient neoclassic buildings, skilfully adapted to host lessons, laboratories and ateliers. New buildings and infrastructures have recently been added to provide students, faculty and researchers with more highly functional spaces and top quality equipment. The campus is continuously evolving to better address the needs of its growing community.

Classrooms and study rooms, ateliers, computer labs accessible day and night, and libraries equipped with the most modern systems offer ideal conditions both for individual study and for teaching activities.

The contained number of students, the wide availability of top-level resources and the beauty of the surroundings make USI campuses safe, friendly and familiar environments, where students, teachers and researchers can engage in stimulating dialogue, take part in extra-curricular activities, and enjoy university life to its fullest.

Lugano and Mendrisio offer several recreational opportunities. Some student associations organise parties, meetings, sports and leisure activities.

USI-SUPSI Sport Service promotes joint sports activities between the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), and coordinates participation in national university sports events. Mendrisio and its surroundings offer a range of recreational activities, including musical performances (Musica nel Mendrisiotto), theater performances (Cinema Teatro and Excelsior in Chiasso), museums (Museo d’Arte in Mendrisio, Pinacoteca Züst in Rancate and Museo Vela in Ligornetto), cinema (Mignon and Plaza), and a film club (Cineclub del Mendrisiotto). With USI ID cards, students also benefit from a discount on cinema tickets.

Biblioteca universitaria di Lugano

The Library offers its services to those interested in literature from the fields corresponding to the Faculties of Communication, Economics, Informatics, and Theology. The library offers various multimedia tools and a comprehensive periodical collection. It also provides photocopying services and individual study spaces.

The Academy of Architecture Library

The library holds a wide collection of books and periodicals in the area of study of the Academy of Architecture. It provides photocopying services and computers with Internet connection, for research purposes.

The Accommodation Service can assist you in several ways:

• It runs a database with regularly updated vacancy adverts
• It ensures a timely update (changes, deletions) of all information recorded in the database
• It provides language assistance whenever applicants encounter difficulties in their contacts with letting agents or landlords
• It provides basic information on tenancy laws and general guidelines on housing, procedures.

Living in Lugano or Mendrisio entails for students a monthly expense of approximately CHF 1,500 - 2,300.

In average, the monthly student's budget is approximately as follows:

• CHF 450-800 Shared single room or one-bedroom apartment
• CHF 450 Food and other household expenses
• CHF 60-150 Public transport
• CHF 250 Books and study materials
• CHF 150 Recreation and travel
• CHF 160-280 Health Insurance, if required