Secondary specialized education in Bologna. University of Bologna: history, structure, faculties. Studying MBA programs at the University of Bologna

Founded in 1088, it is the oldest university in the world that has never ceased to operate. Copernicus, Petrarch and Dante studied here; according to the latter’s apt expression, Bologna is still called la grassa, la rossa and la dotta, which means fat, red, learned.
Thanks to the University, the city was unusually developed in the Middle Ages and had, as we now say, excellent infrastructure. Bologna owes almost all its advantages to students, and now I’m not even talking about the atmosphere of youth and joy that reigns in the city, but about such banal and well-known attractions as covered galleries and excellent cuisine.
Galleries appeared due to the desire of home owners to make more profit from renting out their homes. By expanding the upper floors, they increased the area of ​​the house, supporting the excess with columns. The construction of galleries was initially illegal, but then the mood of the authorities changed and a rule was even introduced on the minimum span height - 2 m 66 cm, which is enough for a rider on a horse. The first galleries were, of course, wooden, some of which have survived to this day. The law that still exists today comes from the same historical period that the owner of the house is responsible for the space under the galleries, namely, he must keep it clean and leave it free for the movement of people. However, I already wrote about this.
Cooking also developed under the influence of students. It should be noted that among the students there were people not so much young as experienced, not so much poor as wealthy, so their tastes and demands were appropriate. It is interesting that at first the university was governed not by teachers, but by students - they themselves chose what, how and when to study, and teachers were in a subordinate position. Henry Morton writes about this in his “Walks in the North of Italy. From Milan to Rome,” aptly characterizing the relationship between students and teachers as a “master-servant” relationship. The cooks also tried to meet the needs of the students, inventing new dishes for everyday meals and various feasts.
For a long time, all this cheerful student life took place outside the walls of the University simply because it did not have any walls. Classes were held in squares, cafes, churches, teachers’ homes, and in the end it was decided to allocate Alma Mater Studiorum is a separate building. This is the palazzo dell "Archiginnasio, located next to piazza Maggiore. I was told that the university premises were supposed to be adjacent to the Cathedral of San Petronio on piazza Maggiore, but Pope Pius IV stopped construction so that the cathedral would not outgrow St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, and students and allocated a separate building for teachers. The university was located there from 1563 to 1805. The courtyard of the palazzo is an example of typical Bolognese architecture with its recognizable columns and vaulted ceilings of galleries, decorated with the coats of arms of students and teachers, there are about 700 of them. If you go up to the second floor. (entrance here, by the way, is free), you can see not only coats of arms, but also lovely signs of ancient times - benches, carved doors, sculptural groups. The building now houses a library for university students who study in such not just wonderful, but outstanding. conditions.
In the same building there is an amazingly beautiful auditorium, just like what one imagines when thinking about a medieval university - the Teatro Anatomico, a wooden amphitheater with a marble table for dissecting corpses in the middle. The theater was open only during the cold months; anyone could watch the process. After Bologna came under the rule of the pope, the dissection of corpses was prohibited and operations began to be demonstrated on models made of wax and wood. The audience is decorated with the same (or similar) figures. What especially surprised me was that reference Information, attached to the auditorium doors, was also available in Russian. Let me remind you that admission to Teatro Anatomico, as well as to most municipal museums in the city, is free.
Now the University is located in a dozen different buildings, concentrated mainly on via Zamboni, starting near the Two Towers (Due Torri). The street begins with an excellent gelateria (gelateria, from gelato - ice cream) “Gianni”, which always has a crowd of people. However, I prefer the Funivia gelateria on Piazza Cavour, and especially the combination of yoghurt and strawberry ice cream. Girls, even those on a diet, definitely need to go to gelaterias, this is a source of wonderful plastic ice cream scoops, which are so convenient for getting all sorts of cosmetic things out of jars. Personally, I brought a dozen of these multi-colored spatulas from Italy.
If you walk a little along Via Zamboni, on the left side there will be a cafe of the same name, where we often went for an aperitif with school. Unlike many other cafes in the city, they don’t serve tasteless sausages here, offering rather passable variations on the theme of Italian cuisine for appetizers. In general, the entire Via Zamboni is full of different restaurants, bars and clubs, so life here is in full swing around the clock. If you walk along the street to Piazza Verdi and turn left again, then literally after 15 meters there will be a Punto Gusto establishment, opened by the boyfriend of my teacher Lucia. Nicola is Sicilian, so his arancini are authentic. If you're in Bologna, say hello to him!
To see the buildings in which the faculties are located, you need to carefully look at the nameplates attached to them. It’s a bit of a pity that the University does not have a single architectural symbol, like, for example, Moscow State University, for reproduction on T-shirts and mugs. They are usually printed with the round emblem of the University, and you can buy these souvenirs in a shop in Piazza Maggiore.

