University of Bologna: Medicine and Surgery for International Students

The University of Bologna is one of Italy’s best-known public universities, offering academic programmes across medicine, science, engineering, humanities, law and other disciplines. For international students interested in medical education, its English-taught Medicine and Surgery programme at the Bologna campus is an option worth exploring.

The six-year programme combines medical sciences, theoretical learning, practical activities and clinical training. Indian students considering this university should understand the admission test, academic eligibility, tuition fees, living expenses, documentation and visa procedures before applying.

This guide explains the important details of studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna and the considerations Indian students should review before making an application.

About the University of Bologna

The University of Bologna, officially known as Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, is a public university in Italy. Its history dates back to 1088, and it offers a wide range of academic and research programmes.

The university operates across several campuses, including Bologna, Forlì, Cesena, Ravenna and Rimini. Its academic activities cover medicine, science, engineering, humanities, social sciences and other disciplines.

For international students interested in studying medicine in English, the Medicine and Surgery programme at the Bologna campus is particularly relevant.

Applicants should always consult the official university website for the latest programme details, admission requirements and application announcements.

Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna

The University of Bologna offers an English-taught single-cycle degree programme in Medicine and Surgery at its Bologna campus.

The programme is designed to provide students with a foundation in medical sciences, clinical knowledge, practical skills and patient-oriented medical education.

Key programme details

• University: University of Bologna
• Programme: Medicine and Surgery
• Campus: Bologna
• Duration: Six years
• Total credits: 360 ECTS
• Language of instruction: English
• Degree classification: LM-41 R
• Admission type: Restricted access at national level
• Admission test: IMAT, according to the applicable admission call
• Programme type: Single-cycle master’s degree

The university’s 2026–27 programme listing showed 160 available places. The actual seat distribution and eligibility for different applicant categories must be checked in the relevant admission notice.

The curriculum includes integrated medical subjects, problem-based learning and clinical clerkships. The university describes clinical exposure beginning from the first year, making practical learning an important component of the programme.

7 Powerful Reasons to Consider the University of Bologna

1. Long academic history

The University of Bologna traces its origins to 1088 and has a long-standing presence in European higher education. Students can explore its academic departments, courses and research activities through the official university website.

2. English-taught medical programme

The Medicine and Surgery programme at the Bologna campus is delivered entirely in English. This provides an academic route for international applicants who want to pursue medical studies in an English-language environment.

3. Six-year course structure

The programme is organised over six years and carries 360 ECTS credits. Students progress through foundational medical sciences, clinical subjects and practical learning according to the official curriculum.

4. Early clinical learning

The university describes an integrated curriculum with clinical clerkships beginning in the first year. Applicants should review the course structure to understand how practical and clinical learning develops throughout the programme.

5. Problem-based learning approach

The programme highlights problem-solving and patient-oriented learning. These approaches are intended to help students connect scientific knowledge with medical practice.

6. International academic opportunities

The university describes opportunities for international exchanges and internships. Students should check the specific eligibility conditions and availability of these opportunities within the medical programme.

7. Student life in Bologna

Bologna is a university city in northern Italy. International students can explore accommodation, transport, libraries, student services and cultural activities while planning their education.

Eligibility for Medicine and Surgery

Admission eligibility depends on the university’s official requirements and the national rules applicable to the academic year.

Indian students should review the following points before applying:

• Completion of the required secondary-school education.
• A school-leaving qualification recognised as suitable for university admission in Italy.
• Required academic documentation.
• English-language proficiency at the level specified in the admission notice.
• Eligibility for the relevant admission test.
• Compliance with international applicant and visa procedures.
• Any additional conditions listed in the current admission call.

The university’s published programme information and admission documents should be used to confirm the accepted qualifications. Applicants should not assume that an Indian school certificate automatically satisfies every university requirement.

Meeting the basic academic criteria does not guarantee a place because the programme has restricted access and selection requirements.

IMAT Admission Test for International Students

Admission to the English-taught Medicine and Surgery programme is subject to the applicable selection procedure. The university identifies the International Medical Admission Test (IMAT) as the admission test for English-taught Medicine and Surgery programmes with restricted national access.

The 2026–27 admission information describes a multiple-choice test covering areas including:

• General knowledge.
• Logical reasoning.
• Biology.
• Chemistry.
• Physics.
• Mathematics.

The number of questions, examination structure, scoring rules, registration procedure and test date are determined by the relevant admission call.

Students should prepare according to the official syllabus and instructions for their application year. Previous-year question papers may help with preparation, but applicants should not assume that the format will remain unchanged.

Admission depends on the applicable ranking, applicant category and available places. Taking the examination or submitting an application does not guarantee admission.

Admission Process for Indian Students

Indian applicants should follow the official University of Bologna admission procedure for the English-taught Medicine and Surgery programme.

Step 1: Explore the programme

Review the official course page and understand the duration, language of instruction, curriculum, degree classification and campus.

Step 2: Check academic eligibility

Confirm that your Indian secondary-school qualification meets the university’s requirements for international applicants.

Step 3: Review the admission call

Read the current admission notice carefully. Check the test date, application deadline, seat allocation, required documents and ranking rules.

Step 4: Complete the required registration

Follow the university’s instructions for registering for the applicable admission procedure and examination.

Step 5: Prepare for IMAT

Study the subjects and topics listed in the official admission notice. Keep track of examination instructions and any required identification documents.

Step 6: Check the results and ranking

Monitor the official university announcements and ranking information. Applicants must follow the instructions and deadlines associated with their position and applicant category.

Step 7: Complete enrolment and visa formalities

Successful applicants must complete enrolment and fee payments within the prescribed period. International students who need a visa must also follow the relevant Italian pre-enrolment and visa procedures.

Important: English and Italian Medical Admission Routes

The University of Bologna has different medical programmes and admission procedures.

The English-taught Medicine and Surgery programme at the Bologna campus follows its applicable restricted-access admission procedure, which uses IMAT.

Italian-taught Medicine and Surgery programmes follow Italy’s open-semester or filter-semester system introduced for the 2025–26 academic year and continued into 2026–27. This route involves first-semester study and examinations followed by a national ranking process.

Indian students applying for the English-taught programme should not confuse the Italian-language open-semester route with the English-language programme’s admission procedure.

Always check the programme language and the official admission call before registering.

2026–27 Admission Update

The University of Bologna published its 2026–27 admission information for English-taught Medicine and Surgery. The IMAT examination was scheduled for 29 September 2026.

The university’s admission page subsequently marked the 2026–27 application call and examination documents as expired.

As of November 2026, students planning to apply in a future academic year should monitor the university’s next official announcement. Do not rely on the previous year’s dates as current application deadlines.

Tuition Fees at the University of Bologna

The University of Bologna publishes tuition-fee regulations and payment information for its degree programmes.

The amount payable can depend on the applicable fee category, the student’s financial circumstances, citizenship and the documents submitted under the university’s rules.

Before preparing a budget, students should check:

• The current tuition-fee regulations.
• Applicable international student fee arrangements.
• Whether family-income documentation can be submitted.
• Eligibility for tuition reductions or exemptions.
• Payment instalments and deadlines.
• Any programme-specific requirements.

Do not rely on a single fee figure from an older admission year. Confirm the amount directly with the university for the year in which you intend to enrol.

Cost of Living in Bologna

Tuition is only one part of the total cost of studying in Italy. Indian students should prepare a separate budget for accommodation and everyday expenses.

Common expenses include:

• Accommodation and housing deposits.
• Food and groceries.
• Local transportation.
• Health insurance and medical expenses.
• Study materials and personal expenses.
• Visa and residence-permit-related costs.
• Travel between India and Italy.
• Emergency funds.

The cost of living depends on the accommodation selected, location and individual lifestyle. Students should plan for the full duration of the six-year programme rather than budgeting only for the first year.

For more information, read our guide to MBBS Abroad Fees and Expenses.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

The University of Bologna publishes information about scholarships, financial support, tuition reductions and student benefits.

International students should check the eligibility conditions of each available scheme.

Important considerations include:

• Whether the scheme is open to international students.
• Academic merit requirements.
• Family-income and financial documentation.
• Application deadlines.
• Required supporting documents.
• Whether the selected degree programme is covered.

Scholarships are subject to eligibility rules, selection procedures and availability. Students should not assume that a scholarship or fee exemption will automatically be granted.

Documents Required for Admission

The exact document list depends on the admission call and the applicant’s educational background.

Indian students may need to prepare:

• Valid passport.
• Secondary-school completion certificate.
• Academic marksheets and transcripts.
• Documents showing the subjects studied.
• Proof of English-language proficiency, where required.
• Admission-test registration details.
• Admission-test result or ranking information.
• University application confirmation.
• Documents required for qualification evaluation.
• Translations or legalisation, where requested.
• Additional documents for enrolment and visa procedures.

