Master in Global Cultures at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught history master at the University of Bologna that studies the past to understand the global present, with open access and a double or multiple degree option.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
Global Cultures is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-84 R, History) taught entirely in English at the University of Bologna. It trains historians and experts in globalisation to analyse historical and social phenomena on a global scale. Tuition follows family income, with zero euro tuition for eligible students, or a flat fee for non-OECD citizens.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree, or a foreign qualification that gives access to second-cycle study, meeting the curricular requirements in the Global Cultures admission notice.
- English proficiency proven as the notice specifies; all teaching is in English.
- Open access: no fixed number of places, with your personal preparation assessed as the notice sets out.
- An application on Studenti Online and, for non-EU applicants living abroad, Universitaly pre-enrolment after admission.
- At enrolment, a translated degree certificate and transcript plus a Diploma Supplement, CIMEA statement, declaration of value or legalisation.
About the programme
Global Cultures is a two-year laurea magistrale (second-cycle degree) in class LM-84 R, History, run by the Department of History and Cultures (DiSCi) in Bologna. It is worth 120 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has open access, so there is no fixed number of places. Davide Domenici is the degree programme director.
Under the motto "Reading the world", the degree investigates history in order to understand the global present. The university describes it as training for historians and experts in globalisation who analyse historical and social phenomena on a global scale. It suits students who want to read today's global questions through history rather than through a single national story.
What you will study
The programme studies the past on a global scale: how historical and social phenomena connect across regions, and how that history shapes the world today. Teaching is complemented by research seminars with visiting scholars. The 2026/27 notice board lists two of them:
- Capitalism in the early Atlantic: trade, slavery and the extraction of natural resources in Madeira, the Canary Islands, Cabo Verde and West Africa (15th and 16th centuries), with Carlo Taviani
- Empire, democracy and political thought, with Martin O'Donoghue of the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory
The course units for each year, with credits and teaching periods, are published in the course structure diagram on the degree website. Check the 2027/28 diagram before you apply, since units can change between intakes.
How the programme is taught
Global Cultures is one of the university's international programmes and offers a double or multiple degree option: selected students also earn a degree from a partner university, under rules published on the degree website. The degree's notice board also relays calls open to its students, such as the 2026 MAECI programme of curricular internships at Italian embassies, consulates, permanent representations and cultural institutes.
Career paths
The university's own profile for the degree is that of a historian or an expert in globalisation, able to analyse historical and social change at a global scale. Graduates can also continue to a PhD, since a laurea magistrale gives access to doctoral study. The degree website's Opportunities section and the university's job placement service publish internships, job offers and careers events.
Fees and scholarships
Global Cultures is not listed among the higher-fee degrees in the 2026/27 table, so the standard second-cycle maximum of €2,550 a year applies on top of a fixed €157.04. With a family ISEE of €27,000 or less you pay only the fixed part, which means zero euro tuition for eligible students. Income abroad is declared through ER.GO, the regional right-to-study body that also awards scholarships. Non-OECD citizens, including students from countries like India, whose family income is only abroad can choose a reduced flat fee of €1,200 plus €157.04.
How to apply from outside the EU
Start with the Global Cultures admission notice on the degree website: it sets the application windows, the curricular requirements and how your English and preparation are checked. You apply on Studenti Online, and with open access there is no cap on places. The 2027/28 notice was not yet published in September 2026.
Once admitted, non-EU applicants living abroad complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment, which the university must validate before you apply for a study visa; the consulate also checks proof of means (€10,179.85 for 2026). You then enrol, pay the first instalment and upload your translated degree certificate and transcript with a Diploma Supplement, CIMEA statement or declaration of value.
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 the Master in Global Cultures taught in English?
Yes. Global Cultures is delivered entirely in English on the University of Bologna's Bologna campus. The English level you must prove is set in the admission notice for the year you apply.
Is there a limit on places or an entrance exam?
Access is open, so the degree has no fixed number of places. The admission notice sets the curricular requirements and explains how your personal preparation is assessed before admission.
Can I earn a double degree?
Yes. Global Cultures is listed with a double or multiple degree option, in which selected students also earn a degree from a partner university. The partners and selection rules are published on the degree website.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 you pay a fixed €157.04, plus a contribution that rises with family income up to €2,550 a year. A family ISEE up to €27,000 means only the fixed part; non-OECD citizens with income only abroad can pay €1,200 plus €157.04.
What does the degree prepare me for?
The university describes it as training for historians and experts in globalisation who analyse historical and social phenomena on a global scale. A laurea magistrale also gives access to PhD programmes.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 admission notice was not yet published in September 2026. Each Bologna master's sets its own windows, so check the degree website and apply on Studenti Online once the notice is out.
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