Master in Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught mechanical engineering master on the University of Bologna's Forlì campus, class LM-33, open access with a competence check, focused on resource efficiency and lower environmental impact in industry.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-33) taught in English by the University of Bologna on its Forlì campus. Entry needs an industrial or information engineering degree with at least 18 credits in maths, 12 in physics and 18 in mechanical subjects, English at B2 and an online interview. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Bologna's Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability master asks for a degree in industrial or information engineering, or a recognised foreign equivalent, with set credits in maths, physics and mechanical engineering, English at B2 and a positive assessment of your preparation through a curriculum review and an online interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a first cycle degree in Industrial Engineering (class L-9) or Information Engineering (class L-8), or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable that gives access to a comparable master's programme in the country where it was issued. [1][2]
Your degree must also include at least: [1][2]
- 18 CFU in mathematical and computer sciences.
- 12 CFU in physical sciences (FIS sectors).
- 18 CFU in the core subjects of mechanical engineering: sectors ING-IND/08, 09, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.
If you do not meet all the curricular requirements, you cannot take part in the assessment or enrol. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and the committee looks at your subjects, not just your total. The mechanical block covers areas such as fluid machines, energy systems, thermal engineering, measurements, applied mechanics, machine design, manufacturing and industrial plants. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Mechanical, Production or Industrial Engineering.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in Automobile, Aerospace, Mechatronics, Electrical or Chemical Engineering, where maths and physics are usually covered but the 18 mechanical credits need checking.
- Often short: a B.Tech in Computer Science, IT or Electronics, or a B.Sc. in Physics or Mathematics, which rarely include 18 credits in mechanical engineering subjects.
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher. Certificates count only if obtained from 1 January 2021 onwards. Accepted proof includes: [1]
- TOEFL iBT with at least 80 points
- IELTS with at least 5.5
- Cambridge FCE (grade C) or another Cambridge English B2 certificate, BEC Vantage or Trinity ISE II
- a B2 certificate from an Italian university language centre
- the free OOPT online placement test run by the University of Bologna Language Centre, with a result of B2 or higher
You do not need a certificate if you are a native English speaker from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, the US or another country on the university's list, or if your bachelor's degree was taught in English. [1]
Assessment of personal preparation
Only applicants who meet the curricular and English requirements reach the assessment. It combines a review of your curriculum with an online interview on Microsoft Teams, which may include a test, on maths, physics and the core subjects of mechanical engineering. Only Italian L-9 graduates whose degree title names Mechanical Engineering are exempt from the interview. Interview days are fixed and cannot be changed. [1]
If you are found not eligible after the interview, you cannot apply again in a later intake of the same year, although the committee may ask you to complete your documents for the next intake. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
- Intake I (non-EU citizens living abroad only): applications from 11 December 2025 to 27 January 2026 at 1:00 p.m., interviews on 16 to 19 February 2026, final results on 3 March 2026.
- Intake II (all applicants): applications from 2 February to 1 April 2026 at 1:00 p.m., interviews on 21 to 24 April 2026, final results on 5 May 2026.
- Intake III (all applicants): applications from 1 June to 10 September 2026 at 1:00 p.m., interviews on 16 to 18 September 2026, final results on 25 September 2026.
You could apply before graduating if, by the intake deadline, you had passed 75% of the credits or exams of a degree taken abroad, not counting the final exam. The degree had to be obtained by 31 December 2026. The next call sets the 2027/28 dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applications are made on Studenti Online with: [1]
- the application form, completed and signed
- your degree certificate, transcript of records and Diploma Supplement where available, showing grades, credits and the grading scale, translated into English or Italian if needed (your own translation is accepted at this stage)
- if you have not yet graduated, a list of the exams passed and still to take
- proof of B2 English, an identity document or passport, and a residence permit if you already hold one
- optionally, a CV in English and certificates of engineering work experience or internships
Missing mandatory documents at the deadline mean exclusion from the procedure. Non-EU applicants living abroad must also pre-enrol on Universitaly and request a study visa. At enrolment, foreign documents must be officially translated and, where required, authenticated and evaluated, and originals are shown at the Forlì Campus Student Administration Office. 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. Call for Applications for Admission to the Master's Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability (class LM-33, code 6720), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna, Master's Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability (Forlì), programme website: how to enrol page. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability is a two-year second cycle degree (laurea magistrale) in class LM-33, Mechanical engineering, taught entirely in English on the University of Bologna's Forlì campus rather than in Bologna itself. It is run by the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), is worth 120 ECTS and is directed by Giangiacomo Minak.
