Erasmus guide University of Bologna
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Bologna in Bologna, Italy.
Study abroad at University of Bologna: overview
Study abroad at University of Bologna makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. The University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum — Università di Bologna), founded in 1088, is the world's oldest university. Useful proof points: 90,000 students; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Law, Political Science and International Relations, Engineering. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
90,000 students
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Law, Political Science and International Relations, Engineering 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: Italian (primary); English-taught programmes growing, especially at master's level
Exchange & application at University of Bologna
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At University of Bologna, rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Exchange students normally need nomination through Erasmus+, Overseas or another agreement, online registration, learning agreement, ID/passport, insurance, course-unit planning and visa/residence steps if they are non-EU.
📨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
- Start housing early; Bologna is smaller than Milan but extremely student-heavy.
- Check whether your courses are in the same area before choosing a room.
- Use official exchange and SAIS accommodation routes before relying on social-media listings.
Academics & courses at University of Bologna
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
The university is broad and decentralized. Exchange students should track department rules, timetables, and exam registration carefully.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
Italian 18-30 scale: 18 is the minimum pass, 30 is the maximum standard mark and 30 e lode means with honours. Departments may also use pass/fail for specific activities.
✍️Exam Culture
Unibo is decentralised by school and department. Students should check calendars, timetables and exam registration in AlmaRM or the relevant programme pages; many courses rely on final written and/or oral exams.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at University of Bologna
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 2,600–3,500/year | Bologna income-based bands (same for all nationalities): €156 minimum to ~€3,500 maximum. Average international student pays ~€2,600–3,000/year. Tassa region… |
| 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 2,600–3,500/year
Bologna income-based bands (same for all nationalities): €156 minimum to ~€3,500 maximum. Average international student pays ~€2,600–3,000/year. Tassa region…
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 University of Bologna
Housing near University of Bologna 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 University of Bologna
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
University of Bologna provides access to public healthcare via local AUSL. Students choose a GP after SSN registration. University accidental injury insurance included in enrollment.
🧠Mental Health
Bologna SAP (Servizio di Assistenza Psicologica) offers free confidential psychological counselling sessions for all enrolled students dealing with academic or personal difficulties.
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
University Services (Bologna)
University of Bologna central services directory: health, library, sport, language, career, disability, and wellbeing services. Starting point for all student support.
Wellbeing & Safety Services
Bologna University wellbeing and safety services: health resources, psychological support, and safety information for all enrolled students.
Psychological Support (SAP)
Bologna SAP: free psychological counselling for emotional, relational, and adjustment difficulties related to university life. Confidential sessions for enrolled students.
Disability Support (Bologna)
Bologna service for students with disabilities and SLD: support from admission through studies, exam accommodations, accessible workstations, and digital learning materials.
Student life at University of Bologna
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
- Bologna's student life is unusually integrated into the city: faculty groups, ESN, political/cultural associations, and informal meeting points matter.
Buddy Program
ESN Bologna is a practical first social layer for Erasmus students.
Sports & Recreation
- University and city sports options
Public Groups & Communities
ESN Bologna - main Erasmus events, trips, and arrival network.
SAIS Bologna - practical accommodation support for international students.
Bologna language exchanges - useful for meeting locals and other internationals.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Find your faculty buildings and exam-registration rules early.
- Join ESN Bologna before arrival if possible.
- Secure housing paperwork before treating Bologna like an easy small city.
Key exchange dates at University of Bologna
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