Courtyard of the palazzo dell"Archiginnasio...

and its ceiling painted with coats of arms.

Right there.

Inside.

Teatro Anatomico.

Creepy figures...

Marble table.

One of the oldest buildings in the city. This is what the expanded upper floors looked like.

Another old building.

Another example of wooden columns.

Via Rizzoli.

Intermediate option.

This is what it looks like now.

In the student quarter.

University of Bologna - University of Bologna - Università di Bologna- the oldest existing one educational institutions in Europe, which is a member of the Utrecht Network university association. During the existence of the University of Bologna, many of its graduates glorified the university, becoming famous government and public figures, poets, writers, architects and entrepreneurs.

History of the University of Bologna

The exact date of the founding of the University of Bologna has been a subject of debate for a long time and has not yet been precisely clarified. It is generally accepted that the university officially began to exist in 1088. Initially, only legal sciences were taught at the university, but at the beginning of the 14th century other faculties were created on the basis of the university - medicine, philosophy and theology.

The University of Bologna has indeed interesting story formation and development. Unlike other ancient universities, students had the greatest power at the University of Bologna in the Middle Ages: they gave donations for the maintenance of lecturers (the word “salaries” would be inappropriate here, since donations did not have a fixed amount and were optional), fired and hired professors , they even fined them if they did not complete the course on time or left class early.

At the University of Bologna they practiced a completely different approach to education - women could teach and study at the university on an equal basis with men. Already in the 12th century. Betissia Gozadini gave lectures on Roman law to students, and always did this in the fresh air, in squares and parks on the territory of the university, and not in lecture halls.

In the middle of the 13th century. The university has undergone a change of government since municipal government Bologna abolished student donations and effectively subordinated the faculty to itself. The professors were drawn into political feuds, which, however, ended by the 14th century, and the university continued its purely academic path.

Over the next centuries, the brightest minds of Europe gave lectures within the walls of the University of Bologna - Paracelsus, Dante Alighieri, Nicolaus Copernicus, Albrecht Durer, Luigi Galvani and other famous scientists and figures.

Until modern times, the University of Bologna offered only doctoral programs, but last changes significantly influenced the structure and image of the educational institution. Today it is one of the largest universities in Europe and the largest university in Italy.

University of Bologna admission statistics

Like many other European universities, Bologna does not have such an indicator as an acceptance rate (the percentage of accepted students out of the total number of applicants), since the requirements for admission are quite lenient. On average, about 20,000 students are enrolled at the University of Bologna per year.

Why choose University of Bologna?

• In addition to the main building in Bologna, the university has campuses in other cities: Rimini (19 programs), Forli (17 programs), Ravenna (16 programs), Cesena (17 programs) and even in the capital of Argentina - Buenos Aires.
• The University of Bologna is part of two large university associations - the Utrecht Network and Europaeum. Within the framework of these organizations, exchanges with the largest universities in Europe are possible (for example, Europaeum also includes the University of Paris I, Oxford University, Charles University). In addition, within these networks there are special scholarships: for example, after the University of Bologna, you can continue your master’s studies at the University of Oxford on a Jenkins scholarship.
• In addition to the main library of the Biblioteca Universitaria di Bologna, containing just under one and a half million volumes and several hundred original works of fine art and ancient manuscripts, the university infrastructure includes 260 libraries, the collections of which are dedicated to individual subjects.
• The university owns 14 major museums: Palazzo Poggi Museum (Bologna), La Specola (Florence), MeuS - Museum of the European Student (Bologna), Zoological Museum (Bologna), Museum of Comparative Anatomy (Bologna), Anthropological Museum (Bologna), Geological Museum " Giovanni Capellini" (Bologna), Mineralogical Museum "L. Bombicci" (Bologna), Botanical Garden and Herbarium (Ferrara), Anatomical Wax Museum "L. Cattaneo" (Bologna), the Anatomical Museum of Domestic Animals (Ozzano del Emilio) and the Museum of Veterinary Pathology and Teratology (Ozzano del Emilio).
• The University of Bologna is a participant in 273 European programs, thanks to which its students and graduates have the opportunity to undergo internships in the world's best companies and research institutes.

Documents for obtaining a student visa to Italy

• Invitation from the university
• Certificate of enrollment (not applicable for exchange programs)
• A document confirming the availability of housing for the period of stay. If the invitation from the university does not indicate the residential address, in this case an apartment rental agreement with a copy of the document confirming the identity of the landlord is required
• One way ticket reservation (if staying in the country for more than 90 days)
• Medical insurance for the entire period of stay with insurance coverage of €30,000
• A copy of the passport pages with the applicant’s photo and data
• Visa application form
• Color photograph of the applicant 3 x 4 or 3.5 x 4.5 - 1 pc.
• Certificate of financial solvency at the rate of €442.20 per month (when receiving a grant, you must attach a supporting document - original and copy)
• Copy of previous education diploma
• Passport
• Consent to the processing of personal data

Free tuition and scholarships at the University of Bologna

Studying in Italy may seem very attractive in terms of affordability. In addition to federal grants, foreigners are eligible to receive financial aid from the university. The most pleasant thing is the fact that assistance is provided not only to highly gifted students, but also to those who simply cannot afford to study abroad.
Maximum spend: €16,870

International exchange and internship programs at the University of Bologna

The University of Bologna is ready to expand its academic horizons, providing students with the opportunity to learn from their colleagues in other universities located in different parts of the world. As part of the Erasmus Mundus program, students of the University of Bologna can receive knowledge at partner universities, including the following educational institutions: Macquarie University (Australia), Beijing Tsinghua University (China), Brown University (USA), University of Chicago (USA), University of North Carolina (USA), University of California (USA), Vassar College (USA), Wesleyan University (USA), Wellesley College (USA), Kazan Federal University, Mari State University, Northern Federal University, Pacific National University, Northeastern Federal University and Udmurt State University.

Studying MBA programs at the University of Bologna

Students at the University of Bologna have the opportunity to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree in Bologna Business School working at the university. The school offers training in four main areas:

• Global MBA(12-month course consisting of several blocks: general management, training, teamwork, internship or work on your own project; teaching is conducted exclusively in English);
• FULL-TIME MASTERS(12-month course, represented by 12 programs, mainly taught in Italian, but there are several programs in English);
• EXECUTIVE MASTERS(10, 12, 15 and 16 month courses, mainly taught in Italian, only two programs are available in English).
• Open Programs(short-term courses for employees of large companies or entrepreneurs who want to gain the necessary skills in a shorter period of training).

The average cost of studying for an MBA program at the University of Bologna is 27,000 USD per year. Not all Bologna Business School students can afford to fully pay for the MBA course, so academically successful students can count on university assistance - scholarships and grants.
In addition to financial assistance, Bologna Business School offers study experience at other universities with which it has signed partnership agreements. There are 7 educational institutions on the list: Chapman Graduate School of Business (Florida International University), COPPEAD Graduate School of Business ( Federal University Rio de Janeiro), Moscow International Higher Business School "MIRBIS", School of Economics and Business Administration (Chongqing University), School of Management (Sabanci University), Business School at Stellenbosch University.

