A month in Bologna, in numbers
| Item | Monthly | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat | EUR 350-550 | Central is dearer |
| ER-GO housing, if awarded | EUR 200-350 | Scholarship holders get priority |
| Food | EUR 180-250 | The mensa is heavily subsidised |
| Transport | EUR 15-27 | Annual student pass |
| Phone and internet | EUR 15-25 | |
| Personal and other | EUR 80-130 | |
| Total | EUR 650-950 |
Where students actually live
The Zona Universitaria around Via Zamboni is the student quarter — the most convenient and the most expensive. Bolognina, San Donato, Murri and Saragozza are the usual compromises; Casalecchio and San Lazzaro are cheaper again, 15-25 minutes by bus.
The university
Università di Bologna dates from 1088 and is generally described as the oldest university in the continuous Western tradition. More usefully for you, it has one of Italy's largest English-taught catalogues — and campuses in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini where rent is materially lower than in Bologna. When you shortlist a programme, check which campus it sits on; the cost difference is real.
Money: ER-GO and tuition
Tuition at an Italian public university depends on assessed family income, and for an international student that assessment runs through ISEE parificato. Get that document wrong and you are charged the top band by default. See the ISEE guide and the map of regional agencies.
Work, honestly
Small city, limited jobs, and your competition is other students. The most realistic option is the university's own 200-hour student collaboration scheme: modest pay, properly regulated, and workable without fluent Italian. Outside the university, Italian is required.
The honest bits
- 1Finding a room here is genuinely hard. Start in July.
- 2Damp, foggy winters — budget EUR 40-80 a month for heating in the cold months.
- 3On the other side: the food is cheap and excellent, and the whole city is walkable or cyclable.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
How much does a student need per month in Bologna?+
Typically EUR 650-950. With ER-GO housing and subsidised canteen meals you sit at the lower end; renting privately in the centre puts you at the top.
What does the ER-GO scholarship actually give you?+
ER-GO is the student welfare agency for Emilia-Romagna. Its income-assessed award normally combines a tuition waiver, a cash grant, and priority for housing and canteens. The amounts and thresholds change every year, so read that year's bando rather than any summary.
Are the other UniBo campuses cheaper?+
Yes. The university also teaches in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini, where rent is lower than in Bologna itself. Checking which campus a programme belongs to is a real budget decision.
Want this checked against your own profile?
Send us your results, IELTS status and budget. We will tell you honestly which countries are realistic and what your application is missing. The first consultation is free.
Talk to us on WhatsApp