Programme enrolment: requirements, deadlines and methods

Qualification obtained in Italy

First cycle academic qualification: three-year university diploma or degree

Foreign qualification

Qualification obtained abroad recognised as suitable under Italian law, current international agreements and the rules laid down in the MUR Circular "Procedures for entry, residency and enrolment of international students and the respective recognition of qualifications for higher education courses in Italy" for A.Y. 2025/2026, which will be published on https://www.universitaly.it/studenti-stranieri.

I do not have one of the qualifications required

If you do not have the necessary academic qualification you will not be able to register for the programme.

I haven't graduated yet

You can apply but if you do not graduate by 31 December 2025, you will not be able to finalise your enrolment.

Curricular requirements

To be admitted, applicants must meet the curricular requirements. Check the admission notice for the list of curricular requirements you must meet.

I do not have the curricular requirements required

If you do not meet all the curricular requirements indicated, you will not be able to register for the programme.

English language skills are also required of at least CEFR level B2.

English can be certified through the following certifications: 

• IELTS Academic
• IELTS General Training
• IELTS Indicator – online test;
• TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
• TOEFL – IBT special home edition
• Cambridge Assessment English - Cambridge English Preliminary – PET (only grade A – over 160 points)
• Cambridge Assessment English - Cambridge English First – FCE
• Cambridge Assessment English – Cambridge English Advanced - CAE
• IGCSE English as a Second Language
• IGCSE First Language English
• Trinity College London
• University Language Centre – Università di Bologna
• University Language Centre – other Italian Universities

The English proficiency is deemed to be fulfilled by those having obtained a University degree fully delivered English with a minimum length of 2 academic years (120 ECTS) in one EU/EEA country as well as in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. English as a medium of instruction (MOI) should be clearly written down on the transcript of academic records.

The University Language Centre has organized a B2 Placement Test to help those who do not hold a suitable certification to meet the English language requirement. 

The test is free of charge and will be delivered online. Read the attachment at the bottom of the page to check the calendar and the registration deadlines. 

You can count on financial support from the start of your studies. Depending on your financial circumstances, merit or specific requirements, you may be able to apply for a reduction or exemption of the enrolment fee.

Find out more about opportunities

Tuition fees are calculated according to the 2024 ISEE certificate (Economic Situation Indicator) with special subsidies in relation to the right to higher education. There is a total exemption for first-year students with an ISEE certificate of less than or equal to €27,000. Above this threshold, tuition fees are calculated progressively.
The ISEE value must be submitted, even if you are not enrolled in the degree programme, by 18:00 on 30 October 2024 (or by 18:00 on 15 November 2024, with a €100 penalty) by accessing ER-GO Online Services, otherwise you will have to pay the full amount.
If you cannot obtain an ISEE certification, check how the fees are calculated according to your country of origin and where your family has income and assets.
Read all information about tuition fees and exemptions.

Remember

Prepare documents and submit applications for scholarships and other funding opportunities. Depending on your financial status, you can obtain scholarships, student accommodation, full or partial exemption from fees and other funding opportunities. To apply, you will have to prepare documentation on your family's income and assets.

From your arrival in Italy and throughout your stay, you must have health coverage. You have several options: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card, private health insurance or registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN).

If you have an EHIC card

If you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your EU country of origin, you are entitled to all medically necessary treatment.

You can obtain healthcare services directly from a public or contracted provider by presenting the EHIC. You will be provided the service free of charge, except for any co-payment (“ticket”) which is paid directly by patients and is not reimbursable.

With the EHIC, you can go directly to a general practitioner (also known as a family doctor) by choosing from the list of affiliated general practitioners (MMG) available on the Salute Bologna website, if you study in Bologna, or the AUSL della Romagna website, if you are studying at other campuses.

You cannot use the EHIC for 'planned treatment abroad', i.e. predictable treatment (e.g. non-urgent dental treatment, spa treatment, etc.). 

If you have a certificate of entitlement (e.g. E106, E109, etc.)

If you are in possession of a certificate of entitlement other than the EHIC, as a general rule, in order to be entitled to healthcare, you must first present this certificate to one of the Local Health Authority Desks (CUP), which will check whether you can register with the National Health Service (SSN), in which case you will be entitled to full healthcare under the same conditions as Italian citizens.

Access to healthcare may vary depending on the certificate of entitlement you possess. Ask the Local Health Authority Desk (CUP) for more information when registering.

See the list of Local Health Authority Desks (CUP) in Bologna and  Romagna (provinces of Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini). 