The university may request specific verification or recognition documents for foreign qualifications. Follow the official instructions before arranging translations, certification or legalisation.

For additional guidance, visit our Medical Admission Documentation Support page.

Student Visa for Indian Applicants

Indian citizens planning to study in Italy generally need to complete the applicable student-visa procedure.

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, the process may include:

• University admission or pre-acceptance documentation.
• Pre-enrolment through the Universitaly portal.
• Visa application and supporting documents.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources.
• Accommodation information.
• Health insurance documentation.
• Additional requirements specified by the Italian authorities.

Visa requirements and procedures can change. The final visa decision belongs to the competent Italian authorities.

Students should follow the current instructions from the Italian diplomatic mission responsible for their place of residence.

You can also read our Visa Assistance for Indian Students guide.

NMC Guidelines for Indian Students

Indian students planning to study medicine abroad must carefully review the latest National Medical Commission regulations before selecting a foreign medical programme.

The University of Bologna’s public status, academic history or listing in the World Directory of Medical Schools does not automatically establish that a particular programme meets India’s requirements for medical registration.

Before enrolling, independently verify:

• The exact qualification awarded.
• Course duration and academic structure.
• Medium of instruction.
• Clinical training requirements.
• Internship and practical training conditions.
• Applicable NMC regulations for the admission year.
• Requirements for medical registration in India.

Students should confirm that the programme and their intended study pathway meet the relevant requirements before paying fees. Eligibility for medical registration in India is governed by the applicable regulations and competent authorities.

Read our NMC Guidelines for MBBS Abroad guide.

Is the University of Bologna Suitable for Indian Students?

The University of Bologna may be worth considering for Indian students who want to explore English-taught medical education in Italy and are prepared for a competitive admission process.

Before making a decision, students and parents should compare:

• The six-year Medicine and Surgery course structure.
• English-language teaching and academic requirements.
• IMAT admission and ranking procedures.
• Available seats and applicant categories.
• Tuition fees and living expenses.
• Clinical training arrangements.
• Visa and documentation requirements.
• Future medical registration requirements in India.

A university should be selected after reviewing its complete academic and financial requirements, not simply because of its name or reputation.

How Admissopedia Overseas Can Help

Admissopedia Overseas provides guidance to students and families exploring medical education opportunities in India and abroad.

Our guidance can include:

• Understanding university and programme information.
• Reviewing published admission requirements.
• Explaining the application and admission-test process.
• Organising admission-related documentation.
• Understanding tuition and living-cost planning.
• Explaining visa procedures and NMC considerations.

Students must verify all final admission decisions, official fees, deadlines, visa requirements and licensing rules directly with the university and relevant authorities.

To discuss your medical education plans, visit Contact Admissopedia Overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the University of Bologna a public university?

Yes. The University of Bologna is a public university located in Italy.

2. Does the University of Bologna offer Medicine and Surgery in English?

Yes. The university offers an English-taught Medicine and Surgery programme at its Bologna campus.

3. What is the duration of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna?

The English-taught programme is six years long and carries 360 ECTS credits.

4. Is IMAT required for admission?

The university identifies IMAT as the admission test for its English-taught Medicine and Surgery programme. Applicants should follow the current official admission call.

5. Can Indian students apply to the University of Bologna?

Indian students may apply if they meet the academic, admission-test and international applicant requirements for the relevant academic year.

6. What is the tuition fee at the University of Bologna?

Tuition depends on the current university fee regulations and the student’s applicable fee category. Students should consult the official fee information before preparing their budget.

7. Does the University of Bologna guarantee admission?

No. The programme has restricted access. Admission depends on the applicable examination, ranking, applicant category and available places.

8. Can graduates practise medicine in India after studying at the University of Bologna?

Graduates must satisfy the applicable NMC and other Indian regulatory requirements. Students should verify the programme’s suitability for their intended professional pathway before enrolment.

Start Planning Your Medical Education in Italy

Choosing a medical university abroad requires careful research into the programme, admission procedure, tuition fees, living expenses, clinical training and future professional eligibility.

If you are considering the University of Bologna, review the official Medicine and Surgery programme information and the next admission announcement before applying.

Admissopedia Overseas can help you understand the application process and organise your next steps.

Contact Admissopedia Overseas for medical admission guidance.

Disclaimer: This page is for general educational information and is not an official university admission notice. Admission procedures, test dates, tuition fees, scholarships and visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information with the University of Bologna, the Italian authorities and the National Medical Commission before applying or making payments.