Sapienza University of Rome: how can your child study aerospace engineering?
When a 16-year-old says they want to work with rockets, most people respond by “studying mathematics and physics a lot.” It's honest advice. But there is something that makes much more difference than any list of disciplines: placing this young person in a real aerospace engineering school, in contact with researchers, laboratories, and companies that experience this universe every day.
The Sapienza University of Rome makes this possible, it is one of the oldest universities in the world still in operation and has one of the most respected aerospace engineering schools in Europe. In this article, you will understand what makes this institution special, how the Be Easy residential program takes place within it, and why studying for two weeks at Sapienza in 2026 may be the concrete starting point that your child is waiting for.
What is Sapienza University of Rome?
The Sapienza University of Rome was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII and is one of the oldest universities in the world that is still actively operating. Today, it is the largest university in Italy, with more than 100,000 students enrolled, and is among the largest in Europe in terms of the number of researchers, scientific publications and active laboratories.
It's not just size. Sapienza has real weight in the academic and industrial ecosystem of Italy, a country that contributes significantly to the European Space Agency (ESA) and is home to companies such as Leonardo S.p.a., which operates in more than 150 countries focusing on aerospace technology, defense and security. When Sapienza trains an aerospace engineer, this professional enters a market that has real and active demand.
For young people aged 15 to 18, having access to this environment before entering university is something that most engineering students don't even achieve during graduation.
Why is the Sapienza aerospace engineering school a European reference?
The Sapienza Aerospace Engineering School brings together decades of training engineers who today work at ESA, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Leonardo S.p.A. and in defense and innovation companies around the world.
What sets this school apart in the European context is not only the age of the institution. It is the combination of three factors:
- Active research integrated with teaching: school laboratories are not just classrooms with equipment. These are environments where real aerospace engineering projects take place. The young person who enters this space is not studying engineering in theory. It's inside a place where it's actually practiced.
- Location at the heart of the Italian aerospace ecosystem: Rome isn't just the capital of Italy. It is also the city where some of the most relevant institutions and companies for the European space sector are based. This geographical proximity has a direct impact on the partnerships, visits, and connections that the program offers.
- Certificate with recognized institutional weight: The certificate of completion of the program is issued with reference to the Sapienza School of Aerospace Engineering. In international university applications, this has a different weight than a certificate issued by an event organizing company.
How does the residential program at Sapienza work?
Be Easy offers a two-week residential program based on the School of Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome, aimed exclusively at young people aged 15 to 18. Summer 2026 takes place from July 19 to August 1.
The format is exclusively residential: 13 nights of lodging, three meals a day, insurance for the entire period, and staff support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no Day Camp version.
What's included in the program:
- Accommodation for 13 nights in a university residence
- 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Insurance for the entire period
- Support from the Be Easy team 24 hours a day
- Access to the laboratories and facilities of the Sapienza Aerospace Engineering School
- Classes and practical activities for the three technical modules
- Exclusive visits to Leonardo S.p.a., Pagani Automobili and Italdesign & Museum
- Actual launch of the rocket built by the participants
- Certificate of completion of the program
What are the technical modules of the program?
The program is structured in three progressive modules. The logic of progression is deliberate: the young person begins with physical foundations, moves on to simulation and control of systems, and ends by building and launching a real rocket. Each module prepares the following.
Module 1: Rocket Engineering & Propulsion
The starting point is rocket physics, worked on in an applied way from day one.
Young people study the principles that generate thrust, the different propulsion systems used in the industry, and the physics of aerospace flight. The approach connects theory and practice in a direct way: upon leaving module 1, the participant understands what happens in a real launch and why each engineering choice has consequences on the vehicle's performance. Prior knowledge in advanced physics is not required.
Module 2: space mission simulation & embedded systems (Arduino)
In this module, the young person goes from being an observer to a designer.
Participants develop embedded systems with Arduino, including sensors and telemetry systems for real-time data transmission during the flight. They also work with tools for simulating spatial trajectories. The competencies developed in this stage include:
- Arduino microcontroller programming for aerospace applications
- Development of embedded sensors and control systems
- Trajectory modeling with simulation software
- Integration of electronics, software and mechanical structure in a single project
This combination of skills is exactly what the global aerospace market seeks in professionals, and young people will have direct contact with them before entering university.
Module 3: rocket prototype development & launch
This is the module that transforms everything learned into something concrete and real.
In teams, participants design, build, and test a rocket prototype applying the knowledge accumulated in the two previous modules. The process follows the actual engineering phases:
- Design and technical design of the structure
- Construction of the prototype in the laboratory
- Tests, revisions, and technical adjustments
- Actual rocket launch at the close of the program
The rocket is effectively launched. It's not a simulation, it's not a model. It is the result of two weeks of collective technical work, launched by the participants themselves. For any young person who talks about wanting to work with rockets, this is a career reference that no online course or theory class can replace.
What does the Sapienza certificate represent in the young person's curriculum?
This is one of the points that most differentiates this program from other summer camps available on the market.
