Bachelor in International Studies at University of Bologna
Three-year English-taught bachelor in Forlì combining international law, politics, history and economics with compulsory foreign languages, with TOLC-E or SAT entry and places reserved for non-EU applicants.
Bachelor
3 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
International Studies is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree (class L-36 R) taught entirely in English at the University of Bologna's Forlì campus. Entry is through the TOLC-E or SAT, with 20 of 180 places kept for non-EU applicants in 2026/27. Tuition follows family income, with zero euro tuition for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A school qualification from at least twelve years of schooling, or an Italian upper secondary diploma.
- An entrance test: TOLC-E with at least 8/36, or SAT with at least 500/800 in Reading and Writing (2026/27 call).
- For the TOLC-E rounds, an English B2 certificate or proof of a school diploma taught in English.
- An application on Studenti Online with the €20 fee; 20 places were reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad in 2026/27.
- After admission: Universitaly pre-enrolment, a study visa and your school documents uploaded for checking.
About the programme
International Studies is a three-year laurea in class L-36 R, Political science and international relations, run by the Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS) on the University of Bologna's Forlì campus. It is worth 180 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has restricted access: for 2026/27 there were 180 places, 20 of them reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. Francesca Ragno is the degree programme director.
The degree aims to help students understand international systems and prepare for roles that promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development. The classroom is mixed, with the degree reporting 66% international students and students from outside the region.
What you will study
The approach is interdisciplinary, bringing together economic, historical, legal and political analysis. Core subjects include comparative legal systems, international law and political science, and every student also studies foreign languages. First-year units on the degree's timetable include:
- Comparative Legal Systems
- Principles of Economics
- International History
- History of Political Philosophy
- Culture and Society
- English for Academic Writing and Public Speaking
- French, German, Russian or Spanish Language and Laboratory I
How the programme is taught
All teaching is in English on the Forlì campus. Students can use Erasmus+ for both study and traineeships abroad, and the department has partnerships with companies and international organisations where students can take internships.
Career paths
The university states that the degree offers a range of professional openings and gives access to second-cycle degrees (laurea magistrale) and first-level university master's programmes. In Forlì, the same department teaches English-taught master's degrees such as International Politics and Economics and East European and Eurasian Studies.
Fees and scholarships
The degree uses the standard first-cycle fees. For 2026/27 you pay a fixed €157.04, and the contribution on top follows the family ISEE: up to €27,000 there is nothing more to pay, which gives zero euro tuition for eligible students, and the first-cycle ceiling is €2,040. Foreign income is declared through ER.GO, the regional right-to-study body that also awards scholarships. Non-OECD citizens with family income only abroad, from countries like India, may instead pay a reduced flat fee of €1,000 plus €157.04.
How to apply from outside the EU
For 2026/27, applications on Studenti Online cost €20 and ran in three rounds: TOLC-E plus an English B2 certificate (3 February to 29 April 2026), SAT (30 April to 3 July 2026) and an extraordinary TOLC-E round (4 August to 11 September 2026). Minimum scores were 8/36 on the TOLC-E and 500/800 in SAT Reading and Writing, and the ranking uses the test score only. Non-EU citizens living abroad compete for the reserved places and may sit the TOLC@HOME. The 2027/28 call is not yet published.
Once admitted, you enrol, pay the first instalment and file the Universitaly pre-enrolment, whose unconditional validation you need for the visa, together with an Italian tax code and health insurance.
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.
Questions and answers
Is International Studies taught in English?
Yes. The degree is delivered entirely in English on the University of Bologna's Forlì campus. For the 2026/27 TOLC-E rounds you needed an English B2 certificate or a school diploma taught in English.
Which admission test do I need?
For 2026/27 you could use the TOLC-E, with a minimum of 8/36 plus English B2, or the SAT, with at least 500/800 in Reading and Writing. The ranking uses the test score only.
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 there were 180 places, of which 20 were reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. These candidates could take the TOLC-E online as TOLC@HOME.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 call is not yet published. For 2026/27 the deadlines were 29 April (TOLC-E), 3 July (SAT) and 11 September 2026 (extraordinary round), with a €20 application fee.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27, a family ISEE up to €27,000 means you pay only the fixed €157.04. Non-OECD citizens with family income only abroad can pay a flat €1,000 plus €157.04, and ER.GO runs the regional scholarship.
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.
Similar programmes
More programmes in this city
They began right where you are
