University of Wisconsin–Madison
Back to Top

Bologna Consortial Studies Program

Two buildings, made out of limestone with several arches, ornate details, and windows, stand across from each other. There are many golden lights attached to the buildings glowing brightly.

You are responsible for obtaining the visa prior to departure. IAP will provide guidance regarding this process. The visa application process requires a lot of paperwork and multiple steps. A valid passport is required in order to begin the visa application process.  If you need to apply for a new passport or renew your current passport, please do so. You will begin the visa application process shortly after being accepted to the program.

Italy, Bologna

Discover Bologna, a classically distinct, medieval Italian city, where your academic and social life meet opportunity and variety. Walk in the footsteps of world greats and study at Europe's oldest university, the University of Bologna. Founded in the late 11th century, it is also Italy's top-ranked university. You know those guys - Dante, Petrarch, Copernicus? Yeah, they studied here. The Italian and international student population at the university turns Bologna into a vibrant city, like a college town with deep historical flair. 

The Bologna Consortial Studies Program (BCSP), of which UW-Madison is a member, is a program for the University of Bologna and a consortium of U.S. universities. Fully immerse yourself in the Italian culture, improve your language skills, and spend your academic year or semester engaged in courses with Italian students at the University, and other BCSP participants in consortium classes. If you are at an advanced level of Italian language skill, and want a true Italian university experience where you can choose from a variety of courses and subjects, this program is ideal.

Bologna, an elegant city with a population of almost half a million, is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. Excellent transportation links make it an ideal base for travel. Venice and Milan are two hours away by train; Ravenna and Florence, just an hour. An ancient city settled by the Etruscans, Bologna maintains its character and charm where medieval towers and churches loom over the porticoed streets and terra-cotta buildings of the central section. The program's BCSP office is located near the Piazza Maggiore in the center of the city.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Gain competence with the Italian language; knowledge of Italian history, culture, literature and the arts
  • Take advantage of the course offerings at the University of Bologna
  • Integrate into the academic and social environment of the University of Bologna
  • Develop a literacy in day-to-day life in Bologna
  • Experience intentional immersion in a supportive environment
  • Achieve personal development and the ability to adapt to a new culture

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

Request Information

Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Eligibility

  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students and Wisconsin residents seeking a degree at a US college or university. Consortium university students should apply directly to their home university and all other students should apply to Indiana University.
  • No Italian language experience necessary for English track students.
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA in all Italian language courses for Italian track students. 
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • 4th semester Italian for Italian track students. Higher proficiency than the minimum requirement in Italian is strongly encouraged.

  • Junior, Senior
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Humanities, social sciences, and Italian language.

Classroom Language

Italian, English

Housing

Apartments

Program Duration

Academic Year: Late August - Late June
Fall: Late August - Late December*
Spring: Mid-January - Late June

*Fall students will need to make arrangements with the Resident Director to take Unibo exams early as exams go into January.

Application Deadline(s)

Fall 2026-27 1/16/2026 Cost Details
Year 2026-27 1/16/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 9/4/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Located within the old city is the University of Bologna, Europe's oldest institution of higher learning and Italy's top-ranked university. Founded at the end of the eleventh century, it developed initially as a law school but soon afterward established its ancient tradition of humanistic studies. The University of Bologna played host to greats such as Copernicus, Dante, Petrarch, and Tasso, all of whom studied here.

Choose Intensive Italian or English Only Track
The programs offers two tracks to choose from: Italian and English. If you enroll in the Italian track, all program and university courses are taught in Italian by University of Bologna faculty. You will take the Advanced Course in Italian Language and Society to improve your command of Italian language so that you can linguistically manage in a classroom with native Italian speakers. You will also learn about Italian culture and become familiar with the history, architecture, art, and cultural heritage of Bologna, the university, and its surroundings. The language course, taught by University of Bologna faculty, focus on development of oral skills, study skills, and grammar. If you take the English track, you will take Applied Italian Communication and Culture at the BCSP center as well as courses taught in English at the University of Bologna. 

When each semester of the academic year begins, October (fall) / February (spring), you’ll enroll in a combination of BCSP and University of Bologna (UB) courses. BCSP courses are arranged for program students and offer a limited number of special courses that are taught by university professors but geared toward U.S. students.

Enrolling at UB with Italian students, you will be able to select courses from most departments. The following subjects have been taken by past students: Italian literature; anthropology; art and archeology; classics; film; history; linguistics; political science; psychology; sciences; sociology; theater and drama; and comparative or foreign literature.

Academic Year
You are required to take a minimum of 15 credits during the fall semester, which includes either the Advanced Course in Italian Language and Society or Applied Italian Communication and Culture. Your remaining credit hours will be BCSP and/or UB courses. During the spring semester you will also take a minimum of 15 credits, and at least one course will be BCSP. Over the course of the year you will take at least three UB courses (usually 6 credits each).

Fall/Spring
You are required to take a minimum of 15 credits during the semester, which includes the Advanced Course in Italian Language and Society or Applied Italian Communication and Culture. You will take a combination of BCSP courses and at least 1-2 UB courses (usually 6 credits each).

Fall-only students will arrange to take courses at UB for which you may take the final exams prior to departure in December so you can return to UW for spring term.

Affiliate Institution(s)

Universita di Bologna

Program Web Pages

Bologna Consortial Studies Program

Foreign Courses

BCSP Course Information

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents