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The University of Rome “Foro Italico” (Italian: Università degli Studi di Roma “Foro Italico”) is a state university in Rome, Italy, uniquely dedicated to the scientific study of sport, physical activity, health, and human movement. It combines rigorous academic training with practical, field-oriented experience, making it a hub for education, research, and professional development in sports and wellness disciplines.
Originally rooted in Italy’s early physical education institutions, the University evolved through almost a century of development. Its predecessors include the Accademia di Educazione Fisica (1928) and the Istituto Superiore di Educazione Fisica (ISEF), leading to the Istituto Universitario di Scienze Motorie (IUSM) in 1998. Today it stands as an autonomous state university focused on sport and movement sciences.
The campus is located within the historic Foro Italico sports complex, an architectural landmark built between the late 1920s and early 1930s and expanded for events like the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. This setting enriches the academic experience with world-class athletic venues, symbolic monuments, and a deep heritage in physical culture.
The University’s core mission is to advance knowledge, education, and research in physical activity, sports performance, human health, quality of life, and movement sciences. It pursues this through a strong commitment to both scientific theory and real-world application. Key elements of its educational philosophy include a scientific grounding in human movement and health, integration of theory and practice, promotion of wellness and inclusive physical activity, and development of professionals for sport, fitness, rehabilitation, education, and health sectors.
The University follows the Bologna Process three-cycle system (Bachelor’s – Master’s – Doctorate), offering structured pathways for students from undergraduate through postgraduate levels.
Undergraduate programs focus on foundational areas of movement and sport sciences, including Sport and Exercise Sciences and Human Movement Studies.
Graduate degrees refine expertise in specialized fields such as Sports Management, Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity, Sport Sciences and Techniques, and the European Master in Health and Physical Activity, which is taught in English and delivered jointly with partner universities in Norway, Austria, Denmark, and Germany. The European Master program awards a joint European qualification and supports student mobility across multiple countries.
Doctoral studies target high-level research in areas like biomechanics, rehabilitation, exercise physiology, motor control, health promotion, and inclusive physical activity.
Situated within one of Europe’s most iconic sports complexes, the University’s campus blends historical significance with modern infrastructure. Facilities include lecture halls and classrooms, computer and language labs, a specialized sports science library, more than 20 scientific research laboratories, 10 fully equipped gymnasia, swimming pools and a rowing center, Stadio dei Marmi and athletics tracks, and conference rooms with multimedia centers. These facilities support practical learning, high-performance training, and cutting-edge research integrated into Rome’s cultural landscape.
The University encourages global engagement through collaborations and exchange initiatives. It participates in the Erasmus+ Programme and bilateral agreements with universities across Europe and beyond. These networks enable student mobility, joint degrees, and international research cooperation. Programs such as the European Master in Health and Physical Activity attract students and scholars worldwide and highlight the institution’s commitment to internationalized education.
With a relatively small student body of around 2,000 students, the University fosters a close-knit academic community. This scale enhances engagement between learners, faculty, and researchers, contributing to personalized mentoring and collaborative learning environments. Students benefit from hands-on training in real sports contexts, research opportunities in laboratories and field settings, internships and placements in health, sport, and fitness sectors, and participation in seminars, workshops, and international conferences. While the University does not provide on-campus housing, it assists students in finding private or shared accommodation within Rome.
The University’s research spans multidisciplinary fields such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, health-promoting physical activity, sports psychology, performance analysis, adaptive physical activity, and preventive medicine via movement science. With specialized labs and international collaborations, it contributes significantly to sport science and public health research in Europe.
Aligned with its international mission, the University participates in programs offering scholarships and mobility opportunities for students worldwide, including initiatives targeting learners from sub-Saharan Africa in fields like Motor and Sports Sciences and Sports Management.
Distinctive features include Italy’s only public university fully dedicated to sport and movement sciences, integration of historical athletic venues with academic life, international English-taught programs and joint European degrees, advanced research labs and hands-on learning, and strong global partnerships and mobility frameworks.
The University is located in the Foro Italico sports district of Rome, Italy—a cultural and athletic landmark that enriches student life with access to world-class sporting spaces and the vibrant life of Italy’s capital city.
