University of Bologna: studying at the world’s oldest university

Founded in 1088, the Alma Mater Studiorum is theoldest university in Italy and the world. In its nearly 1,000 years of history, the University of Bologna has welcomed famous personalities such as astronomer Niccolò Copernico, writers Giosuè Carducci and Umberto Eco or film director Pier Paolo Pasolini into its classrooms.

In this article we outline the advantages of studying at such a prestigious university as L'Alma Mater Studiorum in Bologna.

Table of contents

A Multicampus and International University

Educational offerings and courses in English

The advantages of studying at the University of Bologna

How much does it cost to study in Bologna

Enrolling at the University of Bologna as an international student

University of Bologna: Multicampus and international

Studying at UniBo means immersing yourself in an innovative and international environment.

More than 96,000 students chose the University of Bologna in 2023, including 8,526 from abroad. Not counting Erasmus students, international enrollment is about 5,000, and they come mainly from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans.

In addition, the University of Bologna fosters the international mobility of its students through agreements with prestigious U.S. universities such as Dickinson College, Brown University, Indiana University or the University of California.

The University of Bologna is also Italy's first Multicampus, with campuses in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini, as well as an international campus in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Educational offerings and courses in English at the University of Bologna

Alma Mater students can choose from more than 200 courses of study, including 64 in English and 25 in English and with double degree options.

Educational offerings include:

• bachelor's degree programs,
• master's degrees,
• first- and second-level master's degrees,
• PhDs.

The most renowned faculties are humanities and law, but the university has a total of 31 departments, divided into medical, scientific, social, technological and humanities areas.

The advantages of studying at the University of Bologna

Those who choose to study at the University of Bologna not only have access to an excellent education, but also live in a city rich in culture and opportunity.

Bologna is strategically located, well connected to the rest of Italy thanks to the high-speed rail network: in less than an hour you can reach Florence, but Milan, Venice, Rome and Naples are also easily accessible.

Emilia-Romagna is also famous for its culinary tradition: ragù alla Bolognese, lasagna, and tortellini are just a few of the typical dishes that make the city a gastronomic landmark.

Student life in Bologna is vibrant, with cultural events, music festivals, exhibitions and seminars. The city is ideally sized for a student: neither too small nor too large, easily navigable by bicycle, and full of libraries and study rooms scattered throughout the historic center.

How much does it cost to study at the University of Bologna

It is not particularly expensive to study in Bologna considering that you can reduce costs by taking advantage of the many scholarships, subsidized housing and university canteens.

In general, a student's major expenses include:

• tuition fees (varying between 0 and 3,500 euros per year, depending on ISEE and right-to-study benefits);
• rent (a single room in the center costs about 400 euros per month, excluding expenses);
• public transportation (season ticket costs 154 euros per year for students under 27 years old);
• food and daily expenses (highly variable depending on the student's lifestyle).

International students must then add the cost of obtaining a student visa and health coverage to the tuition fees and cost of living in Bologna.

Enrolling at the University of Bologna as an international student

TheUniversity of Bologna is one of the Italian public universities that invests the most in international agreements and collaborations, offering students a stimulating and multicultural environment. If you are a non-EU student here you will find a large community of colleagues from all over the world with whom to share your academic experiences.

With numerous exchange programs,UniBo is an excellent choice for those who wish to study in Italy while being part of an international environment and attending a world-class university.

If you would like detailed information about the application process, requirements for moving to Italy, and the study visa, you can consult our guide and contact Welcome Association Italy, which offers assistance and support services for international students.