How to apply for a PhD if you come from a non-EU country

You are eligible for a PhD if you already hold, or will hold before the start of the PhD programme, one of the following Italian qualifications:

• Laurea Magistrale (Italian second-cycle degree programme);
• Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico (Italian single-cycle degree programme);
• Laurea Specialistica (Italian second-cycle degree programme);
• Laurea vecchio ordinamento (pre-1999 reform);
• Similar second-level academic qualification issued by institutions forming part of AFAM (Advanced Artistic and Musical Training);
• Foreign qualification recognised as eligible for access to PhDs, based on the principles enshrined in applicable international conventions.

If you have a foreign qualification:

• check that it gives access to a PhD in the country where you obtained it. You can contact the institution that issued the qualification or consult online databases such as those of the ENIC-NARIC centres;
• plan ahead because, in case of admission, you may have to translate and document the value and authenticity of your qualification: the time required may depend on the country where you obtained it.

You will have to take part in a call for applications that comes out between May and September and will be based on the evaluation of qualifications, a research project (if any) and an oral test.

The first call for applications for the admission to the PhD programmes a.y. 2025/26 is now online. Deadline 3 April 2025.

Steps to follow:

• Look at the list of PhD programmes available and choose the one you are interested in;
• Carefully read:
• the call for applications;
• the PhD overview;
• the language requirements;
• the deadlines;
• the documents required to take part in the entrance test (indicated in art. 3 of the call) and any additional/other assessable documents that may increase your score for admission to the oral test (indicated in the PhD file).

Find all the information in the overview of your chosen PhD

Simultaneous enrolment in several programmes

In the same academic year, it is possible to enrol simultaneously in:

• a PhD programme and another programme (Professional Master's programme, specialisation school, degree programme);
• two PhDs, only if one is at an Italian university and the other at a foreign university.

Find out more

Tuition fees

Matriculation and annual enrolment in PhD programmes requires payment of a regional fee for the right to higher education, stamp duty and an insurance premium, currently equal to € 157.04 in total (€ 140 regional fee, € 16 stamp duty and € 1.04 insurance premium).

Payment of fees is also mandatory for positions without a scholarship. If you enrol for a PhD under international agreements that provide for the reimbursement of fees, you will have to pay the enrolment fee and then contact the institution with which the agreement was signed for the reimbursement.

Scholarships

Find out about the Italian and international scholarships and funding opportunities that could facilitate your studies from a financial standpoint.

Move well in advance to find a place to live in the city where you are going to study.

Discover the support services available

Qualifications

Only qualifications that are uploaded by the deadline for admission are assessed.

For qualifications obtained at public and private Italian universities (where permitted), a signed self-certification must be attached.
For qualifications obtained at universities in EU or non-EU countries, the certificate, the transcript of records of the Bachelor's and Master's Degree or the Diploma Supplement (if available) must be enclosed.

Read here for more information if you have a foreign qualification

Curriculum vitae

The CV format required is indicated in the PhD overview.

Other documents

Please refer to the PhD call for all the documents to be submitted.

For the first call for applications a.y. 2025/26, the application must be submitted by 3 April 2025.

To apply for admission, use the university credentials name.surname@unibo.it or alternatively your SPID digital identity on Studenti Online.

University email account @unibo.it 

Create your credentials to access Studenti Online, your personal profile where you can find information on your university career and carry out all the paperwork, including enrolment in the programme.

If you have participated even once in a selection procedure or attended a programme at the University of Bologna, you already have your credentials. If you have forgotten your password you can reset it using the credentials recovery service, also using your SPID or CIE digital identity.

How to apply

• Log in to Studenti Online using you SPID credentials
• Click on 'Application for Admission', then on 'PhD' and 'Continue'
• Select the PhD programme you wish to apply for and click on 'Continue'
• Fill in the application and attach the mandatory additional documents
• If you have a certified disability, request the necessary adaptations
• Pay the selection registration fee of €5 via the PagoPA system. Read the instructions for using PagoPA [.pdf 314 KB]
• Click on Send Request

Applications completed but not sent by the deadline will not be admitted to the selection.

