Bachelor in International Studies at University of Bologna

Detailed entry requirements

Bologna's International Studies bachelor asks for a school-leaving qualification after at least 12 years of schooling and a ranked entrance test: the SAT, or the Italian-language TOLC-E with an English B2 certificate. Non-EU citizens living abroad compete for 20 reserved places. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

School-leaving requirement

You need one of the following qualifications: [1]

• A foreign qualification obtained after at least 12 years of schooling and recognised as suitable under Italian rules and the Ministry of University and Research memo. It must give access to a similar degree programme at universities in the country that issued it, and any extra requirements of that country must be met.
• An Italian five-year upper secondary diploma or a four-year specialist diploma. A four-year diploma without a supplementary year brings additional learning requirements to complete by 31 March 2028.

You can apply and enrol before you finish school. For 2026/27 the qualification had to be obtained by 31 December 2026, or the enrolment was invalid. The eligibility of a foreign qualification is checked after you pay the first instalment and show the original documents. [1]

What this means for your school results

The call sets no minimum school grade and no required stream: your rank depends on your test score. As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a completed Class 12 or Higher Secondary certificate after 12 years of schooling (CBSE, ISC or a state board, Pakistan's HSSC, Bangladesh's HSC), or A levels, that gives access to a political science or international relations degree at home.
• Check carefully: a Class 12 in a stream that would not admit you to this kind of degree in your own country, since the qualification must give access to a similar programme where it was issued.
• Often short: a school-leaving certificate after fewer than 12 years, such as O levels or Class 10 alone, which does not meet the 12-year rule on its own.

Selection: SAT or TOLC-E

Each round has its own ranking, based only on the test score, and ties go to the younger candidate. [1]

• SAT (second round): tests taken from 1 February 2024 count, and the essay is not needed. You need at least 500/800 in Reading and Writing, and your rank is your SAT total divided by 10, on a scale of 160. The College Board must send your official score report to Bologna (code 6993). No other method is accepted, and if several scores arrive the highest total counts.
• TOLC-E (first round, and the extraordinary round if held): the Italian-language CISIA test. The English TOLC-E is not accepted. For 2026/27, tests taken from 1 January 2025 were valid, and only your most recent valid TOLC-E counts. The ranking adds the Mathematics, Logic and Verbal understanding sections, the English section counts for nothing, and the minimum is 8/36. Non-EU citizens living abroad competing for their reserved places may take it at home (TOLC@HOME); everyone else sits it at a university (TOLC@UNI).
• Additional maths requirement (OFA): admitted students who score below 250/800 in SAT Math, or below 3.5 in the TOLC-E Mathematics and Logic sections, must clear an OFA by 31 March 2028.

English

The degree requires English at CEFR level B2. [1]

• TOLC-E rounds: by the application deadline you upload either a B2 or higher certificate obtained from 1 February 2023 and issued by a body on the university language centre's recognised list (the AICLU table), or proof that you hold, or will obtain by 31 December 2026, a school diploma or higher qualification taught in English. Without it you are excluded from the ranking.
• SAT round: the call asks for no separate certificate and sets a minimum of 500/800 in the SAT Reading and Writing section.

The call does not name specific tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, so we check which certificate your file can use. [1]

2026/27 places and deadlines

For 2026/27 there were 180 places. Non-EU citizens living abroad had 20 reserved places across the two ordinary rounds. [1]

• First round (TOLC-E and B2 certificate): applications ran from 3 February to 29 April 2026 at 13:00, with TOLC-E tests taken by 28 April 2026. Places were 120 for EU and equivalent applicants and 5 for non-EU citizens living abroad. The ranking came out on 15 May 2026, and admitted candidates enrolled from 15 to 22 May 2026.
• Second round (SAT): applications ran from 30 April to 3 July 2026 at 13:00, and the SAT score had to reach Bologna by 3 July 2026. Places were 40 for EU and equivalent applicants and 15 for non-EU citizens living abroad, plus places left from the first round. The ranking came out on 21 July 2026, and admitted candidates enrolled from 21 to 28 July 2026.
• Extraordinary round (TOLC-E and B2 certificate): applications ran from 4 August to 11 September 2026 for 21 remaining places. It was open to EU and equivalent applicants, not to the places reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. [2]