Notable alumni of the University of Bologna

• Nicolaus Copernicus- a famous Polish scientist who conducted research in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, physics and economics. He studied episcopal law at the University of Bologna along with independent astronomical observations. Having given the world the theory of the heliocentric system of the world (in other words, assuming that the Sun does not revolve around the Earth, but vice versa), he is considered one of the authors of the first scientific revolution.
• Antonioni Michelangelo- cult Italian director, one of the pioneers in the field of art-house cinema. The famous “trilogy of alienation” brought fame to the film director - a series of films main character in which Monica Vitti, Michelangelo's muse of those years, played.
• Francesco Petrarca- Italian poet, one of the most ancient figures of humanism, thanks to his work on the interpretation of the letters of Cicero, he is considered one of the founders of the Renaissance.
• Giorgio Armani- famous Italian fashion designer and businessman, founder of the Armani fashion house. As of 2016, the fashion designer’s fortune is estimated at 85 USD billion.
• Enzo Ferrari- founder of the Ferrari automobile brand, entrepreneur, design engineer and racing driver.
• Guglielmo Marconi- Italian entrepreneur, one of the inventors of radio, together with his partner Karl Ferdinant Braun, received the Nobel Prize in 1909 for their contribution to the development of wireless telegraphy.
• Camilo Golgi- scientist and doctor, laureate Nobel Prize 1906 for his contribution to the development of the science of the structure of the nervous system.
• Giosue Carducci- the great Italian poet of the 19th century, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1906 “not only for his deep knowledge and critical mind, but above all for the creative energy, freshness of style and lyrical power characteristic of his poetic masterpieces.”

Interesting facts about the University of Bologna

• Initially, the University of Bologna specialized in legal disciplines(in contrast to the University of Paris, which emphasized the need to study theology in the first place). Until the 14th century, the University of Bologna was dedicated only to the study and interpretation of Roman law, thereby making a significant contribution to European law of the time.
• In the 16th century, Gaspar Togliocozzi conducted some of the first research in the field of plastic surgery at the University of Bologna.
• The University of Bologna has about 11,000 scientific developments, 200 patents, 350 scientific projects, externally funded, and 7 research centers.

Photos of the University of Bologna

Faculties of the University of Bologna

In 2012, there was a significant reorganization of the faculties and departments of the University of Bologna, as a result of which the number of both was halved. As of 2015, the university offers 92 bachelor's programs, 103 master's courses, 12 extended Single Cycle Degree programs (bachelor's + master's) and 48 doctoral programs in 33 faculties in 10 specialized schools:

• School Agriculture and veterinary medicine
• School of Economics, Management and Statistics
• School of Engineering and Architecture
• School of Foreign Languages ​​and Literatures, Interpretation and Translation
• School of Law
• School of Medicine and Surgery
• School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sports Sciences
• School of Political Science
• School of Psychology and Educational Sciences
• School of Exact Sciences

Requirements for admission to the University of Bologna

Bachelor's program - First Cycle Degree or Lauree

• At least 12 years of education, i.e. school certificate of completion of 11 classes + 1 year of university or college or school certificate of 9 classes + diploma of completion of a college or technical school.
• Proficiency in Italian. Testing is carried out by the university, during which the applicant’s ability to read texts and communication skills in Italian are assessed.
• Proficiency in English, if the applicant does not wish to study in Italian. Knowledge of English must be confirmed by an IELTS certificate (with a score of at least 6.0) or TOEFL (with a score of at least 90).
• Academic resume (describing academic success and more: victories in Olympiads, sports competitions and other achievements).
• Most programs require a general understanding of the discipline to which you are applying. Testing is carried out by the university, based on its results, students who receive a score below the minimum will be required to complete the program additional education during the first year of study.

Master's program - Second Cycle Degree or Lauree Magistrale

• Almost all programs require a bachelor's degree in the same discipline for which you are applying. The exception is some programs in the field humanities, but to enroll in them, you must have certain courses in the program (that is, it is unlikely that you will be able to enroll in the Faculty of Literature if the student graduated from the Faculty of Management).
• Proficiency in English at level B2 (IELTS ~ 6.0 and above, TOEFL ~ 90 and above) or Italian (depending on the program).
• Motivation letter in English or Italian.
• Academic resume.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers.

Doctoral programs - Third Cycle Degree or Doctorati di ricerca

• Possession foreign language: Italian, English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish or Russian (depending on the program) at an advanced level Advanced. Knowledge must be confirmed with an appropriate certificate.
• Possession of a Master's degree in the discipline for which you are applying or academic experience.
• Research Proposal.
• Academic resume.
• Motivation letter.
• Recommendations from professors or employers.

