Economics and Finance (CLEF) – Laurea (First Cycle Degree)

About the course

A three-year economics degree taught entirely in English, covering economic and financial systems with an emphasis on global markets. It prepares students for roles such as junior economist or junior financial analyst.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Italy accepts the Leaving Certificate as a school-leaving qualification because it follows at least 12 years of schooling and gives access to university in Ireland. Bologna checks eligibility itself at enrolment and may ask for a declaration of value or CIMEA statement. It publishes no rule on Leaving Cert subjects, Higher Level papers or H grades, and CAO points are not used, so confirm with Bologna admissions.
• Selection is based only on the SAT General Test (out of 1600, no minimum score). Candidates are ranked by SAT score. Depending on your SAT result, you may be given Additional Learning Requirements (OFA) to complete in first year.
• The course is taught in English and the SAT is in English. The admissions page sets no separate English certificate. Confirm with Bologna whether anything else is needed at enrolment.

How to apply

1. Book the SATRegister with the College Board and sit the SAT in time for the first round, which closed on 4 May in 2026. Practise the maths section.
2. Apply on Studenti OnlineApply for the CLEF selection on Bologna’s Studenti Online portal and pay the €20 fee. In 2026 the rounds were 10 Feb to 4 May, 5 May to 3 Jul, and 3 to 11 Sep.
3. Accept your placeIf you are ranked high enough, enrol and pay the €157.04 first instalment by the deadline given with the ranking list.
4. Send documents and income papersAfter the Leaving Cert results, upload your certificate and any declaration of value or CIMEA statement. Submit foreign income papers by late October to get a lower fee.

Costs

• Bologna is a public university and fees depend on family income. Everyone pays a fixed first instalment of €157.04. Families with a financial indicator up to €27,000 pay nothing more; above that a variable contribution is added, up to a maximum that varies by programme (see Bologna’s fee table). Families with income from outside Italy submit foreign income and asset documents instead of the Italian ISEE (2026/27 deadline 30 October 2026, or 16 November 2026 with a €100 late fee). The selection application fee is €20 (non-refundable, covers all rounds). You also pay the College Board to sit the SAT.

At a glance