University of Bologna at a glance
- City
- Bologna
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- unibo.it/en
Key takeaways
- For 2026/27, citizens of listed particularly poor and developing countries paid a reduced fixed fee of €500 (bachelor's) or €600 (master's) plus a €157.04 first instalment.
- Citizens of other non-EU, non-OECD countries paid €1,000 (bachelor's) or €1,200 (master's) plus €157.04, if their family income is only outside Italy.
- Bologna lists 15 bachelor's/single-cycle, 81 master's and 50 PhD programs taught in English.
- Each program has its own call: for 2026/27, typical master's intakes ran 2 Feb–2 Mar and 1 Apr–18 May 2026. The 2027/28 calls are not published yet.
- You also need a Universitaly pre-enrolment and a study visa; for 2027/28 the national visa deadline is 31 October 2027.
On this page
- Why Bologna is good value for international students
- University of Bologna tuition fees for non-EU students
- English-taught programs at Bologna
- Admission requirements
- Deadlines: last year's dates (2026/27)
- Scholarships and fee waivers
- Living in Bologna: what to budget
- How to apply to the University of Bologna step by step
The University of Bologna (Unibo) is one of the best-value choices in Italy for non-EU students: for 2026/27, citizens of listed particularly poor and developing countries paid a reduced fixed fee of €500–700 a year plus a €157.04 first instalment, and the university lists more than 140 English-taught programs across all levels.
This guide covers what you will actually pay, which programs are taught in English, the entry requirements, last year's deadlines, and the exact steps from application to visa. Every figure links back to an official Unibo or Italian government page.
Why Bologna is good value for international students
Bologna combines a very large English-taught offer with a fee system designed for students whose family income is abroad. You do not need an Italian ISEE income certificate to get the reduced fixed fee: you declare your situation and accept the Flat Tax through the ER.GO portal (ER.GO is the Emilia-Romagna right-to-study agency).
- Range of programs: 15 bachelor's and single-cycle, 81 master's and 50 PhD programs in English, from Business and Economics to Aerospace Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.
- Low fixed fees: amounts depend on your citizenship, not on a means test, and stay predictable as long as you earn the minimum credits.
- Several intakes: many programs run two or more application rounds, so you can apply early and still have a backup round.
- Places reserved for non-EU applicants: calls set aside seats for non-EU residents abroad (for example, 32 places in the Business and Economics call for 2026/27).
University of Bologna tuition fees for non-EU students
Unibo's reduced fixed fee applies if you hold citizenship of a listed country and your family has income and/or assets only outside Italy. The amounts below are for the 2026/27 academic year and are paid on top of the €157.04 first instalment that everyone pays.
| Citizenship group | Bachelor's / single-cycle | Master's (second cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| Particularly poor and developing countries | €500 (€600 if minimum credits missed) | €600 (€700 if minimum credits missed) |
| Non-EU, non-OECD countries | €1,000 (€1,200 if minimum credits missed) | €1,200 (€1,400 if minimum credits missed) |
Keep your credits up
To keep the lower amount you need at least 10 CFU (credits) to enrol in the second year and 25 CFU for later years. The reduced fee only covers the standard length of your program plus one year, and it cannot be combined with the income-based No Tax Area.
The lists of qualifying countries are published as two PDFs on the same Unibo page. Check your own citizenship there before you budget, because the difference between the two groups is roughly double.
English-taught programs at Bologna
Unibo lists 146 English-taught programs across all levels. A few examples by level, all taught in English:
Bachelor's and single-cycle (15 programs)
- Business and Economics, Economics and Finance, Management and Economics
- International Studies, European Studies, Economics, Politics and Social Sciences
- Genomics, Biology of Human and Environmental Health, Building Construction Engineering
- Single-cycle Medicine and Surgery (6 years), Pharmacy (5 years) and Veterinary Medicine (5 years)
Master's (81 programs)
- Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace Engineering, Advanced Automotive Engineering
- Applied Economics and Markets, Advanced Cosmetic Sciences, Advanced Methods in Particle Physics
- Architecture and Creative Practices for the City and Landscape
Some degrees are listed as an English-taught curriculum inside a larger program (for example Business Economics or Statistical Sciences). Make sure the curriculum you choose is fully in English. See our overview of English-taught programs in Italy for other options.
Admission requirements
Requirements are set per program, so always read the call for the degree you want. The common rules for 2026/27 were:
- Bachelor's: a school-leaving diploma after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university in your country. No fixed minimum grade: international programs rank applicants on SAT or TOLC scores (Business and Economics used the SAT with no minimum score). Medicine and Veterinary Medicine have their own exams.
- Master's: a bachelor's degree plus specific credits in related subjects; foreign degrees are assessed by a committee, sometimes with an interview. Some economics programs accept GRE/GMAT as optional. The degree must be completed by 31 December of the intake year.
- English: at least CEFR B2 (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and others listed in each call), or a previous degree taught in English. Some programs use the university's own language test.
- Documents: diploma and transcript, translation and legalisation, a Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement, passport, CV (master's), and test scores where required.
Our Italy admission requirements guide explains the 12-year rule and how CIMEA statements work.
