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University of Bologna
A Global Pinnacle for MBBS in Italy: The World's Oldest University, the Alma Mater Studiorum.
Institutional Overview
Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is the world’s oldest university, shaping global academia for over nine centuries. With 11 schools, 33 departments, and a multicampus structure (Bologna, Cesena, Forlì), it remains a beacon of academic and research excellence.
Global Stature
QS 2025 (Medicine): 78
Censis 2024: #3 in Italy for Medicine (98 points).
European Leadership
Member of Coimbra Group, European University Association, and Una Europa alliance.
Key Accreditations
WHO, NMC, GMC, USMLE Eligible
EC Directive 2005/36/EC Aligned
Adheres to Bologna Process & MEDINE
Clinical Training Hub
Partnerships with top hospitals, including Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi.
Medicine and Surgery Program
A six-year, 12-semester (Oct-June) Single Cycle Master’s degree in English, rooted in centuries of medical tradition. It trains scientist-physicians with a focus on evidence-based practice, translational research, and patient-centered care.
- Scientist-Physician Model: Focus on translational research and interprofessional collaboration.
- Extensive Internships: 1,020 mandatory hours of practical training starting in year three.
- Final-Year Thesis: A unique research presentation supervised by a professor, fostering scientific communication.
- Distinguished Faculty: Learn from leading experts in medicine and research at a world-class institution.
Curriculum Overview (360 ECTS)
Semester 2 (Typical): Histology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Human Body Systems
Focus: Fundamentals of medical sciences, organ function, and basic research methods.
Semester 6 (Typical): Diagnostic Imaging, Organ-Specific Pathologies
Internships: 14 CFU (238 hours) across both years, introducing clinical reasoning. B2 Italian recommended.
Semester 10 (Typical): Medical Oncology, Psychiatry, Emergency & Community Medicine
Internships: 46 CFU (782 hours) across both years, culminating in a thesis and research presentation.
Life in Bologna & Student Support
Located in Italy’s “student capital,” Bologna offers a vibrant, multicultural hub with its medieval towers and 38 km of porticoes. The city thrives with 90,000 students, offering dynamic nightlife, cultural events like the Bologna Jazz Festival, and rich history.
Tuition Fees (2024/25)
Range: €200 - €3,400 annually (ISEE-based), one of Europe's most affordable English-taught programs.
Financial Support
Merit- and need-based scholarships available via ER.GO. Details on the university's website. KALINGAEURO guidance provided.
Campus accessible via bus (€15/month pass) or bike (€50/year rental).
Living costs: €700–900/month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Wellness supported by gyms (€300-400/year) and libraries like Sala Borsa.
Admissions & Notable Achievements
Admission Requirements
- 12 years of secondary education with a high school diploma.
- Competitive IMAT score (100-minute, 60-question exam).
- Estimated 2024 IMAT cut-offs: Approx. 47.1 (non-EU) & 44.2 (EU).
- Non-EU students need a D-type visa and must register via Universitaly and Studenti Online portal.
- An Italian language test is required upon arrival for the residence permit.
- KALINGAEURO provides tailored IMAT preparation.
Notable Achievements
World's Oldest University
Founded in 1088, shaping global higher education for over 900 years.
Guglielmo Marconi
Alumnus and Nobel Prize laureate in Physics (1909) for radio technology.
Gaspare Tagliacozzi
A 16th-century faculty member considered the father of modern plastic surgery.
The Bologna Process
Influenced the framework for comparable and compatible higher education in Europe.
Why Choose Bologna for Your MBBS?
Bologna offers an unparalleled MBBS experience, blending a 900-year legacy with innovative clinical training. Globally accredited and set in a vibrant, student-centric city, it prepares you for leadership in medicine.
