Study at the
University of Bologna
Alma Mater Studiorum — where academic tradition meets cutting-edge research in the heart of Italy. 90+ English-taught master's programmes, income-based fees from €157/year, and Europe's most vibrant student city.
Alma Mater Studiorum — The World's Oldest University
The University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna), founded in 1088, is recognised as the oldest university in the Western world. For nearly a millennium, it has been at the forefront of academic innovation — from establishing the concept of academic freedom to pioneering the modern university model that shaped education across Europe and beyond.
Today, the University of Bologna serves over 90,000 students across five campuses in the Emilia-Romagna region (Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini) plus an international campus in Buenos Aires. Ranked #133 globally (QS 2025) and consistently among Italy's top universities, UNIBO offers an extraordinary breadth of programmes across 32 departments and 11 schools.
Bologna — known as 'La Dotta' (The Learned), 'La Grassa' (The Fat), and 'La Rossa' (The Red) — is a vibrant, walkable student city with UNESCO-listed porticoes, world-famous cuisine, and a deeply rooted university culture. Over 12,000 international students from 150+ countries make it one of Europe's most diverse and welcoming academic communities.
Quick Facts
Rankings
Schools & Faculties
32 departments across 10 schools — one of Europe's most comprehensive universities
Income-Based Affordable Fees
Italian universities use the ISEE system — fees are calculated based on family income
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Living Costs (Monthly)
Tuition fees at UNIBO are calculated based on family income (ISEE/ISEEU system). Many students pay significantly less than the maximum. PhD students receive scholarships covering tuition + living costs. Information should be verified on the official University of Bologna website before applying.
Financial Support
Generous scholarships and fee waivers make UNIBO accessible worldwide
ER.GO Regional Scholarships
Full tuition waiver + housing + meal vouchers + cash allowance (~€5,000–€6,000)
Students (Italian and international) meeting ISEEU income thresholds and academic merit requirements
Emilia-Romagna regional scholarship. Covers tuition, accommodation in ER.GO residences, canteen meals, and a cash grant.
Unibo Action 2 Scholarships
Full tuition waiver + €11,000/year living allowance
International students from non-EU countries admitted to specific degree programmes (bachelor's and master's)
Highly competitive. Based on academic merit. One of Italy's most generous university scholarships for internationals.
Study Grants for International Students
Tuition fee reduction or waiver
Non-EU international students with strong academic records
Various grants available depending on programme and year. Applied through UNIBO's international office.
PhD Scholarships
~€16,000–€17,000/year (tax-free) + tuition waiver + 50% increase for abroad periods
Admitted PhD candidates based on competitive examination
All funded PhD positions include a scholarship. Additional research funds and mobility allowances available.
Erasmus+ and Mobility Grants
€300–€700/month mobility allowance
Enrolled students participating in exchange programmes within the Erasmus+ or bilateral agreements
Available for study abroad periods (3–12 months). Top-up grants for students with fewer opportunities.
Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)
Tuition waiver + monthly stipend + internship placement
Students from selected countries admitted to specific STEM and economics master's programmes
Italian government programme through ITA (Italian Trade Agency). Includes guaranteed internship with Italian companies.
How to Apply
Varies by programme — typically March–July for September intake; some programmes have January–February deadlines
- Apply via Studenti Online (UNIBO's online application portal)
- Secondary school diploma (12+ years of education equivalent to Italian diploma)
- Diploma supplement or transcript with final grades
- Italian language proficiency: B2+ (for Italian-taught programmes)
- English proficiency: B2+ / IELTS 5.5–6.0+ (for English-taught programmes)
- Some programmes require entrance examinations (Medicine, Architecture, Engineering numerus clausus)
- Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) from Italian embassy/consulate
- Pre-enrolment through Universitaly portal (non-EU students)
- Visa documentation (non-EU students)
Non-EU students must pre-enrol through the Universitaly portal and obtain a Declaration of Value from the Italian embassy. Some programmes (Medicine in English, Architecture) have national-level entrance exams (IMAT, TOLC). Application timelines vary significantly between programmes.
English Language Requirements
Life in Bologna
La Dotta, La Grassa, La Rossa — The Learned, The Fat, The Red
Historic Bologna Campus
The main campus spans Bologna's historic centre — lecture halls in Renaissance palazzi, the iconic Archiginnasio library (1563), and modern research buildings blending seamlessly with medieval architecture.
Porticoes & City Life
Bologna's UNESCO-listed 40km of porticoes create covered walkways connecting the entire city — students study, socialise, and commute sheltered from weather, in a uniquely walkable university city.
University Libraries
The Biblioteca Universitaria di Bologna (1712) plus 100+ specialised libraries across departments provide centuries of accumulated knowledge alongside cutting-edge digital resources.
Multi-Campus Network
Five campuses across Emilia-Romagna — Bologna (main), Cesena (engineering/psychology), Forlì (political science/interpreting), Ravenna (heritage/environment), Rimini (tourism/economics).
Student Associations
200+ student organisations — from ESN (Erasmus Student Network) to cultural clubs, sports teams, political groups, theatre companies, and international student associations.
Food & Culture
Bologna is Italy's culinary capital — tortellini, ragù, mortadella, and Parmigiano. The university district is filled with affordable trattorias, aperitivo bars, and the famous Mercato di Mezzo.
