"Something is happening here": three thousand students and families at the 2026 Open Day in Varese and Como; University Governance and local institutions in attendance

Three thousand attendees at the 2026 Open Day of the Università degli Studi dell'Insubria. A new attendance record – last year the figure stood at 2,800 – for the University's open day, which on 11 April welcomed prospective students and their families at its campuses in Varese and Como. In terms of geographical origin, participation was strong not only from the University's local catchment area, but also from other Lombard provinces, from Piedmont, and from Switzerland, reflecting the appeal of Insubria.

The Open Day was promoted under the tagline "Something is happening here", accompanied by a symbolic butterfly outlined in red but not fully defined, which featured across the information stands for degree programmes and services. Following the welcome reception and distribution of welcome kits, a presentation of student services was held – one of the best-attended sessions – after which orientation activities run by the degree programmes took place. Academic staff, tutors, current students, and Insubria graduates presented three-year and single-cycle master's degree programmes, with information desks, classroom presentations, laboratory visits, and opportunities for direct dialogue. The sessions dedicated to parents and the orientation counselling spaces were also very well attended.

During the morning, Rector Maria Pierro, Pro-Rector Umberto Piarulli, the Delegate for Orientation and Placement Andrea Uselli, and Director General Antonio Romeo delivered institutional greetings at both Como and Varese, meeting students, families, and academic staff. Numerous professors, rector's delegates, and department heads were also in attendance. The Mayors of Varese, Davide Galimberti, and of Como, Alessandro Rapinese, along with representatives of local institutions also took part, including councillor Claudio Ghislanzoni for the Province of Como and councillor Chiara Rosa Colombo for the Municipality of Busto Arsizio.

"It was an intense and very well-attended day," commented Rector Maria Pierro, "one that confirms the interest in our academic offering and the trust that families place in our University. The Open Day is always an important moment of encounter and dialogue with prospective students, who can get to know our programmes, services, and opportunities up close."

Particularly strong interest was shown in the degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, and the Healthcare Professions, which accounted for over 25 per cent of total registrations, confirming the Health area as one of the most sought-after at the University. Interest was also evident in the new additions to the 2026/27 academic offering: the single-cycle master's degree programme in Pharmacy, based in Como, and the degree programme in Digital Technologies for the Environment and Construction, which trains the figure of the "graduate surveyor", based in Varese.

On the subject of the right to education, it is worth noting that for the 2026/27 academic year the No Tax Area threshold has been raised from €26,000 to €28,000 in ISEE: students with an economic indicator up to this threshold will pay no university contribution, and will only be required to pay the regional tax and stamp duty. For those in the bracket between €28,000 and €30,000, a reduction in the contribution compared to the previous academic year is foreseen. University scholarships have also increased, further demonstrating the University of Insubria's commitment to widening access to higher education.

Among the services presented during the Open Day were those of CLA Insubria, the University's new Language Centre, which offers language preparation and enhancement courses and the opportunity to obtain the OTE English language certification awarded by the University of Oxford, alongside other opportunities dedicated to the development of students' linguistic competencies.

Orientation activities for prospective students continue with the opportunity to attend open lectures organised by individual degree programmes, ahead of the start of enrolments, traditionally set for July. The Master's Degree Open Day will follow a "distributed" format, with departmental events taking place between 11 and 22 May.

All information on the academic offering and updates on orientation events can be found on the University website: www.uninsubria.it/openday