Elevated view of Bologna, Italy

Bologna Consortial Studies Program —

  1. Program Details

    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.

    Location Bologna, Italy
    Term Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester
    Housing Apartment
    Credit Type Resident Credit
    Sponsor BCSP

    Program Eligibility

    GPA B average in Italian language courses
    Student Type UofM Students
    Student Year Juniors, Seniors
    Language 4 semesters of college level Italian for fall semester, and 5 semesters for spring semester

    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.

  2. 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 local Italians, 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. All courses are taught entirely in Italian.

    Fall semester will start with an intensive language course that all 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 abroad only for the spring semester must have at least 5 semesters of college-level Italian.

    For more information, visit the BCSP website.

    Finding Course Information

    Learn about country-specific academic terminology and how to find host university 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. Students must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.

    Finding Course Information

    Learn about country-specific academic terminology and how to find host university course information.

  3. Dates & Deadlines

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

     Fall 2020  Late August to mid December   March 15th
     Academic Year 2020/2021  Late August to mid June  March 15th
     Spring 2021  Early January to mid June  October 1st

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

    Orientation Dates & Locations

    Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.

    The date for the in-person Fall semester 2020 & Academic Year 2020-2021 orientation session is as follows:

    Term Abroad Date/Time Location
    Fall 2021 TBD TBD

  4. Fees for Bologna Consortial Studies Program

    Academic Year 2019-2020

    Fall 2019

    Students from the University of Minnesota participating on this program are charged the above program fee. This includes tuition as well as the cost of application processing, advising services, course registration, grade transfer and posting for resident credit, assistance with financial aid, and international health insurance. Housing, airfare and meals are not included in the program fee.

    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.

    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.

     

  5. Prepare

    Complete pre-application advising.

    Be aware: All programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.

    To complete the online application for this program, you will need to select or provide the following information on the online application:

    Center Name TC Learning Abroad Ctr
    Education Abroad Term See the Dates page for term options
    Program Name BCSP
    Track Name See the Dates page for track name
    Country Select the country of your program location

    Note: If the specific track and term of the affiliated program you wish to apply to cannot be found within the application system, select “Program Not Found” on the application, and enter your specific application information in the fields given to request an application. Our staff will review your application and update your program, track, and term information.

    Submit

    This program will require additional approval steps for Spring 2021 due to COVID19. Connect with your LAC program contact for more information.

    University of Minnesota Student—apply

    Use your University of Minnesota internet ID and password to log into the Education Abroad application system. Your student account will be charged a $50 application fee.

    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 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 acceptance decision by email. If accepted, 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.

  6. Program Contact

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

    Whitney Westley Fisher or call at 612.625.8827.