If you want Italy but still need funding, the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum) is one of the smartest universities to target. Not because it has just one scholarship, but because it offers multiple funding paths depending on your profile.
Some options are “merit-based” (like International Talents), some are “need-based” (ER.GO and tuition exemptions), and some are special categories (refugees, conflict-affected countries, etc.).
1) Main scholarship options at University of Bologna
A) International Talents @Unibo (Master’s, second-cycle)
This is one of the most talked-about Unibo scholarships for international students enrolling in second-cycle (Master’s) degree programmes. Unibo lists it under its official “Study grants and subsidies” section.
What the last published call clearly said (2025/26 cycle):
- 30 scholarships
- €6,500 gross
- Full tuition fee exemption
- Awarded for two academic years, based on GRE scores and verification of financial status
Important: The 2026 call may have updated dates/rules, so always check the official “calls” area on Unibo when the new call is released.
B) ER.GO (DSU Regional Scholarship) for Emilia-Romagna
This is a big deal in Italy. ER.GO is the regional authority for the Right to Higher Education in Emilia-Romagna and offers benefits like:
- study grants
- housing
- meal vouchers
- other support services
This route is popular because it’s not only “merit-based”. Many students get support through the economic condition + requirements system.
Unibo itself points students to ER.GO as a key official support channel.
C) Tuition fee exemptions (ISEE based)
If you are trying to reduce your tuition (sometimes a lot), Unibo has an official process using ISEE (economic indicator) for full or partial exemptions.
This is not a “cash scholarship”, but it reduces your cost strongly, and it matters a lot if you are self-funded.
D) Other funding listed officially by Unibo
On the same Unibo page, they also list options like:
- Italian Government scholarships (MAECI)
- MUR-CRUI scholarships for refugees
- support for students from countries where access to university is limited by conflict/discriminatory policies
- mobility scholarships, tutoring grants, and other study collaboration grants
2) Unibo admissions 2026/27: deadlines you should know (example from official 2026/27 call)
Unibo programmes have different deadlines, but some second-cycle programmes run with multiple intakes.
Example: an official Unibo admission notice for A.Y. 2026/2027 (for specific second-cycle engineering/AI programmes) shows these intakes:
| Intake | Applications Open | Applications Close |
|---|---|---|
| Intake 1 | 27 Nov 2025 | 14 Jan 2026 (1pm |
| Intake 2 | 15 Jan 2026 | 25 Feb 2026 (1pm) |
| Intake 3 | 26 Feb 2026 | 9 Apr 2026 (1pm) |
| Intake 4 | 10 Apr 2026 | 28 May 2026 (1pm) |
| Intake 5 | 29 May 2026 | 2 Jul 2026 (1pm) |
So even if you miss one window, you may still have another intake (depends on the programme).
3) How to apply for University of Bologna scholarships (the smart order)
This is the clean way to do it, so you don’t waste time:
Step 1: Pick your degree program first
Scholarship eligibility usually depends on:
- whether your program is second-cycle (Master’s) or not
- whether the program is taught in English
- whether the program is eligible for a specific call
Step 2: Apply for admission on Unibo’s system
Many Unibo programmes use Student Online for applications and procedures (officially mentioned in Unibo calls).
Step 3: Apply to the scholarship route that fits you
- International Talents @Unibo (merit-based, typically tied to a call)
- ER.GO (DSU benefits: grant, housing, meals) through the ER.GO online system
- Tuition exemptions via ISEE documentation if you are aiming to cut costs
4) What makes your Unibo scholarship chances stronger
If you want a realistic advantage:
- Apply early (Unibo has multiple intakes for many programmes)
- Keep your documents clean (CV, transcript, passport, language proof if required)
- If you target International Talents, plan for GRE because the last official calls used GRE for ranking.
- If you target ER.GO, be ready with your financial documents and follow ER.GO’s official application step