Single-cycle Master in Medicine and Surgery at University of Bologna
Six-year English-taught medical degree (LM-41) at the University of Bologna, with clinical clerkships from year one, problem-based learning, a global health focus and a qualifying final internship.
Master
6 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna is a six-year single-cycle degree (class LM-41) taught entirely in English in Bologna, with national restricted access through the IMAT test. Fees follow family income or a reduced flat rate, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A secondary school diploma after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university in Italy, as set by the MUR rules for international students.
- A place in the national IMAT ranking: the test has 60 multiple choice questions on general knowledge, logical reasoning, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.
- English at B2 level or higher, which the admission test itself assesses; a certificate is optional and can be used to break a tie in scores.
- Registration for the test through Universitaly within the window in the call (for 2026/27, 26 August to 9 September 2026).
- Non-EU applicants living abroad compete for a separate quota of places (20 in 2026/27) and need a validated Universitaly pre-enrolment for the visa.
About the programme
Medicine and Surgery is a six-year single-cycle degree (laurea magistrale a ciclo unico, class LM-41) run by the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) of the University of Bologna. It is taught entirely in English in Bologna under the motto "Medicine without borders", and it is a qualifying degree: the final evaluation clerkship leads towards practice as a physician.
The course suits students who want a full medical training in an international setting. The university stresses that English opens access to medical literature, international meetings and exchanges, and helps graduates work with foreign patients and colleagues.
What you will study
The curriculum is integrated and problem-based, with clinical clerkships from Year 1 and a strand of medical humanities. Years 1 and 2 cover the sciences and the body systems, Years 3 to 5 the clinical disciplines, and Year 6 emergency care and clinical skills. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Cellular Molecular Biology and Genetics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Medical Physics
- Humanities and Scientific Methods, with ethics, history of medicine and medical statistics
- System blocks such as Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems, and Nervous System and Sensory Organs
- Microbiology and Immunology, Basic Mechanisms of Disease and Fundamentals of Pharmacology
- Public and Global Health, and Diagnostic Medicine and Biomedical Technologies
- Clinical blocks in paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, neurology, psychiatry and geriatrics
- Emergency and Intensive Care, and Fundamental Clinical Skills such as clinical reasoning and point-of-care ultrasonography
How the programme is taught
Teaching mixes traditional lectures with innovative and problem-solving methods. Clerkships run through the whole course, from basic life support and nursing skills in the early years to elective clerkships across dozens of hospital specialties in Years 4 to 6. Year 6 includes the practical evaluation clerkship in clinical, surgical and general practice settings. The final examination and its preparation carry 13 credits, with options for a preparation internship in Bologna or abroad.
Career paths
Graduates can work as physicians and go on to further education and training. The university lists these employers:
- Public and private clinics, hospitals and specialised medical centres
- Hospices
- Universities and research centres
- National and international health and humanitarian organisations
The course's international approach and global health focus are meant to widen specialty, job and research options in other countries.
Fees and scholarships
Medicine and Surgery sits in a higher fee band: for 2026/27 the maximum contribution is €3,315 a year on top of the fixed €157.04. Actual fees follow family income through an ISEE or ISEE parificato filed via ER.GO, with no variable part up to an ISEE of €27,000. Students from listed non-OECD countries can instead ask for a reduced flat fee, and ER.GO scholarship winners pay only the fixed part. It can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Entry is through the national IMAT test. For 2026/27, registration opened on Universitaly from 26 August to 9 September 2026, the test was held on 29 September 2026 and 20 places were set aside for non-EU citizens living abroad. If you need a visa to sit the test in Italy, pre-enrol on Universitaly for this course first.
After a successful ranking you enrol on Studenti Online and pay the first instalment by the call's deadline. The university then validates your Universitaly pre-enrolment so you can request a study visa, and you activate your career in Bologna on arrival. The 2027/28 call is not published yet.
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 Medicine and Surgery at Bologna taught in English?
Yes. The whole six-year course is delivered in English. The admission test checks English at B2 level or higher, so a separate certificate is not required, although you can declare one to help in a tie.
What entrance test do I need?
Admission is through the national IMAT. For 2026/27 it had 60 multiple choice questions: general knowledge, logical reasoning, biology, chemistry, and physics and mathematics. You register for it on Universitaly.
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 the call set 20 places for non-EU citizens living abroad, alongside 140 places for Italian, EU and equivalent applicants. Check the 2027/28 call for next year's numbers.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 call is not published yet. For 2026/27, IMAT registration ran on Universitaly from 26 August to 9 September 2026, and the test took place on 29 September 2026.
How much does it cost?
Fees depend on family income. For 2026/27 the maximum for this course was €3,315 a year plus €157.04 in fixed charges, with a reduced flat fee for listed countries and ER.GO grants for eligible students.
What can I do after graduating?
The degree prepares you to work as a physician and to continue into further education. The university names hospitals and clinics, hospices, research centres and international health and humanitarian organisations as employers.
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