Erasmus guide Bologna Business School
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Bologna Business School in Bologna, Italy.
Study abroad at Bologna Business School: overview
Study abroad at Bologna Business School makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. Bologna Business School (BBS) is the international graduate management school of the University of Bologna — the world's oldest university, founded in 1088. Useful proof points: Large university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.; , international students; International Management, Food and Wine Management, Fashion Management. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
Large university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.
International Mix
, international students
Why students choose it
Best for students who want International Management, Food and Wine Management, Fashion Management and are willing to check language, seats and campus rules before choosing. In bologna, housing and the daily route matter as much as reputation.
Language of instruction: English (primary for international programmes); Italian for some local tracks
Exchange & application at Bologna Business School
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Bologna Business School, rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Programme or partner-route admission, online application documents, academic record, English readiness where required, visa or residence paperwork when relevant, and confirmation of campus/course location.
📨Nomination Process
Contact your home university International Office; they submit a formal nomination to the host Italian university before the faculty deadline.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students do not need a visa. Non-EU students staying >90 days need a Type-D student visa from the Italian consulate in their home country; university issues acceptance letter for visa application.
🧭Orientation Week
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn/Full year | Typically April–May | Typically May–June — confirm with faculty |
| Spring | Typically October–November | Typically November–December — confirm with faculty |
Arrival Checklist
- Check whether your daily teaching is at Villa Guastavillani or another BBS location.
- Plan housing around commute, not only the historic center.
- Use Bologna-wide student housing routes because BBS-specific accommodation supply is limited.
Academics & courses at Bologna Business School
Academics combine ECTS credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
BBS is more programme-shaped than a large exchange university. Students should follow their cohort calendar and practical project deadlines closely.
🎓Credit System
ECTS or programme-specific credit structure depending on route
💯Grading System
ECTS-based assessment or programme-specific grading depending on the route; ask the programme office how final transcripts convert to your home university.
✍️Exam Culture
BBS assessment is usually case and project-heavy, with presentations, team deliverables, applied workshops, and final exams or capstone work depending on the programme.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at Bologna Business School
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 tuition + EUR 140–170 tassa regionale + EUR 16 bollo | Public Italian universities (Politecnico Milano, Bologna): tuition waived for exchange, but regional tax (tassa regionale) €140–170/year required + €16 bollo… |
| Full degree – international | EUR 15,000–35,000/programme | Bologna Business School is private — MBA €25,000–35,000 total, specialist Masters €15,000–22,000. Separate from University of Bologna (public). International… |
| Full degree - EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status. |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page. |
EUR 0 tuition + EUR 140–170 tassa regionale + EUR 16 bollo
Public Italian universities (Politecnico Milano, Bologna): tuition waived for exchange, but regional tax (tassa regionale) €140–170/year required + €16 bollo…
EUR 15,000–35,000/programme
Bologna Business School is private — MBA €25,000–35,000 total, specialist Masters €15,000–22,000. Separate from University of Bologna (public). International…
Check official fee page
Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status.
Check official fee page
Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Bologna Business School
Housing near Bologna Business School should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Bologna
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Bologna Business School
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — EU: EHIC; non-EU: Italian SSN registration or private insurance valid in Italy.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
BBS is affiliated with the University of Bologna. Students access Bologna's public healthcare network via AUSL and University of Bologna health resources.
🧠Mental Health
University of Bologna SAP (Servizio di Assistenza Psicologica) provides free confidential psychological counselling for enrolled students including BBS.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Covers medically necessary care for EU/EEA students in Italy.
Italian SSN (National Health Service)
€149.77/year
Register at local AUSL office; choose a GP and access full Italian public healthcare network.
WAI / Private insurance
€71–120 for 6–12 months (WAI)
Required for non-EU students. WAI (Welcome Association Italy) is a popular low-cost option.
Campus services
Bologna Business School
Programme guidance, campus information, and student support through the school.
University of Bologna housing and residences
Bologna-wide accommodation resources relevant to international students.
Student Services (BBS)
Bologna Business School student services: accommodation search, guided city tours, Italian language courses, and access to all University of Bologna libraries and digital resources.
BBS Career Service
Bologna Business School Career Service: career development workshops, employer connections, job market preparation, and professional development path from start of studies.
Student life at Bologna Business School
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Student Clubs
- More professional and cohort-based than classic Erasmus, but Bologna's wider student ecosystem is easy to join.
Buddy Program
Use cohort channels first, then ESN Bologna and city language exchanges for broader social life.
Sports & Recreation
- City and university sports options
Public Groups & Communities
BBS cohort and programme channels - usually the most practical first community.
ESN Bologna - useful if you want the broader Erasmus social layer.
Bologna language exchanges - good for meeting people outside the business-school bubble.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Confirm campus location and commute before choosing a room.
- Join your cohort channels immediately.
- Use ESN or language exchanges if your programme is small.
Key exchange dates at Bologna Business School
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Nomination window (Autumn intake)
April – May
Home university must formally nominate before host opens the application portal.
-
2
Application window (Autumn intake)
May – June
Complete host university online application + learning agreement after nomination.
-
3
Nomination & application (Spring intake)
October – November
Same flow as autumn but compressed; check with host international office.
Campus events hub: Browse all events