University of Trento

For more details about courses, see Trento's website, "Selected exchange students - Courses offered". Also see the Trento course catalogue. 

Note, in some areas on Trento's website, the word "course" is used to mean a degree. For example, if using the course catalogue, you should use the blue search button and select "Teaching" to view individual classes offered. 

Trento uses the standardized European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). 6 ECTS = 3 units at UCalgary (1 standard semester course). Students should plan to take 24 to 30 European credits at Trento.

The academic year is divided into two semesters:

• First semester runs from mid-September to late January/early February (depending on the final exam schedule). All students are expected to stay until the end of semester, with the exception of JD Law students who can arrange to depart before the holidays. Law students must however be flexible in their course selection, in order to switch courses if the professor for a desired course will not grant early exit to finish before the holidays.
• Second semester runs from mid-February to July.

Note that start/end dates vary by academic area. Click here for the 2026 academic calendar. Students should plan to remain in Trento until the end of each semester's final exam period.

For information about the summer program, please see the Trento summer program page. The summer program is usually not possible to combine with a semester exchange at Trento, due to complexity with the student visa.

Student accommodations in Trento are run by Opera Universitaria lodging, which is a provincial institution dedicated to student housing and assisting incoming international students. There are various apartment types that range in location and price, mixing international with domestic students. 

Typical costs start from €250 per month for a 2-person shared bedroom, €310 for a single room (with shared facilities), €345-365 for a studio apartment, and €490 for a full apartment. More info can be found on the accommodation page. Typically a damage deposit of €360 (refundable on departure) and a non-refundable €40 for cleaning and administration will be required. There is also Bike loan program for students living on campus.

For private accommodation, Trento recommends using "Housing Anywhere" and has more information in the "Private accommodation" section of their accommodation page. 

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the U of C, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).

For Italian-taught courses, applicants should have a command of Italian at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) at a minimum, or have completed at least two 300-level or above courses in Italian before departure. Certification of language proficiency may be required. Students do have the opportunity to take Italian language courses during their stay.

For English-taught courses, Italian language competency is not required but basic knowledge is recommended for navigating everyday life in Italy.

Do I have to speak Italian?

Italian is not required for students who intend to study in English. Trento offers enough English-taught courses for a full semester, as long as you have some flexibility in your course election. 

While many young Italians speak English fine, it can be challenging to complete day-to-day tasks without a basic understanding of Italian. We recommend taking an Italian course, or using language learning apps/software, to gain a basic understanding before you travel. 

Are there opportunities for me to learn Italian?

Yes! The Trento University Language Centre (CLA) provides free languages courses in several languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Chinese) and at different levels.

The language courses take place at the Language Centre (CLA) in Via Verdi 8 in Trento, and in the different University Departments throughout the academic year. Some courses aim at developing general language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), while others are more specific.

Language courses are free for foreign students in the frame of international mobility programmes if included in their study plan. Italian language courses are equivalent to 3 ECTS. You can find the courses here. For more detailed information please contact the CLA directly.

For international students CLA provides a few kinds of courses in Italian:

• Evening courses (Corsi estensivi di italiano L2): two 3 hr lessons per week for about two months (mid-Oct to mid-Dec; mid-March to mid-May)
• Intensive courses (Corsi intensivi di italiano L2): five half-day lessons per week for about 2-3 weeks, designed to run as a pre-semester language program (in Sept, Feb, and June).
• Online courses (Corsi online): ICON (Italian Culture on the Net) is an interactive language learning course that costs about 30 euro and is open to registered exchange students (on acceptance). 

What supports and services are available at Trento?

The University Guild, Opera Universitaria, provides support services for students with accessibility needs. Trento requires that all students needing support note their requested accommodations before arriving in Trento. This is to ensure proper staffing, as well as accommodations for housing or classroom instruction. 

Other services offered by Trento include:

• A buddy program and orientation program for networking with local & international students. 
• Counselling and cultural mediation for students needing support with mental health, homesickness, interpersonal conflicts, etc.
• Support for students bringing their families with them.
• Support for student athletes who wish to continue training abroad.

See all Services & Facilities here!

For information on accessibility and support services at campuses across Europe, please check out Inclusive Mobility. For city-specific services and places in Europe, Jaccede provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.