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

Bologna, Italy

Term

Academic Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Housing

Apartment

Languages Taught In

English

Italian

Sponsor

BCSP

Program Eligibility

Student Type

UofM Students

Student Year

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors

GPA

3.0

Language Prerequisite

Dependent on track. See Academics tab

Events & Info Sessions

There are currently no events for this program. Explore more events on our events page.

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.

Dates Details

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

Term	Dates	Deadline
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.

Fees

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

Academic Yr Fall 2026/Spring 2027
Spring Semester 2027
Fall Semester 2026

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

Log in to the LAC application portal and select the program and term you plan to participate in.
Submit items in your LAC application checklist. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the LAC will contact the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
You will be notified of admission by the affiliate. You'll then be admitted by the LAC and this will be reflected in your LAC application checklist.
Once ready, confirm your spot on the program with both the LAC and affiliate. From here, you'll be provided guidance by the LAC and affiliate on preparing for your upcoming experience!

P.S. Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit, only the LAC's deposit as outlined on our Billing page. The affiliate accepts the LAC’s deposit as indication of confirmation.

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.