After the request has been sent, the file will have the following status: "Request sent: the request was sent successfully". You can check the status of your application on Studenti Online. You will not be notified by e-mail about the successful submission of your application.

Qualifications

The assessment of qualifications is published on Studenti Online as of the date indicated on the overview of the PhD you applied for.

Assessment sub-criteria (any additional assessment criteria decided by the Committees prior to the tests) may be published on the PhD page even after the call for applications has closed.

Test schedule

The test schedule is published as of the date indicated on the overview of the PhD you applied for.

To check whether the oral test for the programme you have applied for will be held in person or electronically, please consult the PhD overview (choose your preferred PhD programme, click on 'More information', and click on 'PhD overview'). In any case, you can apply to take the oral electronically via the Microsoft Teams platform, in accordance with the procedures described in the individual PhD programme overviews.

The test schedule and the link to the virtual Teams classroom, if you have requested one or if the PhD programme for which you have applied provides for the tests to be held electronically, are published on Studenti Online a few days before the tests are due to take place (click on 'See details' and check the .pdf files attached at the bottom of the page. Remember to log in to Microsoft Teams with your university credentials name.surname@studio.unibo.it).

Test procedure

If you have a disability and want to make use of an adapted entrance test, please read the call of the PhD of interest for information on how to apply.

Test results

The results of each test are published on Studenti Online.

If you have any questions regarding the tests, please contact the Examination Committee using the contact details given on the page dedicated to the individual PhD programme (choose the PhD programme of interest, click on 'More information', click on the 'Call Committee').

Final ranking

After the end of the tests, following official checks and approval by the Rector, the final ranking is published on the page dedicated to the individual PhD programme (choose the PhD programme of interest and click on 'More information'). At the time the ranking is published, the dates for the matriculation of successful candidates are announced on the PhD programme page.

If you won a position in a PhD call:

• log into Studenti Online using your credentials name.surname@studio.unibo.it;
• click on 'Matriculation' and follow the procedure, confirming or amending the data already present, filling in the required declarations, uploading a copy of a valid identity document and the following documents:
• if you already have one, the tax code issued by the Italian Revenue Agency;
• only if you obtained your qualification granting access to the PhD in a foreign country and after the closing date of the call for applications, the certificate indicating: the name of the university that awarded the qualification, the date it was awarded, the type of qualification and the final grade;
• only if you obtained your second-level qualification in a non-EU country and you have not already submitted the documents when applying for admission: documents certifying the qualification’s authenticity and equivalence to a second-cycle academic qualification (e.g. Diploma Supplement, Dichiarazione di Valore/Declaration of Value issued by the Italian diplomatic authority in the country where the qualification was obtained, proof of authenticity and comparability issued by organisations such as ENIC-NARIC);
• only if you apply for joint attendance between a PhD and a medical specialisation school, the specialised training programme signed by the director of the specialisation school;
• pay the registration fee via the PagoPA system: log in to your personal page on Studenti Online and access 'My payments'. To make the payment, click on the Pago PA icon next to the amount to be paid, and using your name.surname@studio.unibo.it credentials or your SPID digital identity, pay the registration fee by credit/debit card, or any other payment method among those proposed. For further information, please visit the PagoPA website.

Once matriculation is complete, wait for an e-mail from the coordinator before commencing work. At the first Academic Board meeting, you will be assigned a research project and supervisor. You will also be shown the teaching schedule and the deadlines you will be required to follow throughout the year.

