Master in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught master (GIOCA) at the University of Bologna's Department of Management for careers as cultural project managers, managers of cultural organisations and fundraisers. Restricted access.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts (GIOCA) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-76 R) taught entirely in English at the University of Bologna. It trains managers for cultural and creative organisations. Places are limited, and tuition follows family income or a reduced flat fee.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree, or a foreign qualification that gives access to second-cycle study in the country where it was awarded, meeting the curricular requirements in the degree's admission notice.
- English proficiency at the level the admission notice sets; the whole degree is delivered in English.
- A place in the selection: access is restricted, and a quota of places is reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad.
- An application on Studenti Online within the window in the notice, then Universitaly pre-enrolment if you need a study visa.
- At enrolment, your translated degree certificate and transcript plus a Diploma Supplement, CIMEA statement, declaration of value or legalisation.
About the programme
Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts, known as GIOCA, is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-76 R, Environmental and cultural economics, run by the Department of Management (DiSA) in Bologna. It is worth 120 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has restricted access, so places are limited. Maria Lusiani is the degree programme director.
Its line is "Managing culture, connecting cultures", and its stated purpose is to innovate and transform cultural and creative organisations in international contexts. It suits students who want to run cultural projects and organisations, not only study them.
What you will study
The degree sits between management and culture: it applies management, organisation and innovation to cultural and creative organisations working in international contexts, within a degree class devoted to environmental and cultural economics. The course units, their credits and teaching periods for each intake are published in the course structure diagram on the degree website. Check the 2027/28 version before you apply, since units can change.
Career paths
The university names the roles GIOCA graduates can take on:
- Cultural project manager, as a freelance consultant or employee
- Cultural manager in cultural organisations
- Fundraiser
A laurea magistrale also gives access to PhD programmes. The degree's notice board carries openings such as the internship programme run by the Fondazione CRUI with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI), and a mock job interview workshop.
Fees and scholarships
GIOCA is in the top fee band for second-cycle degrees: its 2026/27 maximum is €4,080 a year, against a standard €2,550, plus a fixed €157.04. The actual amount follows family income, and an ISEE up to €27,000 means paying only the fixed part: zero euro tuition for eligible students. Non-OECD citizens (the list includes countries like India) whose family income is only abroad can choose a reduced flat fee of €1,200 plus €157.04. ER.GO scholarship winners pay €157.04.
How to apply from outside the EU
Because access is restricted, the yearly admission notice is decisive: it sets the curricular requirements, the English level, the selection criteria, the number of places with a quota for non-EU citizens living abroad, and the deadlines. The 2027/28 notice is not yet published. You take part in the selection on Studenti Online.
If you win a place, file the Universitaly pre-enrolment; the consulate needs the university's unconditional validation and proof of means of at least €10,179.85 (2026), and validations stop during the August closure. You then enrol, pay the first instalment and apply for a residence permit within eight days of arrival.
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 GIOCA taught in English?
Yes. Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts is delivered entirely in English in Bologna. The English level and accepted proof are set in the admission notice for your intake.
Is there a limit on places?
Yes. Access is restricted: the admission notice sets the number of places, a quota for non-EU citizens living abroad, the selection criteria and the deadlines.
What jobs does GIOCA lead to?
The university lists cultural project manager, as a freelance consultant or employee, cultural manager in cultural organisations, and fundraiser.
Which department runs the degree?
The Department of Management (DiSA) of the University of Bologna. The degree belongs to class LM-76 R, Environmental and cultural economics, and Maria Lusiani is the degree programme director.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 the maximum is €4,080 a year plus a fixed €157.04. With a family ISEE up to €27,000 you pay only €157.04. Non-OECD citizens with family income only abroad can choose €1,200 plus €157.04.
Can I get a scholarship?
Eligible students can apply for the ER.GO regional scholarship. Winners pay only the fixed €157.04 a year, and ER.GO, the Emilia-Romagna right-to-study body, decides the awards.
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