Master in International Relations at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught LM-52 R master's in Bologna with European Affairs, International Affairs, and Crime, Justice and Security curricula and a Johns Hopkins SAIS double degree. Entry needs a related degree, a 60/100 committee score and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
International Relations is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-52 R) taught in English at the University of Bologna, with curricula in European Affairs, International Affairs, and Crime, Justice and Security. Entry needs a degree in a related field or 32 credits in listed subjects, a committee score of at least 60/100 and English at B2. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Bologna's International Relations master asks for a first degree in one of 15 listed social science, humanities, economics or law fields, or any degree with at least 32 credits in listed subjects, English at B2 and a committee score of at least 60/100, with places limited by quota. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a bachelor's degree or three-year university diploma, a degree from Italy's older four-year system, or a qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable. It must belong to one of these Italian degree classes, or be judged equivalent to one: [1]
- L-5 Philosophy, L-6 Geography and L-42 History
- L-11 Modern Languages and Cultures and L-12 Linguistic Mediation
- L-14 Legal Services Sciences and L-16 Administration and Organisation Sciences
- L-18 Economics and Business Management, L-33 Economics and L-41 Statistics
- L-20 Communication Sciences, L-36 Political Science and International Relations, L-37 Social Sciences for Cooperation, Development and Peace, L-40 Sociology and L-DS Defence and Security
A degree in any other class also qualifies if it includes at least 32 credits in the listed subject sectors: political science and sociology (SPS/01 to SPS/14), economics, business economics and economic history (SECS-P/01 to 04, 07 and 12), statistics and demography (SECS-S/01, 03, 04 and 05), economic and political geography (M-GGR/02), Near Eastern, Islamic and East Asian history (L-OR/01, 10 and 23), modern and contemporary history (M-STO/02 to 04), anthropology (M-DEA/01), moral philosophy and history of philosophy (M-FIL/03 and 06), public, international, EU and comparative public law (IUS/09, 13, 14 and 21) and computer science (INF/01 and ING-INF/05). [1]
For qualifications obtained abroad, the committee checks these requirements against your previous studies and the suitability of your qualification. [1]
What this means for your transcript
The rule is broad, but the committee then scores how many of your credits sit in the listed subjects. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a BA in Political Science, International Relations, Economics, History, Sociology, Geography, Philosophy, Languages or Mass Communication, a B.Com or BBA, or a B.Sc. in Statistics.
- Check carefully: an LL.B. or BA LL.B., or a computing degree such as a BCA, B.Sc. Computer Science or B.Tech in Computer Science, since law and computer science are among the listed sectors but not every course on your transcript will count.
- Often short: engineering in other branches, natural or life sciences, pharmacy or medicine, unless your transcript shows at least 32 credits' worth of the listed social science, economics, history, law or computing subjects.
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, shown in one of these ways: [1]
- a certificate listed in the University Language Centre's equivalence table
- TOEFL computer-based 213 or higher, or TOEFL paper-based 550 or higher
- Trinity GESE grade 8
- IELTS, with the minimum written in the 2026/27 call as 5 to 6.5 points
- a B2 certificate or self-certification from an Italian university language centre
- a university degree taught entirely in English
Committee scoring and ranking
There is no entrance test. A committee checks your personal preparation by scoring your documents out of 100: [1]
- Academic merit: up to 40 points from your weighted average, using (average minus 18) times 40/11.5 on the Italian 30-point scale. Candidates with fewer than 170 credits lose 0.2 points for each missing credit. The committee uses the average as calculated by your home university.
- Subject credits: a quarter point for each credit in the listed subject sectors, up to 20 points, counting your whole academic record.
- Extra languages: up to 15 points for language certificates beyond the English requirement, at B2 or above for European languages or A2 or above for non-European languages.
- Other activities: 5 points each, up to 25, for extra qualifications, Erasmus or Overseas exchanges, and work, internships or volunteering in politics, economics or international relations since your bachelor's.
For qualifications obtained abroad, the committee assesses the academic merit and subject credit scores itself. You need at least 60/100 to be ranked; on equal scores, the younger candidate ranks first. [1]
2026/27 places and deadlines
There were 140 places: 110 for Italian, EU and equivalent candidates and non-EU candidates competing with them, and 30 for non-EU citizens living abroad. There was one selection for everyone: [1]
- Registration: from 16 February 2026, 1:00 p.m., to 23 March 2026, 1:00 p.m.
- Rankings: 27 April 2026.
- Enrolment: from 5 May to 4 June 2026, followed by three clearing rounds, the last ending on 21 July 2026.
You could apply before graduating if you had at least 140 credits by the registration deadline, counting Erasmus exams not yet recorded, but the degree had to be obtained by 31 December 2026, otherwise enrolment is cancelled. The next call sets the 2027/28 dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applications are made on Studenti Online, with a €50 non-refundable fee, and must include: [1]
- your degree certificate or transcript with grades, credits, weighted average and final grade, translated into Italian or English for foreign qualifications, with the Diploma Supplement where available
- the programme's application form, completed and signed
- your B2 English certificate
- certificates for any extra languages, qualifications, work experience or internships you want scored
- a valid identity document, and a residence permit if you have one
The committee looks only at the documents in your application on the deadline date, and nothing can be added later. Non-EU applicants living abroad must also pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for a study visa. At enrolment, the qualification must be translated, with authenticity and value verified where applicable, uploaded with your visa or residence permit and shown in original at the International Student Secretariat. For 2026/27, careers had to 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.
- University of Bologna, Department of Political and Social Sciences. Call for admission to the restricted-access Second Cycle Degree Programme in International Relations (class LM-52, code 6749), academic year 2026/27, official Italian call and unofficial English translation, with the 2026/27 application form. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna, Second Cycle Degree Programme in International Relations, programme website: overview, How to enrol page, double degree page and course structure diagrams for students enrolled in 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna. Maximum all-inclusive contribution by degree programme, and fee pages on amounts, exemptions and the reduced fixed fee for non-OECD citizens, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
International Relations is a two-year laurea magistrale (second-cycle degree) in class LM-52 R, International relations, run by the Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS) on the University of Bologna's Bologna campus. It is worth 120 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has restricted access, with 140 places for 2026/27, 30 of them reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. Massimiliano Trentin is the degree programme director. [1][2]
The degree sets out to build a deep understanding of international systems so that graduates can apply diplomatic and strategic solutions at a global level, covering political systems, geopolitical areas, conflict and conflict resolution, and international organisations including the EU. On the university's figures, 89% of students are international or come from outside the region. It suits graduates who want to work on European or international affairs, or on crime, justice and security across borders. [2]
What you will study
Students follow one of three curricula. For 2026/27 the call split the places, for guidance only, as European Affairs 35, International Affairs 70 and Crime, Justice and Security 35; you state a preference when you apply and confirm or change it when you enrol. [1] Every curriculum starts with Evolution of the International System and Research Methods (8 CFU each). [2]
- European Affairs: adds Politics of European Institutions, European Union as a Global Actor and EU Constitutional Law as first-year compulsory units.
- International Affairs: adds choices across economics, sociology, history and political science, such as Causes of War, International Security, Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution and International History of the Middle East.
- Crime, Justice and Security: adds Politics of Collective Violence and History of Globalization and Crime as first-year compulsory units.
