For Students
What is Venice International University?
Venice International University (VIU) is a unique international center for higher education and research, located on the island of San Servolo in the Venice lagoon. Founded in 1995, VIU is a consortium of more than 20 leading universities and institutions from around the world.
Its members include: Boston College (USA); Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy); Duke University (USA); European University at St. Petersburg (Russia); IUAV University of Venice (Italy); IUSS University School of Pavia (Italy); Korea University (South Korea); KU Leuven (Belgium); Ludwig Maximilians Universität (Germany); National Institute for Astrophysics (Italy); National Research Council of Italy (Italy); Sabancı University (Turkey); Stellenbosch University (South Africa); Tel Aviv University (Israel); Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy); Tsinghua University (China); University of Bordeaux (France); University of Exeter (UK); University of Lausanne (Switzerland); Rice University (USA); University of Milano‑Bicocca (Italy); and University of Padova (Italy).
VIU offers an inclusive academic environment where students from diverse backgrounds come together to learn, collaborate, and engage with global issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Academic Programs for Students
The Globalization Program is VIU’s core undergraduate level semester program. Students from member universities can participate in courses centered around three interdisciplinary themes:
- Italy: history, culture, art, and society
- Cultures of the World: global perspectives across humanities and social sciences
- Global Challenges: climate change, innovation, sustainability, and public policy
Courses are taught in English by international faculty. Each course is worth 6 ECTS credits, and students typically enroll in 3 to 4 courses per semester. The program emphasizes interactive learning in small, diverse groups. Students can apply to the Globalization Program during the Erasmus+ Applications at Sabancı University.
Co-Curricular Activities
To complement classroom learning, VIU organizes a range of co-curricular activities including guided tours, workshops, and site visits. These activities are designed to deepen students’ understanding of Venice's cultural and environmental heritage.
Internships in Italy
Students enrolled in the Globalization Program can apply for short-term internships following the semester. These internships are hosted by prestigious organizations such as UNESCO Venice, The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy, and others.
Internships provide practical, hands-on experience in a professional setting and are supported by VIU through scholarships that cover living expenses and accommodation.
The Summer Session is a condensed version of VIU’s core Globalization Program, held over four weeks in the summer. It offers intensive academic courses for undergraduate and graduate students from member universities, with a focus on global challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.
Key Features:
- Open to students from VIU member institutions.
- Courses are taught in English by international faculty members.
- Topics are interdisciplinary and include sustainability, innovation, cultural heritage, international relations, and more.
- Each course carries 6 ECTS credits.
- Students may take one course during the session.
- Emphasis is placed on interactive teaching and multicultural group work.
- Includes co-curricular activities such as guided tours, site visits, and workshops.
- Selection is competitive; students are nominated by their home institutions.
Application:
For the application and eligibility criteria please contact to suoutgoing@sabanciuniv.edu.
VIU Summer Schools are intensive, short-term academic programs that take place between June and September. Each school is designed in collaboration with one or more member universities and focuses on a specific, timely theme relevant to global research and policy.
Key Features:
- Duration ranges from 5 days to 3 weeks.
- Topics include climate change adaptation, sustainable development, digital humanities, global governance, migration, artificial intelligence, and more.
- Programs combine lectures, workshops, fieldwork, and project-based learning.
- Instruction is in English.
- Open to advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, early-career researchers, and professionals.
For more information: https://www.univiu.org/study/summer-schools
The VIU PhD Academy is a training program designed for PhD candidates from member universities. It focuses on advanced research themes that require interdisciplinary collaboration and global awareness.
Key Features:
- Duration: 5–7 days, hosted in Venice.
- Thematic focus changes annually (e.g., sustainability, urban resilience, climate science, innovation policy).
- Includes lectures, roundtables, workshops, and team-based activities.
- Participants are expected to contribute actively through presentations and discussions.
- Facilitated by expert faculty from VIU member institutions.
- Travel grants are often available for selected students.
For more information: https://www.univiu.org/study/phd-academy
VIU Graduate Seminars are high-level, intensive academic events that bring together master’s students, PhD candidates, post-docs, and faculty to explore a specialized theme in depth.
Key Features:
- Duration: 3–5 days, held in Venice.
- Topics are advanced and interdisciplinary, such as heritage conservation, sustainability transitions, data ethics, European integration, etc.
- Participants engage in lectures, discussions, case studies, and collaborative projects.
- Faculty from multiple institutions lead the seminars, encouraging cross-institutional dialogue.
- Includes networking opportunities with academics, practitioners, and fellow researchers.
For more information: https://www.univiu.org/study/graduate-seminars