The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in the Western world, with campuses in Bologna and in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was 123rd in the world and the third-highest-ranked university in Italy. It’s known for law, economics, the humanities, political science and agriculture.
Bologna offers several bachelor’s degrees in English, but places for non-EU applicants are limited and each programme has its own test and deadlines. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on the University of Bologna’s own guidance and official Italian government information.
1. Find an English-taught bachelor’s programme
Bologna offers a number of first-cycle (bachelor’s) degrees taught in English, such as Business and Economics in Bologna and International Studies in Forlì, alongside many programmes taught in Italian. Each programme publishes its own call for applications with the rules, test and deadlines, so read the call for your programme carefully.
2. Check how many places there are for you
Many programmes have restricted access, with a set number of places, some of which are reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. For 2026-27, for example, Business and Economics had 190 places, including 32 for non-EU citizens resident abroad, and International Studies had 180 places. Business and Economics: how to enrol.
3. Take the right admission test
Each programme uses its own test. Business and Economics selects students using the SAT, while International Studies uses the CISIA TOLC-E, and other programmes may use the English-language CEnT-S. Check which test your programme accepts and book it early. Practise with our free SAT practice tests.
4. Apply in the first selection round
Restricted-access programmes usually have several selection rounds. For 2026-27, Business and Economics’ first round ran from 10 February to 4 May 2026, with a second round to 3 July and an extraordinary round in September, but places for non-EU applicants living abroad were only offered in the first round. You apply through Studenti Online and pay a €20 fee for each application.
5. Prove your English
English-taught programmes usually require English at B2 level or higher, proved with a recognised certificate, so check the exact requirement in your programme’s call. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
6. Get your school qualification on time
If you’re admitted before you finish school, you must obtain your secondary school qualification by 31 December of the year you enrol, or your enrolment will be cancelled. Italian universities usually require 12 years of schooling, and some countries’ qualifications also need a pass in a national university entrance exam.
7. Understand the fees
Bologna’s fees depend on your family’s financial situation. For 2026-27, you pay between €157.04 and a maximum set for each programme. If your family’s income and assets are abroad, you can submit documents on your foreign income to get a reduction, otherwise you pay the maximum for your programme. University of Bologna fees and exemptions.
8. Look for study grants and housing early
Bologna has offered study grants and fee waivers for international students in recent years, and the regional right-to-study agency, ER.GO, provides grants and housing based on family income. Bologna is a popular student city and rooms go quickly, so start looking for housing as soon as you’re admitted.
9. Pre-enrol on Universitaly and get your study visa
EU citizens don’t need a visa to study in Italy. If you’re from outside the EU and live abroad, you must pre-enrol for your programme on the national Universitaly portal, and once the University of Bologna has validated your pre-enrolment you apply for a type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country. You’ll need to show that you can support yourself, with a minimum amount set each year by the Ministry of University and Research (about €6,000 a year in recent years), as well as accommodation and health insurance. The national deadline for 2027-28 study visa applications is 31 October 2027, but universities set much earlier pre-enrolment deadlines, so follow the University of Bologna’s dates. Within eight working days of arriving in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit for study (permesso di soggiorno). Universitaly portal.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
With a residence permit for study, you can work up to 20 hours a week, up to a maximum of 1,040 hours a year. After you graduate, you can convert your study permit into a work permit if you find a job, or apply for a permit to look for work for up to 12 months, as long as you register with your local job centre (Centro per l’Impiego) before your study permit expires. Rules can change, so check the latest guidance with the Questura (police immigration office) or the University of Bologna’s international office.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Bologna?
Bologna offers many second-cycle (master’s) programmes taught in English, and each one sets its own requirements and application rounds, often starting early in the year. In recent years the University has also offered “International Talents @Unibo” study grants for international master’s students. For a PhD, Bologna publishes an annual call. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Places for non-EU students are limited, so apply to other options too. Read our guides to Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza University of Rome, the University of Padua and Politecnico di Torino. Our guide to studying in Italy explains how the Italian system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of Bologna’s official admissions, programme and fee pages, Italian government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on the University of Bologna’s website for international students before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of Bologna.