Master in Food Animal Metabolism and Management in the Circular Economy at University of Bologna

Detailed entry requirements

Bologna's Food Animal Metabolism and Management master has open access and asks for a bachelor's in agriculture or animal production, or at least 30 credits in veterinary, animal science, agricultural economics or biochemistry subjects, plus English at B2 and a committee score of at least 60 out of 100, or 50 to 59 and a passed online interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree requirement

You need a bachelor's degree in one of these Italian classes, or a suitable qualification obtained abroad: [1]

• L-26 Food and Agriculture Science and Technology
• L-38 Animal Production Zootechnics and Technologies
• The older classes L-20 (Agricultural, Agrifood and Forest Sciences and Technologies) and L-40 (Animal Production and Zootechnical Sciences and Technologies)

With a different bachelor's degree, you need at least 30 credits (CFU or ECTS) in one or more of these areas: [1]

• Veterinary subjects: veterinary anatomy, veterinary physiology, veterinary pathology, infectious diseases of domestic animals, parasitology, and veterinary pharmacology and toxicology (VET/01, 02, 03, 05, 06 and 07).
• Animal science: livestock systems, animal breeding and genetics, animal nutrition and feeding, animal science, and aquaculture, poultry and rabbit science (AGR/17 to AGR/20).
• Agricultural economics and rural appraisal (AGR/01).
• Biochemistry (BIO/10).

A foreign qualification must give access to a similar second-cycle programme in the country where it was issued. If you do not meet the curricular requirements, you cannot register. [1]

What this means for your transcript

The committee counts credits in the listed subjects, not your total. As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Agriculture, a B.V.Sc. and A.H., or a degree in Animal, Dairy or Fisheries Science, which normally include animal husbandry, nutrition, breeding, physiology or agricultural economics.
• Check carefully: a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Zoology or Food Technology. Biochemistry credits count towards the 30, but other subjects may not, and an interview, if needed, covers animal anatomy, physiology and nutrition.
• Often short: a B.Com, BBA, BCA, BA or an engineering degree, with no veterinary, animal science, agricultural economics or biochemistry credits.

English and Italian

English at CEFR level B2 or higher, proved during the application in one of three ways: [1]

• A certificate on the list recognised by the University of Bologna's Language Centre.
• A Medium of Instruction certificate, if your bachelor's degree or high school diploma was taught in English.
• Passing a test on the dates in the programme's calendar.

English also earns up to 5 points in the selection: 5 for a C2 certificate, 4 for C1, 3 for an international B2 certificate, 2 for B2 through the OOPT test or a degree taught in English, and 1 for a high school diploma taught in English. The call does not list minimum IELTS or TOEFL scores. [1]

The programme's enrolment page also asks for Italian at B2. International students who do not have it add specific learning activities to their study plan to reach that level. [2]

Selection and interview

There is no written entrance exam. A committee scores your application out of 100: [1]

• Academic merit, up to 75 points: the length and quality of your studies, including exam average, final degree mark and Diploma Supplement.
• CV, up to 10 points: relevant extra-academic activities such as internships, jobs and qualifications.
• Reference letters, up to 10 points: a maximum of two, worth up to 5 points each.
• English, up to 5 points: as set out above.

A score of 60 or more gives direct admission. A score of 50 to 59 leads to an online interview, also in English, with a brief presentation of your thesis work and questions on subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, animal anatomy and physiology, pathology, infectious and parasitic diseases, pharmacology, animal breeding and nutrition, agricultural economics and biochemistry. [1]

With a score below 50, or if you fail the interview, you cannot enrol, and applicants not admitted in one intake cannot take part in a later one. [1]

2026/27 deadlines

For 2026/27, non-EU applicants could apply in three intakes: [1]

• Intake 1 (non-EU only): 8 to 31 January 2026, results by 13 February 2026, interviews on 19 February 2026.
• Intake 2: 2 February to 15 March 2026, interviews on 10 April 2026, results by 16 April 2026.
• Intake 3: 10 April to 31 May 2026, interviews on 26 June 2026, results by 2 July 2026.

