University of Bologna

University of Bologna is the oldest and largest university in Europe, which was founded in 1088 in Bologna (Italy). The educational institution is famous for its graduates - many of them famous figures, writers, poets.

Brief history of occurrence

The peculiarity of the Bologna University in the Middle Ages was that the students themselves had power: they paid the teachers their work, hired professors, fired them and even fined them. It is known that up to the 15th century only legal sciences were taught. Soon there were other faculties, such as:

• medicine;
• philosophy;
• theology.

Along with men, women were taught and studied at the institute. It was a completely new approach to teaching, different from other educational institutions.

Professors at the University of Bologna were such famous figures as Paracelsus, N. Kopernik, A. Durer and others.

To date, the University of Bologna is the largest university not only in Italy, but throughout Europe.

Students can choose courses for their study plan during two designated periods each year. Each program has its own lecture schedule. Attendance is mandatory in some programs. Exams follow lectures and independent study, with schedules available in AlmaEsami.

Each program has a student tutor or other staff members who offer advice throughout the course of study. A dedicated service supports students with disabilities and specific learning disabilities.

Student administration offices help students fulfill administrative requirements throughout their studies. The Virtual Helpdesks service provides online access to university offices.

The Dual Career Status "Student-Athlete" program helps participants balance their studies with a sports career.

The university collaborates with Ferrari and NXP in a joint laboratory researching lithium battery cells. It hosted E-Cells Symposium 2026, where academics and industry representatives from around the world discussed battery technologies.

The university received 249 million euros in funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Its participation resulted in:

• 44.5 million euros allocated to businesses,
• 1,690 people involved in research,
• 674 collaboration networks established nationally and internationally.

An open platform for the national edition of Aldo Moro's works was created within AlmaDL, the university's digital library. The DH.arc center contributed scientific and technical support.

A study led by University of Bologna researchers was the first to examine the external three-dimensional shape of the entire Neanderthal heel bone and compare it with that of modern humans.

• The university's solar installations supply 7% of its energy consumption,
• Expanded solar installations and increased renewable energy production reduce CO₂ emissions by 700 metric tons annually. Generating more energy on site and spending less on purchased power saves 850,000 euros a year,
• SPISA, the school specializing in public administration, has been named after Fabio Roversi Monaco, a former professor and rector of the university,
• The 2026 sustainability report, which covers the university's results for 2025, estimated students' direct contribution to the economies of Bologna and the university's campus cities in Romagna at more than 808 million euros,
• According to the same report, women made up 31.5% of the teaching staff.

Students who meet the academic merit and income requirements can apply through ER.GO for subsidized accommodation in residence halls. Exchange students are not eligible. In Bologna, international students can also get free help from private operators with finding housing and understanding rental agreements.

The ER.GO residence halls in Bologna stand both in the city center and in outlying districts, close to city services and with good transport links. For a short stay, ER.GO offers places in university residences at the full rate. The university and ER.GO also run a noticeboard of privately rented housing: they check the accuracy of the published details but are not responsible for the tenancy agreements concluded.

Residence halls in Cesena include Palazzo Urbinati in the city center and La Torre within walking distance of campus. They offer single and double rooms, study spaces, and university Wi-Fi. The Sassi Masini residence in central Forlì has study rooms, computers, Wi-Fi, and a gym. Ex-ENAV, near the engineering campus in Forlì, has 64 beds across four floors. Eight places are equipped for students with disabilities.

The Santa Teresa residence is in Ravenna's historic center. In Rimini, a student residence covering 5,000 square meters is very close to the campus buildings. It offers single and double rooms, including accessible accommodation for people with disabilities, with a TV, internet access, air conditioning, and a private bathroom. Shared facilities include a spacious foyer, an internet room, a TV and music room, a gym with changing rooms, a library, study spaces, and meeting rooms. Bicycle and moped storage, communal laundry facilities, and ironing equipment are also available.

The listed residences in Cesena have shared kitchens. At the Rimini residence, every room has a kitchenette, and each floor has communal dining areas.

The university has an alumni association, AMA. It brings members together to share ideas, interests, and opportunities.

Advantages of the university

Its campuses Bologna University contains not only in the city of Bologna, but also in:

• Rimini;
• Forli;
• Ravenna;
• Cesena;
• Buenos Aires.

The main building is territorially located in Bologna.

The educational institution is included in such associations as "Utrecht Network" and Europaeum. This allows students to exchange with other well-known and best universities in Europe, which are in the above-mentioned associations.

The University of Bologna has 260 libraries, which contain rare copies of books, ancient and original works.

In the possession of the university there are well-known museums:

• Palazzo Poggi;
• La Specola;
• Museum of European students;
• Zoo museum;
• Comparative anatomy;
• Anthropological Museum;
• Geological Museum "Giovanni Capellini";
• Mineralogical museum "L. Bombichchi ";
• Botanical garden and herbarium;
• Anatomical Museum of Wax Figures "L. Cattaneo ";
• Anatomical Museum of domestic animals;
• Veterinary pathology and teratology.

The University of Bologna is a participant in many European programs that allow students to undergo internship at well-known companies and research centers. Such promising opportunities allow graduates to gain unvalued experience and build a career.

Under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), 7,379 scientific instruments were purchased to establish and upgrade university laboratories.

Students have access to free study spaces and online resources available around the clock. Electronic theses from programs participating in AMS Tesi di Laurea are collected, preserved, and published in the university's repository.

In 2025, the university's solar installations had a peak capacity of 3.077 MW, almost double the previous year's figure.

The calendar for prospective students lists September as the start of classes.

Students must pay tuition each year by the required deadlines to be eligible to take exams. The payment period begins in late July.

Open house events introducing prospective students to the programs begin in October. The university's guidance service helps applicants choose a course of study.

Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of the admissions process.

First and single cycle degree programs are open to applicants with a high school diploma. Second cycle programs continue studies after a first degree.

Students from outside the EU should be aware of the housing requirements:

• Proof of accommodation is required to obtain an entry visa,
• Accommodation must be available when applying for a residence permit.

Non-EU citizens living outside Italy who arrive on a type D student visa must apply for a residence permit within eight days of arrival.

According to the 2026 sustainability report, student support, including scholarships and international mobility, totaled 127.6 million euros. Funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) helped the university provide 553 PhD scholarships.

The following options can reduce tuition costs:

• Support based on financial circumstances or merit, provided by the Region of Emilia Romagna through ER.GO,
• A full waiver for first-year students in second-cycle programs who completed their previous degree on time and with top marks,
• A potential waiver for students who become mothers or fathers during the academic year,
• A 20% reduction for students whose family members also attend the university.

Students can purchase subsidized annual public transportation passes for Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini. The 2026 report recorded 22,082 discounted bus and train passes for the university community, nearly 3% more than the previous figure.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision