Scholarship Overview — What Are the University of Bologna Alma Mater Study Grants?
The University of Bologna Alma Mater Study Grants (officially known as the International Talents at Unibo programme, or Unibo Study Grants) are a highly competitive, merit-based funding scheme offered by the Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna — the oldest continuously operating university in the world, founded in 1088 in Bologna, Italy.
The grants are designed to attract the most academically talented international students to Bologna's Bachelor's, Single-Cycle, and Master's degree programmes. Unlike most Italian university scholarships, the Unibo Study Grants use standardised aptitude test scores — specifically the GRE General Test for Master's applicants and the SAT and/or TOLC test for Bachelor's applicants — as the primary selection criterion, rather than language test scores like IELTS or TOEFL. This makes them particularly attractive for students who have invested in GRE or SAT preparation.
The grant structure is built around two complementary actions: Unibo Action 1 provides a full tuition fee waiver for the standard duration of your degree programme. Unibo Action 2 adds a significant annual cash grant — typically €11,000 gross per academic year for Bachelor's cycles and €6,500–€11,000 gross per academic year for Master's cycles, depending on the specific call. Together, Actions 1 and 2 constitute one of the most financially generous scholarship packages available at any Italian university for international students.
The University of Bologna is consistently ranked first in Italy by QS World University Rankings and among the top 150–160 universities globally, with particular strength in Law, Medicine, Engineering, and the Humanities — fields it has cultivated for over nine centuries. Its five campuses (Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini) collectively enrol over 87,000 students, making it one of Europe's largest universities as well as its oldest.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, the university is expected to offer up to 30 Master's scholarships through the GRE-based International Talents call (as in the 2025/26 cycle), plus additional Bachelor's grants through the SAT-based call. The exact numbers are confirmed in the official Call for Applications published on the Studenti Online portal at studenti.unibo.it.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Italy |
| Host University | Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna (Unibo) |
| Founded | 1088 (oldest continuously operating university in the world) |
| Scholarship Name | International Talents at Unibo / Alma Mater Study Grants |
| Scholarship Type | Merit-based, fully funded — GRE/SAT selection |
| Eligible Nationalities | All nationalities — provided qualifications are from a non-Italian education system |
| Degree Levels | First Cycle (Bachelor's), Single-Cycle, Second Cycle (Master's) |
| Language of Instruction | English and Italian programmes eligible — language test (IELTS) NOT required |
| Merit Test (Master's) | GRE General Test (Verbal + Quantitative + Analytical Writing) — all sections used |
| Merit Test (Bachelor's) | SAT and/or TOLC test |
| Annual Cash Grant (Action 2) | Up to €11,000 gross/year (Bachelor's cycles) / €6,500–€11,000 gross/year (Master's) |
| Tuition Fee Waiver (Action 1) | Full tuition fee waiver for the standard programme duration |
| Administrative Fee | ~€157 per year (regional tax, stamp duty, insurance premium — payable by student) |
| Duration (Master's) | 2 academic years |
| Duration (Bachelor's) | 1 academic year (renewable per year, subject to merit conditions) |
| Age Limit | Under 30 years of age at the application deadline |
| Previous Enrolment | Must never have been previously enrolled at the University of Bologna |
| Application Portal | Studenti Online (studenti.unibo.it) |
| Typical Deadline (Master's) | ~April 30 (GRE call) — verify official 2026/27 call |
| Typical Deadline (Bachelor's) | ~April/May (SAT call) — verify official 2026/27 call |
| Results Announcement | Within weeks of deadline — published on Studenti Online |
| GRE Validity | Must be taken after April 30, 2019 — older scores excluded |
Exact Financial Package — What Do the Unibo Study Grants Cover?
The University of Bologna structures its international student scholarship into two complementary layers, each with its own eligibility logic:
Unibo Action 2 — Cash Grant
Up to €11,000/year (gross)
The primary financial benefit: an annual cash study grant paid to the student in multiple instalments. For Master's (second-cycle) programmes, the grant has typically been €6,500–€11,000 gross per academic year depending on the specific call year. The 2025/26 GRE call offered €6,500 per year for 2 years (total ~€13,000 gross over the programme). For Bachelor's calls in earlier cycles, the grant was €11,059 gross per year. Always check the current call for the exact amount.
Unibo Action 1 — Tuition Waiver
Full — 100% Tuition Exempt
Recipients are granted a full waiver of all University of Bologna tuition fees for the entire standard duration of their degree programme. The only amount payable by the student is a small administrative fee covering regional taxes, stamp duty, and insurance — approximately €157 per year (subject to change by the university).
Payment Structure
Multiple Instalments
The cash grant (Action 2) is typically paid in several instalments throughout the academic year, rather than as a lump sum. The first payment is released after successful enrolment and verification of eligibility. Subsequent instalments are conditional on meeting academic progress requirements — earning the minimum ECTS credits within the prescribed timeframes.
Duration
2 years (MSc) / 1 year renewable (BSc)
For Master's (second-cycle) programmes, the grant is awarded for 2 academic years, covering the full standard programme duration. For Bachelor's (first-cycle) programmes, the grant is awarded for 1 academic year per call, with the expectation that further annual calls will be published for subsequent years — but renewal is not guaranteed within the same call.
Financial Status Verification
May Be Required
Some Unibo study grant calls include a financial status verification component — students may be required to document their family's financial situation as part of the selection process. The financial verification is used as a secondary criterion or additional factor, not the primary selection tool (which remains the GRE/SAT score). Specific rules vary by call — always read the official call for applications carefully.
What Is NOT Covered
Important Exclusions
The Unibo study grants do not cover: international travel to/from Italy, Italian student visa fees, accommodation, health insurance, or daily living expenses beyond the cash grant. Students must arrange and self-fund these items. The annual cash grant is intended to help offset living costs in Bologna.
Accommodation Options
Via ER.GO (Separate Application)
The regional student welfare agency for Emilia-Romagna, ER.GO, manages student accommodation (residences and canteen access) for Bologna students. Scholarship holders may apply separately to ER.GO for subsidised accommodation. Competition is significant — apply immediately after receiving your grant offer.
Merit Maintenance
ECTS Progress Required
To continue receiving the scholarship in subsequent years (for Master's students) or for renewal eligibility, you must meet the academic progress targets specified in the call — typically a minimum number of ECTS credits earned within defined periods. Failing to meet progress milestones may trigger suspension or termination of payments.
🏛️ Real cost of studying in Bologna on this grant
With the annual cash grant and full tuition waiver, your primary out-of-pocket costs in Bologna are accommodation (~€450–€800/month depending on type), food (~€200–€350/month), and personal expenses. Bologna is notably more affordable than Rome or Milan and has a vibrant, internationally diverse student population. Many grant holders find that the annual cash component covers 40–70% of total annual living costs. Non-EU students must additionally budget for the Italian student visa fee (~€50–€116) and health insurance (either ~€150 for SSN registration or private plan costs).
Who Can Apply — Unibo Study Grant Eligibility Requirements
1. Education System Requirement — Not a Nationality Restriction
The University of Bologna's eligibility criterion is based on where your qualifications were obtained, not on your passport nationality. Specifically, your qualifying credential (high school diploma for Bachelor's, or Bachelor's degree for Master's) must have been obtained from an institution outside the Italian education system. This means:
- EU and non-EU students are both eligible, provided their credentials are from a non-Italian institution.
- Italian nationals who attended schools and universities outside Italy may also be eligible.
- Students who completed Italian high school programmes at Italian schools abroad (scuole italiane all'estero) may have special provisions — check the current call for details.
- Students who attended Italian universities for their Bachelor's degree are generally NOT eligible for the Master's track.
2. Age Limit — Under 30 at the Application Deadline
Applicants must be under 30 years of age on the date of the application deadline. This is a strict hard cut-off — candidates who turn 30 before the deadline are not eligible. The age is typically calculated as of the deadline date published in the official call for applications.
3. Standardised Test Requirement — GRE or SAT/TOLC (No IELTS)
This is the most distinctive feature of the Unibo study grants. IELTS and TOEFL are not required and are not used in selection. Instead, merit is assessed through:
- For Master's (second-cycle) applicants: A valid GRE General Test score. All three sections — Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing — are evaluated and given equal weight. The test must have been taken after April 30, 2019 (older scores are excluded). Applicants below a minimum combined score cutoff (specified in the current call) are automatically excluded from ranking.
- For Bachelor's and Single-Cycle applicants: A valid SAT score (and/or a TOLC score for some calls). The SAT is used as the merit ranking tool rather than IELTS. Specific score requirements and the SAT section breakdown used in selection are detailed in the official call for the relevant academic year.
4. No Prior Enrolment at University of Bologna
You must never have been previously enrolled in any First, Single, or Second Cycle degree programme at the University of Bologna. If you have previously started (and subsequently withdrawn from) a programme at Unibo, you are generally ineligible. Always verify the exact wording in the current call for applications.
5. Programme Admission Requirements
You must meet — or be on track to meet by the time of enrolment — all admission requirements for your chosen degree programme at the University of Bologna. These requirements vary by programme and may include subject prerequisites, language proficiency, portfolio, or entrance evaluations. The grant application does not waive any programme-specific admission requirements.
6. Who Is NOT Eligible?
- Applicants aged 30 or over at the application deadline
- Students who previously enrolled in any degree programme at the University of Bologna (even if withdrawn)
- Applicants whose qualifying credentials were entirely obtained within the Italian education system
- Students already receiving another incompatible public scholarship simultaneously
- Applicants who do not have a valid GRE score (Master's) or SAT/TOLC score (Bachelor's) taken within the validity period
- Exchange students, visiting students, or students enrolling in programmes other than First, Single, or Second Cycle degree programmes
- Students transferring between programmes or universities (matriculation in the first year is required)
⚠️ Incompatibility with other public scholarships
The Unibo Study Grant (Action 2 — cash component) is incompatible with simultaneously holding other study grants or scholarships from other public institutions. Action 1 (tuition waiver only) may have different compatibility rules. If you receive an ER.GO regional welfare scholarship alongside your Unibo grant, the net amount you receive may be adjusted. Always read the incompatibility clause in the current official call before accepting multiple awards.
GRE & SAT Requirements — Understanding the Selection Process
The use of GRE and SAT scores as the primary selection criterion is the most unusual — and most important — feature of the Unibo Alma Mater Study Grants. Here is a detailed breakdown of how these tests work in the context of this scholarship:
Master's Track (Second-Cycle)
GRE General Test
- →All three sections used: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing
- →All sections given equal weight in the final ranking score
- →Test must be taken after April 30, 2019 — older scores excluded
- →Applicants below the minimum score cutoff (published in each year's call) are automatically excluded
- →Financial situation may be used as a secondary factor (for ex aequo resolution)
- →Register at ets.org/gre — allow 3–4 weeks for score delivery
Bachelor's Track (First/Single-Cycle)
SAT and/or TOLC Test
- →SAT is the primary merit assessment for most Bachelor's calls
- →Some calls also accept or additionally require the TOLC test (Italian university aptitude test available online)
- →Minimum SAT score typically required — check the specific call (e.g. SAT ≥950 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math)
- →English language proficiency may be assessed via the SAT evidence-based reading section or a separate proficiency test specified by the programme
- →Register at collegeboard.org for SAT or cisiaonline.it for TOLC
💡 Why GRE/SAT instead of IELTS?
The University of Bologna's decision to use GRE and SAT scores rather than IELTS/TOEFL as its primary selection tool reflects a deliberate philosophy: these tests measure academic aptitude (reasoning, critical thinking, analytical skills) across all fields rather than just language ability. This benefits applicants with strong analytical backgrounds in STEM, law, economics, and social sciences — and it makes the scholarship particularly accessible to students who have already invested in GRE/SAT preparation for other purposes (e.g. US graduate school applications). Start GRE preparation at least 3–4 months before the deadline.
Eligible Programmes — What Can You Study at Unibo?
The University of Bologna offers an exceptionally wide range of degree programmes at its five campuses across Emilia-Romagna. The Alma Mater Study Grants are available for First, Single-Cycle, and Second Cycle (Master's) degree programmes across all faculties. The university offers both English-taught and Italian-taught programmes — language proficiency requirements vary by programme. Key fields include:
Sciences & Engineering BSc / MSc
Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering.
Life Sciences & Medicine BSc / MSc
Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine (Single-Cycle), Nursing.
Economics & Business BSc / MSc
Economics, Business Administration, International Economics, Finance, Management, Business and Economics.
Law & Political Science BSc / MSc / Single-Cycle
Law (5-year Single-Cycle), Political Science, International Relations, International and Diplomatic Sciences.
Humanities BSc / MSc
Cultural Heritage, Modern Languages, History, Philosophy, Arts, Communication, Sociology, Psychology.
Agriculture & Veterinary BSc / MSc
Agricultural Sciences, Food Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine.
Architecture & Design BSc / MSc
Architecture (5-year Single-Cycle), Industrial Design, Urban Planning.
Mathematics & Statistics BSc / MSc
Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Applied Mathematics.
IT & Computer Science BSc / MSc
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering.
International Studies MSc
International Development, Human Rights, Global Studies, Intercultural Studies.
📋 Full list of available programmes
The University of Bologna offers over 260 degree programmes across its five campuses, including 68+ English-taught programmes. The complete current list is available at unibo.it/en/study/degree-programmes. You can filter by level, language of instruction, and campus. Not all programmes require English proficiency tests — check your specific programme's language requirements on the admissions page. Italian-taught programmes require proof of Italian B2 level or higher.
Check Your Eligibility & Track Your Application Documents
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