Application deadlines for the University of Bologna

• For Lauree and Lauree Magistrale programs (bachelor's and master's degrees) - until May 15(if the deadline falls on a Sunday or a holiday, the filing deadline is extended to the next working day), also for citizens of countries living outside the EU, pre-registration is required at the Italian Embassy ( from March 24 to June 30).
• For Doctorati di ricerca (postgraduate) programs, applications are being collected until May 30.

Admission process to the University of Bologna

1. Preparation of a notarized translation of a diploma or certificate into Italian/English
2. Taking the ACT or GRE tests (test scores are required for admission to some master's and doctoral programs)
3. To enroll in doctoral and master's programs, you will need a motivation letter and recommendations from teachers
4. Pre-enrollment at the university at the Italian Embassy (March 24 – June 30)
5. Passing a test of language proficiency, as well as logical and analytical skills
6. Receiving an invitation from the University of Bologna
7. Applying for a student visa to Italy
8. Upon arrival in the country, you must pass a test of knowledge in the subject to form individual plan training

Studying in Italy attracts many foreigners due to its affordable prices, European culture, and the opportunity to get an education on the continent.

Most indigenous people and young people from other countries choose to study at the University of Bologna, which has been operating for several hundred years.

Historians believe that the university began to give its students the first knowledge back at the end of the 11th century.

And after about half a century, the Bolognese school of teaching Roman law was known in many European cities.

Students from other countries were attracted by the educational system, mild climate and large society of educated people.

Over several hundred years, the university has not lost its prestige; modern students can obtain a specialty by choosing one of 23 faculties.

Several faculties are not located in Bologna itself, but in cities in northern Italy.

How to get to Bologna is one of the most important questions that worries foreigners.

A few kilometers from the city is located international Airport, receiving aircraft from many countries, Russia is also one of them.

From the city's central station you can easily reach Rome, Naples, Florence is just 40 minutes from Bologna.

Those interested in Bologna history can choose to travel by bus around the country.

Traveling by bus, you will be able to see not only Bologna in all its splendor, but also its suburbs and nearby historical monuments.

The University of Bologna accepts foreigners to study subject to knowledge of Italian or English.

To take the test state language You can prepare at the university itself in language courses.

Here you can get extensive advice on upcoming exams, which will allow you to successfully pass them.

The university trains future specialists - international affairs specialists, economists, architects, linguists, and philologists.

Agricultural, socio-cultural, telecommunications and many other faculties are popular.

Bologna Italy attractions This is another reason to study in this city.

Architectural monuments, museums, towers, cathedrals can be viewed endlessly.

Many of the city's attractions have already about a thousand years.

Study in Italy

You can study not only at the University of Bologna.

In many Italian cities there are universities that accept foreign students.

Italian universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees; in the country you can obtain specialties that are in demand in the world.

Young people are also attracted by the exam system in place in many universities - students take them when it is convenient for them.

Young people who are interested in painting, fashion, performing arts will be able to enter the Academy of Fine Arts, visit, the program of which includes studying the history of the country and sightseeing.

In Italy it is possible in state universities in the event that an application for a quota has been submitted in advance.

The tuition fee may be reduced if the family has low income.

Based on your income certificate, you can also get a place in a dormitory.

A student has the right to work 20 hours a week; some find part-time work directly at universities.

Studying in Italy is attractive for Russians because You can enter universities in the country with 9 years of secondary school education.

Bologna has been nicknamed the most youthful city in modern times. Italy. This is greatly facilitated by the famous University of Bologna, located in this city. Photos of this beautiful city are among the most popular among other cities in Italy.

Panorama over the university

The University of Bologna was founded in 1088, located in the city of Bologna, in the north Italy. The University of Bologna has almost 3 thousand employees and over 86 thousand students study there at the same time. The Academy of Bologna has a history of more than 900 years, which has largely contributed to the impressive modern appearance of the University of Bologna and the amazing architecture its buildings.

Story

The exact date of foundation of the University of Bologna is unknown. In 1158, the University of Bologna received a charter from Frederick I Barbarossa and this date was long considered the founding date of the University of Bologna, but later a commission of historians led by Giosué Carducci traced the origins of the institution to 1088. This information made the medieval University of Bologna the oldest in Europe.

The peculiarity of the University of Bologna is that it arose not as an association of professors, but as an association of students who hired teachers and paid them fees. Previously, the name of the institution was “Studio”.

Another feature is that the institution was originally a legal institution, they studied Roman law, in contrast to most European universities, which for the most part emphasized theology.

The medieval university of Bologna experienced its greatest growth in the 12th and 13th centuries. Such great Italian scientists as Gratian, Irnerius, Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, Luigi Galvani, Nicolaus Copernicus and many others studied and taught under the arches of the University of Bologna.

In 2014, the University of Bologna was ranked 182nd in the ranking of the best educational institutions in the world (QS World University Rankings), and the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, in collaboration with Censis, awarded the University of Bologna first place in its academic ranking of Italian universities for the fifth time in a row. These same Italian resources regularly publish last news and photos of academies in Bologna.

Departments

23 faculties and 33 departments

The University of Bologna has 23 faculties and 33 departments, among them: law, trade and economics, philology, philosophy, pedagogy, medicine, physics and mathematics, natural sciences, chemistry, engineering, agricultural and veterinary medicine and others. Students studying at different faculties often go to neighbors for an interesting photo.

Architecture

• Undoubtedly, one of the advantages of Bologna is its university and its medieval Italian architecture. Millions of tourists visit every yearhigher institutionand take a photo for memory.

Anatomical Theater

• The university complex includes such masterpieces of Italian architecture as the Anatomical Theater (Teatro Anatomico) and the Archgymnasium (Archiginnasio).

Palace Poggi

Palazzo Poggi

Palace Poggi

• Stunning beauty and ancient architecture These places make them a must-see for tourists.

Archgymnasium

Archgymnasium and Anatomical Theater

Archgymnasium

At Piazza Galvani, 1, Bologna, Italy, is located one of the most famous buildings of the university - the Archgymnasium. The building was built in 1563 with the aim of bringing together faculties scattered throughout the city into one building. This is a very popular photo spot among tourists.

The building is designed in a style typical of Bologna and has two levels that house classrooms and a courtyard. One of the building's attractions is the huge heraldic complex. The most honorable students were allowed to leave their coat of arms on the walls of the building. It can be used to determine the country or city where the student came from. The complex survived the 1797 revolution and Allied bombings, so it's definitely worth capturing in a photo.

Later, in 1838, part of the building was given over to the city's Municipal Library, which is the largest library in the region.

On the upper level of the building, the anatomical theater has been preserved - a room intended for educational public dissections of corpses. It was built in 1637 and is designed in the form of an amphitheater. The room is completely covered in wood and decorated with numerous statues.

On the Internet upon request Bologna University You can find numerous photos of this place.

Palace Poggi

Palazzo Poggi is the main building of the University of Bologna. The rector's office is located here. The building is located at Via Zamboni 33, Bologna, Italy. The building was erected between 1549 and 1560 as the home of Alexandro Poggi and his brother, the future Cardinal Giovanni Poggi. The architecture of the building is classical, it has a large courtyard with a loggia and a staircase leading to the state hall, intended for the events of Cardinal Giovanni Poggi. The palace is decorated with frescoes from the Mannerist and early Baroque eras.

• Today it is the main building of the University of Bologna. The building also houses a variety of museums, a university library and an art gallery. The medieval architecture of Palazzo Poggi attracts many tourists who want to take photos of this majestic building.

Study in Italy

Every year Bologna and its universities host thousands of chi foreign students. At the University of Bologna alone, students study over 2500 students from all over the world.

It is possible to study in Italy either through an exchange program or simply by enrolling in studies. Price training is set every year and is approximately for bachelors - 600-700 euros, for masters – 900 euros and above, the price is quite inexpensive for Italy. Training is conducted in Italian and English languages. Detailed information for foreign students is available on the academy website.

Vitaly Mikhailyuk told Samokatus whether it is difficult to enter an Italian university, how to get a grant for studying, where classes are held and why you should definitely get into local libraries similar to Hogwarts.

