Student halls of residence in Bologna

Ciao! If you are planning your exchange or your studies in this Italian city, you are surely thinking about searching for accommodation. Here we give you all the information you need to take into account about student residences in Bologna. You can read about their advantages and disadvantages, the differences between private residences and university residences, how to find an affordable residence and answers to the most frequently asked questions among young people. Andiamo, ragazzi!

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Bologna

These are some of the most notable:

Pros of living in student dorms in Bologna

It gives you the possibility of living in a multicultural environment and surrounding yourself with people from different parts of the world. Plus, it's a great way to meet people as soon as you arrive in Bologna so you're not alone.
They are usually well-equipped to spend both winter and summer. Remember that, in Bologna, temperatures vary between 0º and 31ºC, so it is very cold in winter and very hot in summer.
The costs of services such as internet, water, electricity, etc. are included in the price of monthly rent. Even the use of heating and air conditioning!
The cleaning of common areas is also included in the price, that is, it’s carried out by the same residence. This prevents problems related to cleaning with other roommates.
They have facilities and amenities which may include: sofa area to relax, study room, gym, laundry, outdoor patio and/or terrace with pool.

Cons of living in student dorms in Bologna

Some ask for payment of an administrative fee when making the reservation, which can go up to €250 in some cases. (This is not part of the deposit.)
The most common thing is that they accept only students, but sometimes they also host professors or academic workers. This makes the atmosphere in the residence change quite a bit.
They can refuse to allow you to register your residence there, something that can be vital for certain procedures in Italy.
The coexistence rules are stricter than in private flats, especially in university residences. This in terms of schedules, reception of guests and use of common spaces, for example.
Some residences in Bologna can have more than 200 rooms! This will surely influence your concentration when you have to start studying, because there will always be something more fun to do with the residents.

Private student residences in Bologna

In the private student residences in this Italian city, the most common accommodation you will find are studio apartments, with a private kitchen and bathroom. They can be for one or two people, even having separate beds. The cost of studio flats is usually more expensive than student rooms, but it has everything you need if you want privacy, and also offers access to common areas to share with other residents.

Speaking of common spaces, among them there may be: sofa area to relax, study room, gym, laundry, outdoor patio and/or terrace with pool. In addition, some residences put thermostats in each room so students can regulate the temperature to their liking, which is great!

Private residences in Bologna usually have several services, including 24-hour security and a washing machine area (which sometimes has a separate cost). Furthermore, they are usually fully equipped with everything you need to move in, including bedding and kitchenware.

Regarding the location of these residences, they are usually in different areas of Bologna! You will find them, for example, in Bolognina, in the historic centre and close to the Città Universitaria. All these areas have good access to the city's higher level institutions.

University student halls of residence in Bologna

Most of the university residences in this Italian city are run by a state organisation, such as ER.GO in the case of the University of Bologna. These residences may have stricter rules of coexistence compared to private residences. For example, you have to notify and leave the keys to your room if you are going to be away for more than seven days, or the hours of use of the common areas end at 11:00 p.m.

Another detail to keep in mind is that in some periods, such as summer or Christmas holidays, the residence may close or even make temporary rentals to people who are not students (who must have the room empty for their use).

Keep in mind that some of the university residences in Bologna usually do not have details such as: bedding, pillow, towels, kitchenware and kitchen utensils.

The university residences in Bologna offer services like cleaning of common areas, maintenance of facilities and laundry areas where to do the laundry (usually has an extra cost).

University Residences of the University of Bologna

This institution has several residences in the city of Bologna, carried by the organism called ER.GO. To access them you have to meet certain requirements, which can be both economic and merit-based, and sometimes even require that you have Italian nationality. Please also note that they cannot guarantee that you will receive a place due to the high number of applications they receive each year. UNIBO is one of those that receives the most exchange students in all of Italy!

If you want to know about the accommodation near the University of Bologna, read this article.

Rent cheap student residences in Bologna

In the Erasmus Play search engine, you can compare the different private residences, filtering by price and being able to see which ones are the cheapest. You can also see other characteristics of the accommodation, being able to choose the ideal residence for you and make the reservation completely securely and online. Remember that Bologna welcomes a large number of students every year, the earlier you make the reservation, the better! In addition, this way you can worry about other issues during your stay, such as finding which is the best pizzeria in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Bologna

What are the requirements to apply for a place in a student residence in Bologna?
Private residences are usually quite easy when it comes to paperwork, requiring proof of enrollment at a University, a valid identification document and a guarantor (if you don't pay for all accommodation in advance). For their part, university residences may request some additional requirements, such as financial and even merit tests to be able to access a place. Be careful that they also have deadlines for submitting papers!
How much does a student residence in Bologna cost?
This varies greatly depending on the type of accommodation you choose. The minimum cost is usually around €240 per month, for a shared room in a university residence. However, the average is around €600 per month. And it can go up to €1,200 per month in the case of a studio apartment!
What’s cheaper, an apartment or a student residence in Bologna?
The cost of residences that belong to the Universities is typically the cheapest, followed by shared rooms in private flats. These start from €300 per month onwards. Private residences are indeed more expensive, but this is due to all the amenities and services they provide to residents.
When to apply for a student residence in Bologna?
As soon as possible! Students from previous years say that finding accommodation in Bologna is a very complicated task, so we recommend that you start as soon as possible and book as soon as you find a residence that meets all your preferred characteristics.
Are there female or male university residences in Bologna?
Yes, there is a male residence in the city, which has single or triple rooms. However, it is not common to find female residences in Bologna.