The University of Bari was founded in 1925.The university offers various courses for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students. Aside from teaching, the university is also focused on scientific research at the doctorate level. The University of Bari research centres are highly-interactive, having connections among different departments, universities, and other research centres.The University of Bari is one of the most prestigious universities in Southern Italy and it is one of the largest universities in Italy, with a student population of around 60,000.
– Wikipedia

The typical academic year follows this structure:

• October-December: First Semester lessons
• December/January: Roughly 2 weeks of Christmas holidays,
• The remainder of January is the end of the First Semester lessons
• Rest of January: Study break
• February: One month study break; Beginning of Exam season
• March-May: Second Semester classes and one week Easter break.
• June-July: Study break and exam session
• August: University is closed
• September: Study break and exam session

Q: First semester subjects:

• Physics: 72 hours
• Chemistry and introduction to biochemistry: 72 hours
• General Psychology: 12 hours
• Informatics: 12 hours
• Doctor-Patient relationship: 12 hours
• Cytology: 12 hours
• Genetics: 36 hours
• Cellular Biology: 48 hours
• History of medicine: 12 hours
• Bioethics and moral philosophy: 12 hours

Q: Second semester subjects:

• Biochemistry I: 72 hours
• Histology: 60 hours
• Embryology: 36 hours
• Human Anatomy: 48 hours (but the professor unfortunately didn’t show up due to some problem the year of 2016-2017)
• Semiology of normal joints, part I: 12 hours
• Principles of Surgical Semiology: 24 hours
• Principles of Developmental US imaging: 12 hours
• Principles of emergency Medicine: 12 hours
• Principles of Medical Semiology: 12 hours
• Minor Surgery: 12 hours

What happened with Anatomy in 2016-17 (because the professor didn’t show up)?
Usually Anatomy I is done in the second semester of 1st year, and anatomy II is done in the second semester of 2nd year. Since there were some issues, as some students reported, they will do Anatomy I and II all together in one semester. The exam session of Anatomy I will however have to wait till the 2nd year, apparently. Students started in mid-October.

Q: Are the professors fluent in English? Can I easily understand them?
Some of the professors are fluent English speakers, while others are not as smooth, but not to the extent that you cannot understand them. Most importantly, they are willing to help you pass your exams (trust me this is true!). I would like to inform you, though, that the exams are not a piece of cake, but then again neither is Medicine; they are not supposed to be easy. Someones life is going to be in your hands one day.

Q: What about exams? What are they like?
What I’ve found to be difficult when it comes to examinations, is that it is mainly oral. Only some exams are written – and those are the easy ones, unfortunately. While the others are oral or both written and oral. Anyway, this depends on how you’re used to being examined. Thus, it depends on the person.

Q: What are the tuition fees and living expenses?
The living expenses are lower compared to other cities of central and northern Italy. It is a small town, so much so, that within an hour walk you would have crossed it fully, thus also making it quiet. An average on the living expenses that we have calculated is around €500 euro monthly for rent and food. Obviously these numbers fluctuate depending on the student, but it is quite difficult to go over such a budget since Bari is very affordable.

Q: I heard some universities offer free Italian language courses? Is it the same for Bari?
Unfortunately, at the moment, the University itself does not provide free Italian lessons, but the Erasumus association does I believe, so learning Italian would not be an issue. You would have to attend a private course. As far as I’m aware, they are not that expensive, but you still have to pay.

Q: Do we study in the morning or afternoon? How are the classes organised ?
It’s mainly in the morning. The 1st semester programme is quite long. Lessons are from 09:00 to 17:00 with lunch from 13:00-14:00 and of course smaller breaks during the classes. In second semester, classes are from 09:00 to 14:00 at the latest.

Q: What about accommodation?
You can find accommodation, but not that easily if you arrive in October because classes would have already begun. By then most apartments will have already been taken. If you are fortunate enough to learn of your acceptance by September, then you can easily find a place to live.
To get an idea: A private room in a shared apartment would cost around €250 euros with most utilities covered (internet, gas, heat etc.)

Q: What are the clinical years like in Italy/Bari?
Bari isn’t involved that much in clinical work, although we do get some opportunities to go to the wards (but mostly just to observe). However, you can request to do a one week internship with a professor and from what I’ve heard, you can do a lot more “hands-on” stuff then.
Clinical years are not that much different with regards to the timetable from your first year semesters, the only thing that changes are your classes and that you spend a bit more time in the wards.
A typical day is from 8am until 2pm.

Q: Do we get paid for practical lessons ?
No, we do not get paid, given that we do not really do enough practical work to be worthy of getting paid. There are indeed scholarships and it is very easy to get one as a foreign student.
Also, there are jobs as University admins, specifically for students. I believe most of these jobs will basically be working as a receptionist or librarian. You can also find a part time job somewhere else, but this usually requires for you to be fluent in Italian.