The Venice School of Management has held EQUIS accreditation since 2023—a seal of quality awarded to only about 2% of all business schools worldwide. This firmly establishes Ca' Foscari among Europe's leading business schools.
Venice is no ordinary place to study—and Ca’ Foscari is no ordinary university. Founded in 1868 in a Gothic palace right on the Grand Canal, it is one of the oldest business schools in the world and combines centuries of academic tradition with a modern, internationally oriented curriculum. Students here immerse themselves in one of the most beautiful cities in the world—a UNESCO World Heritage Site, car-free, with canals instead of streets, a vibrant cultural scene, and a rhythm all its own. At the same time, they benefit from a university that sets the standard across Europe in business, the humanities, and languages. No wonder that a semester abroad at Ca’ Foscari becomes one of the most formative experiences of their lives for many students. Maybe for you, too?
Some universities have a history. Ca’ Foscari is history. Founded on August 6, 1868, as the Regia Scuola Superiore di Commercio—the Royal School of Commerce—it is the second-oldest business school in the world and Italy’s first university to specialize in commercial education. Today, approximately 21,000 students study and conduct research here across eight schools, covering disciplines in the economic and social sciences as well as the humanities, languages, natural sciences, and Asian studies.
What sets Ca’ Foscari apart is its combination of academic depth and a vibrant international atmosphere. Over 40 languages are taught, the Institute for Asian and North African Studies enjoys a worldwide reputation, and the Venice School of Management—the university’s management department—has held EQUIS accreditation since 2023, one of the most prestigious quality seals for business schools worldwide, awarded to only about 2% of all universities globally.
Studying at Ca’ Foscari is not purely theoretical. Internships are an integral part of most programs, a dedicated Career Service supports students from their first semester through to their entry into the workforce, and close partnerships with companies build direct bridges to the job market. Students can tailor their studies by adding interdisciplinary minors—or simply take a course that piques their curiosity, even if it’s not required.
Ca’ Foscari’s international focus isn’t just on paper. The university is proud to be one of Italy’s most internationalized institutions: numerous partner universities worldwide, a broad Erasmus network, English-taught master’s programs, and a year-round selection of courses for international exchange students make studying in Venice easy—even without knowledge of Italian.
You won’t find a “campus” in the traditional sense in Venice—and that’s no drawback. Ca’ Foscari is spread across several historic buildings that are organically integrated into the fabric of Venice. At its heart is the eponymous Palazzo Ca’ Foscari, a 15th-century Gothic palace located directly on the Grand Canal, which today serves as the university administration building. It is arguably one of the most impressive university buildings in Europe.
Classrooms, libraries, and seminar spaces are spread across several locations in the historic center and on the mainland. The economics campus is located in San Giobbe, the humanities campus in Malcanton Marcorà in the Dorsoduro district, and the linguistics campus is also in Dorsoduro. For the natural sciences, there is a separate campus in Mestre, the mainland part of Venice. All locations are easily accessible by public transportation or vaporetto—the Venetian water bus.
Modern classrooms, well-equipped libraries, computer labs, and student common areas are spread across the various buildings. What’s missing? A classic university lawn, perhaps. What you get instead: study breaks along the Grand Canal, lunch at small bacari—Venetian wine bars—and seminar discussions within centuries-old walls. That’s Ca’ Foscari.
Venice is no ordinary place to study—and that’s meant in the best possible way. Students here live in one of the most extraordinary cities in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site with no cars and no traffic lights, but instead canals, bridges, gondolas, and a pace all its own. This makes Venice one of the most romantic and, at the same time, fascinating places to spend a semester abroad.
City life is centered around manageable sestieri—neighborhoods—all of which are accessible on foot or by vaporetto. Dorsoduro and Cannaregio are the most popular neighborhoods among students—with small bars, local markets, good food at reasonable prices, and a laid-back, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The nightlife is charming and laid-back, with an aperitivo culture and lively campos—the typical Venetian squares—serving as social hubs.
