Considered to be the oldest university in the Western world, University of Bologna’s history began in 1088, when law was first taught freely in the city, and became tied to the city of Bologna from the early Middle Ages, establishing the very idea of university.  
 
There are five campuses within the country; Bologna campus (main campus), Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini, however the School of Economics and Management is only available at the Bologna, Forlì and Rimini campus. 
 
The city and the university have lived side by side for nine centuries, their stories are entwined, a university based firmly in the historical centre of the city, where still today students and teachers live and work among the columns, palaces, halls, stairways and squares that tell the story of their predecessors.  
 
Currently the University of Bologna hosts more than 85,000 enrolled students, including more than 5,000 foreign students of which 2,600 are exchange students.  

Bologna, which is located between Milan, Florence and Venice, is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. The city is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, which was established in AD 1088. Bologna is known for its elegant and extensive porticoes; the arcade that connects Porta Saragozza to the Sanctuary of San Luca is the longest in the world at 3.5km with 666 arches.

Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a European country in south-central Europe that is also considered a part of western Europe. Italy borders France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Vatican City and San Marino.

Italy has historically been home to many different peoples and cultures - ancient Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greek settlements, Etruscans and Celts. Its long history and various cultures have resulted in a lasting Italian stamp on the world, making it a perfect destination for those with an interest in culture or history.

With over 60 million inhabitants, Italy is the fourth-most populous member of the European Union (EU). The official language is Italian, with many regional variants throughout the country. Recent immigration has also meant that you'll hear other languages as you go, mainly from surrounding European countries. Culture, history, language, food, wine, art, festivals, beaches, mountains, countryside, ruins – there’s so much to experience in Italy. Popular locations include big sites in Rome, such as the Colosseum and Roman Forum and the city of Venice with its gondola-filled canals. However there is much more to see as many regions of Italy are distinct and have their own attractions. Consider a visit to Vatican City, the country with 5.8 popes per square km. Visit Cinque Terre, a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. Explore the medieval towns of Tuscany with their spectacular scenery and rich art. There are many cultural, historical, artistic and scenic gems to uncover in Italy, which is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world.

Did you know?

Rome, the capital city of Italy, was founded in 753 BC. However Italy is one of Western Europe’s youngest countries as it was established in 1861 when the separate nation-states unified as the Kingdom of Italy. Batteries were invented in Italy! In 1800, a scientist named Alessandro Volta created the first battery. The volt (the unit of electrical power) is named after him.

All students must meet standard exchange selection criteria and any host institution restrictions.

If you study in Bologna, you can attend the Italian language courses at the University Language Centre in Bologna Campus. 
 

• UniSA academic transcript 
• Passport 
• Evidence of English proficiency 

Credits are measured by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and the following applies: 

• 18 units = 30 ECTS 
• 13.5 units = 22.5 ECTS 

It can sometimes be difficult to make up exactly 22.5 units (not all courses will be worth exactly 7.5 ECTS), but you should be able to get very close. Make sure you check with your Program Director if you don’t have exactly 22.5 ECTS 

It is recommended that exchange students have a minimum level of B1 in English. 

Find courses at University of Bologna

University of Bologna does not offer airport pick up. Students will need to make their own way to the campus from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. 

More information on how to get to the campus can be found here. 

On-campus accommodation is available at all five campuses of the University of Bologna; Bologna, Cesena, Forli, Revenna and Ramini. 

It is recommended that you live in the city of your campus. As accommodation is limited, it is advisable that you start looking at your on-campus options as soon as possible. 

More information on accommodation can be found here. 

As an exchange partner with the University of South Australia, you do not have to pay tuition fees to University of Bologna, instead you will pay tuition as you would normally at UniSA. Travel and living expenses are at your own cost. The table below gives an indication of costs you will incur: 

More information can be found here.

You may be eligible to receive additional grants or scholarships to fund your experience. For more information please see the funding and scholarships website.

UniSA offers travel insurance as part of your exchange for up to 270 days (can be extended up to 365 days). For more information please see travel insurance website.  

Please click here to read the travel insurance policy. 

A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here. 

If you have any further questions about travel insurance, please contact the UniSA Insurance Office on 08 8302 1678.