Programme enrolment: requirements, deadlines and methods

Qualification obtained in Italy

The curricular requirements are considered met according to one of the two methods indicated below:
1. having obtained a first-cycle degree in one of the following classes:

• ex D.M. 270/04: L-32 L-32 Scienze e tecnologie per l'ambiente e la natura;
• corresponding degrees according to previous regulations as well as other foreign
  degrees recognized as equivalent;

2. holding a bachelor’s degree belonging to a class different from those indicated and
having acquired at least 60 university credits in the following scientific-disciplinary
macro-areas: MAT, INF, FIS, CHIM, BIO, GEO, AGR, ICAR, ING-IND, SECS-S, VET.

Foreign qualification

The Committee assesses correspondence of the foreign qualification with the Italian qualification. 

I do not have one of the qualifications required

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

I haven't graduated yet

You can apply, and possibly register for the programme, even if you have not yet obtained your first cycle degree (for students enrolled in an Italian first cycle degree: if you have registered at least 150 CFU/ECTS in your career by the deadline of the intake you are applying to). The degree must in any case be obtained by 31/12/2025.

English language skills are also required to CEFR level B2.

The English language requirement is satisfied through on of the following options:

a) Holding  one of the following English proficiency certificate:

• British Council isd Cambridge Assessment English: IELTS Academic 5.5 – 6.0 – 6.5
• Cambridge Assessment English:
  ▪ B2 First Grade B, C
  ▪ Preliminary Grade A
  ▪ B2 Business Vantage Grade B, C
  ▪ Business Preliminary Pass with Distinction
  ▪ Cambridge English Certificate Level B2 (160 – 179)
• Cambridge Assessment International Education:
  ▪ IGCSE English as a Second Language Grade A*, A, B, C
  ▪ IGCSE English First Language Grade C, D, E
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): TOEFL iBT 80 – 99
• Pearson: PTE Academic 59-75
• Trinity College London: ISE II

b) Holding a certification of level B2 certified by University Linguistic Centers.

c) Applicants with full higher education in English (certified by the Academic Institution issuing the BA).

d) Applicants from English-speaking countries (Official Language).

The course is offered in English, but basic knowledge of the Italian language is also required. The University of Bologna considers it very important that all students have the opportunity to make the best of their study experience, and at the same time offer an experience of life in a new country.

In this experience, the Italian language is a tool that can simplify your life in many aspects, broaden relationships in our community, and foster your social life. At the end of your studying and living experience in Bologna, the Italian language will improve your chances to enter the national job market.

Hence, all international students with no previous knowledge of the Italian language are required to take part in an online Italian language course in blended mode. This course includes self-study online activities and synchronous online meetings with a tutor (once a week). The course is designed to not interfere with other courses in your study plan and to allow you to organize your time autonomously. The courses are offered for CEFR levels A1 and absolute beginners. 

Information on the registration to the course and its timetable are available at the beginning of the semester. More info HERE.

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 is calculated according to the 2025 ISEE certificate (Economic Situation Indicator) with special subsidies in relation to the right to higher education. Full exemption is granted to first-year students with a low ISEE.

The ISEE value must be submitted, even if you are not enrolled in the degree programme,  by October 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM (or by November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM with a €100 late fee) by accessing ER-GO Online Services; otherwise, you will have to pay thefull 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.

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 have a certificate of entitlement other than the EHIC, when you arrive in Italy, submit it to a “Sportello Unico AUSL (CUP)”, which will check whether you can register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) to obtain full healthcare under the same conditions as Italian citizens.

Private insurance or registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN)

In the event that you do not have an EHIC Card or a Certificate of Entitlement, you must take out a private health insurance valid in Italy or register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN), where applicable, when you arrive in Italy.

If you have a private health insurance, you can go to any general practitioner. In case you need a specialist medical examination, you can directly choose which doctor to contact, possibly getting advice from a general practitioner. 
Private health policies:

• do not allow registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) or the choice of a general practitioner;
• usually require the user to pay the expenses and then ask for reimbursement from the insurance company.

When purchasing a policy, carefully check the terms and limits of reimbursements. Remember that the health costs to be advanced could be very high, for example in the case of hospitalization. It is advisable to check in advance, by contacting your insurance company, whether the type of benefit you need is refundable.

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.

The Evaluation Committee will assess your personal preparation background. The personal preparation background will be evaluated by the appointed Committee on a case-by-case basis, based on the documents you submitted: academic curriculum.

1. Log in and register on Studenti Online
2. Apply, uploading the required documents (application form, degree certificate or signed self-certification with final grade and /or list of exams, with marks in PDF format).

