Bachelor in Economics and Finance at University of Bologna

About the programme

Economics and Finance, known as CLEF, is a three-year laurea in class L-33 R, Economics, run by the Department of Economics (DSE) in Bologna. It is worth 180 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has restricted access: the university's programme page listed 120 places for 2025/26. Sergio Pastorello is the degree programme director.

The university calls it an international undergraduate degree whose goal is to provide the quantitative and qualitative tools to analyse modern economic and financial systems. The classroom is strongly international, with the degree reporting 76% international students. It suits students who want a quantitative route into economics, finance and policy.

What you will study

The three years give multidisciplinary training with a theoretical and empirical basis: how markets work, what economic policy does and how development unfolds, seen from comparative and international angles. First-year units on the 2026/27 timetable include:

• Calculus and Linear Algebra, with Tutorials in Mathematics
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Accounting and Financial Statements
• Economic History
• Private Law
• Public Law

Later years build on this base, and some exams must be passed in a set order. The full list is in the course structure diagram on the degree website.

How the programme is taught

The degree stresses direct contact with international realities. Students can spend a semester at the University of Bologna's Buenos Aires campus, join an exchange with Dickinson College or an Erasmus+ destination, and do internships in Italy or abroad, including in international organisations.

Career paths

According to the university, graduates can formulate and evaluate economic advice and policy for both the private and the public sector, and they typically continue to master's degrees in economics, finance and business. The professional roles it points to span private companies and public institutions.

Fees and scholarships

The 2026/27 fee rules give two routes. On the income-based route, a family ISEE up to €27,000 means you pay only the fixed €157.04, so eligible students get zero euro tuition, while the standard maximum for first-cycle degrees is €2,040 a year. On the flat route, open to non-OECD citizens whose family income is only abroad (countries like India are on the list), the reduced flat fee is €1,000 plus €157.04. ER.GO scholarship winners pay only the €157.04.

How to apply from outside the EU

Access is restricted, so the yearly call sets the admission test, the ranking rules, the number of places and the deadlines. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. You take part in the selection and enrol on Studenti Online.

After admission, applicants who need a visa file the Universitaly pre-enrolment; the university's unconditional validation, which is not given during the August closure, is what the consulate needs, together with proof of means of at least €10,179.85 (2026). Your school qualification is checked with its translations and legalisation, and you apply for a residence permit within eight days of arrival.

How ApplyAZ helps

If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.