University of Naples Federico II: The World’s Oldest Public University
The University of Naples Federico II (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II) stands as a monumental institution in the history of higher education. Founded on June 5, 1224, by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, King of Sicily, it is widely recognized as the oldest public university in the world and one of the longest continuously operating academic institutions. Its creation was a groundbreaking act of secular statecraft: Frederick II sought to establish a center of learning that would be free from the powerful influence of the Papacy, directly training administrative and legal personnel to serve the kingdom. The university was officially named after its imperial founder, Federico II, in 1987.
Centuries of history are embedded in the university’s fabric. The main administrative building on Corso Umberto I in central Naples preserves a section of the ancient Greek walls of Neapolis, creating a tangible link between the modern university and the city’s origins in the 7th-6th century BC. From its initial focus on jurisprudence under the guidance of Pier della Vigna, the institution evolved into a comprehensive *studium generale*, expanding its curriculum to encompass the full range of academic disciplines. Buy fake diploma online.
Today, the university is a massive and complex institution serving a student body of over 80,000, making it the largest university in southern Italy. Following a major reorganization, it is structured around 26 departments, which are grouped into four main Schools: the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, the School of Medicine, the School of Human and Social Sciences, and the Polytechnic and Basic Sciences School. This structure supports a vast academic portfolio of over 150 degree programs and 13 teaching areas, offering courses in fields ranging from law and engineering to biotechnology, physics, and the humanities.
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Throughout its 800-year history, Federico II has nurtured an extraordinary array of influential alumni. The most illustrious is the medieval philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas, who both studied and taught at the university. Its distinguished graduates include three former Presidents of Italy—Giorgio Napolitano, Enrico De Nicola, and Giovanni Leone—as well as celebrated film director Paolo Sorrentino, writer Roberto Saviano, and astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti and Luca Parmitano.
The university remains at the forefront of research and global engagement. It collaborates with major international corporations such as Apple, Cisco, and Deloitte, and participates in cutting-edge projects like Cineca, which hosts a powerful supercomputer. With over 300 international agreements, it fosters a global academic network. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, Federico II was placed 379th globally, reflecting its continued standing as a leading academic force in Italy and Europe. As it celebrates over eight centuries of history, the University of Naples Federico II remains a powerful testament to the vision of its founder and a vital engine for knowledge and innovation in the modern world.