What UnitelmaSapienza does

UnitelmaSapienza (Università degli Studi di Roma UnitelmaSapienza) is an Italian public university headquartered in Rome (Piazza Sassari, 4) that delivers higher education exclusively via distance learning. Founded with a centenary institutional heritage and formally operating as a recognized degree-granting public university, it offers Laurea (bachelor's), Laurea Magistrale (master's), and single-cycle master's degrees in fields including law, economics, administration, security, public management, cultural heritage, computer science, psychology, and classical archaeology. The institution also operates master programs, professional formation courses, single-course enrollments, and teacher qualification pathways (Percorsi Abilitanti of 30 CFU). Students can enroll online at any time and access courses via PC, tablet or smartphone, completing in-person exams at one of 14 examination centers across 13 countries hosted within Italian embassies and Italian Cultural Institutes.

The educational technology stack is a conventional open-source composition rather than a proprietary platform. The Moodle-based e-learning platform integrates with CINECA's Esse3 administrative system for student records and is delivered alongside Google Workspace for Education (Gmail, Meet, Drive, Docs) for collaboration, and Cisco WebEx for synchronous teaching. A MyUnitelma mobile application extends student services (exam booking, payments, academic progress, digital transcript) to iOS and Android via the CINECA app infrastructure. Library services are extended through a partnership with Sapienza Università di Roma, granting students access to DiscoverySapienza and other electronic resources.

The business model is tuition-driven, with revenue generated primarily from recurring annual fees across degree and continuing-education programs. Tuition is published and varies by student category and program: Progetto Giovani charges €980/year for students under 26, the standard discount tier Progetto UniLazio charges €1,150/year, alumni pay €980/year, and students with a 66%+ disability pay €200/year. Renewal fees are staged, reaching €1,300-€1,400 in 2026/2027 depending on segment, with a €140 regional tax and modest €116 course-change fees. Distribution combines self-service online enrollment, an international network of examination centers hosted at Italian diplomatic facilities, Erasmus+ bilateral exchange agreements with 10+ partner universities, institutional partnerships via the Consorzio Telma Sapienza SCARL, and recruitment channels such as the PA 110 e lode public-administration program and the dedicated Sportello Inclusione for students with disabilities.

Name

UnitelmaSapienza

Legal name

University of Rome Unitelma Sapienza

Website

https://unitelmasapienza.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

UnitelmaSapienza is an Italian public distance-learning university headquartered in Rome, awarding recognized Laurea and Laurea Magistrale degrees online across law, economics, computer science, psychology, archaeology and related fields. It serves flexible learners, public administration employees, and international students through 14 examination centers hosted at Italian embassies and cultural institutes worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online & Distance-Learning HBCUs (EDAHAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Distance learning programs
• University degree programs
• Professional master programs
• E-learning courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: UnitelmaSapienza generates revenue primarily through tuition and enrollment fees from degree programs (bachelor's, master's, single-cycle master's) and other courses. Fees vary by program and student category, with promotional rates for young students (under 26), graduates from Lazio state universities, and those with disabilities.
2. Master and Training Courses: Revenue is generated from specialized Master programs and professional training courses across areas including Legal-Economic, Health, Socio-Political, Technological-Managerial, School World, Design and Fashion.
3. Single Course Enrollment (Corsi Singoli): Students can enroll in individual courses for professional development or credit recognition purposes.
4. Teacher Qualification Pathways (Percorsi Abilitanti): Specialized programs for teacher qualification (30 CFU pathways) generate revenue from participants seeking teaching credentials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

UnitelmaSapienza is a public Italian online university that delivers fully distance-learning undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and continuing-education academic programs — including three-year laurea, two-year laurea magistrale, single-cycle degrees, master's, professional training (formation), teacher qualification paths (percorsi abilitanti), single courses and high education schools — through a Moodle-based e-learning platform supported by a global network of examination centers.

