Master in Politics, Administration, and Organization at University of Bologna

Detailed entry requirements

Bologna's Public Affairs curriculum of the PAO master asks for a bachelor's in a listed social science, economics, law, communication or statistics class, or a listed humanities class with 24 credits in politics, sociology, economics, public law or contemporary history, plus English at B2 and a committee score of at least 60/100. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree requirement

You need a bachelor's degree, a three-year university diploma or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable. Italian degrees qualify directly in these classes: [1]

• L-14 Legal Services Sciences, L-15 Tourism Sciences and L-16 Administration and Organization Sciences
• L-18 Economics and Business Management and L-33 Economics
• L-20 Communication Sciences and L-36 Political Science and International Relations
• L-37 Social Sciences for Cooperation, Development and Peace, L-39 Social Work and L-40 Sociology
• L-41 Statistics

A degree in cultural heritage, arts, music and performing arts, philosophy, geography, humanities, modern languages, linguistic mediation, education, psychology or history (classes L-1, L-3, L-5, L-6, L-10, L-11, L-12, L-19, L-24 and L-42) also qualifies if it includes at least 24 CFU in history of political doctrines, political science, sociology (general, cultural and communication, economic and work, or environmental and territorial), political economy, economic policy, institutions of public law, comparative public law or contemporary history. [1]

For a foreign degree, the committee assesses your previous studies and how well your qualification matches these curricular requirements. [1]

What this means for your transcript

Italian CFU and foreign credits are not the same unit, and the committee looks at what you studied. As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a BA in Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology or Economics, a BSW, a BA in Mass Communication or Journalism, a law degree such as a BA LLB, a B.Com or BBA, or a B.Sc. in Statistics.
• Check carefully: a BA in History, Philosophy, Geography, English or another language, Psychology or Education, which needs 24 credits in politics, sociology, economics, public law or contemporary history.
• Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA or B.Sc. in the natural sciences, because these fields are not among the listed degree classes.

Subject fit also counts in the score: each credit in listed political, legal, economic, sociological, statistical and historical sectors earns a quarter of a point, up to 20 points. [1]

English

English at CEFR B2, with proof attached to your application. The call accepts: [1]

• A certificate listed in the University of Bologna language centre's equivalence table, a computer-based TOEFL of at least 213, a paper-based TOEFL of at least 550, Trinity GESE grade 8, or a B2 certificate from an Italian university language centre. Certificates must be no more than five years old, counted from the exam date.
• A degree from an English-speaking university or a degree taught entirely in English.
• An IB Diploma, High School diploma or GCE obtained in English, with at least 50% of courses taught in English.
• At least 8 CFU in English language and translation (L-LIN/12) with an average of at least 24/30.

Selection

There is no written test. A committee scores your file out of 100: [1]

• Academic merit: up to 60 points from your weighted average, calculated as 20 + (average out of 30 minus 18) x 40 / 11.5. An average of 29.5/30 or above earns the full 60. For foreign qualifications, the committee applies the ECTS conversion formula or, where grades cannot be converted, assesses them directly.
• Subject fit: a quarter of a point for each credit in listed sectors, up to 20 points.
• International and related activities: 5 points each, up to 20, for study abroad, extra qualifications beyond the entry degree, related work, internships or volunteering, and extra language certificates at B2 or above.

You need at least 60 out of 100 to be ranked. A tie goes to the younger candidate. [1]

Places

For 2026/27 there were 25 places. The first selection had 16 places for Italian, EU and equivalent applicants and 4 reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. The second selection had 5 places plus any left over, open only to Italian, EU and equivalent applicants. Unused non-EU places passed to the other quota. [1]

2026/27 deadlines

• First selection (including the non-EU quota): applications 16 March to 16 April 2026 at 1:00 p.m., ranking 12 May 2026, enrolment 13 to 28 May 2026.
• Second selection (Italian, EU and equivalent applicants only): applications 4 May to 4 June 2026 at 1:00 p.m., ranking 2 July 2026, enrolment 3 to 21 July 2026.

You could apply before graduating if you had at least 140 credits by the application deadline and graduated by 31 December 2026. Unfilled places went to ranked candidates who declared interest in a recovery round. The 2027/28 call sets the next dates. [1]

Documents and non-EU steps

On Studenti Online you upload your qualification or transcript with exams, grades, credits and weighted average, your English proof, the signed application and self-certification form, an identity document and your residence permit if you have one. A foreign qualification must be translated into Italian or English, with the transcript and Diploma Supplement where available. [1]

Non-EU citizens living abroad must also pre-register on Universitaly and apply for a study visa. After winning a place, they upload their qualification, translated and with verification of authenticity and value where required, plus their visa or residence permit, and show the originals in Bologna. Career activation had to be completed 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.

1. University of Bologna, Student Services Area. Call for admission to the restricted-access master's degree in Politics, Administration and Organization (PAO, class LM-63), Public Affairs curriculum taught in English, academic year 2026/27, unofficial English summary. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Bologna, Public Affairs curriculum website: overview, how to enrol page and course structure for students enrolling in 2026/27, with the 2025/26 programme catalogue page. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Public Affairs at Bologna?

A bachelor's in a listed class such as political science, sociology, economics, business, law, communication, social work or statistics, or a foreign equivalent. Degrees in history, philosophy, geography, languages, psychology or education also qualify with at least 24 credits in politics, sociology, economics, public law or contemporary history. [1]

Is there an entrance exam?

No written test. A committee scores your file out of 100: up to 60 for your grade average, up to 20 for credits in relevant subjects and up to 20 for study abroad, extra qualifications, related experience and extra language certificates. You need at least 60 to be ranked. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2. The call accepts certificates on the Bologna language centre's equivalence table, TOEFL computer-based 213 or paper-based 550, or Trinity GESE 8, within five years. A degree taught entirely in English also counts. The call itself does not list an IELTS score, so we check your certificate against the table. [1]

How many places are there for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, 4 of the 25 places were reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad, all in the first selection. Unused places in that quota passed to Italian, EU and equivalent applicants. [1]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, non-EU citizens living abroad could apply only in the first selection, from 16 March to 16 April 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Rankings came out on 12 May 2026. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes. For 2026/27 you could apply if you had at least 140 credits by the application deadline and obtained your degree by 31 December 2026. [1]

I have a B.Com or a B.Tech. Can I apply?

A B.Com sits close to the listed economics and business classes, and the committee checks your subjects against them. A B.Tech is not in a listed class, so it is often short unless your studies match the requirements. We check your transcript before you apply. [1]

What will I study?

Year one has five compulsory units: Comparative European Law, Politics and Policies of the EU, Public Administration and Public Policies, Comparative Capitalism in Europe and Research Methods. You add electives, workshops and a 24-credit final stage that can include a 12-credit internship. [2]

Can someone handle my whole application to Public Affairs (PAO) 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 Public Affairs (PAO)?

Indian degrees in political science, public administration, sociology, economics, social work, law, commerce, business or statistics sit close to the degree classes Bologna lists. History, philosophy, geography, languages, psychology or education graduates also need 24 credits in politics, sociology, economics, public law or contemporary history. You need English at B2. The steps are Universitaly pre-enrolment, the Studenti Online application in the first selection and committee scoring. [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 Public Affairs (PAO) are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Universitaly pre-enrolment, Studenti Online application in the first selection and committee scoring, 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 Public Affairs (PAO) are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Universitaly pre-enrolment, Studenti Online application in the first selection and committee scoring. 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 Public Affairs (PAO) 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: Universitaly pre-enrolment, Studenti Online application in the first selection and committee scoring, 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.