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Study in Italy in English: University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna)
English-taught programs in Italy. Study in Italy in English at UniBo, a tuition-free universities Italy option among public Italian universities.
International students often dream of high-quality, low-cost degrees in the heart of Europe. The University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna) turns that dream into reality. It offers some of the most established English-taught programs in Italy. Through ApplyAZ you can study in Italy in English, pay almost nothing at one of the leading tuition-free universities Italy, and join a proud tradition shared by the best public Italian universities. This guide explains why UniBo and its vibrant home city belong on your shortlist.
English-Taught Programs in Italy: Academic Highlights
Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is the oldest university still in operation. Yet it remains forward-looking. Today UniBo hosts more than 90,000 students spread across five campuses and offers over 80 bachelor’s and master’s degrees delivered fully in English. Small seminar groups, hands-on labs, and research-led teaching make learning interactive and practical.
Global rankings reward this mix of heritage and innovation. UniBo sits consistently inside the world top 200 (QS and Times Higher Education) and among the top 100 for employability. It is Italy’s number one university for international outlook and research funding from the EU’s Horizon programmes.
Key departments with strong English tracks
- Engineering and Architecture – civil, mechanical, and AI engineering are regularly ranked in Europe’s top 50.
- Economics and Management – partners with over 500 companies for internships.
- Medicine – renowned for biomedical devices and public-health research.
- Agricultural and Food Sciences – pioneers of sustainable farming and the “Mediterranean diet” project.
- Humanities and Cultural Heritage – digital humanities hub with UNESCO partnerships.
Short, six-week modules let you explore subjects beyond your major. Double-degree pathways link UniBo to universities in the United States, Germany, China, and Brazil; you graduate with two diplomas in as little as two years. Summer Schools cover topics from climate change diplomacy to video-game design, giving you extra ways to deepen your CV.
The university’s research ecosystem is vast. Over 3,000 PhD candidates work in 33 doctoral schools, and master’s students can join faculty teams on EU-funded projects from renewable energy to clinical trials. The city’s science libraries and inter-campus digital catalogue give easy access to millions of texts and datasets.
Tuition-Free Universities Italy: Costs, Scholarships, DSU Grant
Italian public tuition fees scale with family income. If your household’s annual income indicator (ISEE) is below €24,500, UniBo charges no tuition. Even above that threshold, fees rarely exceed €3,000 per year—far below most Western European norms.
Financial help goes further:
- DSU grant (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) – covers tuition, housing, a meal card, and up to €6,000 in living-cost support. Award decisions consider income and academic merit.
- UniBo Action 2 – waives fees for high-performing international master’s applicants.
- ApplyAZ merit bursaries – reserved for clients who score top-tier grades at school or in language tests.
- External scholarships from Italian embassies and the EU’s Erasmus+ fund can add travel or research allowances.
Living costs in Bologna average €750–€950 per month. Shared student flats near campus rent for about €350–€450. A university meal costs €3, and the regional student travel pass fixes unlimited bus and train rides at €30 per month.
How ApplyAZ keeps finances clear
- We pre-screen your ISEE forecast.
- We calculate likely DSU grant amounts.
- We flag every scholarship round you qualify for.
- We file each application on your behalf—on time and in Italian.
Public Italian Universities & Bologna City Life
Bologna, capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, blends medieval charm with modern energy. Its famous porticoes (covered walkways) stretch for more than 62 km, sheltering you from both sun and rain while you walk between classes.
- Climate – hot, dry summers (avg. 29 °C) and mild, foggy winters (avg. 6 °C). Snow is rare.
- Culture – cinemas screen films in original language, and 40+ museums stay free or discounted for students. The city hosts Europe’s biggest comics fair and a year-round jazz calendar.
- Public transport – buses run 24 hours, and the high-speed rail station links you to Florence in 35 minutes and Milan in 65. Cycling lanes cover most main roads.
- Food scene – Bologna is nicknamed “La Grassa” (“the fat one”) for good reason. You will taste authentic tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, and the original mortadella.
- Safety and inclusion – an active international community (12% of residents are foreign-born) supports language exchanges, cultural festivals, and LGBTQ+ events.
Nightlife centres on the Quadrilatero and Via del Pratello, where cafes double as study nooks by day and live-music venues after dusk. Affordable tickets to city theatres, plus discounted Serie A football matches at the Dall’Ara stadium, add extra colour to weekends.
Study in Italy in English: Career Paths and Internships
Emilia-Romagna boasts one of the highest GDP per capita rates in Europe and anchors Italy’s “Motor Valley,” “Food Valley,” and a growing “Data Valley.” As a UniBo student you tap into each cluster:
- Motor Valley – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, and Maserati host design and engineering interns every semester.