Deadlines: last year's dates (2026/27)
The 2027/28 calls have not been published yet. For the 2026/27 intake, these were typical official dates:
| Round | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's 1st round (SAT-based, e.g. Business and Economics) | 10 Feb 2026 | 4 May 2026 |
| Bachelor's 2nd round (SAT-based) | 5 May 2026 | 3 Jul 2026 |
| Master's intake 1 (e.g. Global Cultures) | 2 Feb 2026 | 2 Mar 2026 |
| Master's intake 2 (e.g. Global Cultures) | 1 Apr 2026 | 18 May 2026 |
| PhD 42nd cycle, 1st round | - | 30 Mar 2026 |
Apply in the first round
Later rounds (such as the September extraordinary round in 2026) are too late for most students who need a visa. Aim for the first or second intake so you have time for Universitaly and the embassy.
Scholarships and fee waivers
The main source of support is the regional right-to-study (DSU) scholarship run by ER.GO, which can include money and housing for students who meet income and merit rules. Universitaly notes that an Italian ISEE or an ISEE parificato is needed for these regional calls. Unibo has also run its own merit grants for international students in past years; check the current call on the Unibo website before you rely on it. For national options, see our guide to scholarships in Italy for international students.
Living in Bologna: what to budget
The Italian government sets the minimum means for a study visa at €10,179.85 per year (for 2026/27 and 2027/28). Embassies also expect you to cover rent and tuition on top of that. Health cover is required for your residence permit: voluntary registration with the national health service costs €700 per calendar year according to Universitaly. Bologna is a busy student city, so start looking for housing as early as possible; a dorm application alone is not accepted as proof of accommodation for the visa.
Benefits
- Low fixed fees for many non-EU nationalities, without an Italian ISEE
- Very wide English-taught catalogue at every level
- Multiple intakes per program
- Places reserved for non-EU residents abroad
Difficulties
- Every program has its own call and dates, so research takes time
- Bachelor's programs can require SAT or TOLC scores
- Housing in Bologna can be hard to find
- Some degrees are English curricula inside Italian programs: check carefully
How to apply to the University of Bologna step by step
- 1
Choose your program and read its call
Find the English-taught program on the Unibo catalogue and note its rounds, places for non-EU applicants and test requirements.
- 2
Prepare tests and documents
Book the SAT or TOLC if your bachelor's needs it, get a B2 English certificate, and collect translated and legalised diplomas and transcripts.
- 3
Apply on Studenti Online
Submit your application on the Unibo portal (studenti.unibo.it) before the round deadline and pay any application fee.
- 4
Pre-enrol on Universitaly
After admission, file your pre-enrolment for one course on Universitaly so the university can validate it for the visa.
- 5
Get a CIMEA statement or Declaration of Value
The visa needs CIMEA statements of comparability and verification, or a Declaration of Value from the Italian embassy.
- 6
Apply for the study visa
Book the type D study visa at the Italian mission where you legally live. For 2027/28 the national deadline is 31 October 2027. See our Italy student visa guide.
- 7
Enrol and request the residence permit
Finalise enrolment, accept the Flat Tax on ER.GO, and apply for the permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arrival.
Applying from Afghanistan
The Italian Embassy for Afghanistan is relocated to Doha and does not issue visas, so Afghan applicants apply at an Italian mission in a country where they legally reside. Afghanistan is not in the Apostille Convention, so documents need legalisation. Check early on CIMEA-Diplome whether your certificates can be verified. Our documents and legalisation guide has the details.
Want to see every Italian university at a glance? Visit the Italy country hub or track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the University of Bologna tuition fee for international students?
For 2026/27, citizens of listed particularly poor and developing countries paid €500 (bachelor's) or €600 (master's) plus a €157.04 first instalment. Citizens of other non-EU, non-OECD countries paid €1,000 or €1,200 plus €157.04, if their family income is only outside Italy.
Does the University of Bologna require IELTS?
English-taught programs require at least CEFR B2. IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and other certificates listed in each program call are accepted, and a previous degree taught in English can also count.
When does the University of Bologna application open for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 calls are not published yet. For 2026/27, typical master's intakes ran from 2 February to 2 March and from 1 April to 18 May 2026, and SAT-based bachelor's rounds opened on 10 February 2026.
Do I need the SAT for a bachelor's at Bologna?
Some international bachelor's programs rank applicants on the SAT (for example Business and Economics, with no minimum score), while others use TOLC tests. Medicine and Veterinary Medicine have their own admission exams.
Can I study medicine in English at Bologna?
Yes. Unibo lists a 6-year single-cycle Medicine and Surgery program taught in English, with its own admission procedure. Check the program page for the current exam rules.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.University of Bologna — Reduced fixed fee for citizens of poor, developing and non-OECD countries
- 2.University of Bologna — Enrolling in a first- or single-cycle programme from a non-EU country
- 3.University of Bologna — Business and Economics: how to enrol (2026/27)
- 4.University of Bologna — Global Cultures call 2026/27 (master's)
- 5.University of Bologna — Second-cycle degrees taught in English
- 6.University of Bologna — PhD 2026/2027
- 7.MUR / Universitaly — Circular on international students 2026/27
- 8.Universitaly — Scholarships (borse di studio)
- 9.Universitaly — Living in Italy (health cover)
- 10.Embassy of Italy in Kabul (Doha) — Visas