Other cases

If you have neither an EHIC card nor a Certificate of Entitlement, you must take out private health insurance valid in Italy or register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN), where applicable.

If you have private health insurance, you can go to any general practitioner. If you need to see a specialist, you can choose which doctor you to go directly, possibly with the advice of the general practitioner.
Private health insurance policies:

• do not allow registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) or the choice of a general practitioner;
• usually require the policyholder to pay the cost and then claim reimbursement from the insurance company.
  When purchasing the policy, carefully check the conditions and limits of reimbursement. Keep in mind that the medical expenses to be paid in advance can be very high, for example in the case of hospitalisation. It is advisable to heck in advance, by contacting your insurance company, whether the type of medical service you require is covered.

If your stay is for study purposes, check with one of Local Health Authority Desks (CUP) to see if you can register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN). To register voluntarily with the National Health Service (SSN) as a student, you must be resident in Italy and pay an annual lump sum contribution of at least €700.
Registration with the SSN is on a calendar year basis, from 1 January to 31 December.

If you are employed or self-employed and pay taxes in Italy, you are entitled to free compulsory registration with the National Health Service (SSN). Check at one of the Local Health Authority Desks (CUP) how to register with the SSN.

If you have been living in Italy for at least five years, you can apply to the municipality where you live for an 'Attestato di Soggiorno Permanente' (Permanent Residence Certificate), which entitles you to registration with the National Health Service and a choice of general practitioner. Check at one of the Local Health Authority Desks (CUP) how to register with the SSN.

How to register voluntarily for the National Health Service as a student

If you apply for or have a residence permit for study purposes, the minimum cost will be €700 per year from 2024. Registration is per calendar year only (e.g. from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024) and it is not possible to pay reduced fees for shorter periods.

It is possible to pay to register for the current year and also for the entire following calendar year (e.g. 2024 and 2025). This possibility grants health coverage for one academic year and is useful for students who arrive, for example, in September and intend to apply for a 1-year residence permit for study purposes.

The minimum contribution is €2,000 to cover dependant family members per year.

To register:

Go to a Local Health Authority Desk (CUP). See the list of Local Health Authority Desks (CUP) in Bologna and Romagna (provinces of Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini).  
Take with you:

• your passport;
• your official Italian tax code;
• certificate of enrolment at the University of Bologna or, for exchange students, the Declaration of Arrival;
• for the Local Health Authority Desks (CUP) of Bologna, the voluntary registration form [.pdf 967 KB] for non-EU citizens; here you will find an example with instructions on how to fill in the form [.pdf 371 KB].

Ask for information on how to pay the voluntary student registration fee; remember that the payment must be made using the ordinary F24 form.
You have to complete the sections:

• "taxpayer', entering your personal data;
• “region section”, entering the region code 06 (Emilia-Romagna) and tax code 8846;
• reference year: the calendar year in which you want to enrol in the SSN, e.g. 2024;
• debit amounts paid: €700, if you have no other income apart from your scholarship and do not wish to cover your family members. If you want to register for two consecutive years (e.g. 2024 and 2025), you have to make two payments.

Pay the annual lump sum using form F24 for each year of registration with the SSN at post offices, banks, online via your bank account or with Pagobancomat, Postepay or Postamat cards and keep the receipts.

Make a copy of the receipts and attach them to your application for the first issue or renewal of your residence permit.

After submitting your application for a residence permit, return to the Local Health Authority Desk (CUP) as soon as possible to activate your health coverage and choose a general practitioner.
Take with you:

• receipts of payment of the annual contribution;
• the postal receipt of the residence permit application (or the residence permit if already obtained);
• certificate of enrolment at the University of Bologna or, for exchange students, the Declaration of Arrival.

Payment alone does not imply coverage. You have to complete registration at the offices of a Local Health Authority and choose a general practitioner.

If you are paying for two consecutive years, remember that at the end of the current year you must return to the CUP with the payment receipt for the following year, and ask for the service to be activated.

Always check the coverage end date.

Those registered with the Italian National Health Service will receive a Health Card by post. The card is sent to the address provided to the Italian Revenue Agency; you can contact the Italian Revenue Agency to update your address and to have the card reprinted.

To study in Italy, you will need to apply for an Italian tax code. Contact the Italian Revenue Agency or contact us for assistance in obtaining one. The code will be necessary also to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN).

The qualification you declare you possess at the admission stage will be checked by the International Student Administration Office of the relevant campus after you have applied for enrolment and submitted originals of all the necessary documents.  

We recommend you submit them to the International Student Administration Office as soon as possible for a preliminary check and, if necessary, to obtain unreserved validation of your pre-enrolment.

