Overview
The University of Bergamo is a young, compact state university that has grown quickly in the last two decades and deliberately positioned itself as an international institution. It is organised around engineering, including management engineering, economics and business, foreign languages and communication, education and psychology, and law. The engineering school is on a separate campus in Dalmine, an industrial town a few kilometres away, which reflects the university’s close links to the local manufacturing economy.
The English-taught offer is proportionally generous for a university of this size, with bachelor’s degrees in areas such as economics, business and engineering and a wider set of English master’s degrees. The international office runs a dedicated admissions process for non-EU students, organises welcome activities and offers scholarships for selected international applicants.
Bergamo itself is a handsome, prosperous city split between the medieval Città Alta on the hill, where humanities and languages are taught, and the modern lower city. It has its own international airport, which is a practical advantage for students flying home, and Milan is an hour away by train. Costs are noticeably lower than Milan, and the city is safe and orderly, though smaller and quieter than a metropolis.
Who it suits
Bergamo suits students in management, engineering, economics, business and languages who want a smaller, well-run university with an international outlook, lower living costs and easy access to Milan and the airport. It is a good choice for applicants who prefer a close-knit campus and clear administration over the scale of a large city university.
What to check before applying
- Confirm whether your programme is in Città Alta, the lower city or at the Dalmine engineering campus.
- Check the non-EU application rounds and scholarship deadlines for international students.
- Apply for university and regional residence places early, especially for Dalmine.
- Verify the English certificate level required for English-taught degrees.
- Consider transport between Dalmine and Bergamo when choosing housing.