I have been studying economics for the second year at the oldest university in Europe - the University of Bologna. In 2017, I graduated from the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University, and I thought for a long time about what to do next. Even then I knew Italian language at the C1 level and worked with Italians for a whole year - this is how the idea of ​​​​entering one of the Italian universities was born.

Every year the Italian research center Censis publishes a ranking best universities. The year I entered, the economics faculties of Trento, Padua and Bologna were recognized as the strongest. I dismissed the first one, because Trento is a completely small city (118 thousand inhabitants), and after Moscow I would definitely get bored there. I didn’t have time to get to Padua, because the entrance exams there started earlier - I risked not having time and instead of the exam, digging trenches at a military training camp. All that remained was Bologna: the oldest university in Europe with a centuries-old history and a real student spirit.

You could only choose a master's degree in your specialty, but I wanted to go into economics - I had to apply for a second higher education degree. Entrance examination included a test in mathematics, logic and comprehension skills scientific text. I managed to prepare in a couple of months, including five weeks while I was at training camp from the military department: in the breaks between assembling and disassembling the Kalash, I solved algebra examples for the 11th grade.

At the beginning of September, I passed the exam with 26 out of 36 points and entered the first year of the bachelor's degree, or, as they say here, laurea triennale.

University of Bologna

Alma Mater Studiorum, as it is commonly called in Italy, began in 1088 and was created by students for students. Those who wanted to study gathered in groups, chipped in and hired professors. The unification of such unions gave rise to the university. Initially, they studied mainly law, but from the 14th century, medicine, philosophy, arithmetic, astronomy, logic and grammar began to be taught in Bologna. The students of the university were Francesco Petrarca, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Nicolaus Copernicus, Albrecht Durer.

Today, more than 80 thousand students study at the University of Bologna, of which 7% are foreigners (for comparison: at Moscow State University there are 38 thousand students, every tenth is a citizen of another country). In addition to Bologna, classes are held in four more Italian cities - Ravenna, Rimini, Cesena and Forli, as well as in a branch in Buenos Aires. In total the university offers 215 educational programs, of which 45 are in English.

Education system

At first glance, the difference is small, only the pasta in the local student canteen is noticeably tastier. Study lasts from autumn to June-July, the year is divided into two semesters or, as it is arranged at my department, into four modules - a system that has long been practiced by some Russian universities.

But there are things that you still have to get used to.

– You won’t have to study a bunch of subjects that are not related to your specialty. My MSU diploma contains 54 items, although it does not include all the subjects that I studied. At the journalism department, a session could consist of five exams and five tests, so I sometimes memorized the list of all the subjects of the semester only at the beginning of the test week. In Italy there is a law that states that during three years of studying for a bachelor’s degree (yes, here instead of four years there are three), a student cannot study more than twenty subjects. That's three exams per semester.

- You will not be expelled for debts. Italy is a procrastinator's paradise. Most universities do not have the concept of a “tail.” You can pass all exams at least a month before receiving your diploma. Moreover, even if you have a certain amount of debt left, you can be a student for another five years, but no longer attend classes and try to pass the missing exams. Of course it's convenient and less disruptive nervous system, but, on the other hand, I know a lot of people who, by the third year of study, passed only one or two tests.

- Either study or work. Already in my first year at Moscow State University, I worked in my specialty. Combining study and career was in the order of things. It's different for Italians. My course mates either don’t work anywhere at all, or they deliver pizza or work part-time as waiters. Local employers do not want to hire students, even if it is an internship. For this reason, I have been working as a freelancer for Russian companies for two years now, although I am now actively trying to find a job here. So far no success.

– Cost of living and studying. Decisive factor for me the cost of training was relatively low. At public universities in Italy, you pay 1,500-2,000 euros for a year of bachelor’s degree, but if you collect information about the family’s financial condition, the cost can drop to the entrance fee of 157 euros. In Italy, no one will check your documents, so getting a discount is more than possible. Last year I missed submitting an application, but this year I managed to obtain all the necessary (and real) certificates, but I will only find out the result in January.