Access is open with an assessment of personal competencies: there is no cap on places, but your preparation is checked before admission. The university describes the degree's aim as mechanical innovation for sustainability. It suits engineering graduates who want to make industrial technology more resource-efficient.
What you will study
The programme trains mechanical engineers to use resources more efficiently and to reduce environmental impact through advanced technological solutions for industry. Its focus areas, as the university states them, are:
- Mechanical innovation for industry
- Optimising the use of resources
- Reducing the environmental impact of industrial activity
The course units, their credits and the semester in which each is taught are listed in the course structure diagram on the degree website. We check the 2027/28 version before you apply, since units can change between years.
Career paths
The degree trains mechanical engineers for industry, with a specialisation in sustainable technology: using resources well and reducing environmental impact. A laurea magistrale also qualifies graduates for PhD programmes, and the University of Bologna's job placement service lists job offers and runs events such as mock job interviews.
Fees and scholarships
Fees follow family income (ISEE). For 2026/27, with a family ISEE of €27,000 or less, this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. We help you declare your income abroad to ER.GO at the right time and in the right format; ER.GO also runs the regional scholarship. Non-OECD citizens can also choose a reduced flat fee.
How to apply from outside the EU
For 2026/27 there were three intakes, and non-EU applicants living abroad could use all of them: intake I, reserved for them, closed on 27 January 2026, intake II on 1 April 2026 and intake III on 10 September 2026, each at 1:00 p.m. Italian time. Each intake ends with an online interview unless you are exempt. [1] The 2027/28 call is not out yet. We apply on Studenti Online, with no quota on places because access is open.
After a positive outcome we complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment, which the university validates before you apply for the study visa. You then enrol online and pay the first instalment, and the Forlì campus student office checks your original documents on arrival.
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 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 Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability at Bologna?
A degree in industrial or information engineering, or a recognised foreign equivalent, that includes at least 18 credits in maths and computer sciences, 12 in physics and 18 in core mechanical engineering subjects. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
There is no written admission test. A committee reviews your curriculum and then holds an online interview on Teams, which may include a test, on maths, physics and mechanical engineering. Only Italian mechanical engineering graduates are exempt. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. IELTS with at least 5.5 or TOEFL iBT with at least 80 are accepted, among other certificates obtained from 1 January 2021. You can also take the university's free online placement test, and a bachelor's taught in English exempts you. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad could use all three intakes: intake I, reserved for them, closed on 27 January 2026, intake II on 1 April 2026 and intake III on 10 September 2026. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if by the intake deadline you have passed 75% of the credits or exams of your foreign degree, not counting the final exam. For 2026/27, the degree had to be obtained by 31 December 2026. [1]
I have a B.Tech in Computer Science or Electronics. Can I apply?
Possibly on the degree rule, but you also need 18 credits in core mechanical engineering subjects such as applied mechanics, machine design, thermal engineering or manufacturing. Most computing and electronics degrees fall short, so we check your transcript before you apply. [1]
Where is the programme taught?
On the University of Bologna's Forlì campus, not in the city of Bologna. It is an international master's, with courses, exams and all other teaching activities in English. [1]
Can I try again in a later intake if I am not admitted?
Not if you are found not eligible after the interview: you cannot apply again in a later intake of the same year. The committee may, however, ask you to complete your documents for the next intake. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability 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 Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability?
A recognised Indian B.Tech or B.E. in Mechanical, Production or Industrial Engineering can meet the degree rule if it includes at least 18 credits in maths and computing, 12 in physics and 18 in mechanical engineering subjects. You also need English at B2, for example IELTS 5.5. The steps are the Studenti Online application, the online interview 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 Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Studenti Online application, online interview 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 Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Studenti Online application, online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: Studenti Online application, online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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