Founded in 1088, Bologna University is the oldest university in the world and it has been student-centred whilst attracting prominent figures from science and the arts. Today it is a leader in the European Higher Education Area and famous for its beauty and integration with the city.Its teaching catalogue is diversified and tailored to the needs of present-day society: over 215 degree programmes among its 33 Departments, 11 Schools and over 84,000 students. A further 5000 are candidates for its PhDs and 3rd cycle programmes. The calibre of its graduates, its internationally renowned teachers and its quality research give it a competitive edge, especially in the job market. Bologna is the best Italian university for attraction of FP7 funds.Bologna has always favoured a multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural approach; it invests in international, multicultural training, research and services. It has formed knowledge alliances with industry and public/private organizations, and is a hub of international networks. Of its international and joint-degree programmes,49 are taught in English. Besides the five campuses (Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, Rimini), there is an overseas branch (Buenos Aires) coordinating research, post-graduate training and academic liaison with Latin America. Beyond its close European links Bologna enjoys multiple international connections, with North America, Africa, Asia and Australia.