After years of setbacks and an at least partly quiet demand for applications, for the first time the specialty school of Medicine and Surgery at a Neapolitan university is almost full again, with good satisfaction among deans and teachers. A sign of a trend reversal that worries both Federico II and Vanvitelli with the occupancy percentage even exceeding the national average of 75 percent. Important signal for health training in the South which is starting to regain its appeal after a long period of “flight” to northern universities.
The analysis
Let’s start with the numbers: Federico II is banned from playing Ministry of Universities 534 places: 440 already set. On a percentage basis, the figure is around 82, well above the Italian average which – as already mentioned – is around 75 percent and not more. Even at Vanvitelli University, the trend is more or less similar: 363 scholarships were awarded out of 444 available, which is 80 percent of employment. Figures – insiders confirm – that have not been seen for years.
Driving this growth – and this is perhaps one of the most surprising figures – in particular are the medical fields, such as emergency and general surgery, which are recording a completely insufficient number of applications. Last year – numbers in hand – school entered Anesthesia, resuscitation and intensive care at Vanvitelli he advertised 62 places and assigned only 47, even worse was Federico II: of the 55 empty slots, he occupied only 25. This year the scenario has changed. At Vanvitelli, the most significant data comes from Anesthesia and Resuscitation: of the 55 positions advertised, 54 are occupied.
A significant turning point considering that, recently, the school is one of the schools that has had the most difficulty in finding candidates. Very good – we always talk about Vanvitelli University – too Pediatrics, Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Rheumatology and Nutrition which is sold out. The same approval for the specialty Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases, in the latter case twenty-one of twenty-one places were occupied.
The choice
If we turn to Federico II, the preferences of new graduates will be the main focus Internal Medicine, Oncology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Orthopedicsall with a very high level of coverage. In contrast to Vanvitelli, Anesthesia and Resuscitation fared less well, occupying only 25 of 55 places, a figure that essentially trails last year and is already starting to be reflected by the University. However, specialization in Infectious and tropical diseases: six out of six places and, therefore, one hundred percent employment. The same percentage also occurs in schools Pathological anatomy (seven of seven places), Audiology (three of three), Maxillofacial surgery (six of six), Plastic Surgery (five out of five)Vascular surgery (seven of seven) and – no news – Dermatology (six out of six) which is still the dream of many people. Same trend a Neurology (eight out of eight), Child neuropsychiatry (nine out of nine) e Medical oncology (twelve of twelve).
Fourth, the house dedicated to little Gabriele was inaugurated
Precedent
Therefore, there is a trend reversal after a prolonged period of crisis. Two years ago, specialty schools in Campania recorded an employment rate of less than 60 percent, with entire areas – especially surgery and anesthesia – almost empty. There were several causes: mainly competition from the North, coupled with a series of organizational difficulties, salaries that were considered too low compared to the commitment required and – in general – often onerous working conditions in hospital departments. But this year, the situation seems to be turning around. He didn’t hesitate Massimo Minerva, coordinator of the Als – Free Specialist Association which every day collects dozens of reports from schools throughout the country: «Yes, that’s how it is, in general more places are filled. Across Italy, if we keep talking about numbers, the figure increases from 67 percent in 2024 to 75 percent in 2025. Let’s be clear, adds Minerva, this increase is not due to the greater attractiveness of schools, but simply to a greater balance between candidates and advertised positions”. What does this mean? The ALS coordinator once again asks a numerical question: «It’s very simple: 1098 more positions are occupied than in 2025. 2024 because there are 1,763 more candidates. And the situation could improve even more if the number of unfilled or abandoned places in schools is reduced. But – concludes Minerva – it seems too difficult a concept for ministry decision makers.”
