University glossary

The period during which all university activities, from lectures to exams, take place, generally between October and September.

They take place from September/October to May. They can be open access or compulsory and end with the exam.

Each course consists of a part of lessons, at the end of which an exam is taken, and provides for a certain number of ECTS that are the same for everyone and a grade (expressed in a mark out of 30) that varies according to the student's level of preparation.

It measures the workload required of a student to complete a course. One ECTS corresponds on average to 25 hours of activity including lectures, laboratories and individual study, and is obtained after passing the scheduled exam.

Conventionally, 60 ECTS represent the workload of an entire academic year.

It is the path chosen within a degree programme, with courses and activities that focus on a specific disciplinary area.

They are groupings of university programmes of equal level that share certain educational objectives and award qualifications with identical legal value.

All degrees that belong to a specific class have the same legal value.

It is the registration to the first year of university. You will receive a student ID number that you will need to register for exams and use the University services.

The Italian term is "immatricolazione", hence the equivalent use of "matricola" to indicate a newly-enrolled first-year student.

They are organised into annual and semi-annual exams.

Annual: between 8 and 12 ECTS. Classes last from October to May and the exam can be taken in the summer session (from June).

Semi-annual: courses with a number of hours and period of classes equivalent to half of the annual course.

Written paper of a project or research in general on a topic related to a course in one's own study plan, carried out under the guidance of a professor/lecturer (supervisor).

To obtain the degree, the paper/dissertation is discussed in front of a commission.

It is a deserving student who, after graduation, makes his/her experience available to support and help students in their university journey.

It offers support in the management of the exam session and in the main practical and organisational activities of academic life.

These are degree programmes that last 5 years (Giurisprudenza and Scienze della Formazione Primaria) or 6 (Medicina e Chirurgia, Medicine and Surgery, Odontoiatria e protesi dentaria).

At the end of the programme, students obtain the title of Dottore Magistrale.

Some degree programmes provide for a compulsory internship in institutions or companies to be carried out during the last year.

There is the possibility of carrying out internships in Italy and abroad also outside the curricular path.

These are training activities assigned to students who do not possess the basic knowledge required by the degree programme.

They are awarded following the Verification of Initial Preparation (VPI) or admission tests and must be completed within the first year of the programme through remedial activities, dedicated courses or final exams.

It is the set of courses, divided into each year of the programme, that the student must attend, taking the relevant exams, in order to obtain the degree.

It lasts 3 years (180 ECTS) and represents the first level of university studies.

At the end of the programme, students obtain a degree, which allows the to continue their studies with a graduate degree programme or to access the world of work.

It is a compulsory test for all students enrolled in the 1st year of undergraduate and integrated degree programmes. It takes place online and is aimed at ascertaining that you have the basic knowledge to successfully attend the degree programme you have chosen.

These are supplementary activities requiring the active involvement of the student. During such activities, the topics covered during the courses are explored in depth.