by InTrieste
The University of Trieste has reported a sharp rise in enrollment in its master’s degree programs, reflecting growing demand for advanced study at a time of intense competition among Italian and European universities.
According to figures released on Tuesday, enrollment in second-cycle, or “Laurea Magistrale,” programs has increased by 26 percent for the 2025/2026 academic year. A total of 1,286 students have chosen to pursue a master’s degree at the Trieste-based institution, contributing to what university officials describe as a broader surge in overall registrations.
The increase brings total new enrollments across all degree levels to more than 6,000 — the highest figure in the university’s history. That number is expected to rise further as admissions continue for several programs, including medical courses that follow a separate application timetable.
Over the past three years, the university’s overall attractiveness, measured by enrollment trends, has grown by more than 22 percent, administrators said.
“These numbers are the result of the continuous enrichment of our academic offerings, which are designed to meet the needs of the labor market and frontier research,” said the rector, Donata Vianelli, in a statement. She also cited expanded outreach efforts aimed not only at high school students but at undergraduates in Italy and abroad who are considering master’s-level study.
The strongest growth in master’s enrollments has come from programs housed in the departments of economics, business, mathematics and statistics; chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences; political and social sciences; and physics and mathematics. University officials said that all academic areas reported positive trends.
Employment data appear to reinforce the institution’s claims of momentum. The most recent survey by AlmaLaurea, a consortium that tracks graduate outcomes nationwide, shows that 87 percent of Trieste’s master’s graduates are employed one year after completing their degree, compared with a national average of 78.6 percent.
Average net monthly earnings one year after graduation stand at €1,607, compared with €1,488 nationally. Five years after graduation, the employment rate for Trieste alumni rises to 93 percent, slightly above the regional average in Friuli Venezia Giulia and higher than the national rate of 89.7 percent. Average net monthly pay at that stage reaches €1,988, exceeding both regional and national benchmarks.
While university leaders have framed the enrollment surge as evidence of a strengthened academic profile and improved job prospects for graduates, the coming months will offer a clearer picture of whether the growth represents a lasting shift or a peak driven by specific programs.
Enrollment for several master’s and selected undergraduate courses remains open for the 2025/2026 academic year. The university is also scheduled to host its annual graduate open day, “Porte Aperte Magistrali,” on April 10, where prospective students can learn more about next year’s offerings.