Conditional matriculation

If you have not yet obtained your PhD qualification at the time of matriculation, your matriculation will be conditional. Under all circumstances, the qualification must be obtained before the programme starts, by no later than 31/10/2024. In order to finalise registration, send aform.udottricerca@unibo.it:

• a self-certification (or certificate, in the case of qualifications obtained in EU and non-EU countries or at non-public university institutions) indicating:
• the name of University that issued the qualification;
• the date of being awarded the qualification and the type of qualification, such as a Laurea Magistrale/Laurea Specialistica (Italian second-cycle degree programme), Laurea vecchio ordinamento (pre-1999 reform), or an equivalent degree;
• the final grade;
• a scan of a valid photo ID document.

If you apply based on a qualification obtained in a non-EU country but fail to submit, together with your application for admission or matriculation, a document to certify the qualification’s authenticity and equivalence to a second-cycle academic qualification (e.g. Diploma Supplement, Dichiarazione di Valore/Declaration of Value issued by the Italian diplomatic authority in the country where the qualification was obtained, proof of authenticity and comparability issued by organisations such as ENIC-NARIC), you will have to provide said documentation following matriculation (and in any case within three months of the start of the programme).

Winners who apply to jointly attend a medical specialisation school and a PhD programme are also subject to conditional matriculation. The condition will be lifted once the Academic Board of the PhD programme and the Board of the medical specialisation school officially authorise the joint attendance.

Matriculation of clearing candidates

Following any change in the ranking list, a notice will be sent to the successful clearing candidates at name.surname@studio.unibo.it with an indication of the matriculation deadlines. Clearing candidates who do not matriculate by the deadline provided will be deemed as having tacitly rejected the offer.

Extra places

Extra places may be awarded to eligible candidates in the ranking:

• who have been awarded a scholarship funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) or by Institutions in their own country of birth, citizenship, residence or domicile;
• covered by PhD Apprenticeship Agreements and outside the positions available under the call for applications;
• PhD students selected under the Innovative Training Networks (ITN) - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the China Scholarship Council call. 

If you receive a research fellowship (e.g. MSCA), you must apply for a research visa. In most other cases, you have to apply for a student visa. If you are in doubt about the nature of your position, contact the PhD Unit at aform.udottricerca@unibo.it. 

Research visa

If you need to apply for a research visa, contact the International Desk at ases.visiting@unibo.it well in advance; they will provide you with guidance and support for your application.

Read the information for visiting researchers at the University of Bologna.

Student visa

After matriculation:

• Read the information on the visa for Italy, selecting the reason for your stay: 'STUDY - POSTGRADUATE';
• Pre-register online via the Universitaly portal. In your application, you must indicate the University of Bologna and choose the PhD programme you are matriculated in. You must also indicate the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for a visa to enter Italy; 
• Contact the embassy or consulate well in advance to find out the requirements for obtaining an entry visa.

Make an appointment at the Embassy or Consulate and take with you:

• the summary of the pre-enrolment application on Universitaly validated by the University of Bologna;
• the document certifying the economic resources needed to stay in Italy (minimum required for 2024: € 6,947.33). If you have won a scholarship from the University of Bologna for enrolment in the PhD programme, you can submit the relevant certificate. Request it from the PhD Unit at aform.udottricerca@unibo.it;
• any health insurance;
• Italian Revenue Agency forms to apply for the Italian tax code. The forms can be found on the website of the Embassy or Consulate if they offer this service;
• your qualification documents in order to translate, legalise and authenticate them, if required and when the service is provided.

You will need to obtain a “Study - Postgraduate” visa, the required documents and possibly an Italian tax code from the Embassy or Consulate. 

From your arrival in Italy and throughout your stay you must be covered by private health insurance or by the Italian National Health Service. You can only register with the Italian National Health Service after your arrival in Italy. If you intend to do so, you may consider purchasing short-term private insurance to cover the trip and the first period in Italy (unless otherwise specified by the Embassy for the purposes of obtaining your visa). If you do not intend to do so, you may consider buying a longer private insurance policy (at least 1 year).
Find out more

If your Embassy or Consulate did not issue you with an Italian tax code before you arrived in Italy, contact the Italian Revenue Agency or  contact us for help. 

