Programme
12 October, 4.30 - 6.00 pm
Official Welcome Day
Location: Auditorium DAMSLab, Piazzetta P.P. Pasolini 5b – Bologna
Register here
Start your journey at the University of Bologna with an official welcome from the Vice-Rector for International Relations, who will greet you and introduce you to the University community. You will discover the main campus services and opportunities that will help you get oriented from your very first day.
You will also hear directly from our Student Ambassadors, who will share their experiences, practical tips and insights into student life, giving you the chance to discover the University of Bologna through the voices of fellow international students.
The Official Welcome Day offers the perfect start to your academic and social life at the University.
13 October, 5.30 - 7.00 pm
Una Europa Games Day
Location: Aula L, Belmeloro Complex, Via Andreatta 8
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Ready to meet new people and have some fun?
Join Una Europa Games Day, an interactive afternoon designed to bring international students together through games, team challenges and creative activities.
Working in international teams, you will take on a series of challenges inspired by different languages, cultures and student experiences across Europe. Some will put your knowledge to the test, others will require creativity and teamwork, and a few may even involve joining forces with another team.
No special skills or preparation are needed: just bring your curiosity, creativity and team spirit!
It is a fun way to break the ice, make new connections and start building your international community at the University of Bologna.
14 October, 2.00 - 3.30 pm
Historical Library and MEUS Visit
Meeting point: Historical Library entrance, Via Zamboni 35
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Discover two unique places at the heart of the University of Bologna and explore university life from different perspectives. Thevisit includes both the Historical Library and MEUS. Participants will be divided into small groups and will visit both locations.
Visit the Historical Library, one of Europe’s oldest and most renowned academic libraries, and discover its rich collection of rare books, manuscripts and documents reflecting centuries of scholarship and learning.
You will also visit MEUS, the European Museum of Students, where you can explore the history of student life and discover how students, their experiences and their role in society have changed over the centuries.
⚠️ Please note: The Historical Library and MEUS Visit and the Museum of the Specola Visit take place at the same time and therefore cannot be combined. Please choose and register for one activity only.
14 October, 2.00 - 4.00 pm
Specola Museum of Astronomy Visit
Location: Museum of the Specola, Via Zamboni 33
Step inside one of the University of Bologna’s most fascinating historic spaces and discover the city from a different perspective.
Housed in the 18th-century astronomical tower of Palazzo Poggi, the Specola Museum of Astronomy tells the story of centuries of astronomical observation and research at the University of Bologna. During the guided visit, you will explore the historic tower and discover the instruments, spaces and stories that shaped the study of the sky in Bologna.
⚠️ Please note: The Specola Museum of Astronomy Visit and the Historical Library and MEUS Visit take place at the same time and therefore cannot be combined. Please choose and register for one activity only.
If you choose the Specola Museum of Astronomy Visit, the same guided visit is offered in two time slots (2.00–3.00 pm and 3.00–4.00 pm). Please register for one time slot only.
2.00 - 3.00 pm – Specola Museum of Astronomy Visit - First group
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3.00 - 4.00 pm – Specola Museum of Astronomy Visit - Second group
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15 October, 3.30 - 5.30 pm
City Tour with Student Ambassadors
Meeting point: Piazza Verdi 2/A in front of the Unibo Store.
Discover Bologna through the eyes of students who already call it home! Our Student Ambassadors will guide you through the city, sharing some of their favourite places, useful tips and personal insights into student life in Bologna.
This is not just a tour of the city’s main sights: it is a chance to get your bearings, discover places you may want to return to and ask current students about everyday life in Bologna.
⚠️ Please note: Tour A and Tour B overlap and follow similar routes, so please register for one tour only, choosing the starting time that works best for you.
3.30 pm - Tour A – “Bologna Essentials: A Student’s First Walk”
This tour offers a compact introduction to Bologna’s student life and historic heart.
From Piazza Verdi through the medieval towers and lively markets, we end at Neptune’s Fountain.
A perfect walk for first-year students to discover the city’s symbols in one hour.
Start: Piazza Verdi (in front of the UniboStore, Piazza Verdi 2A)
End: Piazza Nettuno (next to the fountain).
4.00 pm - Tour B – “Bologna Unfolded: Stories of Towers and Traditions”
A slightly longer route that reveals Bologna layer by layer – towers, guilds, markets, churches.
We connect the university heritage with the city’s civic and religious landmarks.
An immersive experience for students who want to explore history, culture, and daily life.
Start: Piazza Verdi (in front of the UniboStore, Piazza Verdi 2A)
End: Piazza Santo Stefano
16 October, 2.00 - 3.00 pm
Discover the University Museum "Palazzo Poggi"
Meeting point: Palazzo Poggi entrance, via Zamboni 33
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End the Welcome Days by discovering Palazzo Poggi, one of the University of Bologna’s most fascinating historical buildings.
Its extraordinary scientific collections, historical instruments and exhibits offer a journey through the University’s long tradition of research, discovery and teaching, providing a glimpse into the development of scientific knowledge over the centuries.
The visit is a unique opportunity to explore the University’s scientific and cultural heritage and discover the history behind your new academic home.