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Learning Abroad Center
Basilica di San Petronio in Bologna

Bologna Consortial Studies Program

Europe
University Study

The Bologna Consortial Studies Program (BCSP) offers students the opportunity to study for a full academic year or semester at the University of Bologna. Choose from coursework across disciplines at one of the oldest universities in Europe and experience the food capital of Italy.

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Program Details

Location icon
Location
Bologna, Italy
Term icon
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Housing icon
Housing
Apartment
Languages Taught In icon
Languages Taught In
English
Italian
Sponsor
Sponsor
BCSP

Program Eligibility

Student Type icon}
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year icon
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA Requirement icon
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisite icon
Language Prerequisite
Dependent on track. See Academics tab

The Bologna Consortial Studies Program (BCSP) offers qualified students the opportunity to study for a full academic year or semester at the University of Bologna. Choose from coursework across disciplines at one of the oldest universities in Europe and experience the gastronomic capital of Italy.

Program Structure

The BCSP program is a consortium program run through Indiana University. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades count toward your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript. More information can be found on the Academic Policies page.

The BCSP program allows for cultural immersion through classes at the local university, living with other students, and the possibility to do an internship with a local organization. 

Coursework

While studying on the BCSP program, you will take some classes at the University of Bologna, and some classes at the BCSP center. Classes at the BCSP center are limited and are with other US students studying abroad. Beyond that, you can choose from a wide variety of classes at the University of Bologna, where you will be in class with local Italian students. There are two academic tracks, dependent on your language level.

Italian-Taught Track

If studying on the Italian track, you will take your classes in Italian and so must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters of college level Italian, or equivalent. The Italian-taught classes include BCSP classes taught in Italian and classes at the University of Bologna in Italian. It is possible to take one University of Bologna course in English, if this works for your academic degree plan. 

Fall semester will start with an intensive language course that all Italian-taught BCSP students take together. Once that is completed, you will start your University of Bologna courses and your BCSP courses. Spring semester does not start with an intensive language course, so students studying on the Italian-Taught track for the spring semester only must have at least 5 semesters of college-level Italian.

English-Taught Track

If studying on the English track, there is no minimum level of Italian required and classes will be taken in English. All students on this track will take an Applied Italian Communication & Culture course through BCSP. The rest of your courses will be taken through University of Bologna. There is a wide range of courses available in English. 

For more information, visit the BCSP website.

Finding Course Information

This is an affiliate program. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies for more information.

Affiliate organizations and partner universities will not accept applications from UMTC students without the endorsement of the Learning Abroad Center. You must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.

Accessibility

If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.

Dates Details

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

TermDatesDeadline
Spring 2027 Early January to late June September 15th
Academic Year 2026–27 Late August to mid June March 1st
Fall 2026 Late August to mid December  March 1st

**If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials by the following business day.

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center provides a pre-departure orientation(s) in addition to the orientation offered by your affiliate program team. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
  • LAC Affiliate Orientation (live Zoom session): UofM-specific information will be covered (academic planning, finances, etc.). Details on the LAC affiliate orientation will be sent to you via email.
  • Affiliate Provider Orientation: This orientation will cover program-specific information. Your affiliate provider will invite you to a pre-departure orientation leading up to your departure.

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Each of our affiliated programs awards its own array of scholarships. While many are need-based, others are based on merit, location, academic area, or diversity criteria. Explore your options within specific affiliates' scholarship pages.

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Flight & Deposit Advance

The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling

Academic Yr Fall 2026/Spring 2027

Bologna Consortial Studies Program

Program Housing

Program Fee
  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit
$400
Tuition and educational costs
$38,707
International health insurance
$933
Housing and/or meals
$0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee)
$0
Total Program Fee
$40,040
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable
$0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable
$40,040
Estimated Additional Expenses
  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site
$1,800
Passport/photos
$175
Visa/required documents
$60 for the cost of the visa, and $120 for the residence permit, paid when you arrive.
$180
Travel clinic/immunizations*
$0
Housing deposit
$0
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure
$2,155
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials
$400
Housing and/or meals not included in program fee
Includes rent, utilities, and meals ($1500 per month)
$15,000
Essential daily living expenses
Includes things like transportation, toiletries, cost of required cell phone, etc.
$2,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
$17,400
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
$59,595
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation
$3,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Spring Semester 2027

Bologna Consortial Studies Program

Program Housing

Program Fee
  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit
$400
Tuition and educational costs
$23,927
International health insurance
$513
Housing and/or meals
$0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee)
$0
Total Program Fee
$24,840
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable
$0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable
$24,840
Estimated Additional Expenses
  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site
$1,800
Passport/photos
$175
Visa/required documents
$60 for the cost of the visa, and $120 for the residence permit, paid when you arrive.
$180
Travel clinic/immunizations*
$0
Housing deposit
$0
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure
$2,155
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials
$200
Housing and/or meals not included in program fee
Includes rent, utilities, and meals ($1500 per month)
$9,000
Essential daily living expenses
Includes things like transportation, toiletries, cost of required cell phone, etc.
$1,200
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
$10,400
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
$37,395
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation
$1,500
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Fall Semester 2026

Bologna Consortial Studies Program

Program Housing

Program Fee
  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit
$400
Tuition and educational costs
$23,929
International health insurance
$366
Housing and/or meals
$0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee)
$0
Total Program Fee
$24,695
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable
$0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable
$24,695
Estimated Additional Expenses
  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site
$1,800
Passport/photos
$175
Visa/required documents
$60 for the cost of the visa, and $120 for the residence permit, paid when you arrive.
$180
Travel clinic/immunizations*
$0
Housing deposit
$0
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure
$2,155
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials
$200
Housing and/or meals not included in program fee
Includes rent, utilities, and meals ($1500 per month)
$6,000
Essential daily living expenses
Includes things like transportation, toiletries, cost of required cell phone, etc.
$1,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
$7,200
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
$34,050
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation
$1,500
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

  • Application Essay
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation (One needs to be completed by a recent Italian instructor/professor and should include a detailed description of your language level and proficiency) 

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Next Steps

  1. Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
  2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
  3. Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
  4. Your completed application is reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the Learning Abroad Center contacts the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
  5. You will be notified of an admission decision by email. If admitted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
  6. Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit. The affiliate accepts the Learning Abroad Center’s deposit as indication of confirmation. The Learning Abroad Center deposit is submitted by completing the Confirmation and Payment Agreement found on the confirmation checklist assigned to you.
  7. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log in to the online application and submit a Cancel Request. You must also notify your affiliate of your cancellation.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Sara McCabe at [email protected], or call at 612.624.9373.