The cost of studying at the University of Bologna varies depending on the program and the student's nationality (EU or non-EU). On average, the annual tuition fees are as follows:  

- EU Students: approximately €1,000 to €2,500 per year.

- Non-EU Students: approximately €2,500 to €4,000 per year.  

The university offers several scholarships to support both local and international students:

1. Unibo Action 2:

This scholarship is for international students enrolling in a study program at the university. It provides a waiver of tuition fees and a stipend to cover living expenses.

2. Regional Scholarships:

The Emilia-Romagna region offers scholarships to students based on their financial situation and academic merits.

3. Merit-Based Scholarships:

The university also provides merit-based scholarships for outstanding students, which can help cover tuition and living costs.

4. Erasmus+ Program:

Students studying at the University of Bologna can participate in the Erasmus+ program, which allows them to study abroad at partner universities across Europe with financial support.

Additionally, the university offers significant benefits for students with limited financial means. For families with an income of up to €27,000 per year, a full scholarship program is available, requiring only a symbolic fee of €157 for the entire academic year. Students must also provide proof of their English proficiency with an IELTS certificate, with an average score of 6.0 or higher.

This is why Alice came to our school. Given the limited time of just 1.5 months, the task was quite challenging. However, Alice, with her incredible determination, accepted this challenge. 

To create an effective strategy, we needed to conduct a detailed assessment.

According to the table "English Levels and IELTS Band Equivalents," to score at least 6.0 on the exam, you need to have an Upper-Intermediate level of English.

At the start of her preparation, Alice's English level was at Intermediate with elements of Upper-Intermediate. However, she lacked knowledge in key topics from both levels and practical application of her existing grammar skills.

This was the main challenge: in just 45 days, we needed to cover the entire IELTS preparation program and improve her English level by studying topics from Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate.

Let's take a closer look at Alice's starting point:

1. Average Grammar Level

She understood many rules but did not use them at all. To confirm her Upper-Intermediate level, we needed to confidently use certain structures. This meant demonstrating topics in both active speaking and writing, such as:

- Present Perfect Simple vs. Present Perfect Continuous

- Past Perfect Simple vs. Past Perfect Continuous

- Future Perfect and Future Continuous

- Zero, First, Second, Third Conditional — review and expansion

- Mixed Conditionals (e.g., If I had studied, I would be working here now.)

- Inverted Conditionals (e.g., Had I known, I would have acted differently.)

- All tenses in Passive Voice

- Passive with reporting verbs (e.g., It is said that…)

- Passive in causative form (have/get something done)

- Variety of reporting verbs (advise, recommend, warn, etc.)

2. Vocabulary was at the Intermediate level

Our task was to turn everything into active use and practice words in a way that would expand her vocabulary and strengthen the use of language necessary to confirm her Upper-Intermediate level and successfully pass the IELTS.

For example, to discuss the topic of learning methods, you need to use the following words:

Skills & Learning Methods

- Critical thinking

- Problem-solving skills

- Time management

- Note-taking

- Memorise / learn by heart

- Self-study / autonomous learning

- Peer learning

3. Coherence was at the Intermediate level

However, Alice had a high potential for improvement. Our speaking and writing strategies, designed specifically for IELTS preparation, allowed her to effectively activate her existing vocabulary and grammar knowledge, significantly enhancing the quality and coherence of her speech.

The IELTS exam is a serious challenge that requires months of preparation. But what if there are only 45 days left until the big day? Traditional preparation methods were not an option — there wasn't enough time to systematically cover all levels. We needed a bold plan, and we developed one.

We abandoned the standard approach and used the intensive preparation course "IELTS YouSkill." This is not just a set of lessons; it is a fully supported course with a focused program. It includes individual lessons, mentor reviews, and a complete preparation program for all four parts of the exam, plus visual level enhancement.

1. The first stage of preparation was to improve the English level.

We focused on the practical application of the selected material, honing skills that are critical for the exam. This was a true sprint, requiring full commitment from both us and the student. These topics allowed us to activate the necessary vocabulary and grammar structures that helped confirm her Upper-Intermediate level on the exam.

2. The second stage involved direct preparation for the IELTS exam, where we systematically covered all parts: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.

The program was very intensive, with the student studying 4-5 hours a day. This allowed her to refine all the necessary skills and practice every section. Alice also regularly attended individual lessons, where she worked with a personal tutor to practice challenging areas, especially in the Speaking and Writing sections.

In each section of IELTS preparation, we provide not just the tools for success but also strategies for handling each task: filling in the blanks, taking tests, and matching exercises.

You can be 100% confident. In our course, you will always find the tools that will help you effectively work on tasks and complete them within a limited time.

Taking the IELTS exam is an important step for many who seek to confirm their English language proficiency. While most focus on preparing for the exam itself, it is equally important to pay attention to the administrative side of the process.

When Alice took the exam, she witnessed an unusual situation that clearly demonstrated how critical it is for the document provided at registration to match the document shown on exam day.

Our student arrived at the IELTS exam with a valid passport, and her exam went smoothly. Her experience contrasts with that of another candidate who faced an unpleasant surprise.

This candidate received a new passport after registering for the IELTS. He showed up for the exam with his new document, forgetting that he had registered with the old one. When he presented his new passport at the test center, the staff informed him that he could not take the test because the document did not match the one he registered with. As a result, despite being ready for the exam, he was not allowed to take it. This situation highlights the importance of paying attention to the smallest details when preparing for the IELTS.

Why is such strict compliance necessary?

The exam organizers strive to ensure the integrity and transparency of the process. Matching the candidate's document with the information in the registration database is an essential part of the identification procedure. Any discrepancy may be perceived as an attempt at fraud, which automatically leads to denial of entry.

We share with you some detailed recommendations:

• Remember your registration document number: Write down or save the document number provided during registration. This will help avoid confusion in the future.
  
  
• Double-check your information at every stage: Carefully review all the details provided during registration on the official IELTS website. Ensure that all information is correct and matches your document.
  
  
• Use the same document: It is strongly recommended to use the same identification document for both registration and taking the exam.
  
  
• If you change your document, contact the organizers: If you change your passport or another identification document after registration, immediately contact the IELTS organizers and inform them of the changes. They can guide you on the necessary steps to update your information.

By successfully achieving a score of 6.5 on the IELTS, confirming her Upper-Intermediate level, Alice opened the door to higher education abroad.

With such a score, students can apply to many universities for bachelor's, master's, or even PhD programs. Here are some opportunities and benefits that come with this result:  

- England: University of Manchester, University of Bristol, and University of Leeds;

- Australia: University of Sydney and University of Queensland;

- Canada: University of Toronto and University of British Columbia;

- New Zealand: University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington.

Additionally, with a score of 6.5, students can participate in international programs like Erasmus+, which allows them to study in other European countries for a certain period while earning credit hours for their main program.

However, opportunities are not limited to English-speaking countries. An interesting option for admission is Italy! Italy offers a unique chance to receive an education at prestigious universities, with potentially more lenient English language requirements. Many Italian universities accept students with IELTS scores of 5.5-6.0, and some even offer scholarship programs for such candidates.

Among the universities in Italy that offer programs in English and are potentially accessible to students with IELTS 6.5 (and even 5.5-6.0), we can highlight:

- University of Bologna: Offers programs in English in fields such as International Relations, Business Administration, Economics, and Humanities. The university also provides scholarships like Unibo Action 2 and scholarships for international students. Link to official website

- University of Milan: Provides programs in English in Life Sciences, Economics, and Social Sciences. Various scholarships are available, including regional and university scholarships, to support international students. Link to official website

- University of Turin: Offers master's programs in English in areas such as International Relations, Finance, and Sociology. The university also provides scholarships for students based on academic merit and financial need. Link to official website