From captivating ancient history, breath-taking art and renowned cuisine to exciting nightlife, Rome offers an intriguing experience to all students.
However, finding affordable student accommodation in Rome can get tricky. Student.com will make it easier for you to find reasonably priced student apartments for rent in Rome, Italy for both the long term and the short term.
We list student housing from hundreds of properties, offering shared flats and single room student apartments, as well as fully self-contained studio properties.
Most of our student residences are located within easy reach of the buzz of the city, where you can live “La Dolce Vita” and discover the city’s incredible history, iconic landmarks, and irresistible food and nightlife scene.
Contact us to learn more about our Rome student accommodation offerings.
Get to know Rome
The centrepiece of the Roman Empire and seat of the Papal Empire, Rome was once known as “Caput Mundi” (Capital of the World).
Full of history, art, food, and art, “The Eternal City” and its many layers still have a lot to offer to students.
From ancient ruins and artifacts to modern street art, Rome serves up an awesome experience making it one of the most popular study destinations in the world.
A historic city
With over 3,000 years of history and home to no less than 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Rome is a unique city.
When you walk its cobblestoned streets, you will marvel at the city’s many architectural masterpieces. From its majestic piazzas to famous landmarks like the Colosseum (the largest amphitheatre in the world), the Pantheon (the largest unsupported dome in the world), the Roman Forum, Castel Sant’Angelo, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Rome has some of Italy’s most historic sites.
An artistic city
With more than 50 museums and over 900 churches housing world-renowned paintings, frescoes, and sculptures, the city is a must-see destination for art lovers.
Rome holds some of the world’s most extraordinary artistic masterpieces. Visit The Vatican Museums where you can experience the awe of Michelangelo’s and Raphael’s fresco paintings as well as other stunning art from the Etruscans, Van Gogh, and more.
Other great options for art lovers are to get inspired by classical sculptures at Capitoline Museums, or contemporary art at Macro: Museo d’Arte Contemporanea.
The city’s amazing art extends beyond its timeless masterpieces with an impressive street art scene. Most of Rome’s street art can be found in neighbourhoods like Trullo, Ostiense, and Trastevere.
Rome is a major film capital
If you are a film buff, you will love Rome. With the largest film studio in Europe, the city is also a great destination for film. In the 1950s and 60s, Cinecittà Studios were known as “Hollywood on the Tiber.”
The Italian capital offers incredible food
Being an archetypal city of a country that is the birthplace of two of the world’s favourite foods (pasta and pizza), it is no surprise that Rome’s cuisine is savoured.
Like other regions in Italy, Rome has its own unique cuisine. Artichokes, Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-style fried artichokes), and Carciofi alla Romana (braised whole artichokes) are staples in Rome and are commonly found on menus throughout the city. Pasta cacio e pepe (made with only pecorino romano cheese, pepper, and pasta) and pasta alla carbonara are traditional local pasta dishes.
A cappuccino with pastries like cornetti (like croissants) or maritozzo (like whipped cream donuts) is a typical breakfast combination in Rome. For dessert, there are gelaterias all over the city selling authentic, artisan gelato.
Shoppers’ paradise
The city is a paradise for fashion lovers, with a wide variety of designer outlets, department stores, boutique shops, and open markets. You’ll find all your favourite stores on the main street of Via del Corso and Italian boutiques on the Via Vittorio Veneto, one of the most famous, elegant, and also expensive streets in Rome.
Student life in Rome
Your university years should be more than just an opportunity for intellectual exploration, and Rome offers a lot of options for spending your time outside of lectures.
Most of the city’s attractions are found in its small and walkable historic centre, but there is plenty more to explore on the periphery.
Each of Rome’s neighbourhoods has its own unique vibe. San Lorenzo’s inexpensive pizzerias and gritty warehouses turned into art galleries and pubs are very popular among students. With art nouveau villas and several luxury boutiques, Prati is on the upscale residential side.
The labyrinth cobblestone streets of Trastevere are home to trendy cafés and a bustling nightlife scene. Freni e Frizioni hosts the bohemians and artsy crowd on a nightly basis. The Court is one of the city’s latest hotspots and has one of the best views in town, while Agaveria La Punta has an impressive variety of mescal cocktails, tacos, seafood ceviche, and fresh guacamole.
When the Romans want to party, they head over to the Testaccio neighbourhood, a mecca for nightclubs. The area is home to a fixed staple in Rome’s club scene.
Nightlife – Romans know how to party
Speaking of nightclubs, the saying “when in Rome do what the Romans do” is also true for parties - when in Rome, party like the Romans.
With a wide array of cool clubs, trendy bars, and discos, students, tourists, and locals all get lured to the city’s nightlife. With so many options available at their disposal, the locals know how to take full advantage and have a good time.
Whether you want to dance the night away in clubs, experiment with innovative cocktails, or simply share a glass of wine with some friends at a laid-back wine bar or lounge, there is something for everyone in Rome.
