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The American University of Rome

The American University of Rome

The American University of Rome

Introduction

The American University of Rome (AUR) is a U.S. small liberal arts institution based in the heart of Rome, Italy. All of our programs are taught in English. AUR offers three career-focused master's degrees: Cultural Heritage (Sustainability and Community), Food Studies (Policies for Sustainable Production and Consumption), and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Human Security in the Mediterranean and Beyond).

Around 50% of our graduate students come directly from their undergraduate studies; the other 50% vary in age and work experience and enter the programs to boost their careers or change direction. AUR welcomes students from across the globe into our thriving, diverse community. AUR’s graduate programs are small; the average class size is less than ten students. This enables close academic relationships with classmates and professors, as does the experiential nature of our teaching; Rome and its environs are used as an everyday extension of the classroom, and each program prides itself on offering many opportunities to interact with professionals in relevant fields and disciplines.

The overarching philosophy of AUR’s graduate school is to engage our students directly with some of the most important global issues of our time: the sustainability of global peace, global food production and distribution, and the management and maintenance of global cultural heritage. AUR’s master’s programs are 15-month courses; however, after the first nine months of study, students can either choose to stay in Rome for the duration or complete their internships and/or theses remotely. This modular structure allows students to complete their degrees in situ anywhere in the world. The AUR Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of each applicant, considering grades, recommendation letters, and the required interview to help inform admissions decisions. Personal interviews are required of all applicants. They may be conducted face-to-face, on the phone, or via video-conferencing.

Mission Statement

The American University of Rome prepares students to live and work across cultures as skilled and knowledgeable citizens of an interconnected and rapidly changing world. AUR is a private, independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education, offering undergraduate and graduate liberal arts programs to degree-seeking and study-abroad students from around the world.

Taking the best of the American approach to interdisciplinary, student-centered learning, our international faculty and staff use Rome as our classroom and Italy and Europe as invaluable resources. AUR’s innovative programs promote intellectual excellence, personal growth, and an appreciation of cultural diversity in an international environment.

Student Life

The Student Life Office is at the heart of your daily life at The American University of Rome!

We strive to complement the academic mission of the University by providing and supporting opportunities for learning through extra-curricular activities. The activities and facilities that we offer strive to promote students’ personal growth, leadership development, social responsibility, multicultural competence, and intellectual inquiry. Our staff is committed to providing you with superb service in an engaging environment to entice your participation in formal and informal activities.

Accreditation

AUR is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a non-profit institution.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) was formally incorporated under Pennsylvania Commonwealth law on March 1, 2013. From its origins in 1919 through February 2013, the Commission was a unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Although now an independent corporation, the Commission maintains an ongoing relationship with the Middle States Association.

The Commission on Higher Education is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidacy status) activities for institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education and correspondence education programs offered at those institutions. MSCHE is also recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit degree-granting institutions that offer one or more post-secondary educational programs of at least one academic year in length in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other geographic areas in which the Commission conducts accrediting activities.

The Commission is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions.

Admissions

AUR operates a ‘rolling’ admissions process with preference given to early applicants.

Welcome to Admissions at The American University of Rome. This is your gateway to AUR's range of fully accredited U.S. undergraduate (bachelor) and graduate (master) degree programs and to our spectrum of alternative educational study options; study abroad, summer and winter short courses, and the accelerated Academic English Bridge program.

If you've got this far then you're probably ready to take the next step on your road to Rome - ready to meet fellow students from across the world, ready to discover the secret life of Rome, ready to challenge yourself academically and personally in a new country, a new language, and a new environment. All of this while you experience the best of the American liberal arts system.

Visa Requirements

Undergraduate Visa & Residency requirements

All students holding a non-European Union passport are required by law to obtain a student visa before departing from their home country. Without a valid student visa, students can not apply to obtain their Permit to Stay.

The visa application can be a lengthy process, therefore we recommend that students inform themselves of visa procedures in advance.

Students must obtain their student visa after receiving approval of their acceptance. AUR Admissions Office will send each accepted student a visa letter which along with all other necessary documents they take to their local consulate.

Students should check with their local consulate to make sure they have all the necessary documents before presenting their application. Please contact [email protected] should you require assistance.

Please note that the student visa should be obtained prior to leaving one’s home country. It is not possible to apply for such a visa in Italy.

Please note: we cannot issue visa documentation to non-matriculating, or part-time students. In order to receive a visa, students must be taking at least 12 credits per semester.

Permit to Stay

Upon arrival in Rome, all students who are citizens of countries that are not European Union Members must obtain a permit to stay in Italy (Permesso di Soggiorno per Studio). This permit is issued by the local police authorities (Questura). The University will provide relevant information and assistance to you upon arrival to secure your first permit to stay. However, it is your responsibility to comply with current stay requirements and secure the applicable documents.

Required Documents. To facilitate the process of obtaining the Permit to Stay, you must provide the following:

  • 1 photocopy of your photo ID in the passport and the Italian Visa as presented in the passport
  • 1 photocopy of health insurance (see chapter below)
  • 1 photocopy of the AUR enrollment letter stamped by the Italian Consulate

Please bring these items with you during Arrivals Week for your meeting with the AUR Permit to Stay Consultant.

The permit-to-stay process is regulatory in nature and the applicable rules change frequently. Students are encouraged to consult the arrival materials distributed each academic semester for the most up-to-date procedure/requirements. Students residing in housing contracted through the University will need to present the listed documents and follow the instructions given by the Student Life Office during the arrivals week.

The actual permit is issued at a later date and needs to be picked up in person. We advise students to periodically check the list of the issued permits posted at the police station.