Assessment of academic and personal preparation criteria

A) From 0 to 40 points for the degree final grade obtained or for the weighted average if still in the process of obtaining the degree.

The Commission may also award 5 points for the presentation of any other academic qualifications (e.g. other bachelor's or master's degree, etc.). This additional value contributes to the total 40 points of criterion Sub A), which in no case can exceed this threshold.

B) From 0 to 60 points based on the possession of the indicated competences, evaluated on the basis of the acquisition during the previous career, of credits (CFU) in the scientific disciplinary sectors (SSD) MAT, INF, FIS, CHIM, BIO, GEO. One point will be awarded for each 12 CFU (or equivalent) demonstrated by the candidate, up to a maximum for each disciplinary area.

Final assessment

the maximum sum of A) and B) is 100 points and it determines the score for each candidate. You are admitted to WACOMA if the total score of your application is 60 points or higher.

If the sum of criteria A) and B) falls below the set threshold for admission:

• at least 40 points but less than 60: , you could be invited to attend an interview aimed at clarifying some disciplinary skills.  If you pass the interview, you will be able to enrol.
• Less than 40 points: the application does not meet the admission requirements and is rejected; the result of your application is non-admitted.

Matriculation will be possible after the conclusion of the evaluation process of each intake, within 7 days from the closure of the interviews.

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 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. 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. 25_26 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 31 December 2025; otherwise, your enrolment will be cancelled.
• you are still a minor at the time of matriculation, fill in the attached form of parental responsibility and send it, duly completed and signed by your parents, to the email address of the Student Administration Office of your chosen degree programme.

The career must be activated by 26 February 2026.

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 31 December 2025; otherwise, your enrolment will be cancelled.
• you are still a minor at the time of matriculation, fill in the attached form of parental responsibility and send it, duly completed and signed by your parents, to the email address of the Student Administration Office of your chosen degree programme.

The career must be activated by 26 February 2026.

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.

If you want to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN), pay the annual fee

For those applying for or holding a residence permit for study purposes, the minimum cost is € 700.00 per year. Registration is per calendar year only (e.g. from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025) 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. 2025 and 2026). 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.

To cover of any dependant family members, the minimum fee is € 2,000 per year.

To request information about voluntary registration and to verify your eligibility, you can contact an AUSL “Sportello Unico” (CUP) office. Consult the list of “Sportello Unico” (CUP) in Bologna and Romagna (Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini).

Start the registration procedure:

pay the annual fee via the ordinary F24 form. If you want to register for two consecutive years (for example 2025 and 2026), you must make two separate payments. You must fill in the following sections:

• “Contribuente” (taxpayer) entering your personal data;
• “Sezione regioni” (regions section) indicating: “codice regione” (region code) 06 (Emilia-Romagna) and “codice tributo” (fee code) 8846;
• “Anno di riferimento” (reference year): the calendar year for which you want to register with the SSN, for example 2025;
• “Importi a debito versati” (amounts paid): €700, if you have no other income besides your scholarship and you do not want to include your family members in the coverage.
  You can pay in various ways. For example, if you have an Italian bank account that offers home banking services, you can fill out a digital F24 form and pay online by debiting your account; you can also pay at any bank in cash or with Pagobancomat cards;
• make a copy of your payment receiptsand attach them to your application for initial issuing or renewal of your residence permit.

Payment alone does not imply activation of the coverage. You must complete the registration at an AUSL office and choose a general practitioner (family doctor).

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.

If you have not done so, make an appointment with the international student administration office on the campus where you are going to study: Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini.

Bring your qualification documents, your passport and residence permit application receipt with you.

If the documents are complete, the student administration office will activate your career. You will receive an email with instructions to collect your badge and you will be able to download a certificate of enrolment from Studenti Online.

Use the certificate of enrolment to activate your registration with the National Health Service. You must also add it to your residence permit application: send it to the central police station (Questura) via PEC (Certified Electronic Mail) and bring it with you to the appointment at the central police station (Questura).

Return to the Local Health Authority Desk (CUP) as soon as possible to activate your health coverage and choose a general practitioner. Go to a AUSL “Sportello Unico” (CUP) office to activate the coverage and choose a general practitioner. Consult the list of “Sportello Unico” (CUP) in Bologna and Romagna (Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini districts). Bring the following documents with you:

• your passport;
• your official Italian tax code (codice fiscale);
• enrolment certificate for the University of Bologna;
• payment receipts for the annual fee;
• postal receipt of your residence permit application (or residence permit if already issued);
• for CUP offices in Bologna, the registration form for non-EU citizens (in Italian) [.pdf 967 KB]; read the example with instructions in English [.pdf 659 KB] on how to fill in the form.

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.