Finding housing in Venice requires some advance planning. Ca’ Foscari operates its own dormitories, but demand exceeds supply, so it’s advisable to apply early through the university’s Housing Office. Those who can’t secure a spot in a dorm often opt for Mestre—the mainland part of Venice, a good 15 minutes from the island. Rents here are significantly cheaper and daily life is a bit more down-to-earth, without having to forgo the benefits of Venice. Shared apartments in Mestre can be found for €350–500 per month; rooms in the historic center range from 600 to 900 € depending on the location and are correspondingly in high demand.
Venice’s location in northeastern Italy also makes it an ideal starting point for travel: Milan, Verona, Florence, and the Dolomites are all easily accessible. And anyone who has ever taken the vaporetto down the Grand Canal will understand immediately: no other place in the world to study looks quite like this one.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the opportunity to combine your studies in Munich with a semester abroad at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice—all within a single program! You can complete your semester abroad in Venice as part of the Bachelor of Arts in International Business, as well as the master’s programs in Finance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Business, International Business | Sports Management and Media, or International Marketing and Brand Management at MBS. Find out more about our degree programs now!
Note: Despite careful maintenance of our content, individual details regarding the semester abroad may occasionally change. For binding and up-to-date information, we recommend checking our partner university database.
Have you found a degree program that piques your interest? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you will then be invited to a selection interview. It’s best to apply early to give yourself the best chance of being accepted to both Munich Business School and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first semesters at Munich Business School, you’ll acquire important business fundamentals, choose your areas of concentration and electives based on your degree program and interests, and collaborate with your fellow students on exciting projects.
The first few semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. When you’ll study abroad in Venice depends on your degree program and when you started your studies. If you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Munich Business School and began your studies in the fall, your semester abroad will take place during your fourth semester. If you started your bachelor’s program in February, you’ll go abroad in the sixth semester. For master’s students, the semester abroad is scheduled for the third semester.
The MBS International Center is here to help you plan your semester abroad at Ca’ Foscari and answer all your questions about course selection, housing, and student life.
Now that you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your semester abroad at Ca’ Foscari, it’s finally time to get started. Yay, your semester abroad in Venice is about to begin! Immerse yourself in the new university culture, make new friends, experience everyday life in Venice, and create memories that will last a lifetime! One thing is certain: the experience of a semester in Venice will stay with you forever—and you’ll return a changed person.
After your semester abroad, you’ll either return to Munich Business School for one to three more semesters (Bachelor’s program) or complete your degree with your thesis (Master’s program).
To qualify for a degree program at Munich Business School—and thus also at Ca' Foscari University of Venice—you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. We recommend applying early, as the number of available spots is limited.
A semester abroad at Ca' Foscari University of Venice—one of the oldest business schools in the world, located right in the heart of Venice—is a dream destination for many students. At the same time, studying in Italy—especially in a city as unique as Venice—raises many practical questions. Here you’ll find answers to the most important ones.
Ca' Foscari is one of Italy's most prestigious universities for studies in business, the humanities, and languages, and has also earned a strong international reputation. It ranks 660th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings and is ranked 501–600 in the Times Higher Education Ranking. It excels particularly in fields such as Business & Economics (THE Ranking: 126th), Classical Studies, and sustainability research. The Venice School of Management holds EQUIS accreditation, which is awarded to only about 2% of all business schools worldwide. Anyone who values academic excellence, a truly international environment, and a unique study location will be in very good hands at Ca’ Foscari.
Yes—at least to a large extent. At the master’s level, Ca’ Foscari offers a growing number of English-language programs, particularly at the Venice School of Management. There are also numerous individual courses available in English for exchange students. The language of instruction at the bachelor’s level is primarily Italian, which is why a semester abroad as an Erasmus student is generally geared toward master’s programs and select English-language courses for MBS students. Those who wish to learn Italian will also find excellent language courses at Ca’ Foscari.
As an exchange student through MBS, there are no additional tuition fees for the semester at Ca' Foscari. However, the cost of living in Venice is higher than in many other Italian cities. For housing, food, and leisure activities, you should expect monthly costs of around 900 to 1,300 €, depending on whether you live in the historic center or in the more affordable Mestre. If you plan early and apply for a spot in a dormitory in a timely manner, you have a good chance of securing affordable housing directly through the university.
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