a) framework Regulations shall mean regulations concerning the teaching autonomy of universities in accordance with Ministerial Decree 270 of 10/22/04;

b) Ministerial Decree/s shall refer to one or more decrees issued in conformity with the legislative procedures specified at Article 17, paragraph 95, of the Italian Act published on May 15, 1997, nr. 127, and following amendments;

c) Degree Programme Regulations shall mean the regulations referred to in Article 12 of the Framework Regulations ;

d) Degree Programmes shall mean programmes required to obtain a first or second degree, or a specialisation diploma, as specified in Article 3 of the Framework Regulations;

e) International Degree or Programmes shall mean degree programmes leading to a double, multiple or joint degree or certificate, in collaboration with foreign universities, but also to the degree programmes where the course units, the exams, and the final degree examination are held in a foreign language, and those programmes included among the experimental projects approved by the University’s Academic Bodies as part of the internationalisation process;

f) Academic qualifications, first cycle degree (laurea), second cycle degree (laurea magistralis) and third cycle degree (diploma di specializzazione) shall have the meaning ascribed to them in Article 3 of the Regulations Framework;

g) class, shall mean the degree programme class, irrespective of how it may be called, as identified in the Ministerial Decrees;

h) scientific disciplinary field shall mean the groupings of disciplines within which different programmes may exist, as established in the Academic Regulations of the Degree Programmes;

i) discipline Area shall mean a set of scientific disciplinary fields that are culturally or scientifically similar as defined by Ministerial Decrees;

l) University Educational Credit, hereafter Credit, shall mean the overall learning workload, including the individual study, required of a student (equipped with

adequate initial preparation) to acquire the knowledge and skills envisaged by the relevant degree programme;

m) learning outcome shall mean the set of skills and knowledge which characterise the cultural and professional profile envisaged by the degree programme ;

n) Degree Programme shall mean the set of norms that regulate the curricula of the curriculum and the general framework of the course units;

o) educational Activity shall mean any activity organised or envisaged by the university for the purposes of ensuring the cultural and professional formation of students, including lectures, seminars, practical or laboratory exercises, didactic activity in small student groups, tutorials, advisory services, internships, projects, dissertations and home study or self-directed activities;

p) curriculum shall mean all the university and extra-university course units specified as being necessary for the awarding of the qualification;

q) learning Agreement shall mean the agreement between the student, the sending university and the receiving university, which lays out the required course units which the student must complete at the host university;

r) ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) shall mean the set of regulations approved by European countries for the transfer and accumulation of university credits between European universities;

s) ECTS scale shall mean the scale adopted by European countries to facilitate the conversion and transfer of marks or grades obtained by students during the periods of mobility.

t) Diploma Supplement shall mean the academic certificate drawn up in two languages and enclosed with every diploma or degree of higher education.

Article 2 - Teaching Autonomy

1. These General Academic Regulations, in conformity with the legislative procedures and Ministerial decrees regulating teaching autonomy, regulate teaching procedures and the criteria for the organisation of degree programmes instituted by the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.

2. Didactic Procedures of the degree programmes are reported in the relevant annexes to these University Didactic Regulations.

3. The pre-existing Didactic Procedures are regulated in accordance with the provisions of Article 35, paragraph 2 of these University Didactic Regulations.

4. The administrative procedures relating to the student's career have been re-organised and are regulated by the University Regulations for Students.

Article 3 - Degrees, Academic Qualifications and Higher Educational Programmes.

1. The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna confers the three following types of degree:

- first cycle degree (laurea)

- second cycle degree (laurea magistrale)

- third cycle degree, (diploma di specializzazione)

2. The first cycle degree, the second cycle degree and the third cycle degree are awarded at the end of their respective programmes.

3. The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna institutes and organises PhD programmes on completion of which, the relevant qualification is awarded.

4. The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna institutes and offers advanced scientific programmes as well as higher education programmes to be undertaken after the completion of first and second degree programmes in accordance with Law n° 4 of 1999. At the end of these higher education or specialisation programmes and after the acquisition of at least 60 credits, a Professional Master’s degree( first or second level) is conferred.

5. This University may also institute professionally oriented courses and supplementary teaching activities as provided for in Article 6 of Law n° 341 1990.

6. The first cycle degree programme aims to provide students with an adequate knowledge and understanding of general scientific methods and contents, even when the programme is designed to provide specific professional skills.

7. The second degree programme aims to provide students with an advanced level of education for the practise of highly qualified activities in specific areas.

8. The third cycle degree programme aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills required in the exercise of particular professional activities, and may be instituted exclusively in application of specific laws or directives issued by the European Union.

9. Degrees or academic qualifications awarded by this University on the completion of programmes belonging to the same Class of degree programmes have identical legal value unless otherwise specified under the existing law. These degrees or qualifications are named according to the specific denominations of the degree programmes, in addition to identification on the basis of the Class to which they belong.

10. The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna regularly ensures a review of the Degree Programmes, especially as regards the number of credits assigned to each programme or to other course units.

11. The PhD programmes provide the skills required to carry out highly qualified research at universities, or within other public or private institutions.

Article 4 - Release of Joint, Double and Multiple Degrees

1. In accordance with paragraph 10 of Article 3, of Ministerial Decree 270/2004, the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna may award degrees or academic qualifications in conjunction with other Italian or foreign universities on the basis of specific agreements. The agreements with foreign universities may also provide for the conferring of a qualification by the partner university on completion by students, of an programme of integration as established by the universities in the agreement itself.