- Food Valley – Barilla, Granarolo, FICO food-tech park, and countless PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) consortia recruit agrifood scientists and marketers.
- Data & AI – CERN-backed INFN data centre, E-CAMPUS cloud hub, and dozens of AI start-ups offer roles in machine learning and cyber-security.
- Healthcare & Biomedical – IRCCS university hospital and private device firms sponsor joint research theses.
- Fashion & Culture – Max Mara and Yoox Net-a-Porter hire design, logistics, and communication majors.
UniBo’s Career Service posts more than 18,000 internship ads per year. Over 40% are in English, and most pay €500–€1,000 monthly. The university organises six job fairs annually—two devoted solely to international students. A regional law permits you to work part-time up to 20 hours weekly during term and full-time in breaks.
The University of Bologna gives you history, cutting-edge teaching, and a city that feels equal parts open-air museum and start-up lab. When you add tuition waivers, the DSU grant, and ApplyAZ’s personalised guidance, the path to an affordable European degree becomes clear—and exciting.
In two minutes we’ll confirm whether you meet the basic entry rules for tuition-free, English-taught degrees in Italy. We’ll then quickly see if we still have space for you this month. If so, you’ll get a personalised offer. Accept it, and our experts hand-craft a shortlist of majors that fit your grades, goals, and career plans. Upload your documents once; we submit every university and scholarship application, line up multiple admission letters, and guide you through the visa process—backed by our admission-and-scholarship guarantee.
Study in Italy in English: Building Construction Engineering University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna)
Study in Italy in English on the Building Construction Engineering L-23 degree at UniBo. One of the top English-taught programs in Italy with DSU grant options.
Choosing among English-taught programs in Italy can feel overwhelming. Yet those who study in Italy in English often select the Building Construction Engineering L-23 bachelor at the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna). UniBo belongs to the trusted network of tuition-free universities Italy offers to international learners and leads the family of public Italian universities in engineering research. This guide explains the course, costs, and career benefits so you can decide with confidence.
English-taught Programs in Italy: Why Building Construction Engineering Leads the Field
The Building Construction Engineering programme teaches you how to plan, design, and manage safe, sustainable structures. It belongs to a select list of English-taught programs in Italy that use European standards from day one. You gain practical skills while learning the language of global construction.
- Length: three academic years (180 ECTS credits).
- Campus: Bologna School of Engineering and Architecture, 15 minutes by bus from the historic centre.
- Intake: September, up to 200 seats.
- Teaching: lectures, design studios, computer labs, and site visits.
- Outcome: Bachelor of Science (class L-23) recognised across Europe.
Professors blend theory with hands-on tasks. You model loads in software on Monday, then test beams in the structural lab on Thursday. Group projects mirror real design offices. The result is job-ready graduates who speak both engineering terms and practical site language.
Curriculum and Learning Path
Year 1 – Fundamentals
- Calculus for Engineering
- Physics and Mechanics
- Fundamentals of Architecture History
- Materials Science
- Technical Drawing and CAD
- Safety in Construction Sites
You learn to read plans, use measuring tools, and calculate basic load paths. A mandatory workshop trains you in personal safety equipment and site rules.
Year 2 – Analysis and Design
- Structural Analysis I
- Building Physics (energy, acoustics, comfort)
- Geotechnics and Soil Mechanics
- Environmental Engineering Basics
- Reinforced Concrete Design
- Project Studio 1 (small residential block)
Students visit local building sites to see formwork, curing, and quality checks. You prepare a full set of drawings with bills of quantities.
Year 3 – Integration and Management
- Steel and Timber Structures
- Construction Management and Economics
- Building Services (HVAC, electrical, fire safety)
- Urban Planning Principles
- Project Studio 2 (mixed-use complex)
- Internship or Field Research
- Final Thesis Presentation
In the capstone studio, teams design a multi-storey building with sustainable systems. Industry mentors review your work and suggest improvements.
Study Environment and Facilities
- Structural Lab: 1 000 m² hall with beam testers up to 5 MN.
- Materials Library: physical samples of concrete mixes, smart glass, and recycled composites.
- Digital Fabrication Unit: 3-D printers and CNC routers for model making.
- Computer Suites: licensed software for BIM (building information modelling), finite-element analysis, and daylight simulation.
- Library: 500 engineering journals, 200 000 e-books, and quiet study rooms open until midnight.
Lectures stay under 80 students, and design studios cap at 25. Tutors hold weekly clinics on maths, software, or Italian language. Peer study groups meet under the covered porticoes when weather allows.
Bologna: Student Hub of Public Italian Universities
Living in Bologna means medieval towers, bike lanes, and lively cafés. The city hosts more than 90 000 students, so services cater to young life.
