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 a 30-credit thesis in English. Entry needs a life-science or agricultural degree, or 20 agricultural credits, plus English at B2.
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 in English at the University of Bologna, as a joint degree with the University of Bozen-Bolzano. Entry needs a degree in agricultural, food, biological or related sciences, or 20 credits in four agricultural subjects, plus English at B2. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Bologna's International Horticultural Science master asks for a three-year degree in agricultural, food, biological, biotechnology or environmental sciences, a foreign life-science degree of 180 ECTS, or 20 credits in four agricultural subjects, plus English at B2 and a check of your personal preparation. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
These rules come from the programme's course regulations, which do not state an academic year. You need a three-year university degree, or a suitable qualification obtained abroad, and you must meet one of these curricular routes: [1]
- A degree in a listed class: Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (L-25), Food Science (L-26), Biotechnology (L-2), Environmental Sciences (L-32) or Biological Sciences (L-13), or an older four-year degree in Agricultural Science.
- A foreign first-level degree in life science, such as horticulture, agriculture or biology, obtained with 180 ECTS.
- A degree in another class with at least 5 ECTS in each of four areas: agricultural economics and rural appraisal (AGR/01), arboriculture and fruit culture (AGR/03), general and applied entomology (AGR/11) and plant pathology (AGR/12).
For a foreign qualification, the committee first checks whether it corresponds to an Italian one. If it does not, the committee looks in your career for the equivalent of the 20 credits in these subject areas. [2]
What this means for your transcript
The committee looks at your subjects, not only the title of your degree. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Agriculture or Horticulture, or a B.Sc. in Biology of at least 180 ECTS, which match the life-science examples in the regulations.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Biotechnology, Food Technology, Environmental Science, Forestry or Agricultural Engineering. These sit close to the listed classes, but we check how your transcript maps to them.
- Often short: a B.Tech or B.E. in other engineering branches, a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA, which rarely include 5 credits in each of the four agricultural subjects.
English
English at CEFR level B2. The requirement is met if you are a citizen of a country where English is an official language or come from a course of study in English, have lived in such a country for at least 12 months, hold an official certificate at B2 or above, or passed a B2 English exam in a previous degree at Bologna or at another AICLU university language centre. [1]
For 2026/27, the programme page listed accepted certificates obtained after 1 January 2023, including IELTS Academic or General Training with at least 5.5 and TOEFL iBT with at least 80. [2]
Personal preparation check
There is no written test. A committee checks your university-level knowledge of agricultural economics and rural appraisal, arboriculture and fruit culture, general and applied entomology and plant pathology through an oral examination. [1]
The check counts as passed if you graduated in Agricultural and Forestry Sciences or Food Science (classes L-25, L-26 or the older L-20) with a final mark of at least 100/110 or a foreign equivalent. If you do not pass the check, you cannot enrol. [1][2]
Deadlines
The course regulations do not set application dates. For 2026/27, the programme page referred applicants to the admission notice for the application window, and applicants still finishing a degree had to graduate by 31 December 2026 to take part in the selection. The 2027/28 notice sets the next dates. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
For 2026/27, applicants registered on Studenti Online and uploaded proof of English at B2 and the signed application form. Applicants who did not graduate at Bologna also uploaded an identity document, their qualification or list of exams, and their transcript. [2]
After passing the assessment, non-EU applicants living abroad pre-enrol on Universitaly by the deadline in the call, then apply for a study visa once the pre-enrolment is validated. A tourist visa cannot be used for enrolment or for a study residence permit. You apply for a residence permit within eight days of arrival. [2]
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. Degree programme regulations, regulatory part, Second Cycle Degree Programme in International Horticultural Science (LM-69), undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna, International Horticultural Science programme page, How to enrol, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
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. We 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.
Attendance at classes is not mandatory, and the programme includes a curricular internship. The fourth semester, worth 30 credits, is dedicated to an original thesis written and defended in English, supervised by a professor from Bologna or Bolzano with a co-supervisor from the other university. [1]
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, so this programme can be tuition-free 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
You need a degree in a listed agricultural, food, biological or environmental class, a foreign life-science degree of 180 ECTS, or 20 credits across four agricultural subjects, plus English at B2. A committee then checks your preparation through an oral examination unless your degree and grade exempt you. [1]
With open access there is no cap on places for non-EU applicants. We apply through the University of Bologna's Studenti Online portal, uploading your B2 proof, the signed application form, your ID, qualification and transcript. The yearly admission notice sets the application window, and the 2027/28 notice sets the next dates. [2]
After admission, we 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
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 with your B2 proof, degree and transcript, 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 International Horticultural Science at Bologna?
A three-year degree in agricultural, food, biotechnology, environmental or biological sciences, or a foreign life-science degree of 180 ECTS. Other degrees qualify with at least 5 ECTS in each of agricultural economics, fruit culture, entomology and plant pathology. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
There is no written test. A committee checks your knowledge of four agricultural subjects through an oral exam. Graduates in agricultural or food science classes with at least 100/110, or a foreign equivalent, count as having passed. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. For 2026/27, accepted certificates obtained after 1 January 2023 included IELTS Academic or General Training at 5.5 and TOEFL iBT at 80. A previous degree taught in English can also meet the requirement. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
The course regulations do not set dates. The yearly admission notice sets the application window, and the 2027/28 notice sets the next dates. We track it and file your Studenti Online application and Universitaly pre-enrolment in time. [1][2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
For 2026/27, yes, but you had to graduate by 31 December 2026 to take part in the selection and complete enrolment. The 2027/28 notice sets the next cut-off. [2]
I have a B.Sc. in Agriculture or a B.Tech in Biotechnology. Can I apply?
A B.Sc. in Agriculture or Horticulture matches the life-science examples in the rules. Biotechnology is close to a listed class, so we check your transcript. Other degrees need at least 5 ECTS in each of four agricultural subjects. [1]
Will I study in Bolzano?
Yes. It is a joint degree with the University of Bozen-Bolzano, and the degree website states that the third semester is spent in Bolzano. Your thesis is supervised by a professor from one university with a co-supervisor from the other. [1]
How is the final year structured?
The fourth semester, worth 30 credits, is dedicated to an original thesis in English, which you defend before a commission. The programme also includes a curricular internship, and class attendance is not mandatory. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to International Horticultural Science 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 International Horticultural Science?
An Indian B.Sc. in Agriculture or Horticulture matches the life-science examples in Bologna's rules, and a Biology degree of 180 ECTS can also fit. Other degrees need at least 5 ECTS in each of four agricultural subjects. You also need English at B2 and may face an oral check. The steps are the Studenti Online application, committee assessment 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 International Horticultural Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Studenti Online application, committee assessment 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 International Horticultural Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Studenti Online application, committee assessment and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I'm applying from the UK, US, Canada, Singapore or Malaysia. Is anything different?
The academic rules are identical. Non-EU applicants who live abroad, including citizens of these countries, follow the same route: Studenti Online application, committee assessment and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
