Before leaving for Italy, exchange students must carry out a series of tasks and procedures to make their arrival and admission easier.
The online Application... first!
AlmaRM - Accesso studenti: the exchange students’ personal homepage
Italian immigration rules
The learning agreement and the choice of Course Units
The academic calendar and the lesson timetable
Italian Language Courses
Looking for accommodation
Healthcare Information
Student with Special needs
The Italian fiscal code
Applicants must make sure that their home University has forwarded their personal details to the University of Bologna. This is an absolutely necessary step to begin the online application procedure.
Please note that the online application is compulsory and must be completed before your arrival in Italy.
Go to AlmaRM - Accesso studenti, type the username e password you’ve received with the "Confirmation message" and enter your personal homepage. You can change password, check your personal and exchange data, manage your contacts, print your acceptance letter.
After registering your arrival, you can fill in your study plan, entering directly into Piani di studio web, check exams sessions, register for exams check grades and recordings, thanks to the direct access to AlmaEsami.
After registering your departure you can download your transcript of records.
It is extremely important to inform students on Italian immigration rules before they leave for Italy. The International Relations Office can provide students with information on requirements and procedures.
The most important steps to start your study period at the University of Bologna.
The Learning Agreement is a document showing the study plan students intend to carry out abroad. It is a list of course units that students will attend at the host university and of the corresponding course units at their home university. This document must be evaluated and signed by both professors who are in charge of the exchange (exchange coordinators). Usually this happens before the student's arrival. If not, students have to meet their Italian coordinator and submit their learning agreement.
If a further stamp by the International Relations Office is needed, please make sure that your Italian coordinator has signed the document first, then come to the office for a second signature/stamp.
Check the courses catalogue of the University of Bologna.
The updated list of course units of the coming academic year is usually available from July. Beforehand you can look in the courses catalogue of the past year. Please be aware that the catalogue may be modified.
Most of the course units are taught in Italian, but course units taught in English are also available. The language of instruction is shown in the courses catalogue, for each course unit.
The academic calendars, exams and lesson timetables are different in each Faculty. Classes usually start in September/October and end in May. First semester exams take place in January, February and March; second semester exams take place in June and July.
Check your Faculty website, (Studenti > Calendario didattico or Studenti > Orario delle lezioni) to know the exact dates and schedules. Information on semesters of course units are also shown in the Course structure diagram of each degree programme. Choose the degree programme you are interested in and click Course structure diagram.
At the University of Bologna each Faculty has its own academic calendar. The beginning and the ending dates of semesters are different according to each Faculty. Academic calendar and lesson timetable, including classrooms information, are available in the Faculties' websites.
Each academic year, the University of Bologna holds Italian language courses for international students. Courses are free and are held twice a year, in the first semester and in the second semester. Each student can take only one course.
The University of Bologna helps exchange students in finding proper accommodation.
- In Bologna
The SAIS service (Student Accommodation and Information Service) supplies information to international students for a wide range of solutions, also making them available on the website. The accommodation inquiry form must be completed and forwarded at least a month before the arrival date.
- In Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini
International students can find the support of the International Relations Offices of the relevant Campus. They may also contact in Forlì Koinè students' association, in Ravenna Fondazione Flaminia or Cooperativa Libra and in Cesena Associazione Analysis (e-mail: analysiswelcome@gmail.com ).
- Other online resources
- Casaswap
- Postoletto
- Bolognahomeline
In Italy, the national healthcare system is provided by a public healthcare service (ASL). Only foreign citizens with a valid stay card or residence permit may apply for the service.
EU students who are in Italy for a temporary stay, are required to have the European Health Insurance Card to gain access to health care services during temporary visit.
Non-EU students must show evidence of a certified health insurance cover (it is recommended to have a copy certified by the Italian Consulate or Embassy).
Registration with the ASL
To register with the ASL, students must go to the ASL district registry office of the district where they live. To know what is the nearest office, you can ask the URPs - Public Relations Offices, or call the free number 800 663366 (for calls in English, please call Mon to Fri from 14,30 to 16,30; Wed, Thu and Sat from 9,00 to 12,30). For further information, please check the 'Sportello Unico Distrettuale'.
The registration provides for the assignment of a healthcare card and the selection of a general doctor. Medical examinations are free and are carried out at the doctor's studio (visits at the patient’s home are only for severe health conditions). Specialistic examinations must be requested and booked through the CUP service (the Unified Booking Centre - Free Toll Number 8488 84888), or at the major city chemist's shops/pharmacies. All examinations require the payment of a "ticket", equivalent to a portion of the total cost.
Emergency situations
To call for an ambulance, dial the number 118 on your telephone. In case of emergency you can go to the Hospital first aid station, available 24 hours a day. The service is generally free and open to everybody. The night doctor service (tel. 848 832832/831831) is active during the night hours and on bank holidays and on Sunday (when the general doctor is not available).
Drugs
The Farmacia Comunale (Central Pharmacy) of Piazza Maggiore in Bologna is open 24 hours a day, all week days. In main newspapers, you will find the complete list of the daily chemist's shops or pharmacies on duty. In case of need, the Farmaco Pronto service (Tel. 800 218489) offers a service of drugs delivery to your home.
The University of Bologna provides a service set up to meet the needs of disable students.
Write an e-mail to disabili@unibo.it
In order to have an Italian bank account, to rent a flat, to have an Italian mobile phone contract and for other purposes you may be asked for an Italian fiscal code. If you need it, go to Agenzia delle Entrate and take with you your passport or ID card and the residence permit if you are a non-UE citizen.