The certificate of completion is issued with reference to the School of Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome, an institution with more than 700 years of academic history and an active presence in the European aerospace ecosystem. It is not a generic certificate of participation. It is a document that associates the young person's name with one of the most respected engineering schools in Europe and proves the completion of a structured technical program.
Why does this matter in university selection processes?
Higher education institutions around the world, especially the most selective ones, value what candidates did before university. In letters of intent, academic portfolios, and interviews, this certificate may be presented as evidence of:
- Proven technical interest in the area of aerospace engineering
- Ability to work in an international academic environment in English
- Completion of a practical project with concrete results (rocket launch)
- Exposure to the sector's professional environment before graduation
These four points together build a profile that stands out. Most applicants for engineering courses enter with only a high school transcript and grades. Your child can enter the curriculum with this and with Sapienza.
Academia and industry: the combination that only Rome offers
What makes the program at Sapienza unique isn't just the institution's academic quality. It is the combination of academic base with real industrial immersion, made possible by the location of the program in Rome.
Technical visits are part of the program's official schedule and carry the same weight as laboratory hours. They bring young people into contact with the aerospace and advanced engineering market in real operation.
Leonardo S.p.a. is one of the largest aerospace, defense, and security technology companies in the world. It operates in more than 150 countries and develops satellites, air navigation systems, embedded electronics, and defense solutions. The visit allows participants to talk to engineers who work daily with the same problems studied in the technical modules.
Pagani Automobili is recognized worldwide for advanced materials engineering, aerodynamics and performance in extreme conditions. The visit connects young people to the mentality of seeking technical excellence in every detail of a project, a principle that underpins high-level aerospace engineering.
Italdesign & Museum is one of the most influential industrial design and engineering studios in automotive history. The visit connects the engineering process to the actual product design, from the concept to the physical prototype.
The three visits together form a rare overview of what it means to work in high-level engineering in Europe: from the multinational aerospace company to the precision design studio.
What does the residential regime offer besides classes?
The residential format isn't just a matter of logistics. It is a structural part of the formation.
By living 24 hours a day with young people from different countries, participants develop skills that no technical module can teach in isolation: communication in English in a real context, teamwork with people from different cultures, autonomy and adaptation to a new environment.
The accommodation is in a university residence in Rome, with infrastructure above the standard of most programs for teenagers:
- Single rooms with private bathroom
- Kitchenette available in the room
- Equipped gym, games room and cinema
- Terraces and laundry
- House parents present at night for support and supervision
The concept of house parents is important for parents who are concerned about their child's safety outside the home. They are responsible adults, available at night, with a support and supervision function. Young people have real autonomy, but they are never without available support.
Rome is also part of the program. The program includes cultural activities as an official part of the grid, not as an optional add-on. The city, with its historical heritage and its present as an active industrial hub, is itself an element of the formation.
Who is this program for?
The program was developed for young people aged 15 to 18 with an interest in engineering, science, technology, or space exploration. It does not require prior technical knowledge in any of the areas worked on.
The language of the program is English. The daily contact with teachers and classmates from other countries in English represents a real improvement over the two weeks, regardless of the initial level.
The young person who enjoys the program the most often:
- Be genuinely curious about science, technology, space, or engineering
- Wanting to understand in practice whether aerospace engineering is the right path for him
- Pursue an international experience other than a conventional language exchange
- Wanting to build a curriculum with a concrete differential before university
- Be willing to work as a team and solve practical problems for two weeks
For parents: this program offers the chance for the child to test a highly technical area under real conditions, with complete and safe support, before any long-term academic commitment. It's career planning with practice, not theory.
FAQ: frequently asked questions about Sapienza and the aerospace program
Is Sapienza University of Rome internationally recognized in aerospace engineering?Yes. Sapienza is the largest university in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, with over 700 years of academic history. Its Aerospace Engineering School trains professionals who work in space agencies, defense companies, and innovation centers around the world.
Does my child need to have prior engineering knowledge to participate?No. The program builds on the fundamentals and progresses progressively over the two weeks. It is not necessary to have studied advanced physics, programming, or electronics. The content is built from scratch within the three modules.
Is the certificate of completion valid for international universities?The certificate is issued with reference to the School of Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome. When applying to international universities, it is a concrete differential that demonstrates practical interest and real technical experience before graduation, something that most candidates simply do not have.
What is the minimum level of English required?The program accepts young people of all proficiency levels. The daily contact with colleagues from other countries and with teachers in English represents a real improvement over the two weeks, regardless of the initial level.
When does the program take place and how can I guarantee the vacancy?Summer 2026 takes place from July 19 to August 1 in Rome. Places are limited by the program format itself. The application process involves planning documentation and visa in advance. Contact Be Easy to start the process and secure your child's place.
How can Be Easy help with this process?
Be Easy has more than 200 partnerships with international educational institutions and accompanies families at all stages of the exchange process: from the initial research to the return of the young person, with support in documentation, visa, logistics and adaptation. For the program at Sapienza, our team guides each family from the assessment of the young person's profile to the day of boarding, ensuring that no stage is taken without support. If you want to understand if this program is the right choice for your child, contact us.