At the centre of Italy
If all of what the city has to offer does not satisfy your needs and you feel like you want to explore this beautiful country further, Rome’s central location gives easy access to the rest of Italy.
Rome is an ideal location for students who love to travel. The city is located in the centre of Italy towards the west coast, serving as an important gateway between Europe, Africa, and Asia.
And with a well-connected and convenient transportation system, traveling outside of Rome is even easier. Students can easily reach other cities around Italy by using the city’s many train stations. Florence (the birthplace of Renaissance art) and Naples (the motherland of pizza) are both less than two hours away by train.
For those who wish to go even further afield, Rome’s two major airports are among the busiest in Europe with innumerable connections daily.
Cost of living in Rome
Seeing and experiencing things is a major component of the student experience and if you are considering Rome as a destination, you’ll be happy to know it won’t cost too much to move around the city. Living costs in Rome are not as exorbitant compared to other major prestigious European cities either.
Somewhere between 25 and 45 EUR can give you a monthly bus/tram/metro ticket. Prices for food and beverages are also reasonable and student friendly. Going out should not blow a hole in your pocket either, as bars and restaurants tend to offer very attractive prices, especially in student neighbourhoods.
On top of reasonable costs is the varying discounts for students who are entitled to reduced prices at theatres, parks, and some restaurants with a student ID card or a valid university pass.
Where to study in Rome?
Education in Italy is highly esteemed. With many universities, colleges, and academies, Rome is a centre of educational excellence in the country.
Here are three of the highest-ranked universities in Rome according to the QS World University Rankings of 2022:
The city’s oldest public university, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, is one of the largest universities in Europe, with an enrolment of well over 100,000 students. Founded in 1303, Sapienza is also one of the world’s oldest universities.
It’s the highest-ranking university in Rome and the third highest in Italy, coming in 171st place in the world in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
Since its inception, Sapienza has played a significant role in the development of Italian society, economics, and politics through centuries of cutting-edge research and innovation.
Located in the heart of Rome, its main campus acts as a city within the city. The 110-acre Città Universitaria (University City) located near the Roma Tiburtina Station is a hub for students and teachers from across the world to meet, exchange, and develop innovative ideas.
The university’s student population of about 112,000 can choose from over 350 degree programmes (Bachelors, Masters, and PhDs) and over 350 specialisation and professional courses from its 11 faculties and 63 departments.
Established in 1982, the University of Rome Tor Vergata is a top 500 university in the world, having been ranked 494th in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
The university is highly affiliated. It’s part of the EUA (European University Association), the representative organization of universities and national rectors’ conferences in 47 European countries, YERUN (Young European Research Universities Network), and the VIU (Venice International University), a network of prestigious universities across the world.
Located in a 600-hectare campus in the southeast of Rome, Tor Vergata offers 106 graduate programmes (Bachelors, Masters, and One-cycle degrees) as well as 32 PhD courses. The university also offers 18 graduate international courses (15 in English and 3 in Italian), and 25 PhD international courses (22 in English and 3 multilingual).
Roma Tre University
The Roma Tre University is a dynamic and efficient seat of learning, offering a wide range of courses to its almost 40,000 students.
The university was established in 1992 and during its about 30 years of existence, the university has developed modern and efficient study centres and important scientific laboratories, as well as having made investments in improving the quality of the teaching and courses it provides.
Frequently asked questions about student housing in Rome
How do I apply for a student residence in Rome on Student.com?
Our convenient filters and mapping function allow you to compare properties by things like price and room type, as well as find your preferred student residence in the area of Rome you’d most like to live in.
Once you’ve found a property you like, click on ‘View rooms’ to go to the property page. There you’ll need to choose your preferred room type. Once you’ve found the right choice for you, click ‘Enquire’ and leave your details. One of our booking consultants will then get in touch with you to answer any questions you may have and take you through the next steps of the booking process.
What are the different types of rooms and apartments I can rent?
With a Shared Room, you’ll share your bedroom with at least one other person. The bathroom and other living areas will be shared with other tenants from other rooms.
With a Private Room, you’ll have your own bedroom. Depending on the property, your bathroom is either shared or private. Other living spaces are shared with other students.
With an Entire Place, you’ll get a fully self-contained studio property, where you’ll have your own private bedroom and living facilities, including a private bathroom and a private kitchenette for cooking your meals.
Can I rent a student apartment in Rome for long term?
Yes, you can rent the flats we list for the whole year.
Are bills included in the rent?
This will depend on the property you choose. However, in most of the properties we list in Rome, bills are included in the total rent cost, so you’ll only have to pay the rent and nothing else. But make sure you check to see if this is the case with the property you like.
You can see what bills are included in each property on the property page.
Can I get a viewing before moving in?
Many of the properties we list in Rome, have an excellent set of photos on the property pages, so you’ll be able to get a good idea of what your new home will look like.
If you’d prefer to see the place for yourself though, and you’re able to travel to Rome before your move-in date, a viewing can be set up as well though. Just get in touch with us and our booking consultants will arrange it for you.
