🇮🇹 University of Bologna: Tuition, Scholarships & Visa Pathway for International Students
QS 2027 #123 · €1,500–3,000 a year · Bologna
Quick Facts
| Location | Bologna, Italy (plus campuses in Forlì, Cesena, Rimini, and Ravenna) |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | #123 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026). |
| International Students | Around 90,000 total students across all campuses, with a substantial and growing international cohort, particularly at Master's level |
| Secondary Qualification (Indian students) | 12 years of prior schooling required for direct Bachelor's entry; students from 11-year systems typically need a foundation year (roughly €5,000) before enrolling |
| English Requirement (Undergraduate) | IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall depending on programme (for English-taught courses) |
| English Requirement (Postgraduate) | IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 overall or TOEFL 90+ for most English-taught Master's programmes |
| Approx. Acceptance Rate | Not officially published as a single figure; varies significantly by faculty and programme |
Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is the oldest university in the world still operating in continuous descent from its medieval origins, running approximately 90,000 students across humanities, law, economics, medicine, engineering, and the sciences. Its English-taught programmes include BIEMF (Bachelor in International Economics, Management and Finance), Computer Science, International Relations, and the Bologna Business School at Master's level.
Tuition for International Students (2026-27)
€1,500–3,000 per year (Per year (income-based)). Add at least €10,180 a year for living costs (study visa minimum; source below).
Real Scholarships: Not Just a List of Names
DSU Regional Scholarship (Emilia-Romagna)
Italy's need-based DSU scholarship, awarded on family income via the ISEE calculation rather than grades, can cover tuition, housing, and meals for eligible students. Bologna-specific merit scholarships and Erasmus+ funding are also available; check current amounts on the university's official scholarships page.
Visa & Post-Study Work Pathway
Yes — non-EU graduates can convert their student permit to a work-seeker residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Attesa Occupazione), valid for up to 12 months, to search for qualifying employment. Once you secure a job offer, this converts to a standard Italian work permit.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bologna good for international students?
University of Bologna is ranked #123 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 1st of the 1 universities in Italy covered on VisaCalc. International tuition runs €1,500–3,000 a year depending on the program. After graduating: 12-month permit to look for work after graduating. Whether it is a good fit depends on your program, budget and career plans; use the cost calculator and comparison charts on this page.
What tuition does Bologna charge international students?
€1,500–3,000 per year (Per year (income-based)), checked 30 October 2026.
What IELTS score do I need for Bologna?
IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall for undergraduate, 6.5 to 7.0 overall or TOEFL 90+ for postgraduate. Specific programme requirements vary; always confirm on the official admissions page for your chosen degree.
Can I work in Italy after graduating from Bologna?
Yes — non-EU graduates can convert their student permit to a work-seeker residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Attesa Occupazione), valid for up to 12 months, to search for qualifying employment. Once you secure a job offer, this converts to a standard Italian work permit.
See the full Italy university landscape and visa pathway.
🇮🇹 Study in Italy Guide 🔗 Official Bologna Website
Worked example: a full degree at University of Bologna
An international student starting a 3-year bachelor's at the lowest fee shown, budgeting the official visa living-cost figure. Rates are converted at the 29 Oct 2026 reference rates; use the calculator above to change any assumption.
| Tuition | €1,500 a year (lowest rate in the published range: Per year (income-based); indicative, not yet confirmed for 2026-27) |
| Living costs | €10,180 a year (Study visa means of support for 2026-27 and 2027-28: €10,179.85 per year) |
| Years | 3 (typical bachelor's length) |
| Total, fees flat | €35,040 ≈ ₹37.2 lakh ≈ $39,055 |
| Total if costs rise 4% a year | €36,460 ≈ ₹38.7 lakh |
| Most expensive programme, same assumptions | €39,540 ≈ ₹42.0 lakh |
The visa living-cost figure is a legal minimum, not a comfortable budget. Scholarships are not deducted.
Sources
- University of Bologna: QS 2027 position
- TechJuice: Italy sets €10,179 student visa requirement
- Exchange rates: open.er-api.com reference rates, 29 Oct 2026
How we checked this page
Fees for University of Bologna come from the university's published fee pages (indicative: no 2026-27 schedule we could verify); the QS 2027 position from University of Bologna: QS 2027 position; living costs from TechJuice: Italy sets €10,179 student visa requirement. Checked on 30 October 2026. Course-level fees vary, so confirm your exact program on the official University of Bologna website before paying anything. VisaCalc is independent of University of Bologna. Not admissions or immigration advice.