University of Pollenzo, the new academic year begins with around 210 new students from 43 countries

Three new study programmes strengthen the University of Gastronomic Sciences’ educational offering, confirming its growth and consolidating its international dimension

Pollenzo, Bra (CN), 21 September 2026 – Around 210 new students will begin the new academic year at the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo (UNISG) between September and November 2026, coming from 43 different nationalities. This figure points to growth and an increasingly strong capacity to attract students, at a time of significant development in which research, innovation and education are advancing hand in hand.

The new academic year 2026–27 opens with three new study programmes, expanding the University’s educational offering through new collaborations: the inter-university undergraduate degree with Politecnico di Torino, “Food Tech for Ecological Transition”, the graduate degree in Food and Planetary Health in collaboration with Maastricht University and the University of Turin, and the brand-new Executive Master in Food Medicine – Il cibo come medicina.

The ability to attract students from increasingly diverse geographical backgrounds has always been one of Pollenzo’s distinctive features.
The new students come from Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, South Korea, Denmark, Ecuador, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Rwanda, Russia, San Marino, Somalia, Spain, the United States, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan (China), Türkiye, Hungary and Zimbabwe.

This geographical diversity reflects the international appeal of a radically transdisciplinary university model dedicated to the study of food in its cultural, social, economic, environmental and health-related dimensions.

The new students are distributed across the different study programmes: as of today, there are 61 students enrolled in the undergraduate degree in Gastronomic Sciences, the University’s historic programme; 21 students enrolled in the new undergraduate degree Food Tech for Ecological Transition; 28 in the graduate degree in Food Industry Management; and 14 in the new graduate degree Food and Planetary Health.

These are joined by the new students enrolled in the Master’s programmes starting in October: 29 students for the Master in New Food Thinking and 29 for the Master in World Food Studies. In addition, two more programmes will start in November: the new Executive Master in Food Medicine – Il cibo come medicina and the Master in Cultura e Management del Vino, with 16 and 14 students enrolled respectively (although applications are still open).

 «After several years of contraction, due to multiple factors, this year the University of Pollenzo has returned to growth: both in the number of new students enrolled (more than 30% up on last year) and in the number of programmes offered. This is an extraordinary result for us – underlines Nicola Perullo, President and Rector of the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo – which gives us great energy and strength to continue building an increasingly important and international university. But it is not only a matter of numbers: Pollenzo confirms its role as an international hub for the study, education and research of the future of food. The new strategic synergies with the Piedmont university system and with major international universities are all moving in this direction».

The University’s promotional activities in Italy and abroad, its dialogue with secondary schools and international educational institutions, together with its participation in the main orientation and recruitment events, have contributed in recent years to broadening the international audience interested in Pollenzo’s study programmes.

Monday 21 September marks the start of the new academic year

The new academic year will officially begin on Monday 21 September with the Orientation Day for new students, opening three days of meetings and activities designed to accompany them as they discover the university community and life in Pollenzo.

The first day, hosted at Cascina Albertina, will open with registration and a Welcome incoming students from President and Rector Nicola Perullo. This will be followed by meetings with faculty members and the coordinators of the different study programmes, activities introducing students to the University’s offices and services, the traditional photo shooting with the Rector, and lunch at the Tavole Accademiche.

In the afternoon, new students will be introduced to the activities of Pollenzo Food Lab, the Career Center, UNISG laboratories and opportunities linked to partnerships, executive education and study abroad programmes. The day will conclude with an introduction to Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026, an event in which UNISG will play a leading role with an extensive programme of meetings, activities and in-depth sessions, some of which will also be organised by the renewed UNISG Alumni Association.

The orientation week will continue on Tuesday 22 September with a presentation of the Educational Gardens and the University’s main offices and services, including Pollenzo Food Lab, Career Center, Sensory, Behavior and Cognition Lab and Student Office. Wednesday 23 September will instead be dedicated to meeting the ASSG – Associazione Studenti di Scienze Gastronomiche, to foster, from the very first days, students’ knowledge of the student community and its activities.