Canonical HTML: https://www.studyu.org/en/university-bologna Markdown URL: https://www.studyu.org/en/md/university-bologna.md Language: en Meta title: University of Bologna 2026: programs & fees | StudyU Meta description: University of Bologna: tuition, admission route, documents, deadlines, risks and next steps. StudyU helps assess chances and prepare a stronger application. Last reviewed: 2026-07-04 # University of Bologna - [Free consultation](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply) Contents Apply with StudyU Free consultation: assess your admission chances. We'll help you choose a program and prepare documents. - [Apply now](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply) ## About the university University of Bologna (UNIBO) holds the title of the oldest continuously operating university in the world - it was founded in 1088. Its informal name, Alma Mater Studiorum (“nourishing mother of studies”), became a byword for universities in general. Many academic traditions began here - from thesis defences to graduation gowns and square caps. Over nine centuries, Dante Alighieri and Nicolaus Copernicus passed through Bologna's lecture halls, and in 1988 it was here that the Bologna Declarationwas signed, creating the modern higher-education system used across Europe today. Today it is a large public research university with a focus on internationalization and innovation. More than 90,000 students study here, including over 9,000 international students. The university belongs to the Coimbra Group and takes an active part in the Erasmus+ exchange program. ## University of Bologna in the rankings The University of Bologna is one of the strongest in Italy, regularly ranking first in the country according to Times Higher Education. - 133rd in the world - QS World University Rankings 2026 (3rd in Italy, 48th in Europe) - 21 subjects in the World Top 100 - QS by Subject 2026 - 146th in the world - Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 (1st in Italy) - 38th in the world in Law - THE by Subject 2026 - 43rd in the world in Arts & Humanities - THE by Subject 2026 - 201-300th in the world - Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2024 ## Campuses and facilities Bologna's historic centre The University of Bologna has five campuses. The main one is in Bologna itself - one of Italy's liveliest student cities and the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. It houses the university's main building, Palazzo Poggi, and the central library with a collection of around 1.5 million printed works and manuscripts. Students study in buildings in the historic centre, surrounded by monuments, cafés and museums. Additional campuses operate in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini, each with its own specialization - from technology and engineering to economics, humanities and business. The infrastructure includes modern laboratories, research centres, the AlmaCube start-up and innovation hub, galleries and theatres. ## Faculties and programs Libraries and teaching buildings in the city centre The University of Bologna offers more than 250 study programs: around 95 bachelor's programs, 115 master's programs, international programs (Erasmus Mundus, double degrees), as well as postgraduate and doctoral schools. Teaching is in Italian and English. ### Faculties - Arts, Humanities and Cultural Studies - Economics and Management - Engineering and Architecture - Medicine and Surgery - Legal - Agricultural and Food Sciences - Pharmacy and Biotechnology - Political and Social Sciences - Life, Environmental and Earth Sciences Not sure which field to choose? We'll find a University of Bologna program for your goals and help with admission - for free. - [Consultation](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply) ## How to apply to the University of Bologna Applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and CIS countries cannot enrol at the University of Bologna straight after the 11th grade - you will need one more year of study at a university or college at home (or a Foundation program). This is a standard requirement of the Italian education system. Language requirements: for English-taught programs - IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL from 80; for Italian-taught programs - a certificate at level B2 (CELI, CILS or PLIDA). Certain programs require entrance tests. The admission route to University of Bologna for international students: 1. Choose a program (12 months ahead). Decide on the level and language: English-taught tracks admit with IELTS/TOEFL, Italian-taught ones with CILS/CELI. 2. Pre-enrollment via Universitaly. The main pre-enrollment window via Universitaly is February–May; some universities open admission as early as October. Scholarship deadlines come before university ones — start a year ahead. 3. Document package. School certificate or degree with transcript, notarized translations, Dichiarazione di Valore or a CIMEA statement — we prepare these for you. 4. Entrance tests. Depending on the program: the TOLC test, IMAT for English-taught medicine, a portfolio for design and architecture. 