Rome Start gives select students the opportunity to spend the first year of their Loyola experience studying at our campus in Rome, Italy. After the first year in Rome, students complete their degree at our main campus in Chicago. This unique program allows students to gain a global perspective to their education while receiving a renowned Loyola degree.

The program is open to international students and U.S. citizens with strong international interests. Admission to the Rome Start program includes admission to Loyola University Chicago. The application for admission also serves as an application for Loyola’s merit scholarships, which can be used both in Rome and in Chicago.

Begin in Rome

As a Rome Start student, you’ll become an integrated member of the close-knit community at Loyola’s John Felice Rome Center (JFRC) in Rome, Italy. The JFRC hosts approximately 200 Rome Start students and Study Abroad students each semester. From study trips throughout Europe and North Africa to the intramural soccer league to on-site classes around Rome, you’ll find ample opportunities to get to know your peers and make lifelong friends.

Starting out in Rome, you’ll immerse yourself in challenging and interesting coursework based in Loyola’s core curriculum. You will be able to complete much of your required core curriculum during your time in Rome, giving you greater access to courses in your major once you transition to Chicago.

‌Remember to come to Rome prepared to travel! Whether on university-organized study trips or day-trips with your friends, we feel that travel is an integral part of your education while in Rome. To facilitate opportunities for travel, classes take place on Monday through Thursday at our Rome campus.

Complete your degree in Chicago

Upon moving to Chicago you will join a community of just over 10,000 undergraduate students and over 5,000 graduate and professional students. You will have the chance to further explore over 70 different undergraduate major and minor options. While we are a medium-sized student population, you will still enjoy small class sizes and close relationships with your professors. In fact, our student-faculty ratio in Chicago is just 15:1.

When you begin your second year at Loyola, you will have the opportunity to participate in one of the more than 175 different university clubs and organizations. You can also participate, either as a fan or an athlete, in Loyola’s NCAA Division I athletic programs.

While in Chicago, be sure to take advantage of Loyola’s out-of-the-classroom learning opportunities through the Center for Experiential Learning. Loyola students are active in academic internships throughout Chicago, service-learning, and undergraduate research projects.

To receive more information about Loyola's Rome Start program, complete this online profile.