Renewal of Permit to Stay

The permit to stay for study is normally granted for the period of one academic year. Therefore, it will expire and needs to be renewed within 60 days of the date of expiration. Students who need to renew their permit to stay must submit through the post office their request for a “rinnovo” and will have to provide the following documents:

  • 1 photocopy of your photo ID in the passport and the Italian Visa as presented in the passport
  • 1 photocopy of health insurance
  • 1 photocopy of a credit card, bank statement or letter of financial support
  • 1 photocopy of the AUR grade report stamped by the University

It is the responsibility of the student to renew their stay permit. Student Life will assist with any related questions.

European Union Citizens

European Union citizens do not have to apply for a permit to stay. All EU students who plan to study in Italy for more than three months are instead required to provide the Registry Office (Ufficio Anagrafe) with the reason for their stay in Italy and their local address. To carry out this official registration you will need the following documents:

  • A valid European Union ID/Passport (bring a photocopy with you also)
  • A copy of the health insurance. As an EU citizen, you should have received from your National Health Service an Insurance Card that entitles you to medical and hospital assistance throughout the European Union. Make sure you bring it with you to Italy
  • A bank statement or other document that demonstrates that you have the financial means to support yourself
  • A copy of the AUR enrollment letter

Please note that there are several Registry Offices in Rome; the one that you will need to register your presence at depends on your address in Italy. For assistance in identifying your particular Registry Office and for further guidance please contact the Student Life Office.

Graduate School Visa & Residency Requirements

All students holding a non-European Union passport are required by law to obtain a student visa before departing from their home country. Without a valid student visa, students can not apply to obtain their Permit to Stay.

The visa application can be a lengthy process, therefore we recommend that students inform themselves of visa procedures in advance.

Students must obtain their student visa after receiving approval of their acceptance. AUR Admissions Office will send each accepted student a visa letter which along with all other necessary documents they take to their local consulate.

Students should check with their local consulate to make sure they have all the necessary documents before presenting their application. Please contact [email protected] should you require assistance.

Please note that the student visa should be obtained prior to leaving one’s home country. It is not possible to apply for such a visa in Italy.

Permit to Stay

Upon arrival in Rome, all students who are citizens of countries that are not European Union Members must obtain a permit to stay in Italy (Permesso di Soggiorno per Studio). This permit is issued by the local police authorities (Questura). The University will provide relevant information and assistance to you upon arrival to secure your first permit to stay. However, it is your responsibility to comply with current stay requirements and secure the applicable documents.

Required Documents. To facilitate the process of obtaining the Permit to Stay, you must provide the following:

  • 1 photocopy of your photo ID in the passport and the Italian Visa as presented in the passport
  • 1 photocopy of health insurance (see chapter below)
  • 1 photocopy of AUR enrollment letter stamped by the Italian Consulate

Please bring these items with you during Arrivals Week for your meeting with the AUR Permit to Stay Consultant.

The permit-to-stay process is regulatory in nature and the applicable rules change frequently. Students are encouraged to consult the arrival materials distributed each academic semester for the most up-to-date procedure/requirements. Students residing in housing contracted through the University will need to present the listed documents and follow the instructions given by the Student Life Office during the arrivals week.

The actual permit is issued at a later date and needs to be picked up in person. We advise students to periodically check the list of the issued permits posted at the police station.

Renewal of Permit to Stay

The permit to stay for study is normally granted for the period of one academic year. Therefore, it will expire and needs to be renewed within 60 days of the date of expiration. Students who need to renew their permit to stay must submit through the post office their request for a “rinnovo” and will have to provide the following documents:

  • 1 photocopy of your photo ID in the passport and the Italian Visa as presented in the passport
  • 1 photocopy of health insurance
  • 1 photocopy of a credit card, bank statement, or letter of financial support
  • 1 photocopy of the AUR grade report stamped by the University

It is the responsibility of the student to renew their stay permit. Student Life will assist with any related questions.

European Union Citizens

European Union citizens do not have to apply for a permit to stay. All EU students who plan to study in Italy for more than three months are instead required to provide the Registry Office (Ufficio Anagrafe) with the reason for their stay in Italy and their local address. To carry out this official registration you will need the following documents:

  • A valid European Union ID/Passport (bring a photocopy with you also)
  • A copy of the health insurance. As an EU citizen, you should have received from your National Health Service an Insurance Card that entitles you to medical and hospital assistance throughout the European Union. Make sure you bring it with you to Italy
  • A bank statement or other document that demonstrates that you have the financial means to support yourself
  • A copy of the AUR enrollment letter

Please note that there are several Registry Offices in Rome; the one that you will need to register your presence at depends on your address in Italy. For assistance in identifying your particular Registry Office and for further guidance please contact the Student Life Office.

Scholarships and Funding

AUR offers Scholarships based on merit, financial need, and student level.

AUR scholarships are categorized as follows - use these links to jump directly to any category.

  • Scholarships for travelers & cross-cultural explorers
  • Scholarships for transfer students
  • Scholarships for students with Italian heritage and/or citizenship
  • Scholarships for International Baccalaureate students
  • Scholarships for leadership and volunteering
  • Scholarships for outstanding academics
  • Scholarships for young artists
  • Scholarships for students from areas of conflict
  • Scholarships for AUR students' family members
  • Scholarships for those in financial need

Alumni Statistics

The American University of Rome is in the Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad

educations.com Top 10 Europe rankings 2023 badge
educations.com Top 10 Europe rankings 2022 badge
educations.com Top 10 Europe rankings 2021 badge

Locations

  • Rome

    Via Pietro Roselli, 4, 00153, Rome

    Questions