Study Italian in Bologna
Study Italian in Bologna, a beautiful and historic city, with a reputation for being a centre for both Italian culture and academic excellence.
Prices & dates for Bologna
Why study Italian in Bologna?
Bologna seamlessly blends the vibrant charm of its historic architecture with the lively energy of modern crowds exploring its streets. Celebrated for its academic prestige, exquisite cuisine, and distinctive red brick buildings, Bologna proudly embraces the slogan La dotta, la grassa, la rossa — the learned, the fat, the red. While these three aspects capture the essence of the city, Bologna has much more to offer.
The Università di Bologna, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest university in the Western world. Initially focused on law, it expanded its faculties to accommodate the growing number of students over the centuries. This influx of residents and scholars led to the creation of the city’s iconic porticoes, designed to extend living spaces and facilitate movement between businesses and vendors. In 2021, Bologna’s porticoes were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The historic centre features the renowned Two Towers, stunning stone bell towers dating back to the 12th century. From the top of the Asinelli Tower, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Bologna and the surrounding hills. For centuries, Piazza Maggiore has served as the heart of the city’s social life, surrounded by ancient—and sometimes unfinished—facades that have witnessed countless gatherings. The Fountain of Neptune, crafted by the celebrated 16th-century sculptor Giambologna, stands proudly in the adjacent square.
Our school in Bologna
Our family-run school enjoys a privileged position, just inside where the ancient walls used to encompass Bologna. Bologna is a very walkable city that is only around 3km wide! It only takes around 30-35 minutes on foot to traverse the city centre so it’s a pleasure to explore. You will see lots of people also use bicycles to get around, and, for when you want a rest, the school is located on one of the main bus routes.
A stunning Art Nouveau building is home to our language school, which was founded more than 25 years ago! The beautiful building has a fantastic range of facilities for students to enjoy during their Italian language programme. The 10 classrooms are bright and air-conditioned to ensure optimum comfort during the warmer months. There is also a library with a wide range of books and DVDs available to borrow, student common areas (including a lovely shaded garden) and a coffee station, and a large, modern kitchen which is used for cooking classes and other similar activities.
Our school is a well-established institution with a myriad of quality ‘stamps’, including full membership of IALC and ASILS, as well as accreditation by CSN and recognition for Bildungsurlaub. Furthermore, anyone planning to take an exam during their studies will be pleased to note that the school is a registered test centre for the CILS, CELI, AIL and CERT.IT exams. The student support staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have regarding the exam options available to you.
Another nice feature of our language school is the fact that it teaches other languages to local Italian people, with these lessons usually taking place in the afternoon and evening. These courses not only mean that some school staff are available into the evening each weekday, but also that there will be local Italian speakers in the building for you to get chatting to!
Location of our school in Bologna
What courses are available in Bologna?
Available courses
Our school in Bologna offers a range of courses: Intensive, Intensive + Private Lessons, Private Lessons, Duo Courses, and Intensive + Cultural Lessons.
In the Intensive Italian course students will learn Italian grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, as well as build speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. The Intensive course has a minimum of 23 lessons per week, with each lesson being 60 minutes long.
Private Lessons can be booked either in addition to the Intensive course or on their own. Private lessons are one-on-one bespoke lessons where students can study an area of focus in Italian with a tutor.
Duo courses can also be booked for students travelling together.
You can choose to add-on cookery or wine courses, or cultural lessons which cover either Italian art or literature to the Intensive course.
Special courses in Bologna
Accommodation options in Bologna
Available accommodation
Please note: Since 2023 our Italian school in Bologna is charging a €35 cleaning fee for all types of accommodation. This is extra to the published price.
Students can choose to stay in one of three accommodation options during their course: a Host Family, a Shared Apartment, or a Shared Apartment with Host.
Host Family accommodation is recommended for students who want the maximum amount of immersion during their course. Hosts are local native Italian speakers, helping students to practice their conversational outside the classroom during mealtimes and in the evenings. Students can book single rooms at half board, or in shared rooms if students are travelling together.
Shared Apartments with a Host are much the same as Host Family stays, except students have access to the Host’s kitchen and is on a self catered basis. Shared Apartments with a Host can be booked as single rooms, or shared rooms for students travelling together.
Shared Apartments are a good option for students who want more independence during their course. Apartments include a shared kitchen and common room, as well as shared bathroom. Students can book a single room on a self catering basis. All residents in the shared apartment are other students. Shared rooms can be booked for students travelling together.
Available activities in Bologna
The activity programme has a range of exciting and educational trips and activities for students during their time in Bologna. You can take part in cooking classes to learn the art of Italian cuisine, dip your toes into the world of wine tasting, and participate in guided tours of the city and its iconic sights. Students can also take part in a range of excursions to neighbouring areas such as Verona, San Marino, Parma, Florence, Venice, and Siena. All activities and excursions are conducted in Italian to ensure maximum immersion during the course.
Sample activity programmeHow to get to our school in Bologna
Transfers from/to Bologna Airport and Bologna Train Station are available for an additional fee. Our school is approximately 11.5 km from Bologna Airport and is accessible via Marconi Express and Public transportation within about 30-60 minutes.
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Bologna: Student reviews & feedback
Intensive 23 with Shared apartment with host
I took the second week of a two week beginner course but was able to pass the exam no problem because the teachers were so excellent. It is a great school. I learned so much I can hardly believe it. I hope to return to Italy for more extensive studies perhaps 50+. Bologna is a wonderful town for studying Italian and the teachers are great.
I stayed with a host in a lovely huge modern apartment self catered. Everything was perfect.
The Apple staff were great as always. Thank you so much Apple languages. You are the best!
- P. Maurice
Club 45+
I recommend the Bologna school because although the equipment is very limited and the school small, the teachers are very well qualified + very professional + very committed to their students. And I know what I am talking about because I was a teacher at College for 40 years !
- M. Ndjekeri
Intensive 20 + Private lessons with Host Family
Professional and friendly teachers, high level of classes, very friendly and welcoming host family.
- H. Vande Ginste
Intensive 20 + Cultural lessons with Host Family
The course was great. On reflection I would have been better placed in B2 rather than C1. The teachers were outstanding in every way.
- M. Burrell
Intensive 20 + Private lessons with Host Family
I enjoyed the course very much. The teachers were excellent and the materials used were interesting. Extra events such as lunches, guided visits and aperitif organised by the school were most enjoyable. The total immersion in Italian I was hoping for.
Pleasant, welcoming host and comfortable room. Centrally located and an easy walk to the school.
- H. Shields
Intensive 23 with Host Family
Standard of language teaching was very high and lessons were lots of fun. I appreciated that the teachers got to know their students and encouraged us to draw from our experiences.
Overall accommodation was good. The student house was nice to live in, only some plumbing issues. Host family was also a good experience although I had some communication issues with the host and the school concerning my changeover in accommodation.
Apple Languages have been superb. Their replies are always prompt and their staff have always been friendly and helpful, especially when sorting out a problem that arose between me and the language school.
- J. Geneen
Intensive 20 + Private lessons
The teacher was very friendly and helpfull. A personal approach, and she paid a lot of attention to every individual. We had a nice appartment, near the old centre of Bologna and about 20 mins walking to the school.
- F. Heeringa
Intensive 23 with Host Family
Great school and language program. Lots of activities and possibilities to take extra classes. Very knowledgeable teachers
Very friendly family making sure my stay is memorable. Great facility with a separate room and bathroom
- P. Szewczyl
Intensive 20 + Private lessons with Host Family
The staff were all very friendly and helpful, and there was an excellent range of afternoon and evening activities - from tours of the city, to excursions, to boardgames, to extra grammar and language classes. All of these (except train tickets) were included in the cost of the course which was excellent. The class teaching was done well.
The accommodation was clean and tidy, I was served freshly cooked food every day and it was in a truly excellent location - near the bus stop, the park, the school, and 25 minutes from town.
- J. Boulton
Intensive 23 with Host Family
Apart from being the only (ancient) bloke amongst six undergraduates , I found the whole course very effective and the tutors quick to spot and remediate individual and group needs. The host family was the best I have ever had, in a welcoming and very well briefed family who supported my total immersion into Italian and who were as effective tutors as the college staff.
- A. Murphy
Intensive 20 + Private lessons with Host Family
The focus the school has on speaking skills is very good, in barely one month and with no previous classes I was able to communicate. My host family were very friendly and cultured people, not only did they provided a great place to stay but showed me arround the city and gave me information about places I should visit. They treated me very well and made it feel like home.
- T. Zumarraga
The course was excellent. Staff were dedicated to their job, very patient and encouraging . Students are welcomed with a smile ! Because the number of students was low, everyones needs were met. Thank you to all
- M. Boyer
School statistics
Nationality (%)
Australia (5)
Brazil (3)
French speakers (6)
Germany (11)
Latin America (spanish speakers) (7)
Other (36)
Russia (3)
Switzerland (16)
Uk (6)
Usa (7)
Average Student Numbers
Student stories on our blog
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Company Number: 08311373
