The educational pathway of the ordinary courses

What it includes

The Collegio Superiore educational pathway is structured into different types of activities, designed to foster the academic, interdisciplinary and personal growth of the Collegio members. Unless otherwise indicated, each Collegio member must complete 72 hours of learning activity in accordance with the Teaching Regulations, with different methods depending on the study cycle.

Types of activities

Integrated courses 

Twenty-four hours of classroom-based training, ending with an exam marked out of 30.

Seminars

Six-hour seminars led by Tutors from the Collegio Superiore, concluding with a final eligibility assessment. The seminars are divided into:

• Disciplinary: specialist seminars with disciplinary prerequisites necessary for full participation.
• Interdisciplinary: seminars open to everyone, with no need for specific prior knowledge.
• Laboratory-based: practical or laboratory seminars, aimed at providing an introduction to research or operational activities. Some seminars with a limited number of places require pre-enrolment.

Laboratories for transferable skills

They include six hours of lectures and twelve hours of practical exercises, with recognition of two ECTS credits following a final eligibility examination.

ISA Lectures

Lectures held by Visiting Fellows, international professors selected annually by the Institute of Advanced Studies (ISA).

For the a.y. 2025/26, the ISA Lectures scheduled between 1 October 2025 and 31 October 2026 count towards the attendance requirements.

Final examination (in-depth assignment)

Preparation of an individual assignment supervised by the Tutor, potentially supported by an internal or external lecturer, with a final exam marked out of thirty.

• For first-cycle students (three years – 36 ECTS credits): an original assignment or an extension of work already completed in an integrated course or seminar, approximately 4,500 words, in Italian or English, with a public defence. If you enrolled in a year prior to the a.y. 2022/23, the assignment will be linked to an exam paper related to an integrated course.

For single-cycle and second-cycle students (five to six years – 60–72 ECTS credits): an assignment agreed with the Tutor in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary area, separate from the dissertation or research project, 6,000–10,000 words, in Italian or English, with a public defence.

How the programme is organised

From the a.y. 2025/26, the programme is organised as follows:

If you are attending a degree programme (including the first three years of a single cycle degree)

• Two integrated courses for a total of eight ECTS credits (forty-eight hours)
• Four seminars worth one ECTS credit each (twenty-four hours in total) or two seminars and one laboratory for transferable skills (eighteen lecture hours + twelve hours of practical exercises)

If you are attending a two-year master's degree (including the last two years of a single cycle degree)

• One integrated course for a total of four ECTS credits (twenty-four hours)
• Seven seminars worth one ECTS credit each (forty-two hours) or five seminars and one laboratory for transferable skills (thirty-six lecture hours + twelve hours of practical exercises)
• Four ISA Lectures or one seminar

During the final year, all the students will have to complete:

• One integrated course or four seminars for a total of four ECTS credits (twenty-four hours) or two seminars and one laboratory for transferable skills (eighteen lecture hours + twelve hours of practical exercises)
• Four ISA Lectures or one seminar
• Final examination (seven ECTS credits)

Additional notes:

• The selected seminars must include any seminar delivered by the Tutor.
• It is possible to add up to five extra ECTS credits per year.