Structure of Studies

Higher education is organized in three cycles.

The traditional university path:

The initial university courses include two academic cycles: a first, transitional, cycle followed by a second, professionalizing, cycle.

The first, transitional, cycle includes 180 credits that can be acquired in a minimum of three years of studies; successful completion is certified by the Bachelor's Degree.  

After completion of this first cycle, the second studies cycle leads to the Master's Degree, which can be obtained after accruing 120 credits within a study period of at least two years;

Second cycle Master's studies with 120 credits must include at least 30 credits in one of the following:

1. An in-depth focus that prepares the student for scientific research. It includes detailed teachings in a specific field and well-rounded training to become a research scientist.
   
2. A specializing focus in a specific discipline of the student's field of study, which is aimed at providing particular professional skills.
   
3. The teaching focus leads to an academic degree that certifies students to teach in higher secondary education (AESS).

At the conclusion of initial training of at least 300 credits sanctioned by the Master's Degree, second cycle studies can lead to the Advanced Master's Degree after students successfully complete at least 60 additional credits from the study programme, which can be acquired in a minimum of one year of studies. These programmes are aimed at enabling students to obtain specialized professional qualification.

Third cycle studies include doctoral training and work related to the preparation of a doctoral dissertation.
Work related to the preparation of a doctoral dissertation corresponds to a standard of at least 180 credits acquired after initial training of at least 300 credits sanctioned by a Master's Degree. Of these 300 credits, 60 doctoral credits can be acquired through doctoral training.