- Transport: €30 yearly bus pass, plus discounted regional trains.
- Housing: shared flats range from €350–€450 per month near campus.
- Food: canteen meals at €3; dozens of street markets for fresh produce.
- Culture: free museum entry on the first Sunday; film festivals; live jazz every week.
- Climate: hot summers, mild winters, and shaded porticoes that protect you in rain or sun.
Costs, DSU Grant, and Scholarships for International Students in Italy
UniBo follows the national income-based fee model that makes tuition-free universities Italy famous. Annual fees range from €0 to about €3 200, depending on your ISEE (family income index).
Funding routes
- DSU grant (Diritto allo Studio Universitario). Covers tuition, a meal card, and up to €6 000 for rent and books. Selection considers income and credits passed.
- UniBo Action 1 & 2 scholarships. Waive full fees for high achievers with IELTS ≥ 6.5 or SAT ≥ 1200.
- Scholarships for international students in Italy from the foreign ministry. Offer €900 per month plus tuition waiver.
- ApplyAZ bursaries. Top-up grants help cover visa deposits or first-month rent for qualified applicants.
Living costs average €850 each month, including rent, transport, and groceries. Many students work part-time (up to 20 hours weekly) as research assistants or in local design studios.
Industry Links and Career Paths
Emilia-Romagna ranks among Europe’s top regions for engineering firms. Building Construction Engineering students access internships in:
- Structural design studios working on bridges and public buildings.
- Construction firms such as WeBuild and C.M.B. in concrete frame projects.
- Sustainability consultancies advising on LEED and BREEAM certification.
- Prefabrication plants that need BIM modellers and quality inspectors.
- Local authorities for urban planning and building code compliance.
Typical graduate roles
- Assistant Site Engineer
- Junior Structural Designer
- BIM Coordinator
- Energy Performance Assessor
- Construction Cost Planner
The university’s Career Service hosts two engineering job fairs yearly. Recruiters often hold first-round interviews on campus. Graduates can also continue into the English-taught master’s in Civil Engineering or Sustainable Design at UniBo.
Admission Steps and ApplyAZ Support
- Online application. Upload transcripts, passport, and English certificate (B2 level).
- Entrance test. Multiple-choice questions on maths and physics. ApplyAZ provides practice papers and records your scores.
- ISEE forecast. We guide you on gathering income documents for fee reduction and DSU grant requests.
- Pre-enrolment. Submit details on Universitaly; ApplyAZ tracks approvals.
- Visa file. We assemble financial proof, housing letters, and insurance.
- Arrival pack. Pick-up service, tax code (codice fiscale), and residence permit help.
Our advisers stay available on WhatsApp for timetable issues, internship leads, and permit renewals.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
- Site visits to earthquake-resistant buildings in Modena and sustainable renovations in Florence.
- Summer schools on seismic retrofitting or heritage conservation.
- Student societies for concrete canoe races and international bridge-building contests.
- Language cafés where you practise Italian in exchange for English tutoring.
Outdoor workshops in the Apennine hills teach surveying and drone mapping. Winter study trips to Milan show timber-built skyscrapers and smart façades.
Balancing Study and Life
Italian degrees demand independent reading. You spend fewer hours in class than students in some countries, but you plan projects and software tasks on your own timeline. Bologna’s late-night libraries and relaxed cafés help you maintain momentum.
Sundays bring a cultural pause: small shops close, encouraging walks under the terracotta arches or hikes along the nearby hills. Good food fuels your creativity, from tagliatelle al ragù to affordable vegan canteens.
Future-proof Skills
The construction sector seeks engineers who blend digital tools with green thinking. In this programme you will:
- Operate BIM platforms for coordination among architects and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) teams.
- Analyse life-cycle costs and carbon footprints.
- Apply Eurocodes (European design standards) and understand how they differ from US or Asian codes.
- Lead site meetings and write clear technical reports in English.
- Navigate permitting processes across the EU.
These abilities open doors to graduate study, site management, or consultancy on global projects.
Studying Building Construction Engineering L-23 at the University of Bologna positions you at the heart of European engineering excellence. You access modern labs, industry mentors, and a city that values learning and innovation. With ApplyAZ managing each form, scholarship, and visa step, you can focus on mastering the art and science of building for the future.
Ready for this programme?
If you qualify and we still have a spot this month, we’ll reserve your place with ApplyAZ. Our team will tailor a set of best-fit majors—including this course—and handle every form and deadline for you. One upload, many applications, guaranteed offers, DSU grant support, and visa coaching: that’s the ApplyAZ promise. Start now and secure your spot before this month’s intake fills up.
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