Master in Astrophysics and Cosmology at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught LM-58 R master at the University of Bologna's Department of Physics and Astronomy, training astrophysicists and astronomers. Open access: entry needs a physics degree, English at B2 and a committee review, with one intake for non-EU applicants.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
Astrophysics and Cosmology is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-58 R) taught in English at the University of Bologna. Entry needs a physics degree, or a foreign degree with university-level physics, maths and astronomy, plus English at B2 and a committee review. Non-EU applicants use the first intake only. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Bologna's Astrophysics and Cosmology master asks for a first cycle degree in physics, or a foreign degree with university-level physics, mathematics and astronomy, English at B2 and a positive committee review of your preparation, which may include a remote interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a three-year first cycle degree, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable under Italian rules that gives access to a similar programme in the country where it was issued. The curricular requirement is a first cycle degree in one of these: [1]
- Physics, class L-30, or the older class 25
- an old four-year degree in Physics or Astronomy
For degrees obtained abroad, the committee assesses equivalence from the content of your studies. Your exams must give basic university-level knowledge of physics, mathematics and astronomy. If you do not meet all the curricular requirements, you cannot register for the programme. [1]
What this means for your transcript
The committee reads your exam list and syllabi, not just the title of your degree. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Physics, especially one with astronomy or astrophysics papers alongside maths.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. in Physics with no astronomy paper, a B.Sc. in Mathematics with physics as a subsidiary subject, or a B.Tech in Engineering Physics, where the question is whether physics, maths and astronomy are all covered at university level.
- Often short: a B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science, Mechanical or Civil Engineering, a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA, which rarely include university physics and astronomy exams.
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, proven at the application stage. The 2026/27 notice allows a suitable certificate or passing the University of Bologna's English test on the dates the programme publishes. [1]
The programme's enrolment page lists these routes: [2]
- an international B2 certificate from the programme's list of accepted certificates
- a degree from a programme taught entirely in English, with the transcript stating that the language of instruction is English
- a B2 English exam passed during your degree, with the level shown in the course title or declared by a professor
- a B2 certificate from an Italian university language centre or another recognised body, naming the body, the level and the exam date
- the University of Bologna Language Centre's online Oxford placement test, with a result of at least B2, which can be taken once on a set date
- being a native English speaker
The minimum scores for each certificate are set in the programme's separate list. [2]
Committee review and interview
There is no written entrance test. A committee from the Department of Physics and Astronomy examines your application documents and may call you, individually, for an interview held remotely. It requires basic knowledge of: [1]
- classical and modern physics
- mathematical analysis and geometry
- fundamentals of computing and programming
- experimental methods in the physical sciences
If the committee judges your preparation unsuitable, you cannot register. Under the 2026/27 notice, applicants who are not admitted in an intake cannot take part in later intakes. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
- Intake 1 (EU and non-EU): applications from 4 February to 31 March 2026, results by 10 April 2026.
- Intakes 2, 3 and 4 (EU citizens only): applications closed on 27 May, 14 July and 30 September 2026.
Admitted students in intake 1 could matriculate from 10 April to 29 October 2026, or until 19 November 2026 with a late payment fee. You can apply before graduating, but the degree must be obtained by 31 December 2026 or the registration is cancelled. The next notice sets the 2027/28 dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applications are made on Studenti Online and must include: [1]
- your foreign qualification translated into Italian or English, with the transcript of records and Diploma Supplement where available, or your list of exams if you have not yet graduated
- a valid identity document, or a passport if your ID has no English translation
You can also upload proof of English at B2, your CV and supporting documents such as course syllabi, which the committee uses in its review. Mandatory documents that are missing or only partly uploaded by the deadline mean the application is not considered. [1][2]
Non-EU citizens living abroad must also pre-enrol on Universitaly and request a study visa. At matriculation, foreign documents must be translated and their authenticity and value verified where required, and you show the originals at the International Student Administration Office in Bologna. For 2026/27, careers had to 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.
- University of Bologna, Department of Physics and Astronomy "Augusto Righi". Admission notice for the Second Cycle Degree Programme in Astrophysics and Cosmology (code 6765), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna, Astrophysics and Cosmology programme website: home page and Enrolling in the programme page (requirements, deadlines and procedures), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna. Tuition fees and exemptions, with the table of maximum contributions and the reduced fixed fee for non-OECD citizens, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Astrophysics and Cosmology is a two-year laurea magistrale (second-cycle degree) in class LM-58 R, Universe sciences, run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy (DIFA) on the Bologna campus. It is worth 120 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has open access, so there is no cap on places. The degree programme director is Carlo Nipoti. [2]
The university presents it under the line "unveiling the mysteries of the Universe": the degree uses astrophysics and cosmology to understand the Universe, advance research and develop new technologies. It is aimed at students who want to train as professional astrophysicists and astronomers in an international classroom. Entry is for physics graduates, or holders of a foreign degree with university-level exams in physics, mathematics and astronomy. [1]
What you will study
Teaching centres on the physics of the Universe, from the astrophysics of its components to cosmology as a whole. The course units, their credits and teaching periods for each intake are published in the course structure diagram on the degree website, next to the timetable, exam dates and faculty list. Students then prepare their individual study plan in the period the degree announces each year.