2. These agreements shall report the syllabus as established by the partner universities, in conformity with both existing national legislation in the participating countries and with the principles and guidelines developed as part of international process of integration.

3. All examinations and other tests must be documented with a mark or a pass assessment in order to safeguard the coherence of the system of assessment. The conversion of marks or grades related to the course units completed at foreign universities shall be performed in accordance with article 21 below. Where there are double degrees, the agreement with foreign universities shall provide for a final mark conversion or assignment system.

4. The agreement shall also state how degrees are to be awarded. Where a single degree or certificate is awarded both partner universities will be indicated.

Article 5 –Diploma Supplement

1. In accordance with paragraph 8 Article 11 of the Framework Regulations, the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna automatically includes a certificate drawn up in Italian and in English (or in another language according to the specific agreement) together with the degree certificate or diploma, which summarises the curricula activities completed by students for the award of the degree.

2. The form used is that developed by UNESCO/CEPES and by the European Commission, and introduced into Italian legislation and its following amendments.

Article 6 - Degree Programmes Regulations

1. These University Didactic Regulations have an annex attached for every degree programme instituted by Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, containing the specific degree regulations;

2. The Degree Programme regulations, in accordance with the Ministerial Decrees, shall:

- determine the name and indicate the class of studies to which the programme belongs, while respecting the provisions indicated in Article 1, paragraph 3 of the Ministerial Decree of 16/03/07;

- indicate the Faculty/Faculties instituting the degree programme in question;

- determine the specific learning outcomes required by the degree programme, as regards expected learning outcomes, by adopting the system of criteria promoted among European countries. The learning outcomes are identified after prior consultation with the relevant professional categories and highlight the specific nature of the course units. The degree programme regulations shall also identify career opportunities and prospects and make reference to professional activities as classified by ISTAT (Italian Institute of Statistics);

- determine the general framework of the course units to be inserted in the curricula and the credits assigned to each type of course unit, and relate them, for those envisaged in letters a) and b) of paragraph 1 Article 10, of the Framework Regulations (basic activities and activities that characterise the class), to one or more scientific disciplinary fields (letter c, paragraph 3 Article 11);

- identify the knowledge and skills required for access to the degree programmes, according to the indications in Article 17 of these University Didactic Regulations;

- determine the features and elements of the final paper/dissertation required for the award of the degree or academic qualification.

Article 7 - Faculty didactic regulations

The Faculty didactic regulations shall define the rules common to the degree programmes instituted at each Faculty, and shall regulate all course units as provided by law and by this University's Statute.

Article 8 – Responsibilities and Organisation of Faculties

1. In conformity with this University's General Statute, the principal function of the Faculty is to organise the course units on the basis of available resources and to monitor results obtained, bearing in mind the requirements of students and a fair distribution of the workload of teaching among university staff.

2. The main administrative components of the Faculty are the Faculty Director, the Faculty Board, the Faculty Teaching Committee and the individual Degree Programme Boards. Each Faculty may set up a Board of the Faculty Director, as well as permanent or temporary Special Committees, as deemed appropriate.

3. Where, for any reason, the Degree Programme Board has not been established, all relevant responsibilities are the responsibility of the Faculty Board.

Article 9 - Faculty Teaching Committee

1. All Faculties shall institute a Faculty Teaching Committee to carry out the functions assigned to it, as indicated in the University's General Statute and specified in paragraph 3 Article 12 of the Framework Regulations, to ensure coherence between the credits assigned to the course units and the expected learning outcomes.

2. The Committee is composed of an equal number of teaching staff (including the Director of the Faculty or his/her representative) and researchers ,and representatives of the students on the Faculty Board,

3. In conformity with paragraph 1 Article 19, of the General Statute, the proportion of university teachers to researchers is established by the Faculty Didactic Regulations, bearing in mind that the overall number must be 10 members (for the Faculties providing up to 5 degree programmes), which may rise to 14 members (for the Faculties providing between 6 and 10 degree programmes) and to 20 members (for the Faculties providing more than 10 degree programmes).

4. The Faculty Teaching Committee is convened by the Faculty Director, or upon the request of at least a third of its members.

5. Without prejudice to the provision of paragraph 5 Article 14, of these University Didactic Regulations, the Faculty Didactic Regulations shall determine the modalities and terms for consultation; once these terms have been met, the consultation is deemed complete.

Article 10 – The Board of the Faculty Director

1. The Faculty Didactic Regulations may provide for the setting up of the Board of the Faculty Director to carry out supervision and coordinating functions. The Faculty Board may delegate functions to it, with the exception of those explicitly reserved for the Faculty Board by the University's General Statute.

2. The Faculty Didactic Regulations establish the composition of the Board of the Faculty Director, which must guarantee the participation of all components represented in the Faculty Board when performing delegated functions or by proxy.

3. When dealing with specific delegated functions the members of the Board of the Faculty Director shall meet in accordance with the composition established for the Faculty Board in the University’s General Statute.

Article 11 - Degree Progamme Regulations

1. For every Degree Programme, the relevant didactic regulations must be approved by the competent Faculty at the proposal of the Degree Programme Board, and on issue of a Rectorial decree, after review by this University's Academic Senate and Board of Directors, in accordance with their respective functions. The Degree Programme Regulations shall enter into effect 15 days after their publication, unless otherwise specified.