In addition to the discount, there is the opportunity to receive a scholarship. To do this, you need to pass a certain number of exams (grades are not important here), and your family income must be even lower than that provided for to receive a discount. My neighbor is not in poverty, but thanks to cunningly drawn up family documents, he receives a grant of 5,000 euros every year. True, there is one nuance. You are paid the money at the beginning of the year, and you must confirm your right to it at the end. If a student does not pass the required number of exams, he becomes a debtor to the state. Private universities have a different price range: from 2 to 12 thousand euros. But there are also discounts and grants.

As for the cost of living, on average I spend about 800 euros per month: 350-450 euros for renting a room in an apartment, 150-200 euros for groceries. Other examples of expenses: 1.5 euros for a bus ticket, 50-60 euros for dinner in a restaurant for two with a bottle of wine, 10 euros for a haircut at Arab Farid’s barbershop, 5 euros for watching a new Sorrentino film in the cinema.

Where are the classes held?

Many people believe that the University of Bologna is a group of unified buildings. In practice academic buildings scattered throughout the city. Yes, there is a university district that is half faculty buildings and the other half cheap bars, so you can get your degree if you want and never set foot outside of these few streets.

One of them houses the Faculty of Economics, where I study. The building is quite new, without centuries-old tables and antique framed portraits. But unlike the old buildings, where time seems to have stopped, there is always a selection of the latest economic press, including foreign ones, and you can easily find a normal computer.

Children from other faculties sometimes have classes in a cinema or in one of the university museums. The most interesting is Palazzo Poggi, the main university building. This is a kind of mix of the Polytechnic Museum, the Darwin Museum and the Kunstkamera. Here you can find a camera obscura, a narwhal horn, and a cutaway model of a man.

Libraries

Another opportunity to feel like you’re in a school of magic and wizardry is to go to university libraries. This is where you begin to understand that your university is older than Moscow. It is not surprising that they are always crowded: for example, the library of the Faculty of Economics consists of five floors of reading rooms, but at nine in the morning there is no free space there. It's funny that in Bologna there are quite a few libraries that are open until midnight. And this in a country where even large supermarkets and pharmacies close until nine in the evening.

Anyone can enter libraries, just don’t forget your passport. Here are some tips on where to go:

Archgymnasium (Archiginnasio)

Until the 16th century, the university did not have its own buildings where classes were held. Professors gave lectures in rooms provided by the city, in churches and even in their own homes. The Archgymnasium, the oldest building of the university, in 1561 united under its roof all the faculties that existed at that time.

Today there is both a museum part, where you can see the historical anatomical theater of the university, and one of the most interesting libraries in the city. It’s worth coming here just to sit at these ancient tables, look at the ancient tomes and look at the coats of arms on the walls, which belong to both noble professors and students.

University Library (Biblioteca universitaria di Bologna)

The library was opened in the middle of the 18th century. Today it houses the main archives of the university, so inside there is a small branch of Hogwarts. The main hall of the library, Aula Magna, was perfect for filming: centuries-old walnut cabinets full of manuscripts and ancient books.

Some parts of the library are only accessible to visitors with a guided tour: at the entrance you need to call a local employee who will guide you through the ancient halls. This is available to everyone, even if you have no affiliation with the university and don’t speak Italian.

Salaborsa Library

Salaborsa is not formally affiliated with a university, although it is full of students at any time of the day. This library is located in the city hall directly above the excavations of the ancient Roman forum, which is visible through the glass floor. There is everything here, from the latest press to different languages(including our “Arguments and Facts”) to audiobooks in Persian. The library constantly hosts free exhibitions, lectures and Italian language courses.

Salaborsa tries to keep up with the times: for example, to take a book, you just need to use a machine that looks like a self-service checkout in a supermarket. Another machine, reminiscent of an ATM, will take away the literature you have read.

Of course, there are plenty of problems here too. Classes are sometimes cancelled, there aren’t enough classrooms, and some professors don’t know how to clearly explain the material. Despite centuries-old traditions, I don’t feel any special student atmosphere here - perhaps this will come with time. However, this does not stop me from enjoying my studies. Perhaps the main advantage of studying at the University of Bologna is that I understand why I am studying it, and how it will be useful to me in later life.