5. Type-D student visa and relocation. After enrollment comes the visa, and upon arrival — the permesso di soggiorno. After 11 years of school. No — a bachelor's requires 12 years of schooling. Graduates of 11-year systems take a foundation year (about €5,000) or transfer after the first year of university at home. For a master's, a bachelor's degree is accepted directly. ## Application documents - International passport - Secondary school certificate - Language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL or CELI/CILS/PLIDA B2) - Motivation letter, CV, portfolio - as required by the program - Letter of recommendation - Entrance test results - for some programs All documents must be translated into Italian and notarized. We'll help you gather and prepare the package correctly. ## Tuition and living costs Tuition at the University of Bologna for international students starts at roughly $2,960 per year. Tuition at Italian public universities depends on family income, so the final amount is individual and may be lower. Accommodation is arranged through the ER.GO student service: residence places cost approximately €200-400 per month; the service also helps find a room in a private flat and provides discounts on canteens, transport passes and medical care for low-income students. Academic scholarships and financial aid are available. In a consultation we'll tell you which discounts and scholarships you can qualify for, and help you submit the application. Prices are approximate (converted from roubles at ≈80 ₽/$; living costs per ER.GO data). You see tuition, required extras and scholarship options before the application. Country benchmark for Italy. Public universities charge a registration fee of €900–4,000 per year; private ones start from €10,000. Budget €700–1,200 per month for living; Milan and Rome are the most expensive. Scholarships and grants. Studying can be nearly free thanks to the DSU scholarship: it is granted based on family income, not grades, and can cover the fee, housing and meals. Universities add their own merit grants. When planning the budget, add housing, insurance, visa fees and flights; we map the full route before the application. ## Student accommodation Bologna - a compact student city The University of Bologna has no residences of its own - housing is provided in partnership with the ER.GO student service. It offers residence places, helps find rooms in private flats, and supports low-income students with discounts on food, transport and medical care. Most students in Bologna rent housing in the city centre, which is compact and easy to get around on foot. Housing options: a student residence, a room in a shared flat or a studio — book right after enrollment, the choice narrows by September. The DSU scholarship can include a residence place. In the first weeks you arrange the codice fiscale (tax number), a bank card and the permesso di soggiorno — we provide a checklist and help with the appointment. ## Career after graduation After graduation. Italy lets graduates extend their stay to look for work (permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione) — we will clarify the current terms for your graduation year. A degree from University of Bologna is recognized across the EU (Bologna system). University career services, internships and working-level Italian are the three things that most influence the first job in Italy. An alternative track is a master’s: an Italian bachelor’s opens programs and scholarships across Europe. ## Student reviews The University of Bologna is the oldest in Europe, and you feel it in the approach to study. StudyU helped with the application and a scholarship. I recommend it to anyone who wants a quality European education. I was worried about documents and translations, but StudyU took care of it. Bologna is a cosy student city, and the university gives a strong foundation and many exchange opportunities. I compared several countries and the advisor honestly laid out the pros and cons of each. In the end I chose Bologna - no regrets: the program is modern and the lecturers help international students. ## FAQ ### Can I enter University of Bologna after 11 years of school? No — a bachelor's requires 12 years of schooling. Graduates of 11-year systems take a foundation year (about €5,000) or transfer after the first year of university at home. For a master's, a bachelor's degree is accepted directly. ### How much does it cost to study at University of Bologna? Country benchmark for Italy: Public universities charge a registration fee of €900–4,000 per year; private ones start from €10,000. Budget €700–1,200 per month for living; Milan and Rome are the most expensive. Exact university fees for your intake year will be verified against official sources. ### Can I study almost for free? Studying can be nearly free thanks to the DSU scholarship: it is granted based on family income, not grades, and can cover the fee, housing and meals. Universities add their own merit grants. ### Do you help with admission to University of Bologna? Yes: program selection, Universitaly, documents, the DSU scholarship, visa and housing — we accompany you from the first message to enrollment. The initial consultation is free. Want to study at the University of Bologna? We help with admission - from choosing a program and Foundation to submitting documents and the student visa. ## Get a free consultation Talk to a real advisor - we'll explain admission to the University of Bologna and find a program for you. - Program selection and admission preparation - Help with the university's scholarships and discounts - Documents, translations and the student visa - A personal advisor from the first message to enrolment Write to us Leave a request - and we'll get in touch. ## Related universities - [Politecnico di Milano](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-polimi) - [Sapienza University of Rome](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sapienza) - [🇮🇹 Studying in Italy for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-italy)