For 2026/27 the department held a presentation of the master's degree and published the slides on the degree website, which is a useful first look at the structure. We check the 2027/28 course structure diagram before you apply, because units and electives can change from one intake to the next.
Career paths
The university states that the degree trains the professional figures of the astrophysicist and the astronomer. A laurea magistrale also gives access to PhD programmes in Italy and abroad, the usual route into academic research. For other roles, the university's Towards the job market service and its job placement office publish internships and job offers for students and recent graduates.
Fees and scholarships
For 2026/27 the yearly contribution for this degree follows family income. With an ISEE of €27,000 or less, this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [3]
Students whose family income and assets are only abroad cannot submit an ISEE and follow the university's separate procedure. For 2026/27, non-OECD citizens in that position starting a second cycle degree could choose a reduced fixed fee instead. ER.GO, the Emilia-Romagna right-to-study body, runs its own yearly scholarship call, separate from the admission process. [1][3]
How to apply from outside the EU
Applications are made on Studenti Online. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants could apply only in intake 1, from 4 February to 31 March 2026, with results by 10 April 2026; intakes 2 to 4 were for EU citizens only. Applicants who are not admitted in an intake cannot apply again in a later one, so we make sure your file is complete before the deadline. The 2027/28 notice sets the next dates. [1][2]
Non-EU citizens living abroad also pre-enrol on Universitaly and request a study visa. Once admitted, you matriculate on Studenti Online, pay the first instalment and upload your translated qualification and entry visa. On arrival, the International Student Administration Office in Bologna checks your original documents. For 2026/27, careers had to be activated by 26 February 2027. [1]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Bologna's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Studenti Online application in intake 1 with your transcript, CV and English proof, and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ER.GO Emilia-Romagna scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Bologna's Astrophysics and Cosmology master?
A first cycle degree in physics (Italian class L-30 or older equivalents) or an old degree in astronomy, or a foreign degree the committee judges equivalent, with university-level exams in physics, mathematics and astronomy. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. A committee reviews your exam list, CV, English proof and supporting documents, and may call you for a remote interview. It looks for basic classical and modern physics, analysis and geometry, programming and experimental methods. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. You can use a certificate from the programme's accepted list, a degree taught entirely in English, a B2 exam passed in your degree, or the Bologna Language Centre's online Oxford test, so IELTS is not the only option. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants could apply only in intake 1, from 4 February to 31 March 2026, with results by 10 April 2026. Later intakes were for EU citizens only. The 2027/28 notice sets the next dates. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. You can apply and, if admitted, matriculate before graduating, but for 2026/27 the degree had to be obtained by 31 December 2026, otherwise the registration is cancelled. [1]
I have a B.Sc. in Mathematics or a B.Tech in Engineering Physics. Can I apply?
Possibly. The committee checks for university-level physics, mathematics and astronomy. Maths graduates may lack physics and astronomy exams, and engineering physics graduates may lack astronomy, so we check your transcript and syllabi before you apply. [1]
Can I try again if I am not admitted?
Not in the same year. Under the 2026/27 notice, applicants not admitted in an intake cannot take part in later intakes, and non-EU applicants have only intake 1, so we make sure your file is complete first time. [1]
What careers does the degree lead to?
The university says the degree trains astrophysicists and astronomers. A laurea magistrale also gives access to PhD programmes, the main path into academic research, and the university's job placement office lists internships and job offers.
Can someone handle my whole application to Astrophysics and Cosmology at Bologna?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript 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 Astrophysics and Cosmology?
An Indian B.Sc. in Physics, ideally with astronomy or astrophysics papers, is the closest match to the physics degree Bologna asks for, as the committee looks for university-level physics, maths and astronomy. You also need English at B2. The steps are the Studenti Online application in intake 1, committee review 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 Astrophysics and Cosmology are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Studenti Online application in intake 1, committee review 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 Astrophysics and Cosmology are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Studenti Online application in intake 1, committee review 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 Astrophysics and Cosmology are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: Studenti Online application in intake 1, committee review 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.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