To study in Italy, you will need to apply for an Italian tax code. Contact the Italian Revenue Agency or contact us for assistance in obtaining one. The code will be necessary also to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN).

The qualification you declare you possess at the admission stage will be checked by the International Student Administration Office of the relevant campus after you have applied for enrolment and submitted originals of all the necessary documents.  

We recommend you submit them to the International Student Administration Office as soon as possible for a preliminary check and, if necessary, to obtain unreserved validation of your pre-enrolment.

Admission to the second cycle degree/two-year master’s degree programme requires candidates to pass an assessment of personal knowledge and skills, carried out as indicated below. Check the admission notice for the complete information.

1. Log in and register on Studenti Online
2. Apply, uploading the required documents in PDF format
   1. front and back copy of a valid identity document
   2. if the qualification is obtained in Italy: self-certification of the first-level degree detailing all the exams passed, with the clear indications of the final grade, the credits and the Scientific-Disciplinary Sector of each exam;
   3. if the qualification is obtained abroad: a copy of the qualification obtained abroad, translated into Italian or English, allowing access in the country of attainment to Second Cycle Degree Programmes, accompanied by a transcript of records and Diploma Supplement where available. The documents should report clearly the final grade/CGPA and the credits of each exam.
   4. if you haven't obtained your qualification yet: self-certification of the exams passed or transcript of records, with the clear indication of the grades, credits and scientific-disciplinary sector (where applicable) of each exams.
   5. English proficiency certificate
3. Check the result directly on Studenti Online.

Application calendar

The assessment of the personal knowledge and skills is considered verified for the students holding an Italian bachelor’s degree who meet the following criteria:

1. Degree or University Diploma from the previous degree programme system, with at least 24 CFU (ECTS) in the SSD (subject groups) ING-INF/06 and ING-IND/34 and a Degree/Diploma mark at least equal to 85/110 or equivalent. These criteria must be fulfilled within the deadline of the applications’ evaluation, for the academic year of enrolment;
2. Degree or University Diploma according to the previous degree programme system, with a minimum Degree/Diploma mark equal to 95/110 at least. These criteria must be fulfilled within the deadline of the applications’ evaluation, for the academic year of enrolment.

The assessment of the personal knowledge and skills for students who have not obtained an Italian bachelor’s degree yet, is considered verified if at least one of the following criteria is true:

1. having passed exams with a number of credits of at least 162 CFU and a weighted average of at least 23/30, and at least 24 CFU in the SSD ING-INF/06 and ING-IND/34;
2. Having passed exams with a number of credits of at least 162 CFU and a weighted average of at least 26/30.

The criteria described in this paragraph also apply to those who hold a university level qualification obtained abroad, deemed suitable by the Degree Programme Board. These criteria will be applicable for them only if it will be possible to convert the final degree grade according to the Italian system, to identify the subject groups as well as the number of obtained credits for each group.

If conversion and/or identification are not possible, the Commission appointed by the Degree Programme Board will evaluate the candidate’s career on the basis of the submitted documents.

Go to Studenti Online, fill in the application form and pay the first tuition fee instalment or the one-off fee in accordance with the procedures given and by the deadlines indicated in the call. If you do not pay the fees as specified, you will be excluded from the process. Payment in arrears is also not permitted.

After you have passed the assessment, if you have not already done so, submit the pre-enrolment application online on Universitaly . You will need this to apply for an entry visa.
Please indicate this degree programme on your application. Read the Guide and FAQs [.pdf 730 KB] to understand how to fill in the application. 
If you have passed the assessment and paid the first instalment by the mandatory deadline set by the call, the offices will validate your pre-enrolment.
Download the application summary and submit it to the Embassy or Consulate to apply for a visa.
If you need to change the degree programme or the university you entered on your pre-enrolment application, please read the information on making changes to your pre-enrolment and reallocation.

The University of Bologna's offices could be closed for several days in August, during which pre-enrolments are not validated, so pre-enrolment validation times could be longer in August.

If your embassy or consulate requires your pre-enrolment to be validated without reservation, go to the 'Career activation and badge' section of this page to find out how to do this.

Remember that pre-enrolment does guarantee admission to degree programmes. To enrol, you must also meet the admission requirements and pass the entrance exams required by the degree programme.
The University of Bologna does not issue letters of academic eligibility for the purpose of obtaining a visa.
An entry visa for tourism cannot be used for university enrolment or to obtain a residence permit for study purposes.

To apply for a visa, you must have health insurance. 

