The Reichstag building in Berlin with the German flag flying above the glass dome at dusk.

Italy Open for September 2026 entry — applications close 30 April 2026

University of Bologna Study Grants for International Students

The University of Bologna Study Grants for International Students provide €11,000 (around LKR 3.8 million) annual stipend plus a full tuition fee waiver for international undergraduate and Master's applicants. Around 600 awards are made each year across the entire university — making this one of the most accessible European university scholarships in market. The University of Bologna is the oldest university in continental Europe (founded 1088) and consistently the highest-ranked Italian university (QS #133 in 2026). Italy's post-study work pathway has improved substantially since 2024 — international graduates qualify for a 12-month job-search residency permit, with strong placement potential in fashion, design, automotive, and luxury sectors.

University of Bologna

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

€11,000/yr Stipend + Tuition Waiver

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Duration

Full Degree (Renewable)

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Awards

~600 per Year

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Apply to Bologna Bachelor's or Master's

You must apply for a full-time University of Bologna Bachelor's or Master's programme starting September 2026. Both Italian-taught and English-taught programmes are eligible. The university offers 100+ English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programmes covering Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, International Relations, Medicine, and Cultural Heritage.

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Non-EU Citizen

The Study Grants are reserved for non-EU citizens, including Sri Lankan citizens, applying from outside the EU. EU citizens have separate Italian DSU / Erasmus pathways. Applicants must be applying as international students, not as Italian residents.

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Strong Academic Record

Selection is competitive — typical awardees have first-class undergraduate degrees (for Master's applicants) or strong A-Level / IB / national curriculum top results (for Bachelor's applicants). Sri Lankan A-Level applicants with 3 A's, or first-class graduates from Sri Lankan state universities, are competitive.

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English or Italian Proficiency

English-taught programmes require IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 80+. Italian-taught programmes require CILS / CELI B2 level Italian. Most Sri Lankan applicants apply to English-taught programmes — the IELTS requirement is lower than peer countries, making Bologna accessible to applicants with modest English test results.

account_tree Application Process

Apply to Bologna programme by 30 April

Submit your University of Bologna application via the Studenti Online portal (studenti.unibo.it). Submit transcripts (with English / Italian translation), Italian Declaration of Value (DOV) from the Italian Embassy in Colombo, statement of purpose, and English / Italian test.

Submit Study Grants application

Within the same applicant portal, complete the separate Study Grants for International Students application. Submit family income documentation (apostilled by the Italian consulate), a motivation letter, and any academic prizes / publications.

Selection committee review

Applications are reviewed by the central University of Bologna scholarship committee in June. Selection weighs academic merit (60%) and economic conditions (40%). Outcomes are typically released by mid-July.

Acceptance + Italian student visa

Awardees receive a scholarship award letter naming the €11,000 stipend and tuition waiver. You then apply for the Italian Type D long-stay student visa at the Italian Embassy in Colombo. The stipend is disbursed in 10 monthly instalments after enrolment.

Why University of Bologna?

The University of Bologna is the oldest university in continental Europe (founded 1088) and Italy's highest-ranked university (QS #133 in 2026). The Alma Mater Studiorum has 80,000+ students across 5 campuses, with around 8,000 international students. Bologna itself is a UNESCO Creative City (gastronomy) with significantly lower living costs than Milan or Rome.