International Studies (BA)

About the course

A three-year bachelor’s in international studies on Bologna’s Forlì campus, taught fully in English. You take history, economics, politics, sociology and law every year, with compulsory history modules and options on regions such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Russia and the US. You also study English intensively plus a second language (French, German, Russian or Spanish), and can add Chinese, Arabic or Portuguese. Second-year labs build research and practical skills. Erasmus+, overseas exchanges and international traineeships are available. You graduate with a Laurea (class L-36). Graduates work in international organisations, NGOs, public bodies and companies, or go on to a master’s.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Foreign school leaving qualifications must come after at least 12 years of schooling and give access to university under Italian rules. Bologna says secondary diplomas from EU countries need no Declaration of Value, and Irish documents need no extra authenticity check. Bologna’s International Student Administration Office checks your Leaving Cert after you apply. The Leaving Cert is not named on the page.
• No specific school subjects are required.
• English at B2 level is needed for the TOLC-E route. A school qualification taught in English counts, so most Leaving Cert students qualify; Irish-medium students should check.
• Selection is by test score. Round 1 used the TOLC-E, which is in Italian (minimum 8/36). Round 2 used the SAT (minimum 500 in Reading and Writing). Most Irish students will use the SAT route.
• Apply on Studenti Online. EU students do not need Universitaly pre-enrolment.

How to apply

1. Choose your testBook an SAT (English) or a TOLC-E (Italian, sat in person). In 2026 the SAT round was the second ordinary round.
2. Apply on Studenti OnlinePay the €20 fee and upload your test and English proof. In 2026 the windows were 3 February – 29 April (TOLC-E) and 30 April – 3 July (SAT).
3. Check the rankingPlaces go in score order. Declare interest in leftover places at each round on Studenti Online.
4. EnrolEnrol and pay the first instalment by the deadline. Your Leaving Cert must be awarded by 31 December of the year you start.
5. Apply for lower feesSend income details to ER.GO by the autumn deadline (30 October in 2026).

Costs

• Tuition 2026/27: €157.04 fixed charge plus an income-based contribution of up to €2,040, so roughly €157–2,197 a year.
• €20 application fee, plus the SAT or TOLC-E fee.
• EU students with family income abroad send income documents to ER.GO instead of an Italian ISEE. Families under the €27,000 indicator pay only €157.04.

At a glance