From the moment you arrive in Italy and throughout your stay, you must be covered by private health insurance or by the Italian National Health Service. You can only register with the Italian National Health Service after your arrival in Italy. If you intend to do so, you may consider purchasing short-term private insurance to cover the trip and the first period in Italy (unless otherwise specified by the Embassy for the purposes of obtaining your visa). If you do not intend to do so, you may consider buying a longer private insurance policy (at least 1 year).

Entry visa for 'study/university enrolment’ purposes

If you do not yet have a long-term visa, make an appointment at the Embassy or Consulate and bring with you:

• the summary of the pre-enrolment application on Universitaly validated by the University of Bologna
• the document certifying the economic resources needed to stay in Italy (minimum required for 2024: € 6,947.33). For example, you can submit your bank or post office account statement
• any certificates relating to the degree programme’s language requirement
• any health insurance
• Italian Revenue Agency forms to apply for the Italian tax code. The forms can be found on the website of the Embassy or Consulate if they offer this service
• your qualification documents in order to translate, legalise and authenticate it, if required and when the service is provided
• any documentation to obtain financial benefits

You will need to obtain a “Study - University Enrolment” visa, the required documents and possibly an Italian tax code from the Embassy or Consulate.

Validating your identity means associating your account name.surname@studio.unibo.it with your identity.

What you need to do

Your identity will be validated automatically, without you having to do anything, if one of the following applies:

• you have SPID credentials and have used them at least once to access Studenti Online;
• you have an electronic identity card and access Studenti Online via the pathway Log in with CIE;
• you have been part of the student community at the University of Bologna since 2004;
• you have taken a written or oral exam, also remotely, at the University of Bologna (not including TOLC tests and national competitive exams).

If any of the above conditions do not apply, and you are unable to obtain SPID credentials because you are a minor or you are a resident abroad, contact the Student Administration Office or, if you are resident abroad and have a qualification obtained abroad, contact the International Student Administration Office.

Career activation is required to create a study plan, book and take exams, change degree programme, transfer to another university, withdraw from or suspend studies, graduate, and print certificates. It is also required to use certain services, such as access to online library resources and the Wi-Fi network.

Your career will be automatically activated after identification.

It is not automatically activated if:

• you obtained your qualification abroad:  you must submit your qualification to the International Student Administration Office of the campus where you will be studying. Gather all the necessary documentation on your qualification; go to Studenti Online under 'Calls', select 'Matriculation a.y. 24_25 academic year - document upload for international students with foreign qualifications' and upload the study documents. Make an appointment with the International Student Administration Office to present the original documents
• you have not yet received your qualification: as soon as you receive it, log into Studenti Online and enter your grade details. Remember that the qualification must be obtained by 30 December 2024; otherwise, your enrolment will be cancelled.

The career must be activated by 28 February 2025.

Once the career is activated, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to obtain your badge.

Career activation is required to create a study plan, book and take exams, change degree programme, transfer to another university, withdraw from or suspend studies, graduate, and print certificates. It is also required to use certain services, such as access to online library resources and the Wi-Fi network.

Your career will be automatically activated after your identity has been validated. 

It is not automatically activated if:

• you are a non-EU citizen, but hold an equivalent qualification and have obtained your qualification in Italy: email a copy of your residence permit allowing equivalence to the Student Administration Office of your degree programme;
• you are a non-EU citizen, but hold an equivalent qualification and have obtained your qualification abroad: submit your qualification to the International Student Administration Office of the campus where you will be studying:
• gather all the necessary documents relating to your qualification;
• log on to Studenti Online;
• if you haven’t already done so, and you are still within the deadline, pay the first instalment of the tuition fees;
• go to the 'Calls' section, search for the call 'Matriculation for the 25_26 - document upload for international students with foreign qualifications";
• upload the required documents and the residence permit allowing equivalence.
  The International Student Administration Office will check the documents. 
  Make an appointment with the International Student Administration Office to present the original documents. 
  When you arrive in Italy, go to the appointment and bring your qualification documents and passport with you.
• you are an EU citizen and have obtained your qualification abroad: submit your qualification to the International Student Administration Office of the campus where you will be studying: 
• gather all the necessary documents relating to your qualification;
• log on to Studenti Online;
• if you haven’t already done so, and you are still within the deadline, pay the first instalment of the tuition fees;
• go to the 'Calls' section, search for the call 'Matriculation for the 25_26 - document upload for international students with foreign qualifications";
• upload the required documents.
  The International Student Administration Office will check the documents. 
  Make an appointment with the International Student Administration Office to present the original documents. At the appointment, bring your qualification documents and ID document with you.
• you have not yet received your qualification: as soon as you receive it, log into Studenti Online and enter your grade details. Remember that the qualification must be obtained by 30 December 2024; otherwise, your enrolment will be cancelled.

