University of Pisa sees 7% drop in medical faculty enrollments

The University of Pisa has reported a 7 percent decrease in enrollments for medical-related faculties, falling from 1,876 candidates last year to 1,746. This decline aligns with broader regional trends in Tuscany, where Florence saw a 20 percent drop and Siena experienced a more moderate decrease.

Experts suggest the decline is linked to the new ‘open semester’ system for limited-enrollment programs. This system has introduced high stress levels, as students risk losing an academic year if they fail to secure a position in the national rankings. Additionally, the mechanism allows some students to remain near home for their first year, helping them avoid the high living costs associated with being a student in a different city.

Despite the drop in applicants, the University of Pisa has increased its capacity for the upcoming academic year. Available spots have risen to 380 for Medicine and Surgery, 78 for Veterinary Medicine, and 30 for Dentistry. The new academic semester is scheduled to begin on September 1, led by Rector Zucchi, with lessons running through November 30.