Master in International Horticultural Science at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught joint master in horticultural science from the University of Bologna and the University of Bozen-Bolzano, with teaching in Bologna and a third semester in Bolzano, focused on quality, efficiency and sustainability.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
International Horticultural Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-69 R) taught entirely in English by the University of Bologna as a joint degree with the University of Bozen-Bolzano, with the third semester in Bolzano. Access is open, and tuition follows family income, with zero euro tuition for eligible students.
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.
- Open access: there is no fixed number of places, and your personal preparation is assessed as the notice describes.
- 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
International Horticultural Science is a two-year laurea magistrale (second-cycle degree) in class LM-69 R, Agriculture, run by the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL) of the University of Bologna. It is worth 120 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has open access. Francesco Spinelli is the degree programme director.
It is a joint degree with the University of Bozen-Bolzano, and the places of teaching are Bologna and Bolzano. The university says the degree forms international-level professionals able to design and manage agricultural businesses and assure their quality, following a People, Planet, Profit approach. It suits students who want to specialise in horticultural production.
What you will study
The degree combines agronomic skills with advanced technologies to address the global challenges of horticultural production, and it names three goals for that production: quality, efficiency and sustainability. 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 and exam dates. Check the 2027/28 diagram before you apply, because units and electives can change from one intake to the next.
The degree website also points students to events run by DISTAL, such as the OpenDISTAL Talent Day and a workshop on whether environmental sustainability and high productivity can coexist in modern intensive orchards.
How the programme is taught
Teaching is shared between the two partner universities. The degree website states that the third semester takes place at the University of Bolzano, so every student spends part of the second year in South Tyrol. Plan for this move early, including housing in both cities, and check in the admission notice how the joint arrangement affects enrolment and the final degree award.
Career paths
The university's stated aim is to train professionals who can design and manage agricultural businesses and assure the quality of what they produce. The detailed professional profiles are published in the prospects section of the degree website. A laurea magistrale also gives access to PhD programmes in Italy and abroad. The university's job placement portal publishes vacancies, and Tirocini Online lists internship offers.
Fees and scholarships
For 2026/27 this degree sits at the standard second-cycle maximum of €2,550 a year, plus a fixed €157.04 for regional tax, stamp duty and insurance. What you pay depends on family income: with an ISEE up to €27,000 only the fixed part is due, which means zero euro tuition for eligible students. Non-OECD citizens, a list that includes countries like India, whose family income is only abroad can opt for a reduced flat fee of €1,200 plus €157.04. ER.GO, the regional body, runs the scholarship, and winners pay only €157.04.
How to apply from outside the EU
Start with the degree's admission notice: it sets the curricular requirements, the English level, how your preparation is assessed and the application windows. The 2027/28 notice is not yet published. You apply through the University of Bologna's Studenti Online portal, and with open access there is no cap on places for non-EU applicants.
After admission, file the Universitaly pre-enrolment and wait for the university's unconditional validation, which the consulate needs together with proof of means of at least €10,179.85 (2026 figure). No validations are made during the August closure. On arrival you enrol, pay the first instalment and apply for a residence permit within eight days.
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 Horticultural Science taught in English?
Yes. The degree is delivered entirely in English. The English level you must prove, and the ways to prove it, are set in the degree's admission notice for the year you apply.
Will I study in Bolzano?
Yes. It is a joint degree with the University of Bozen-Bolzano, the places of teaching are Bologna and Bolzano, and the degree website states that the third semester is spent at the University of Bolzano.
Is there a limit on places?
No. Access is open, so there is no fixed number of places. You still need to meet the curricular requirements and pass the check of your personal preparation described in the admission notice.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 the maximum is €2,550 a year plus a fixed €157.04. With a family ISEE up to €27,000 you pay only the €157.04. Non-OECD citizens with family income only abroad can choose a flat €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, sets the rules and decides the awards.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 admission notice is not yet published. Watch the degree website for the windows, apply on Studenti Online and, if you need a visa, file the Universitaly pre-enrolment early, since validations stop during the August closure.
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