Differences between Swansea University and the Università di Bologna

Since arriving in Forlì and commencing my studies at the Università di Bologna, I have noticed many differences between University life and organisation here the Università di Bologna and Swansea University. These differences were quite a shock at first, but I’m slowly getting used to university in Italy.

1. Layout

Swansea University is based in one city. It now has two campuses, but they are both in Swansea. The Università di Bologna has campuses in five different cities; Bologna, Forlì, Cesena, Rimini and Ravenna. Luckily, I’m based solely in Forlì.

2. Exams

At Swansea, generally speaking, when you sign up for a module, you are automatically registered for any exams. This is not the case here in Italy, where signing up for a module does not register you for an exam, you have to register for exams separately.

3. Lectures

In Swansea University, most of my lectures have been one hour long. At the Università di Bologna, all of my lectures are two hours long, starting as early as 9am, and finishing as late at 7pm! exhausting

4. Campus layout

Getting to and from my lectures in Swansea usually takes me a maximum of 5 minutes because the campus is quite compact. Here in Forlì, I can have one lecture in one building and then my next lecture can be on a totally different street, meaning the longest it’s taken me to walk between lectures is about 20 minutes.

5. Library

In the library in Swansea University, you can take your belongings to wherever you’re studying. In Forlì, you have to put your bag and coats in a locker before you enter the library. I’m sure by the end of the semester, I’ll be able to add more differences to this list, comparing life at Swansea University and life at the Università di Bologna in Forlì, but for now I will leave it at five!