Study in Bologna, Italy

About Bologna

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy and one of the country's best-known university cities. Its university, the Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, is considered the oldest in the Western world, and much of the historic centre is shaped by it: the university's own Spanish-language guide describes the university quarter in the city centre as a concentration of academic and social life.

Students choose Bologna for its degree programmes, for a city centre that is easy to cover on foot or by bus, and for its position on Italy's main north-south rail and road routes. It is a good base for a full degree, an exchange semester or a postgraduate programme, and less so for short language courses: our directory currently lists no Italian language school in the city.

Studying in Bologna

Our directory lists one active school in Bologna, a university: the Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (University of Bologna, Unibo). The university dates its foundation to 1088, "conventionally referred to as the year in which the Studium of Bologna was founded". According to its own figures it has 97,235 students, 11,302 of them international, and five campuses: Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini. Its catalogue lists 462 programmes, including degree programmes, PhD programmes, specialisation schools and professional master's programmes.

Most teaching is in Italian, but the university's programme search lets students filter for international programmes, including those held entirely in a foreign language. International applicants follow separate procedures depending on whether they are EU citizens or come from a non-EU country with a foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who need a study visa must submit their pre-enrolment request through Universitaly, the Italian Ministry of University and Research portal.

Cost of living for students

At the University of Bologna, tuition fees depend on the programme, the student's country of origin and family income. For the 2026-27 academic year every student pays a fixed instalment of €157.04; the rest is a variable amount up to a maximum set for each programme. Students with income abroad can request reduced fees by submitting documentation of their foreign income and assets.

No official source gives a typical room rent for Bologna, so plan with current listings. The university points students to three main housing channels:

• subsidised places in student halls of residence through the regional agency ER.GO, for degree students who meet merit and income requirements (not for exchange students)
• the Accommodation Showcase (Vetrina Alloggi), a notice board of private rentals run with ER.GO
• the Student Accommodation and Information Service (SAIS), a free service that helps international students find housing and understand rental contracts

Non-EU students need accommodation to apply for a residence permit, and SAIS can issue the certificate of available accommodation needed for the entry visa.

Getting around and daily life

City buses are run by TPER. A standard urban ticket costs €2.30 in 2026 and is valid for 75 minutes on any route in the urban area, including changes between lines; bought on board, it costs €2.50. A 10-journey carnet (CityPass) brings the price down to €1.90 per journey, and bank cards can be used contactless on city buses at the standard fare.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is linked to the central railway station by the Marconi Express monorail, which takes about seven minutes; a standard single ticket costs €12.80. Between midnight and 5:40 am, bus line Q replaces it. The central station is the city's main rail hub for trains to other Italian cities.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the University of Bologna?

The university dates its foundation to 1088 and considers itself the oldest university in the Western world.

Can I study in English in Bologna?

Yes, for some programmes. Most teaching is in Italian, but the University of Bologna offers international programmes, some of them taught entirely in a foreign language.

How much does the University of Bologna cost?

For 2026-27, fees start at a fixed €157.04 a year; the full amount depends on the programme and on family income, which students with income abroad document separately.

How much is public transport in Bologna?

A TPER urban bus ticket costs €2.30 and is valid for 75 minutes; with a 10-journey carnet, each trip costs €1.90.