Admissions·Europe· 9 min read

How to Get Admission in the University of Bologna

An admission guide to the University of Bologna for international students: the Studenti Online application, English-taught degrees, selection and language rules, plus Universitaly pre-enrolment for a visa.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

University: University of Bologna (UniBo), Italy
Academic application: Studenti Online portal (programme call-based)
Visa pre-enrolment: Universitaly portal, validated by the Italian Embassy/Consulate
Selection: Some programmes selective (scored evaluation + interview)
Language: English (commonly ~B2) or Italian, per programme
On arrival: Campus enrolment with originals; residence permit + tax code

The University of Bologna and its two application layers

The University of Bologna (UniBo) is one of the world's oldest universities and offers a large catalogue of English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes, making it a popular Italian destination for international students.

Admission at UniBo runs on two layers. You apply to your chosen programme through UniBo's own portal, Studenti Online (which handles the academic application, selection and, later, enrolment). Separately, non-EU students living abroad complete a pre-enrolment on the national Universitaly portal, which is what a study visa is based on.

This guide explains how those layers fit together, how selection works for competitive programmes, and the language rules for English- and Italian-taught degrees.

One of the world's oldest universities, with a large English-taught catalogue
Academic application via UniBo's Studenti Online portal
Non-EU applicants also do a Universitaly pre-enrolment for the visa
The two layers are separate but both required for non-EU applicants

Applying through Studenti Online

You register on Studenti Online, fill in the application form for your chosen programme, upload the required documents as PDFs, and pay any application fee by the deadline stated in that programme's call for applications.

Each programme publishes its own call that sets the requirements, documents, deadlines and how candidates are assessed. Keep to those programme-specific instructions rather than assuming a single university-wide process.

Because programmes differ, always open the how-to-enrol page and the call for your specific degree in Studenti Online and follow it exactly — the call is the authoritative source for that programme.

Register and apply on Studenti Online, uploading documents as PDFs
Pay any application fee by the deadline in the programme's call
Each programme publishes its own call with requirements and deadlines
The programme call is the authoritative source — follow it exactly

Selection: evaluation and interviews for competitive programmes

Some UniBo programmes admit on qualifications alone, while competitive programmes run a selection. A selection can include a curriculum/CV evaluation scored on academic merit, relevance, international experience and standardised test scores, sometimes followed by an aptitude interview (often in English) for shortlisted candidates.

Where selection applies, admission depends on your ranking against other applicants, and remaining places may be offered through a further procedure for unallocated places.

Whether your programme is open or selective — and the exact scoring, interview and any test — is set in that programme's call. Read it early so you can prepare the right documents and any interview.

Some programmes admit on qualifications; competitive ones run a selection
Selection may combine a scored CV/curriculum evaluation with an interview
Admission depends on your ranking; unallocated places may be offered afterwards
Exact criteria are in the programme call — read it early

Language requirements: English and Italian

For English-taught programmes, UniBo requires English proficiency — commonly at CEFR B2 — and may accept certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL or an internal placement test, as set by the programme. For Italian-taught programmes, you need Italian proficiency at the level stated by the programme.

Italy's national rules also require a general language check for some non-EU applicants, which is why the language of instruction is confirmed during pre-enrolment on Universitaly.

Check your programme's exact language requirement and accepted certificates in its call, and budget time to obtain any certificate before the deadline.

English-taught: English proficiency, commonly around CEFR B2 (IELTS/TOEFL or a placement test)
Italian-taught: Italian proficiency at the programme's stated level
The teaching language is confirmed during Universitaly pre-enrolment
Verify the exact certificate and level in the programme call

Universitaly pre-enrolment for the study visa

Non-EU students who need a visa must submit a pre-enrolment application on the national Universitaly portal for their chosen university and programme (you can pre-enrol for only one programme at one university). Once your local Italian Embassy or Consulate validates it, you receive confirmation and can use it for the study-visa application.

As neutral general information — not immigration advice — pre-enrolment is validated conditionally, subject to later verification of your qualification's authenticity and value, and it does not by itself guarantee admission: you still have to meet the programme's requirements and pass any selection.

Universitaly rules, timelines and the linked Declaration of Value or CIMEA credential steps are set by the Italian authorities and change yearly, so verify the current process on the official Universitaly and embassy sources.

Non-EU visa applicants pre-enrol on Universitaly for one chosen programme at one university
Your Italian Embassy/Consulate validates the pre-enrolment for the visa
Pre-enrolment is conditional and does not by itself guarantee admission
This is general information, not immigration advice — verify on official sources

After you arrive: completing enrolment

After you reach Italy with your visa, you complete enrolment with the international student administration office on your campus, bringing your original qualification documents and passport. Once your documents are checked and complete, the office activates your student career.

You will also handle local formalities such as your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) and a tax code (codice fiscale), which are separate from the university steps.

Exact on-arrival steps, fees and instalments are set by UniBo and Italian authorities, so follow the instructions your programme and campus office give you, and verify current requirements on the official sources.

Complete enrolment on campus with original documents and passport
The office activates your student career once documents are verified
Handle local formalities: residence permit and tax code (codice fiscale)
Follow your campus office's instructions; verify current fees and steps

Frequently asked questions

Do I apply to the University of Bologna on Studenti Online or Universitaly?

Both, for different purposes. Your academic application, selection and enrolment run on UniBo's Studenti Online portal. Non-EU students separately do a pre-enrolment on the national Universitaly portal, which the study visa is based on.

Are University of Bologna degrees available in English?

Yes — UniBo offers a large catalogue of English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes. English-taught programmes require English proficiency (commonly around CEFR B2); the exact certificate and level are set in each programme's call.

Does Universitaly pre-enrolment guarantee admission?

No. Pre-enrolment is for the visa and is validated conditionally; you must still meet the programme's requirements and pass any selection, and it is subject to later verification of your qualification. This is general information, not immigration advice.

How do I know if my programme is selective?

Check the programme's call for applications on Studenti Online. It states whether admission is on qualifications alone or via a selection (such as a scored CV evaluation and an interview), plus the exact criteria and deadlines.

What do I do after arriving in Italy?

Complete enrolment on campus with your original documents and passport so the office activates your student career, then handle local formalities such as your residence permit and tax code. Verify current steps on official UniBo and government sources.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: University of Bologna — International student wishing to study at UniBo; University of Bologna — Guide to pre-enrolment on Universitaly (FAQ); University of Bologna — Who are international students (FAQ).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.