Product overview

UnitelmaSapienza is a distance-learning university offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The core offering consists of degree programs (Laurea, Laurea Magistrale, Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico) delivered primarily through its Moodle-based E-Learning Platform, supplemented by the MyUnitelma mobile app for on-the-go access. The university provides examination centers worldwide, library services via Sapienza partnership, and various additional programs including Master programs, formation courses, teacher qualification paths, single courses, and high education schools. The institution also offers specialized inclusion services, international mobility through Erasmus+, UNESCO Chair programs, and research project support. This multi-product ecosystem enables accessible, technology-enhanced higher education across multiple disciplines including law, economics, administration, security, computer science, psychology, and archaeology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Degree Programs (Laurea and Laurea Magistrale) Fully online undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs (three-year laurea, two-year laurea magistrale, and single-cycle laurea magistrale) in law, economics, computer science, psychology, engineering, archaeology and other fields, delivered via the Moodle e-learning platform for individual students pursuing an Italian university degree remotely.
• Master's Programs Postgraduate first-level and second-level master's programs (master universitari di primo e secondo livello) covering legal professions, applied psychology, public administration, digital transformation, healthcare and other specialized fields, delivered online for working professionals and graduates seeking advanced specialization.
• Formation (Professional Training) Courses Continuing-education (formazione) courses in specialized professional areas such as healthcare management, social and healthcare management, drug-addiction counseling (Counselling nelle dipendenze), and disability area management, delivered online for working professionals and specialists.
• Teacher Qualification Paths (Percorsi Abilitanti) Postgraduate qualifying pathways (percorsi abilitanti) designed to prepare candidates for entry into the Italian teacher qualification system and secondary-school teaching profession, delivered online.
• Single Courses (Corsi Singoli) Individual university courses (corsi singoli) that students can enroll in without committing to a full degree program, earning university credits (CFU) useful for study-plan integration or personal upskilling.
• High Education Schools (Scuole di Alta Formazione) Specialized advanced-training schools (Scuole di Alta Formazione) offering postgraduate professional preparation in areas such as security studies, forensic sciences, and other specialized professional fields.
• MOOC on Intangible Cultural Heritage Open-access Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on intangible cultural heritage, developed in connection with the UNESCO Chair at UnitelmaSapienza to mark the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003–2023).

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 QS Stars rating achieved in Online Learning category across 24 evaluation indicators
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Sapienza Università di RomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal partnership providing UnitelmaSapienza students and faculty with access to Sapienza's electronic resources and online library services (Sistema Bibliotecario Sapienza). Students connect via A-Z proxy or FLYER bookmarklet for off-campus access to DiscoverySapienza research database.
• CINECAcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing Esse3 student administration system integrated with UnitelmaSapienza's Moodle e-learning platform. CINECA is an Italian non-profit consortium serving universities with IT services. Also provides the MyUnitelma mobile app infrastructure.
• Italian Embassy in Niamey (Niger)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for UnitelmaSapienza examination center in Niger, enabling local exam administration for distance learning students.
• Italian Cultural Institute in SofiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for UnitelmaSapienza examination center in Bulgaria, enabling local exam administration for distance learning students.
• Italian Cultural Institute in BucharestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for UnitelmaSapienza examination center in Romania, enabling local exam administration for distance learning students.
• Italian Cultural Institute in LisboncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for UnitelmaSapienza examination center in Portugal, enabling local exam administration for distance learning students.
• Italian Cultural Institute in CairosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerExisting examination center host for UnitelmaSapienza in Egypt.
• Italian Cultural Institute in New YorksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerExisting examination center host for UnitelmaSapienza in the United States.
• Italian Cultural Institute in WarsawsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerExisting examination center host for UnitelmaSapienza in Poland.
• Italian Cultural Institute in StuttgartsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerExisting examination center host for UnitelmaSapienza in Germany.
• Turkish Ministry of Education / Ankara UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement for student and faculty mobility.
• Sukkur Iba University (Pakistan)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement for student and faculty mobility between universities.
• Badr University Cairo (Egypt)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement for student and faculty mobility.
• Marbella International University Center (Spain)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement for student and faculty mobility.
• Badr University of Assiut (Egypt)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement for student and faculty mobility.
• Università di Mekelle (Ethiopia)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement for student and faculty mobility.
• Landesstiftung Humanismus Heute (Germany)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for humanism studies and academic exchange.
• Mariupol State University (Ukraine)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement supporting academic cooperation with Ukrainian university.
• Real Academia de España (Spain)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic cooperation agreement with Spanish academy in Rome.
• Universidade de Fortaleza (Brazil)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement with Brazilian university.
• Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (Ukraine)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic cooperation with Ukrainian law university.
• Mohamed Khider University of Biskra (Algeria)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement for student and faculty mobility.
• Consorzio Telma Sapienza SCARLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium including Sapienza Università di Roma, Accademia Nazionale di Medicina, IAL Innovazione Apprendimento Lavoro, and CUEM Consorzio Universitario Euro Mediterraneo. Consortium member employees receive reduced tuition rates.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO Chair in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, conducting research and MOOCs on cultural heritage protection since 2003.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides Google Workspace for Education to all students including Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• CiscocoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides WebEx video conferencing platform used for remote teaching activities and institutional events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with universities worldwide to deliver MOOCs, certificates, and degree pathways. Competes for adult learners seeking flexible, lower-cost alternatives to traditional degrees, including Italian learners considering telematic universities.
• FutureLearn: Online course platform owned by Global University Systems, offering short courses, microcredentials, and online degrees through university partners including European institutions. Represents the international, platform-mediated alternative to a telematic university degree.

Direct peers

• Università Telematica Pegaso: One of the largest Italian online universities, offering a comparable menu of distance-learning bachelor's, master's, and single-cycle degrees with broad marketing across Italy. Directly competes with UnitelmaSapienza for the same pool of Italian remote learners and uses a similar tech-enabled delivery model.
• Università Telematica Mercatorum: Italian telematic university focused on economics, law, and management distance programs, overlapping UnitelmaSapienza's strongest disciplines. Targets the same working-adult distance-learning audience with comparable pricing models.
• Università Telematica UniNettuno: Italian telematic university delivering fully online degree programs across multiple disciplines, with an explicit international focus through partnerships and tech-mediated teaching. Competes head-to-head with UnitelmaSapienza in the online Italian higher education category and shares the cross-border student target.
• Università Telematica San Raffaele Roma: Rome-based Italian online university offering distance-learning degrees and integrated programs, competing in the same Lazio/Rome catchment as UnitelmaSapienza and sharing the same regulatory environment under MIUR.
• Università Telematica eCampus: Recognized Italian online university providing distance-learning degrees and master's programs with a similarly broad catalog. Directly competes on tuition tiers, program coverage, and distance-learning service quality.

Broad incumbents

• Sapienza Università di Roma: One of Europe's largest traditional universities and UnitelmaSapienza's strategic content/brand partner. While primarily a campus-based institution, Sapienza has expanded its own online offerings and competes at the upper end of the same student pool while also supplying academic resources to UnitelmaSapienza.

Regional players

• Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata: Another Rome-based public university with overlapping degree programs and research footprint. Indirect competitor for the same catchment of potential online students who could alternatively enroll in traditional programs.
• Università degli Studi di Roma Tre: Public traditional university in Rome offering comparable degree subjects (law, economics, engineering). Competes with UnitelmaSapienza for Lazio-based students who might otherwise choose distance learning, though via a different delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitelmatweet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQJzmzXPQQrnr71NbYO1RVQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Unitelma
• LinkedInit.linkedin.com/company/unitelma-sapienza
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitelmasapienza_ig/?hl=it

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UnitelmaSapienza