What are degree programme classes

Classes are containers which group together degree programmes of the same cycle, whatever title they may be given by the university, with the same key learning outcomes and learning activities for a given number of credits and in sectors which are identified as indispensable.

The features of the classes are set nationally, by Ministerial Decree, and are therefore common to all universities. There are 43 classes for first cycle degrees; 94 classes for second cycle degrees; 4 classes for first cycle degrees in the health professions and 4 for second cycle degrees in the health professions; 1 class for single cycle degrees in law; 1 class for single cycle degrees in primary education sciences.

Degree programmes in the same class have identical legal value, even though, due to the autonomy of the university, the study paths may vary to a greater or lesser extent. Identical legal value means that all the degrees in the same class are suitable qualifications for access to certain professional registers or for participation in public employment competitions; despite this, additional specific competences may be requested in addition to the possession of a qualification from a given class.

Multi-disciplinary degree programmes are first or second cycle programmes in which the teaching system meets the requirements of two different classes (example: first cycle degree programme in Political and Organisational Sciences, belongs to classes L-16, Administration and Organisational Sciences, and L-36 Political Sciences and International Relations). When registering, students must indicate the class they wish to graduate in and may change their choice within year 3 for a first cycle degree and year 2 for a second cycle degree.