University and research: Milan Statale at the top for Economics and Medicine, Florence for Law

Their work was assessed, via peer review, by 723 experts from the Gevs (Groups of Evaluation Experts) and the more than 6,000 external reviewers. The results, in line with previous VQRs, are based on an index (R) with an average value of 1. Universities with higher scores, therefore, rank higher. For example: a university with R = 1.10 performs approximately 10% above the average of its sector. Of the various indicators used here, we limit ourselves to the so-called 'R 1_2', which is only qualitative and sums up the performance of structured researchers plus new recruits.

Moving on to the results, we start with Economic Sciences and Statistics (area 13a). Among state universities, the highest value comes from Milan Statale with 1.16, followed by Venice Ca' Foscari (1.11), Padua and Turin (both at 1.09). But the highest result of the entire area belongs to Bocconi, which among non-state universities reaches 1.28. Luiss in Rome (1.25) and the University of Bolzano (1.17) are also above average.

If, on the other hand, we look at Economic and Business Sciences (13b), the geography of results changes. Among the state-run ones, Bergamo (1.10), Florence and Messina (1.09) excel, while in the private sector the record goes to Luiss with 1.16, ahead of Bocconi (1.10).

In medical sciences (area 6), among state universities, Milan's Statale di Milano (1.11) is back on top, followed by Padua (1.10) and Florence (1.07). Even higher are the results of some specialised private universities: Humanitas and San Raffaele, again in the Milanese capital, both reach 1.12, while Bolzano goes as high as 1.36.

In the biological sciences (area 5), the highest value among state-run universities is that of Turin (1.13), ahead of Padua (1.10). But even in this case Milan's private universities stand out: Humanitas reaches 1.26 and San Raffaele 1.07.

In the Industrial and Information Engineering area (area 9), the best result among state universities is shared by Padua and Trento, both with an R index of 1.04. Immediately behind are Bari Polytechnic and the University of Calabria (1.03), while Milan Polytechnic stops at 1.01. Among non-state universities, instead, Bolzano leads with 1.05.

In Civil Engineering (area 8b) the supremacy goes to the Federico II of Naples (1.09), followed by Salerno (1.08) and Calabria (1.05). Architecture (area 8a) is also more oriented towards the Centre-South, where the Federico II still leads with 1.09, ahead of Roma Tre (1.05) and Sapienza (1.04).

In the legal sector (area 12) the top of the ranking is shared by Florence, Roma Tre and Siena, all with an R indicator of 1.07. They are followed by Trento (1.06) and the University of Milan (1.05). Among non-state universities, the highest result is that of the Cattolica of Milan with 1.11, ahead of Bocconi (1.07).

The humanities present a more fragmented map. In the Sciences of Antiquity and History of Literature (area 10), the best result among the state universities is that of Pavia (1.08), followed by Roma Tre (1.06) and Pisa (1.05).

In Historical, Philosophical and Pedagogical Sciences (area 11a) Macerata stands out with 1.12, ahead of Bologna (1.10) and Roma Tre (1.09). Among the non-governmental universities, the Catholic University (1.08) and the Iulm University of Milan (1.07) are also above 1.