The Best Universities for PhDs in Biological Sciences in Italy (2026)

Doing a PhD in Biological Sciences in Italy lets you be part of Europe’s rich research culture, with opportunities to work in labs that cooperate across universities and public research centres.

This guide highlights some of the best Italian universities for biological sciences research based on major university rankings and gives you a sense of how to compare your options.

There are many reasons why someone might want to study Biological Sciences at a university in Italy. Here are just a few:

• Studying a PhD in Biological Sciences in Italy enhances the understanding of the subject for students. It provides deep knowledge about diverse aspects of biology and molecular sciences along with rigorous research training.
• Italy is acknowledged worldwide for its high standards of education and significant investment in research and development, making it an outstanding place for pursuing a PhD course.
• As part of the doctoral work, students will come across opportunities to collaborate on international projects or studies led by eminent biological science specialists globally; boosting their network within scientific communities.
• Italy hosts many international Biological Science conferences, symposiums and research meetings, providing PhD Scholars an exceptional platform for the presentation of their work.

The following tables give the 10 top universities in Italy for Biological Sciences, according to global and local university rankings. It can show you which Italian universities are amongst the best in the world - and help you compare institutions on an international level.

This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education, QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Each ranking system uses its own methodology, with different factors having more or less influence on a university's result.

Our guide has more information on how to use international rankings to decide on the best research universities for PhD study.

The Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics. Additionally, the rankings may not include all specialist institutions.

The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff/student ratio, international recruitment and employer opinion. The rankings are balanced between qualitative and quantitative data, but give less weight to research than some other rankings.

The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. However, they do not directly assess the quality of education at a university or take into account other aspects of university performance.

Tips from the author

I hope this guide helps you see where biological sciences research is strongest in Italy. Consider not just rankings but the specific research groups and facilities that fit your interests that can make a big difference for your PhD experience. Also, plan ahead for funding and supervisor outreach. Many Italian PhDs are tied to specific projects or grants, so early contact with potential supervisors is a smart move.