You will need the Italian tax code to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN).

If you want to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN), pay the annual fee

For those applying for or holding a residence permit for study purposes, from 2024 the minimum cost is € 700.00 per year. Registration is per calendar year only (e.g. from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024) and it is not possible to pay reduced fees for shorter periods.

It is possible to pay to register for the current year and also for the entire following calendar year (e.g. 2024 and 2025). This possibility grants health coverage for one academic year and is useful for students who arrive, for example, in September and intend to apply for a 1-year residence permit for study purposes.

To cover of any dependant family members, the minimum fee is € 2,000 per year.

To request information about voluntary registration and to verify your eligibility, you can contact an AUSL “Sportello Unico” (CUP) office. Consult the list of “Sportello Unico” (CUP) in Bologna and Romagna (Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini).

Start the registration procedure:

• pay the annual fee via the ordinary F24 form. If you want to register for two consecutive years (for example 2024 and 2025), you must make two separate payments. You must fill in the following sections:
• “Contribuente” (taxpayer) entering your personal data;
• “Sezione regioni” (regions section) indicating: “codice regione” (region code) 06 (Emilia-Romagna) and “codice tributo” (fee code) 8846;
• “Anno di riferimento” (reference year): the calendar year for which you want to register with the SSN, for example 2024;
• “Importi a debito versati” (amounts paid): €700, if you have no other income besides your scholarship and you do not want to include your family members in the coverage.
  You can pay in various ways. For example, if you have an Italian bank account that offers home banking services, you can fill out a digital F24 form and pay online by debiting your account; you can also pay at any bank in cash or with Pagobancomat cards;
• make a copy of your payment receipts and attach them to your application for initial issuing or renewal of your residence permit.

Applying for a residence permit

Within eight days of arrival in Italy, apply for a permit. You can do this on your own or with our support.

Send the receipt for the residence permit application to aform.udottricerca@unibo.it.

Activating health coverage and choosing a general practitioner

After submitting your application for a residence permit, return to the Local Health Authority Desk (CUP) as soon as possible to activate your health coverage and choose a general practitioner. Go to a AUSL “Sportello Unico” (CUP) office to activate the coverage and choose a general practitioner. Consult the list of “Sportello Unico” (CUP) in Bologna and Romagna (Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini districts). Bring the following documents with you:

• your passport;
• your official Italian tax code (codice fiscale);
• enrolment certificate for the University of Bologna;
• payment receipts for the annual fee;
• postal receipt of your residence permit application (or residence permit if already issued);
• for CUP offices in Bologna, the registration form for non-EU citizens (in Italian) [.pdf 967 KB]; read the example with instructions in English [.pdf 659 KB] on how to fill in the form.

Payment alone does not imply activation of the coverage. You must complete the registration at an AUSL office and choose a general practitioner (family doctor).

If you are paying for two consecutive years, remember that at the end of the current year you must return to the CUP with the payment receipt for the following year, and ask for the service to be activated.

Always check the coverage end date.

Those registered with the Italian National Health Service will receive a Health Card by post. The card is sent to the address provided to the Italian Revenue Agency; you can contact the Italian Revenue Agency to update your address and to have the card reprinted.

If you have won a PhD position covered by a scholarship, to authorise payment of your scholarship you will have to email to the PhD Unit, at aform.udottricerca@unibo.it:

• a copy of your Italian tax code, issued by the Italian Revenue Agency;
• a copy of your residence permit or the receipt of the residence permit application.

You will also have to enter on Studenti Online the details of the bank account on which you wish to receive the payment. The scholarship winner must be the holder or joint-holder of the account (which can be Italian or foreign).

Contact the PhD Unit to find out in advance the deadlines for submitting the required material so that you can receive your scholarship right from the first month.

You can find all the information on the University's intranet and on your PhD’s website.