Before leaving for Italy, exchange students must carry out a series of tasks and procedures to make their arrival and admission easier.
Applicants must make it 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.
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.
If you study in Bologna you can attend the courses at CILTA.
How to enrol
An online language assessment test is required. It will be used as pre-registration and it will be available on CILTA website from July to August, we therefore suggest you to check it out for further instructions and deadlines.
Before starting the assessment test you will be asked to choose your preferred course session: the first session starts in September (260 places available) and the second starts in October (140 places available).
Once the places available have been filled, the online test will be closed.
At the end of the test
You will receive an invitation to the oral test, which is compulsory and necessary to confirm your registration and to start attending the course.
If, according to the test results, your language knowledge is equal to an A1 level, you will receive instructions by CILTA on how and when to participate in the self-learning computer-based courses which will be organised in our Language Lab ALTAIR.
If your language level turns out to be very high (C1) no language course will be provided to you by the University, since it is assumed that you will be able to follow the lessons and take exams.
Please see chart below:
|
CEFRL
level
|
COURSE STRUCTURE
1st session: from September to October
2nd session: from October to December
|
ECTS*
|
| A1 |
Self-learning computer-based courses at ALTAIR language Lab. A tutor will support the students’ activities. |
3 |
| A2, B1, B2 |
Courses will be held in class twice a week. Attendance and final exam are compulsory. |
3 |
| C1 |
No courses provided. You can contact ALTAIR if you want to further practice and improve your Italian. |
- |
*ECTS credits are granted only if the student attends at least 70% of the lessons and passes the final exam.
If you study in the Campuses of Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini, you have to attend courses at CLIRO.
How to enrol
In order to be able to attend courses, foreign students must pre-register on-line and take an on-line language assessment test on the CLIRO website from June to August.
At the end of the test
You will receive a message inviting you to the compulsory oral exam, which will assess your level and place you in the appropriate class.
Only students who follow this procedure will be admitted to CLIRO language courses.
More detailed information for each campus can be found on the CLIRO website.
If your language knowledge is equal to an A1 level, you will receive instructions by CLIRO on how and when to participate in the self-learning computer-based courses.
If your language level turns out to be very high (C1) no language course will be provided to you by the University, since we assume that you will be able to follow the lessons and take exams.
Please see chart below:
CEFRL
level |
COURSE STRUCTURE |
ECTS* |
| A1 |
Self-learning computer-based courses at language Lab. A tutor will support the students’ activities. |
3 |
| A2, B1, B2 |
Courses will be held in class. Attendance and final exam are compulsory. |
3 |
| C1 |
No courses provided. You can contact Cliro if you want to further practice and improve your Italian. |
- |
*ECTS credits are granted only if the student attends at least 70% of the lessons and passes the final exam.
The University of Bologna helps exchange students in finding a 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 relevant Campus. They may also contact in Forlì Koinè students' association, in Ravenna Fondazione Flaminia or Cooperativa Libra, in Cesena Associazione Analysis.
- Other online resources
- Casaswap
- Postoletto
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.
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 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 to the ASL
To register to the ASL, students must turn to the ASL district registry office of the district where they live. To know what is the nearest office, you can ask to the URPs - Public Relations Offices, or calling 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 (only for severe health conditions are visits at the patient's home). 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 "ticket", equivalent to a portion of the total cost.
Emergency situations
To call for an ambulance, dial the number 118 in your telephone. In case of emergency you can turn 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. On 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 at your home.