The University of Trieste, one of the city's most respected institutions, plays a vital role in higher education and research for both the region and nation.

The university has almost 27,000 students and employs about 2,000 people – professors, lecturers, researchers, and technical and administrative staff.

The 12 faculties of the university are responsible for teaching and research in a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and sciences that include:

÷ Architecture

÷ Economics

÷ Engineering

÷ Literature and Philosophy

÷ Mathematics

÷ Medicine

÷ Pedagogical Science

÷ Pharmacy

÷ Physical and Natural Sciences

÷ Political Science

÷ Psychology

÷ Advanced School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators

The 44 departments into which the university is subdivided enjoy complete autonomy in the management of the courses and research that the members of each department carry out.

Teaching is organized within an overall framework of traditional, three-year, specialized, and advanced degree courses, in addition to schools of specialization.

The University's academic facilities occupy extensive areas within the city.

The main building, for which construction began in 1938, was designed by the Italian architect Umberto Nordio. The imposing structure dominates the city landscape from its setting on Scoglietto hill.

The campus surrounding the main building is centered on Piazzale Europa. It is home to the faculties of economics, law, political science, engineering and pharmacy and the departments of physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, physiology and pathology. It also serves as the site of the animal breeding facility, botanical garden, naval tank, and central administration.

Near the waterfront, several kilometres from the main campus, are the historic buildings housing the faculty of literature and philosophy and the faculty of pedagogical science, formerly known as the Magistero. Via Filzi, in the city centre, is the site of the Advanced School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators, which is housed in the refurbished Balkan Hotel.

The various locations of the faculty of medicine radiate from the teaching centre in the Hospital of Cattinara to encompass all of the city's hospitals, including the Maggiore and the Burlo Garofolo Children's Hospital. Besides research responsibilities, the faculty also provides medical care and assistance to the community and region.

An important function of the university is to coordinate and promote co-operation among its scientific faculties and departments and the institutions that are part of the Trieste System - and, more generally, the larger scientific community. In addition to the coordinating role that it plays on a national and local level, the university is also involved in many international collaborative initiatives.

The number of international inter-university cooperative agreements has increased dramatically over the past few years. These agreements involve both staff and students in such European Union (EU) initiatives as SOCRATES, as well as one-to-one agreements between faculties and departments for joint research activities.

More than 30 universities and scientific research institutes worldwide - in countries that include, for example, Australia, China, Nigeria, and the United States - have signed agreements with Trieste University - a number that is expected to continue to rise in the years ahead.