CUS Bologna Sports
The university sports centre (CUS) offers 30+ sports — football, swimming, tennis, rowing, athletics, martial arts, and more. Competitive teams and recreational programmes for all students.
European Mobility
Bologna's central location in Italy and Europe makes travel easy — Milan (1hr), Florence (35min), Venice (1.5hr), Rome (2hr) by train. Major European cities accessible via Bologna airport.
Research Excellence
Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
Home to Italy's first Department of Computer Science & Engineering with AI research spanning machine learning, computer vision, NLP, robotics, and the Bologna AI Hub (partnership with national AI strategy).
Cultural Heritage & Humanities
World-leading research in archaeology, art restoration, classical studies, and digital humanities — leveraging Bologna's position as a UNESCO Creative City and Ravenna's Byzantine heritage.
Health & Biomedical Sciences
Major research output in oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, and genomics — connected to the Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital and national health research networks.
Sustainability & Environment
The Alma Climate initiative drives research on climate adaptation, circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and marine science — particularly through the Ravenna campus and CMCC foundation.
Engineering & Industry 4.0
Advanced manufacturing, automotive engineering (Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini are in Emilia-Romagna), aerospace, and industrial automation research with strong links to the regional Motor Valley.
Food Science & Agriculture
World-renowned agri-food research — the Emilia-Romagna region is Italy's food heartland (Parmigiano, Prosciutto, Balsamic). Research spans food safety, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.
International Student Support
12,000+ international students from 150+ countries
- International Student Desk — visa, permits, and enrolment support
- Welcome and orientation sessions (September and February)
- Italian language courses for international students (free or subsidised)
- Buddy programme — Italian students support new internationals
- ESN Bologna — social events, trips, and cultural integration
- ER.GO housing support — student residences across Emilia-Romagna
- Canteen meal cards with subsidised pricing (€2–€5 per meal)
- Health insurance guidance and SSN registration
- Career service with international internship opportunities
- Erasmus+ and Una Europa mobility programmes
Your Free Path to Bologna
Expert Guidance
Specialist advisors experienced with the Italian university system, Universitaly, and UNIBO processes.
Full Application Support
Studenti Online guidance, Universitaly pre-enrolment, Declaration of Value, and document translation.
Scholarship Assistance
Help applying for Unibo Action 2, ER.GO regional scholarships, and ISEE/ISEEU fee calculations.
Housing & Arrival
ER.GO residence applications, private accommodation search, and welcome orientation in Bologna.
Visa & Permit Support
Student visa guidance, Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) support, and SSN health registration.
100% Free Service
No fees charged to students — ever. Our service is completely free for all applicants.
Apply to the University of Bologna
Free expert guidance — no hidden fees
Hear From Bologna Students
“Studying at the world's oldest university is surreal — the Archiginnasio, the professors' passion, the student life. Bologna's food alone is worth the move! And tuition was under €1,000 thanks to the income-based system.”
“UNIBO's AI programme is taught entirely in English with fantastic industry connections — Ferrari, automotive tech, and Italy's AI strategy are all linked to Bologna. The Unibo Action 2 scholarship covered my costs completely.”
“As an EU citizen, I pay no tuition and my PhD comes with a €16,000/year scholarship. The research environment is international, the city is beautiful, and being in Europe's centre means conferences are a train ride away.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuition is income-based (ISEE/ISEEU system): from €157/year (minimum, for low-income students) to €3,500–€4,300/year (maximum). Most international students pay €1,000–€2,500/year. Students with family income below €27,000 pay only the minimum. PhD students receive a scholarship (~€16,000–€17,000/year tax-free) and pay no tuition.
Yes. UNIBO offers 90+ international degree programmes (bachelor's and master's) taught entirely in English — including Medicine & Surgery, Engineering, AI, Economics, Political Science, and more. PhD research can be conducted in English across all departments.
Key options: Unibo Action 2 (tuition waiver + €11,000/year for non-EU students), ER.GO Regional Scholarship (tuition + housing + meals + cash grant), Invest Your Talent in Italy (tuition + stipend + internship), and income-based fee reductions. PhD students are fully funded.
Apply via Studenti Online (UNIBO portal). Non-EU students must also pre-enrol through the Universitaly portal and obtain a Declaration of Value from the Italian embassy. Deadlines vary by programme (typically February–July). Some programmes (Medicine, Architecture) require entrance exams.
Approximately €700–€1,100 per month (accommodation €300–€600, food €200–€350, transport €25/month). Bologna is significantly more affordable than Milan or Rome. Subsidised university canteens offer meals for €2–€5. ER.GO provides student housing at reduced rates.
Yes. Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum) is recognised as the oldest university in continuous operation in the Western world. It pioneered concepts like academic freedom, the student-professor relationship, and the degree system that universities worldwide still use today.
Bologna is one of Europe's best student cities — compact, walkable, with 40km of UNESCO porticoes. The university quarter is vibrant with affordable restaurants, bars, cultural events, and 200+ student associations. As a student city (90,000+ students), everything revolves around university life.
We provide end-to-end support: programme selection from 90+ English-taught options, Studenti Online application guidance, Universitaly pre-enrolment, Declaration of Value assistance, scholarship applications (Unibo Action 2, ER.GO), visa guidance, housing search, and pre-departure preparation. Our service is free for students.