University of Bologna- Bologna, Italy
University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna) is the oldest continuously operating university in the Western world. It is a public institution and a leading academic landmark that combines history with innovation, welcoming over 90,000 students annually and providing a multicultural learning environment distributed across five campuses in the Emilia-Romagna region.
Location and Origins
- Year of Establishment: 1088 AD in the city of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy.
- Multicampus Model: The university is not limited to its main headquarters in Bologna; it also operates four other branch campuses in the region (Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini), as well as an international branch in Buenos Aires.
Importance for International Students
- Academic Ranking: Ranked #1 in Italy and consistently positioned among the top 150 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings.
- Linguistic Diversity: Offers more than 100 degree programs taught entirely in English.
- Internationalization and Support: Home to over 7,000 international students, offering full or partial tuition fee waivers (such as Unibo Action 1 & 2 scholarships) alongside regional DSU grants.
Degree Programs and Majors (by Language of Instruction)
The university offers more than 100 academic programs taught entirely in English, while the remaining disciplines are taught in Italian:
Programs Taught in English:
- Medicine and Life Sciences: Medicine and Surgery (via a dedicated English track), Genomics, Biology of Human and Environmental Health.
- Engineering and Technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Advanced Automotive Engineering (MUNER), Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, and Aerospace Engineering.
- Economics and Business: Business and Economics (CLABE), International Business, Economics and Finance.
- Social Sciences and Humanities: International Relations, Climate Change, European Studies, and Cultural Heritage Preservation.
Programs Taught in Italian:
- Medical and Health Sciences: Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Veterinary Medicine.
- Humanities and Law: Law (5-year single-cycle degree), Literature and Philosophy, History, Fine Arts, and Design.
- Sciences and Education: Educational and Psychological Sciences, Traditional Chemical and Physical Sciences.
Medical Programs at the University of Bologna
Medical disciplines are administered through two distinct study systems:
| Language Requirements | Admission System | Duration of Study | Language of Instruction | Specialization |
| B2 English | Passing the IMAT Exam | 6 Years (Single Cycle) | English (or Italian) | Medicine & SurgeryEnglish |
| B2 Italian | Passing Italian National Admissions Tests | 6 Years (Single Cycle) | Italian | Dentistry & Orthodontics |
| Proof of required language level for each study track | TOLC-F Exam | 5 Years (Single Cycle) | Italian (and some branches in English) | Pharmacy |
| B2 English | Competitive selection based on GPA and scientific admission test | 3 Years (Bachelor’s) | English | Biological Sciences Genomics& |
| B2 Italian | Reserved for doctors accepted for clinical and surgical training | 4 to 5 Years | Italian | Medical Specialization Schools |
Engineering and Technology at the University of Bologna
Majors: Computer Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical Engineering and Automotive Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Architecture, Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering.
Language Requirements: English for select international programs (such as Architecture and Automotive Engineering), and Italian for most other programs. The required level is typically B2.
Admission Requirements: Passing the cognitive assessment test (TOLC-I test for Engineering) alongside providing language proficiency certification.
Duration of Study: 3 years.
Economics, Management, and Business at the University of Bologna
Majors: Business Administration, Economics and Finance, Economics and Commerce, Tourism and Events Management.
Language Requirements: English is available across several major programs (such as CLABE and CLEF) alongside Italian. The required level is B2.
Admission Requirements: Passing the TOLC-E exam or SAT/ACT for English-taught programs, along with meeting language prerequisites.
Duration of Study: 3 years.
Basic and Applied Sciences
Majors: Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics and Astrophysics, Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Environmental and Geological Sciences.
Language Requirements: Predominantly Italian, with integrated tracks or select modules in English. The required level is B2.
Admission Requirements: Passing the TOLC-S test for Sciences or TOLC-B, and proof of language proficiency.
Duration of Study: 3 years.
Humanities and Arts
Majors: Foreign Languages and Literatures, History and Philosophy, Cultural Heritage Management and Arts, Media and Communication Sciences.
Language Requirements: Primarily Italian for most majors, except for Foreign Languages programs. The required level is B2.
Admission Requirements: Passing the TOLC-SU test (for Humanities) and evaluation of language and academic background.
Duration of Study: 3 years.
Political and Social Sciences, and Law
Majors: International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs, Political Science and Public Administration, Sociology and Social Work, Legal Sciences.
Language Requirements: Italian is the primary option, with select International Relations tracks available in English. The required level is B2.
Admission Requirements: Passing the TOLC-E or TOLC-SU test depending on the department, and meeting language requirements.
Duration of Study: 3 years (except for the Single-Cycle Law degree program, which spans 5 years).
Agricultural and Food Sciences
Majors: Food Technology, Sustainable Agricultural Sciences.
Language Requirements: Italian with B2 proficiency level.
Admission Requirements: Passing the subject-specific assessment test for Agricultural Sciences (TOLC-AV) and proof of language proficiency.
Duration of Study: 3 years.
Important Links:
Italian Public Universities List for International Students | Admission 2026/27 🇮🇹🎓