The career must be activated by 28 February 2025.

Once the career is activated, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to obtain your badge.

Career activation is required to create a study plan, book and take exams, change degree programme, transfer to another university, withdraw from or suspend studies, graduate, and print certificates. It is also required to use certain services, such as access to online library resources and the Wi-Fi network.

If you obtained your qualification abroad, you must submit your qualification to the International Student Administration Office of the campus where you will be studying:

• gather all the necessary documents relating to your qualification;
• log on to Studenti Online
• if you haven’t already done so, and you are still within the deadline, pay the first instalment of the tuition fees;
• go to the 'Calls' section, search for the call 'Matriculation for the 25_26 - document upload for international students with foreign qualifications";
• upload the required documents and, if you already have one, your student visa.
  
  

If you need unreserved validation on Universitaly, please notify the International Student Administration Office by e-mail. The International Student Administration Office will check the documents. If they are complete and their authenticity and value can be verified, your pre-enrolment on Universitaly will be unconditionally validated.

Make an appointment with the International Student Administration Office to present the original documents.
When you arrive in Italy, go to the appointment and bring your qualification documents and passport with you. If the documents are complete, the student administration office will give you a certificate of registration.

You will then need to email the receipt of your residence permit application to the International Student Administration Office to activate your career. Your enrolment will be considered conditional until you have received your residence permit and sent a copy to the Student Administration Office.

If you are a non-EU citizen, reside abroad, but have an Italian degree obtained in Italy, contact the International Student Administration Office on your campus to find out how to proceed.

The career must be activated by 28 February 2025.
Once the career is activated, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to obtain your badge.

Registering with the Italian National Health Service (SSN)

If you want to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN), you have to pay an annual fee. If you apply for or have a residence permit for study purposes, the minimum cost will be €700 per year from 2024. Registration is on a calendar year basis only (e.g. from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024) and it is not possible to pay reduced fees for shorter periods.

It is possible to pay the registration fee for the current year and for the whole of the following calendar year (e.g. 2024 and 2025). This option provides health cover for an academic year and is useful, for example, if you arrive in September and intend to apply for a one-year residence permit for study purposes. The minimum contribution is €2,000 to cover dependant family members per year.

To register at a Local Health Authority Desk (CUP), take with you:

• your passport;
• your official Italian tax code;
• the certificate of enrolment in the University of Bologna;
• for the Local Health Authority Desks (CUP) in Bologna, the voluntary registration form [.pdf 967 KB].  Here you will find an example with instructions on how to fill in the form [.pdf 371 KB].

Ask for information on how to make the payment for the "voluntary student registration” fee. Payment must be made using the ordinary F24 form. The following sections must be completed:

• "taxpayer', entering your personal data;
• “region section”, entering the region code 06 (Emilia-Romagna) and tax code 8846;
• reference year: the calendar year in which you want to enrol in the SSN (e.g. 2024);
• debit amounts paid: €700, if you have no other income apart from your scholarship and do not wish to cover your family members. If you want to register for two consecutive years (e.g. 2024 and 2025), you have to make two payments.

Pay the annual lump sum using form F24 for each year of registration with the SSN at post offices, banks, online via your bank account or with Pagobancomat, Postepay or Postamat cards and keep the receipts.

Make a copy of the receipts and attach them to your application for the first issue or renewal of your residence permit.

Payment alone does not imply coverage. You have to complete registration at the offices of a Local Health Authority and choose a general practitioner.

Applying for a residence permit

Within eight days of arrival in Italy, apply for a permit. You can do this on your own or with our support.
Email the receipt of the residence permit application to your International Student Administration Office. Remember that your residence permit has to be renewed every year.

Activating health coverage and choosing a general practitioner

After submitting your application for a residence permit, return to the Local Health Authority Desk (CUP) as soon as possible to activate your health coverage and choose a general practitioner. Take with you:

• receipts of payment of the annual contribution;
• the postal receipt of the residence permit application (or the residence permit if already obtained);
• your certificate of enrolment at the University of Bologna or, if you are an exchange student, your Declaration of Arrival.

If you are paying for two consecutive years, remember that at the end of the current year you must return to the CUP with the payment receipt for the following year, and ask for the service to be activated. Always check the coverage end date.
You will receive a Health Insurance Card by post. It will be sent to the address you gave to the Revenue Agency.

You can contact the Internal Revenue Agency to update your address and, if necessary, to request a replacement card.