A fourth intake, from 22 June to 13 September 2026, was for EU students only. Matriculation ran until 19 November 2026, with an extra fee from 30 October 2026. [1] The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [2]

You could apply before graduating if you already had at least 30 credits in the listed areas, but admitted students had to graduate by 31 December 2026, or their matriculation was cancelled. [1]

Documents and non-EU steps

On Studenti Online you upload these compulsory documents: [1]

• A valid identity document or passport.
• Your CV.
• Your degree, 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.
• Proof of English at B2.

You also enter the course units you passed. Optional uploads include up to two reference letters, a Declaration of Value and certificates of summer schools or other courses. Files missing a compulsory document at the deadline are not considered. [1]

Non-EU applicants living abroad also pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for a study entry visa. After paying the first instalment, you upload your degree and entry visa, then show the originals in Bologna or on your campus. Your foreign qualification is checked for translation, authenticity and value, 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, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences. Admission notice, second cycle degree programme in Food Animal Metabolism and Management in the Circular Economy (class LM-86), academic year 2026/27, courtesy translation. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Bologna. Food Animal Metabolism and Management in the Circular Economy programme page and enrolment requirements page, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. University of Bologna. Tuition fees and exemptions pages, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Bologna's Food Animal Metabolism and Management master?

A bachelor's in class L-26 or L-38, or the older L-20 or L-40, or a suitable foreign qualification. With another degree you need at least 30 credits in veterinary subjects, animal science, agricultural economics or biochemistry. [1]

Is there an entrance exam?

No written test. A committee scores academic merit (up to 75 points), CV (10), reference letters (10) and English (5). With 60 or more you are admitted directly, and 50 to 59 means an online interview. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2 or higher. You can use a certificate recognised by Unibo's Language Centre, a Medium of Instruction certificate for a degree or school diploma taught in English, or a test. The call lists no specific IELTS score. [1]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, non-EU applicants had three intakes, closing on 31 January, 15 March and 31 May 2026. If you are not admitted in one intake, you cannot apply again in a later one. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1][2]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes, if you already have at least 30 credits in the listed areas. You upload your list of exams, and for 2026/27 admitted students had to graduate by 31 December 2026, or their matriculation was cancelled. [1]

I have a B.Sc. in Agriculture or Biotechnology. Can I apply?

Possibly. Agriculture degrees often include animal husbandry, nutrition and agricultural economics, which count towards the 30 credits. Biotechnology degrees can count biochemistry but may lack animal science subjects. We check your transcript against each area. [1]

Is it taught in English? Do I need Italian?

Yes, it is delivered entirely in English at Ozzano dell'Emilia. The enrolment page also asks for Italian at B2, and international students who do not have it add specific learning activities to their study plan to reach that level. [2]

How are the fees set?

Fees follow family income. An ISEE up to €27,000 removes the income-based part of the fees. Students from listed countries whose family income is only abroad can ask for a reduced flat fee. [3]

Can someone handle my whole application to Food Animal Metabolism and Management 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 Food Animal Metabolism and Management?

A B.Sc. in Agriculture, a B.V.Sc. or a degree in Dairy or Fisheries Science often covers the animal science, veterinary or agricultural economics subjects, and any other degree needs at least 30 credits in those areas or in biochemistry. You also need English at B2. The steps are the Studenti Online application, committee scoring 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 Food Animal Metabolism and Management are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Studenti Online application in one of the non-EU intakes, committee scoring with an online interview if needed, 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 Food Animal Metabolism and Management are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Studenti Online application in one of the non-EU intakes, committee scoring with an online interview if needed, 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 Food Animal Metabolism and Management 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 one of the non-EU intakes, committee scoring with an online interview if needed, 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.