The second year is mostly choice units, with optional internships in Italy or abroad (8 CFU) and French, German or Spanish language units. The final examination is worth 24 CFU, or 12 CFU combined with 12 CFU of thesis preparation or an internship in Italy or abroad. Units can change between intakes, so we check the 2027/28 plan before you apply. [2]
How the programme is taught
Teaching takes place in Bologna. The degree has a double degree with the Bologna Center of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University: students in the first year can apply, through a separate SAIS application, to spend the second year at SAIS and earn both the Bologna degree and the SAIS Master of Arts in International Affairs. Students can also go abroad through Erasmus and Overseas exchanges and take internships in international organisations. [2]
Career paths
The degree website lists the professional profiles it prepares graduates for:
- Official of international and European organisations
- Specialist in international and European policies
- International business reporter
- Peacekeeper
The programme overview reports that 77% of graduates are working and that 66% gained experience abroad during the degree. [2]
Fees and scholarships
Bologna's fee is a fixed €157.04 plus a variable amount set by family income (ISEE), up to a maximum that depends on the programme. For 2026/27 this degree's maximum was €3,060 a year, above the €2,550 second-cycle standard. [1][3] First-year students with an ISEE of €27,000 or less pay only the €157.04, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. International students whose family income and assets are only abroad cannot submit an ISEE and use a separate documentation route. Citizens of non-OECD countries in that position may instead choose a reduced flat fee, which for 2026/27 was €1,200 plus €157.04 for second-cycle degrees. [3] ER.GO, the Emilia-Romagna right-to-study body, runs scholarships, residence places and other benefits through its own yearly call, separate from admission. [1]
How to apply from outside the EU
For 2026/27 there was a single selection, with 30 of the 140 places reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. Registration on Studenti Online ran from 16 February to 23 March 2026, rankings were published on 27 April 2026 and enrolment ran from 5 May to 4 June 2026, followed by three clearing rounds. Reserved places still unfilled at the end pass to EU and equivalent candidates in any extraordinary selection. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1]
Non-EU applicants living abroad must also pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for a study visa, which needs proof of financial means; we check the current figure for your intake. At enrolment they pay the first instalment, upload the translated qualification with its authenticity and value verified where applicable and a copy of the visa or residence permit, then show the originals at the International Student Secretariat in Bologna. For 2026/27, careers had to be activated by 26 February 2027, and a residence permit is requested within eight days of arrival. [1][2]
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 the signed application form, transcript and English proof, 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 Bologna's International Relations master?
A first degree in one of 15 listed fields, including political science, economics, business, history, sociology, languages, law, philosophy, communication and statistics, or any degree with at least 32 credits in the listed subjects. The committee assesses foreign degrees against these rules. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No. A committee scores your documents out of 100: up to 40 points for your grade average, 20 for credits in relevant subjects, 15 for extra language certificates and 25 for activities such as Erasmus, work or internships. You need at least 60 to be ranked. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. The 2026/27 call accepts TOEFL paper-based 550 or computer-based 213, Trinity GESE grade 8, IELTS, with the minimum written as 5 to 6.5, and certificates in the university language centre's table. A degree taught entirely in English also counts. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 there was one selection for everyone, with registration from 16 February to 23 March 2026 and 30 places reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. Rankings came out on 27 April 2026. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if you have at least 140 credits by the registration deadline, and Erasmus exams not yet recorded can count. For 2026/27, the degree had to be obtained by 31 December 2026, otherwise enrolment is cancelled. [1]
I have a BCA or a B.Tech in Computer Science. Can I apply?
Possibly. Computer science is one of the listed subject sectors, so a computing degree can qualify through the 32-credit rule if the committee accepts your courses. Those credits also count towards the 20-point subject score, but extra social science or economics credits help. [1]
Which curricula can I choose?
Three: European Affairs, International Affairs, and Crime, Justice and Security. For 2026/27 the call split the places as 35, 70 and 35 for guidance only, and you can confirm or change your choice when you enrol. [1]
Is there a double degree?
Yes. Students in the first year can apply, through a separate SAIS application, to spend the second year at the Johns Hopkins University SAIS centre and earn both the Bologna degree and a SAIS Master of Arts in International Affairs. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to International Relations 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 Relations?
A three-year Indian BA in Political Science, Economics, History, Sociology or Languages, or a B.Com or BBA, sits in the fields Bologna lists, and other degrees need at least 32 credits in related subjects. You also need English at B2. The steps are the Studenti Online application in the single selection window, committee scoring and ranking, 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 Relations are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Studenti Online application in the single selection window, committee scoring and ranking, 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 Relations are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Studenti Online application in the single selection window, committee scoring and ranking, 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 in the single selection window, committee scoring and ranking, and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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