Interest in Italy’s healthcare professions is rising sharply, with applications for university degree programs increasing by 17.5% for the 2026–2027 academic year. The figures point to renewed enthusiasm among young Italians for careers ranging from nursing and physical therapy to radiology, midwifery and rehabilitation.
Across 50 Italian universities, approximately 75,500 applications were submitted for 38,184 available places reserved for Italian, European Union and eligible non-EU students. That represents 11,233 more applications than last year’s 64,260. The average competition has consequently increased from 1.7 applicants per place in 2025 to 2.0 in 2026.