2. In conformity with the general norms and teaching regulations set out in these University Didactic regulations, the Degree Programme Regulations shall:

- specify the course units envisaged in the general framework established in the degree programme and list all course units by indicating the scientific disciplinary field, the modules (where applicable), as well as the number of hours set aside for lectures;

- determine the specific learning outcomes, the credits and the prerequisites of each course and any other teaching activity, where applicable;

- describe the curricula offered to students and the rules for the presentation, where applicable, of individual study programmes, as well as any provisions concerning compulsory attendance requirements;

- determine the typology or mode of the teaching activities (including distance or e-learning) and of the examinations;

- draw up provisions concerning coherence between the credits assigned to the course units and the specific predetermined learning outcomes, subject to approval by the joint Faculty Teaching Committee as per Article 9 of these University Didactic Regulations.

3. The Didactic Regulations of each second cycle Degree Programme shall also include indications on the curricula requisites for admission.

4. Any modifications to the Degree Programme Regulations which are deemed in conformity with the University Didactic Regulations by the University's Teaching Commission, and which do not require the use of additional resources by the University, shall not be subject to the approval by the University Academic Senate and Council.

Article 12 – Professional Master’s Degree Programmes

The identification and, if necessary, the regulation of the structures required by the institution of first and second level Professional Master’s degree programmes are established by the Academic Senate.

Article 13 - Functions of the Degree Programme Boards

1. The functions attributed to the Degree Programme Boards, in addition to those provided by law, the University General Statute and those conferred by the Faculty, include:

a) proposals regarding Degree Programme Regulations;

b) definitive decisions regarding the recognition of studies carried out abroad;

c) authorisation for course units abroad and their relevant confirmation within the framework of international mobility programmes (Learning Agreements). The functions as per paragraph c) may be delegated to the Director of the Degree Programme Board.

2. If a degree programme is instituted by more than one Faculty, the inter-Faculty Degree Programme Committee is responsible for teaching and administrative tasks as defined in the agreements stipulated between the Faculties involved and ratified by the Academic Senate.

Article 14 - University Credits

1. The unit of measure for the student's overall workload related to course units is the university credit.

2. Unless otherwise specified by the Ministerial Decrees, each university credit corresponds to a workload of 25 hours, including lectures, practical exercises, laboratories, seminars and other teaching/learning activities (including the hours of home study).

3. For every degree programme, the proportion of the workload set aside for home study or other individual learning activities is generally fixed at 50% of the overall workload. The Degree Programme Regulations may determine a different percentage of workload for home study, which must not, however, be lower than 50% of the overall workload. This provision shall apply without prejudice to single cases where highly experimental or practical contents are envisaged.

4. In conformity with paragraph 2 of Article 5 of the Framework Regulations, the average quantity of overall workload carried out in one year by a full-time student is conventionally fixed at 60 credits.

5. The Degree Programme Regulations, as per Article 11 of these University Didactic Regulations, shall determine the number of university credits for each course unit, in accordance with the predetermined learning outcomes and subject to a favourable opinion from the Faculty Teaching Committees, as per Article 9 of these University Didactic Regulations.

This opinion shall be acquired in accordance with the terms and conditions established at paragraph 3 Article 12, of the Framework Regulations.

6. In the Degree Programme Regulations, the assigning of credits to each course unit must be consistent with the teaching workload expected of the student, and prevent the sharing or splitting up of course units. To this end, a total of no more than 20 exams or final tests may be required for each first cycle degree programme, and no more than 12 exams or final tests for each second cycle degree programme which is not regulated by specific European Union norms.

The Academic Bodies rule upon the course units which are to be excluded from the final count of the exams or final tests.

7. This University's credit system is consistent with that of ECTS - the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, and thus one (1) university credit is equivalent to one (1) ECTS credit.

Article 15 - Enrolment in a Degree Programme and Selection of the Curriculum

The selection of the degree programme is made when the student enrols in a degree programme. The enrolment shall apply without prejudice to the annual provisions defined in specific announcements for admission to programmes.

Article 16 – Acquisition and Recognition of Credits

1. The credits allocated to each learning activity are acquired by students upon the passing of an examination or other form of valid test as provided for in the Degree Programme Regulations.

2. Where students request recognition of previous university studies, the relevant teaching structures or administrative bodies shall recognise the highest number possible of credits accrued, in conformity with the criteria defined below.

3. As regards degree programmes belonging to the same class of studies, the Degree Programme Board shall recognise the credits acquired to meet the number of credits for a scientific disciplinary field (one or more) provided by the Degree Programme Regulations.

4. The Degree Programme Regulations for international degree programmes shall determine the criteria for the recognition of the credits acquired by students coming from other degree programmes, even within the same class of studies, in accordance with the objectives of student mobility.

5. As regards degree programmes belonging to the same Class of studies, the Degree Programme Regulations may recognise the credits acquired to meet the same number of credits for the same scientific disciplinary fields (one or more) as foreseen in the degree course programme, where possible distinguished by typology and field. In all cases of student transfer between degree programmes belonging to the same class, the quota of credits related to the same scientific disciplinary field and directly recognised for the student cannot be inferior to the limit defined by the existing norms.

6. As regards degree programmes belonging to a different class of studies, including distance-learning degree programmes, the Degree Programme Regulations determine the criteria for the recognition of credits in accordance with the objectives of student mobility.

7. Where un-used credits remain after the application of the afore-mentioned criteria the Degree Programme Board may recognise these credits by evaluating each case on the basis of educational similarities.

8. The Degree Programme Board may recognise as credits, according to the criteria defined in the Degree Programme Regulations, the knowledge and skills certified in accordance to the applicable law, as well as other post-secondary school skills and abilities acquired as a result of teaching activities planned and implemented, at least in part, by the University (paragraph 7 Article 5 of the Framework Regulations). The maximum number of university credits that may be recognised is established, under this paragraph, in the Degree Programme Regulations, in conformity with the guidelines issued by the Academic Bodies. Under this paragraph, course units recognised for the assignment of credits for an undergraduate degree cannot be recognised a second time as university credits valid for a second cycle degree programme.

9. In order to integrate potential differences in the number of credits in a specific scientific disciplinary field, the Degree Programme Board shall determine the most appropriate mode of integration according to the scientific disciplinary field in question.

10. The Faculty Board may provide for periodical reviews of the credits acquired in order to assess whether the contents are obsolete. Contents are declared obsolete only upon a favourable decision on the part of the Department for the scientific disciplinary field to which the credits refer.

Article 17 - Admission to the Degree Programmes

1. In order to be admitted to a degree programme, applicants must have proof of high school graduation (5-year cycle) or an equivalent diploma awarded abroad, recognised as being suitable. To ensure the efficiency of higher teaching, applicants must also possess or acquire adequate knowledge and skills in the scientific disciplinary fields of the degree programme.

2. Applicants in possession of a high school diploma (4-year cycle) where the fifth and final year has not been instituted, may also be admitted to the degree programme. In this case, the student will be required to acquire the specific credits to make up the missing credits in question, and may also be required to complete any necessary foundation courses deemed necessary after assessment of his/her educational background.

3. The teaching regulations define the skills and knowledge required for admission; whereas the modalities for their assessment, even after the conclusion of any preparatory courses, are determined by the relevant Degree Programme Regulations. If the outcome of the entrance test is not satisfactory, specific additional learning obligations are indicated that must be completed within the first academic year. The Degree Programme Regulations shall determine the method for testing. Students who do not conclude the additional learning obligations within the first academic year are required to register again as first year students. The additional learning obligations set out in the paragraph above, are also assigned to students enrolling in restricted-access degree programmes and who are admitted with a grade inferior to the predetermined minimum grade. In order to encourage the conclusion of the additional learning obligations, the teaching institutes may institute additional course units.

4. For applicants in possession of a high school diploma (4-year cycle) where the fifth and final year has not been instituted the Faculties shall define the contents, duration and modalities of acquisition and assessment of the additional learning credits assigned. In any case, the additional learning obligations determined – which are a necessary prerequisite for the completion of the academic programme - must correspond overall to the workload required for the fifth and final year of high school, and must be completed within the first academic year and by no later than August 10. The satisfactory completion of this obligation is subject to a specific test and certification. Faculties may also consider that a learning obligation is satisfied by taking into account other relevant skills acquired in the post-school period.

5. In any case, failure to satisfy the additional learning obligation within the first year, as described in paragraph 4, shall require that students enrol in the first year again.

6. The Faculty Boards may make forms of guided self-appraisal available. This University shall undertake to make any self-appraisal opportunities promptly available to all enrolled and pre-enrolled students.

7. To be admitted to a second cycle degree programme, applicants must hold a (3-year cycle) first degree or university qualification recognised as being in conformity with the related legislation, or an equivalent academic qualification awarded abroad, and recognised as being suitable and valid. The Degree Programme Regulations for each second cycle degree programme must state the curricula prerequisites for eligibility for admission and the means of testing of these prerequisites. By way of derogation of the above-said norms, admission to a second degree programme is also granted to applicants in possession of a high school diploma, when this is explicitly provided for in a specific Ministerial Decree, and solely as regards study programmes regulated by EU legislation which does not require first level university qualifications; this condition is applied without prejudice to an adequate testing of initial preparation as per paragraph 7, letter a) Article 11, of the Framework Regulations for degree programmes aimed at accessing the legal professions.

8. Admission to the third cycle degree programme is regulated by Ministerial Decrees (paragraph 4 Article 6, of the Framework Regulations).

9. To be admitted to a PhD programme, applicants must hold a second cycle degree or other academic qualification provided for in the regulations of the Ministerial Decree n° 509, 1999, including an academic qualification awarded abroad and recognised as suitable and equivalent.

10. Where the student submits a Diploma Supplement, this shall be considered sufficient documentation for the assessment of the curricula prerequisites.

Article 18 - Elective Course units and Individual study programmes

1. Each degree course programme, in accordance with the Ministerial Decrees, shall indicate the number of credits assigned to the elective course units chosen by students. Students may choose these activities from among all the course units offered by this University if coherent with the learning objectives, on the basis of the criteria stipulated by the Degree Programme Regulations and respecting the deadlines indicated by the Degree Programme Committee.

2 . Where students choose credits from course units held within degree programmes with restricted access, this choice is subject to approval by the competent Degree Programme Board on the basis of predetermined criteria.

3. Where the presentation of individual study programmes is granted to students, the Degree Programme Regulations shall also determine the rules for their presentation and the criteria for their approval, without prejudice to the norms of each Degree Course Programme.

If the individual study programme includes the selection of course units instituted in restricted access degree programmes, the admission to these activities is subject to approval by the Degree Programme Board, on the basis of predetermined criteria.

4. The deadline for the submission of the individual study programmes must be annually determined by no later than June 30 by the Faculty Board, after consultation with the Degree Programme Boards.

5. With the exception of students involved in administrative procedures, the Degree Programme Boards, using specially instituted Committees, shall evaluate the individual study programmes to assess their coherence with the predetermined criteria for approval, as specified in the preceding third paragraph, and they shall declare their final decision by no later than October 31.

Article 19 – Prerequisites

1. The Degree Programme Regulations shall provide a series of prerequisites as regards teaching activities and any other educational activity. The control over these prerequisites is assigned to the Board of Examiners.

2. The Degree Programme Regulations may include an evaluation of students’ educational background.

Article 20 – Advisory and Tutorial services

1. The University shall institute and guarantee the availability of advisory services and tutorial services to all students, in conformity with the University norms regulating these activities, in order to assist and help student in all stages of their learning and educational maturation. The advisory services provide both information on the course units available and aim to help students to make responsible decisions in order to facilitate progress in their academic careers. Advisory services must be guaranteed from registration in the first academic year to the end of the students’ studies and shall include a vocational guidance service. The tutorial services aim to help students fulfil academic duties and respect deadlines and to reduce the number of students who drop out.

2. The advisory and the tutorial services are implemented by the University's central services and by the teaching structures; the fulfilment of these activities represents a teaching duty for all teachers and researchers. The advisory services may also be carried out in collaboration with high schools, students' associations and clubs, and with representatives of the world of work.

3. The advisory services and tutorial services shall also deal with the international mobility programmes, especially within the framework of the exchange programmes promoted by this University.

Article 21 - Study Abroad

1. Students may choose to complete part of their studies at foreign universities. To this end, learning agreements may be stipulated between this University and other foreign universities.

2. This University shall promote and encourage the exchange of students with foreign universities within the framework of these agreements, providing organisational and logistic support to student mobility and offering its own teaching facilities and resources to guest students.

3. While abroad, students may:

- attend courses;

- attend courses and sit examinations to obtain university credits;

- prepare their final paper/dissertation for the degree or academic qualification;

- undertake an internship, either to gain professional experience where relevant, or other course units.

Students who spend an approved period of study abroad shall propose their own learning agreements indicating the course units to be followed at the receiving University. These activities shall substitute some of the activities provided by the Degree Programme of the sending university for an equivalent number of University credits. The Degree Programme Board shall examine the students’ proposal and give or withhold approval on the basis of the criteria set out in the paragraph below.

4. Without prejudice to any specific provisions made by the Faculty or by the Degree Programme involved, the choice of the course units to be carried out at the receiving University – which will replace the activities on the syllabus of the student’s home degree programme - is made with the greatest flexibility possible, in coherence with learning outcomes of the relevant Degree Programme. The complete group of credits from all the approved course units shall replace an equivalent group of credits as specified in the Degree Programme Regulations.

5. A decision on the approval of the Learning Agreement by part of the Degree Programme Board is not required if, within the framework of exchange programmes, the Faculties or Schools have defined a conversion table for the course units attended at partner Universities, which corresponds to groups of credits that may be acquired.

6 .At the end of the period of study abroad, on the basis of the documentation submitted and in accordance with prior authorisation during the approval of the Learning Agreement, the Degree Programme Board shall confirm recognition of the course units completed abroad, the respective credits and the evaluation of grades/marks, and it shall decide which scientific disciplinary field they refer to.

7. The marks obtained abroad shall be translated into the ECTS scale upon the ruling of the Degree Programme Board.

8. Students spending a period of study abroad shall be guaranteed recognition of their attendance (even when compulsory) for the course units held in the same period at the sending University.

9. Students who choose independently to suspend their studies in Italy to continue them abroad may request that the Degree Programme Board recognise course units completed abroad, in accordance with paragraph 3 above.

Article 22 –Programming of Teaching

1. Each academic year the teaching activities shall commence on October 1 and shall terminate on September 30, unless otherwise specified and approved by the Academic Senate.

2. The Faculties shall draw up annually the calendar of course units, including tutorials and advisory services of their degree programmes, to be offered to students in the following academic year.

For every course unit , the following elements shall be indicated:

- learning outcomes;

- course contents;

- syllabus and calendar of the activities;

- teaching location;

- methods of evaluation;

- teaching/learning methods;

- language in which the teaching is held (if different from Italian).

3. By no later than May 31, the Academic Senate shall decide upon and publish the terms and means of enrolment to the first and following academic years and for transfer from other programmes or other academic institutions.

4. For all international degree programmes, the Academic Senate shall decide upon and publish the terms and means for enrolment in the first and following academic years and for transfers from other academic institutions, allowing sufficient time to publicise and perform the admission procedures to the degree programmes.

5. On an annual basis, upon consultation with the Teaching Committee as per Article 9, and in accordance with the Degree Programme Boards, the Faculties and Schools shall fix, in conformity with the deadline specified at the paragraph 1 above, dates for the commencement and ending of all lectures and any other educational activity, and they shall submit these dates for approval of the Academic Senate by no later than July 31.

6. After consultation with the Degree Programme Boards, the Faculties shall also define the period and timetables of course units and any periods of suspension for all lectures and other course units to accommodate examination sessions.

7. The programming of each academic year's course units shall be concluded within the terms prescribed on an annual basis by the Academic Senate, and in any case, in due time for the definition and publication of the annual learning programme in the Information Package prepared for Students.

8. There is a single examination session.

9. Each session generally starts on December 15 and ends on March 31 of the academic year. However, no examination can be taken before the end of the subject course to which it relates and in line with the year of registration.

10. The faculties, subject to the approval of the Faculty Teaching Committee, shall set annually no less than six examination dates for the examinations as per Article 24. These examination dates must be equally distributed during a single session, with an interval of at least 15 days between one date and another. Where there are substantial reforms in the organisation of teaching, and subject to the binding ruling of the joint Teaching Committee (expressed by a majority of the voting members), the Faculty shall resolve annually to provide for a number of examination dates consistent with the organisation of teaching.

11. As regards international degree programmes, subject to the approval of the joint Teaching Committee, the Faculty shall provide for a number of examination dates coherent with the organisation of teaching.

12. Examination dates shall be published sufficiently in advance, and programmed at least three months beforehand.

13. Final examinations may be held in three sessions:

Session 1: April 2 – July 31

Session 2: September 1 – December 22

Session 3: January 7 – March 31

14. The Degree Programme Boards shall fix the calendar for the examinations annually.

Article 23 – Teaching Modalities and Attendance of Course units

1. Each course unit may have different modalities for teaching and interaction between teaching staff and students. These teaching/learning activities may include lectures, practical exercises and group work, laboratory activities, practical field-work, as well as distance learning and intensive activities, internships and traineeships, seminars, projects, reports and written assignments presented through different media, and guided home study or self-directed home study, tutorials and self-assessed work and others.

2. The Degree Programme Regulations shall define the teaching modalities for each course unit , indicating where attendance is compulsory.

3. Should the Degree Programme Regulations require compulsory attendance, the professor is responsible for checking and communicating students’ attendance to the student office.

4. Where the Degree Programme Regulations require compulsory attendance, students may sit examinations only after certification of attendance.

5. Within the existing legislation framework and the programming of the course units, the Faculties may cooperate with both individual students and student associations or organisations in order to organise course units.

Article 24 - Examinations and Other Forms of Assessment

1. The Degree Programme Regulations shall specify the typologies of examination for assessment of students’ results in the course units in accordance with the criteria that follow.

2. Only students who have completed all the obligations of registration and have paid all annual university fees shall be admitted to the examinations.

3. The forms and methods for the evaluation of the student's results shall permit assessment of the predetermined learning outcomes.

4. The examinations may be oral, written, practical or a mixture of these methods. All exams may be taken individually or in groups, without prejudice to recognition and assessment of individual results, and may require the presentation of specific projects or the participation in research activities or experiments, as determined and assigned by the professor responsible for the subject .

The aim of these activities is at always to assess the acquisition of the knowledge and skills which characterise the course unit of the curriculum.

5. The oral examination is public. For all other types of examination the Faculties shall guarantee their availability for public scrutiny.

6. The evaluation of individual results is expressed as a fraction of thirty.

To obtain a pass the student must obtain a minimum mark of 18/30. When the student obtains a maximum mark (30/30) a distinction (con lode) may be awarded. The mark or final evaluation shall be recorded as appropriate.

7. The course unit – which may be organised into different modules - or the arrangement for tests which form part of wider course units, shall imply a single evaluation at one specified time.

8. University credits are always acquired consequent to the passing of an examination or test.

9. If the outcome of the test or exam is negative, no final mark shall be given. The negative result is recorded in writing (indicating whether the student was failed or if he/she withdrew from the exam), but is not inserted in the student's curriculum; it shall not therefore have any effect upon the final marks.

10. A test or exam recorded with a positive outcome cannot be repeated.

11. Each test or examination must be carried out by an appropriate Board of Examiners, with its members appointed in conformity with Article 25 below.

12. In conformity with the complete adoption of the system of digital signatures, the records on paper as per paragraph 6, duly compiled and signed by the Head of the Board of Examiners, must be handed in to the relevant Student Office within 5 days of the date of the test or exam or, in the case of written tests or exams, by no later than 5 days from the evaluation of the results. The digital signature is, by law, compulsory at this University and guarantees efficient functioning and the issue of accurate certificates to students. Fulfilment of this obligation by all teachers must be considered an important academic duty.

13. The digital records, as per paragraph 6, must be duly compiled and digitally signed by the Head of the Board of Examiners within the terms indicated in the previous paragraph.

14. It is the responsibility of the Head of the Board to indicate and certify the composition of the Board of Examiners, as well as its regular functioning.

15. The Degree Programme Boards shall control the modalities of examination and the criteria used for the assessment.

Article 25 - Boards of Examiners

1. The Boards of Examiners shall have at least 2 members, of whom one is the professor in charge of the course unit and the other/s is a lecturer, researcher or qualified academic in that field. The qualified academic is identified according to a predetermined procedure by the relevant Faculties or Schools. In the case of joint exams for more than one subject course unit or learning module, the teachers involved shall participate in the joint or collective evaluation of the students’ final mark or results.

2. Each Board of Examiners is appointed by the Degree Programme Board at the beginning of each academic year. The Board may also delegate such an appointment to its Director.

3. Should urgency so require, the Director of Faculty may decide the appointment of the Board of Examiners.

4. If it is necessary to appoint a number of boards simultaneously for the evaluation of the same exam or test, the professor in charge of the course unit in question shall propose the composition of the Boards to the Director of the Degree Programme Boards involved, while ensuring his/her own active presence at the examination. No board shall be composed solely of qualified academics.

The student has the right to request to be examined by the professor in charge of the course unit before the examination commences, but not once it is in progress.

Article 26 - Part-Time Students

1. The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna may recognise the condition and position of a part-time student to any students enrolled in a first or second cycle degree programme that are unable to attend the study programmes on a full time basis.

2. The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna may also recognise the possibility for the student to attend degree programmes for a period inferior to that normally required.

3. The criteria for the recognition of part-time students and the modalities for attending course units are defined, in some cases on an experimental basis, as ruled by the relevant Academic Bodies.

4. The norms indicated in the paragraphs above shall not apply to degree programmes regulated by European Union regulations.

Article 27 - Learning Tasks and Duties

1. Professors and researchers shall fulfil their academic duties by giving lectures in the degree programmes instituted for the award of the degrees or academic qualifications included in the Ministerial Decree n°. 270/2004. This teaching activity is performed under the terms indicated in current law and in conformity with the modalities determined on an annual basis by the Academic Senate at the approval of the guidelines on taught programmes. Professors and researchers shall also complete their duties through other teaching tasks as provided by Article 10 of the Presidential Decree 382/1980, including tutorial services and advisory services.

2. The teaching activities are performed predominantly within the degree programmes of the first and second cycle and of the single-cycle degree programmes, and in second place, in the third cycle degree programmes and the PhD programmes, or additionally in professional Master’s Degree or higher continuing education. Teaching obligations are mainly fulfilled in the Faculty or School where the professor or researcher is employed, and then at other university structures within the University.

3. The Faculty or School shall publish the scientific curricula and the timetables of the course units of professors and researchers, as well as the professors' office hours for receiving students throughout the entire academic year. These and other activities carried out by professors and researchers within their academic duties shall be recorded in appropriate registers.

4. The professor shall assure his/her presence for the entire academic year. Leave of absence may be granted only for circumstances outside his/her control, for sickness, or for documented scientific or academic commitments.

5. Where absent from work for a period longer than a week, the professor shall communicate his/her absence to the Director of Faculty, indicating the reason and the modalities for his/her temporary replacement, as well as way in which the activities or hours of service may be made up.

6. In collaboration with the Director of the Degree Programme Boards, the Director of Faculty shall guarantee the correct implementation of monitoring for the quality of degree programmes, supervise that the regulations and provisions regulating the performance of the teaching activities are respected, and finally, he/she shall be considered ultimately responsible for them.

Article 28 Assignment of Teaching Tasks

1. All Faculties within this University shall draw up a plan for the assignment of teaching tasks to professors and researchers.

2. The Teaching Committee of the Faculty where the professor or researcher is employed, subject to consultation with the person involved and within the predetermined teaching programme for each academic year, shall assign a series of teaching tasks to each professor and researcher as stated in current regulations and law.

Article 29 – Registers of Teaching Activity

1. Professors and researchers on the permanent staff are required to compile an annual register of teaching activities within 30 days of the end of teaching. Contract professors are required to compile the registers within 30 days of the end of their contract. In addition, professors and researchers on the staff shall prepare a final summary by no later than October 31 of each year.

2. The Director of Faculty shall be responsible for checking that the afore-mentioned registers have been accurately compiled in full.

Article 30 –Assessment of Teaching

1. The Faculty Board shall approve the annual report on teaching activities and services drawn up by the joint Teaching Committee.

2. The annual report, which is submitted to the University Rector, takes into account students' opinions on course units performed by professors, and different aspects of the teaching and its organisation, such as the regular progression of students’ careers, university facilities, laboratories, the quality of services and career openings after graduation. These reports shall be submitted to the University's Teaching Commission, which is responsible for drawing up a general report on teaching activities to be submitted to the Academic Senate and to the internal academic Evaluation Group.

3. The Degree Programme Boards shall review their teaching activities on the basis of data regarding students' careers, the reports on teaching activities made by the Faculty Board, and reports compiled by the internal academic Evaluation Group and by the Academic Bodies.

4. The University's Teaching Committee shall preside over the monitoring of the quality and organisation of the course units, and may make full use of the Academic structures of the University to do so.

Article 31 – Assessment of Final Papers/Dissertations

1. To obtain the first cycle degree (laurea), the second cycle degree (laurea magistrale) and the third cycle degree, students are required to prepare a final paper/dissertation.

2. The features of the final paper/dissertation are determined in the degree course programme. The Degree Programme Regulations may also provide for further details and provisions.

3. The undergraduate or post-graduate final assessment shall normally be oral, written or practical. The Faculties shall ensure adequate information regarding modalities of testing be made public.

4. The second degree final examination shall include the preparation of an original dissertation. The dissertation shall be publicly defended in front of a Board of Examiners, composed and appointed as stated in Article 32 below.

5. Normally, students shall choose the topic or subject of their paper/dissertation in a scientific disciplinary field of the Degree Programme and under the supervision and guidance of a Supervisor. In all other cases, the Degree Programme Boards shall establish the criteria of choice to ensure coherence of the subject of the paper/dissertation with the learning objectives of the Degree Programme.

6. The Faculty shall establish the deadlines and the modalities for the presentation of the final paper/dissertation, and ensure that the assignment of duties related to this task is fairly distributed among professors. The supervising professor is responsible for ensuring that the conditions and modalities for the submission of the dissertation are respected.

7. The Academic Senate shall decide upon the conditions for application and admission to the final assessment.

8. To be admitted to the final assessment, the student shall have obtained all the university credits required by the Degree Programme Regulations for all the course units except those of the final assessment itself, regardless of the year of enrolment.

9. The Board of Examiners shall firstly rule upon the admissibility of the candidate to the examination.

10. The Board of Examiners shall evaluate candidates by considering their curriculum of studies and performance at the final assessment; the assessment Board’s evaluation shall be expressed as a fraction of 110. Where the maximum mark is awarded (110/110), the Board of Examiners may also award the student with a distinction, upon unanimous approval of all members of the Board of Examiners.

11. The Board shall undertake to record the student’s performance and result at the final assessment.

12. The Academic Bodies shall determine cases in which the final assessment may be held in a foreign language, or the paper/dissertation written in a language other than Italian.

Article 32 - Board of Examiners for the Final Assessment

1. The Boards of Examiners for the first degree Final Paper are composed of at least 3 members, of whom at least two members must be professors or researchers on the University’s permanent staff.

2. The Board of Examiners for the second degree Final Dissertation are composed of at least 5 members, of whom at least three members must be professors or researchers on the University’s permanent staff.

3. The Board of Examiners are appointed by the relevant Degree Programme Boards. These Boards may delegate such appointment to the Director of the Board itself or of the Faculty.

Article 33 - Enrolment in single course units

1. Students in possession of a high school diploma (5-year diploma) or an equivalent educational qualification, as well as graduates (both first cycle and second cycle) and foreign university graduates may enrol in single course units instituted in the Degree Programmes. The enrolment in single course units is established by the relevant Degree Programme Boards.

2. If such activities are instituted in restricted Degree Programmes, enrolment Is subject to approval by the competent Degree Programme Board, on the basis of predetermined criteria.

3. Only in exceptional cases and for special teaching or structural needs, may the Faculty's Regulations justify and permit specific modalities of access to single course units, especially as regards restricted degree programmes.

Article 34 - Publication of procedures and decisions

1. The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna shall ensure a number of forms for the publication of procedures and decisions taken in the area of academic teaching. This University shall promote the spread of information and knowledge by using the tools offered by modern technology, and through the University channels of communication, and shall guarantee a constant review of the communication tools.

2. The individuals in charge of each activity organised or provided by this University are publicly identified .

Article 35 – Transitional and Final Provisions

1. All students enrolled at the date of entry into force of the current degree programmes are guaranteed the possibility of completing their existing Degree Programme receiving the corresponding university qualification, in conformity with regulations currently in force.

2. The legislative norms and the regulations in force at the date of the introduction of these Regulations shall continue to be applied to the Degree Programmes as per paragraph 1. The provisions set down in these Regulations shall be applied to the pre-existing degree programmes only if compatible.

3. For the Degree Programmes as per paragraph 1, it is forbidden to prevent the completion of the remaining academic years of the programme.

4. Furthermore, it is understood that students enrolled to any pre-existing degree programme have the right to opt for enrolment in a degree programme established in compliance with the new regulations.

5. The right to opt for enrolment in degree programmes under the new regulations may be exercised within the annual deadlines and under the conditions defined by the Academic Bodies.

6. Studies undertaken for the conferment of a third cycle degree or other university qualification (regardless of duration) on the basis of the pre-existing regulations, shall be evaluated in terms of university credits in conformity with the preceding paragraph, and these shall be recognised in the awarding of the qualification.

7. Studies undertaken for the conferment of a degree on the basis of the pre-existing regulations shall be evaluated in terms of university credits for the purposes as per the paragraph above. Where students wish to transfer from a different degree programme or where students have a degree (whether obtained in Italy or abroad), they shall be admitted to the new degree programme. Where students can enrol in an academic year following that instituted under the current degree course programme, they may choose between enrolment in the corresponding year of the pre-existing degree programme or enrolment in the year instituted under the current degree course programme.

8. These Regulations shall apply to all students enrolled at the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, where applicable, and in conformity with any other legislation regulating the first, second and third cycle degrees, PhD programmes and any other academic certificate or diploma or degree conferred by this University.

Article 36 - Protection of Students' Rights

The rights of students in their academic careers, as set out in paragraph 9 of Article 11 of the Framework Regulations, shall be the object of specific University Regulations, to be issued in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Regulations, Ministerial Decrees and with these Regulations.

Article 37 Teaching Establishments at The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna

The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna includes and incorporates the following Faculties or Schools:

Central Campus of Bologna:

Agriculture, Industrial Chemistry, Economics, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, Arts and Philosophy, Foreign Languages and Literature, Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Education Sciences, Mathematics, Physical and Natural Sciences, Physical Education and Sports, Political Science, Statistics.

Campus Branch of Cesena:

Architecture "Aldo Rossi", Second Faculty of Engineering, Psychology.

Campus Branch of Forlì:

Economics, Political Science "Roberto Ruffilli", Advanced School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators.

Campus Branch of Ravenna:

Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

Campus Branch of Rimini:

Economics.