Reserved places for non-EU citizens living abroad that stay empty pass to EU and equivalent applicants from the second-round repechage. The 2027/28 call is not yet published, and it will set the new dates. [1]

Documents and non-EU steps

You apply on Studenti Online, and you apply again for each round of the same call. [1]

Non-EU citizens living abroad also need a qualification that gives access to university, and they submit Universitaly pre-enrolment to the Italian diplomatic mission. Universitaly allows only one programme, and you must be selected for it. After admission you enrol and pay the first instalment by the round's deadline, upload your school diploma and study visa on Studenti Online, and show the originals at the Forlì Campus Student Administration Office when you arrive. Enrolment is completed only after the foreign qualification is checked for eligibility and authenticity, and your career must be activated by 26 February 2027. [1]

Sources and verification

Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.

1. University of Bologna. Call for applications for admission to the restricted-access degree programme in International Studies, academic year 2026/2027 (courtesy English translation). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Bologna, Forlì Campus Student Administration Office. Notice of the extraordinary selection for admission to the degree programme in International Studies, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What school results do I need for International Studies at Bologna?

A school-leaving qualification after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to a similar degree programme in the country that issued it. The call sets no minimum grade: places are ranked on your SAT or TOLC-E score only. [1]

Is there an entrance exam? Which test should I take?

Yes. For 2026/27 you could take the SAT, with at least 500/800 in Reading and Writing, or the Italian-language TOLC-E, with at least 8/36 plus a B2 English certificate. The English TOLC-E is not accepted, so the SAT is the practical route if you do not read Italian. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2. For the TOLC-E rounds you upload a B2 certificate from a recognised body, obtained from 1 February 2023, or proof of an English-taught school diploma. The SAT round sets 500/800 in Reading and Writing instead of a certificate. The call names no specific test, so we check which proof your file can use. [1]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, non-EU citizens living abroad could apply by 29 April 2026 with the TOLC-E or by 3 July 2026 with the SAT, and the SAT score had to reach Bologna by 3 July. The September round was not open to their reserved places. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1]

How many places are there for non-EU students?

For 2026/27 there were 180 places in total. Non-EU citizens living abroad had 20 reserved: 5 in the TOLC-E round and 15 in the SAT round, plus any left from the first round. Reserved places that stay empty pass to EU and equivalent applicants. [1]

Can I apply before I finish Class 12?

Yes. You can apply and even enrol before you finish school, but for 2026/27 your diploma had to be obtained by 31 December 2026, or your enrolment was invalid. [1]

I studied commerce or science in Class 12. Can I apply?

The call sets no school stream or subject list. Your qualification must come after 12 years of schooling and give access to a similar degree in your own country, and your place depends on your test score. We check your certificate before you book the test. [1]

Which languages will I study?

Language study is compulsory. The first-year timetable includes English for Academic Writing and Public Speaking and a choice of French, German, Russian or Spanish language and laboratory courses.

Can someone handle my whole application to International Studies at Bologna?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your school results against Bologna's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ER.GO Emilia-Romagna scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.

I'm applying from India. What is the route into International Studies?

A completed Class 12 after 12 years of schooling can meet the school rule if it gives access to this kind of degree in India. The accepted TOLC-E is in Italian, so the SAT round, which needs at least 500/800 in Reading and Writing, is the practical route if you do not read Italian. The steps are the Studenti Online application, the SAT score report and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.

Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?

No. The academic rules for International Studies are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: the Studenti Online application in an ordinary round, the SAT or TOLC-E score and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.

I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?

At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for International Studies are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: the Studenti Online application in an ordinary round, the SAT or TOLC-E score and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.

I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?

The academic rules for International Studies are the same whatever your nationality, and your school results are assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: the Studenti Online application in an ordinary round, the SAT or TOLC-E score and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.