The Graduate School's Educational Model
The Luiss Graduate School adopts an advanced educational approach designed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing job market.
Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, the Luiss Graduate School is introducing the SMART educational model, an innovative framework that places the student at the center of the learning journey, combining academic rigor, a multidisciplinary approach, advanced technologies, and practical application. This model reflects Luiss’s commitment to developing independent, responsible leaders who can drive change, providing them with practical tools to tackle global challenges, make a societal impact, and shape the future.
Through ongoing interaction with international faculty, researchers, and professionals, learning evolves in a dynamic, flexible, and discussion-based manner, valuing diverse perspectives and real-world experience.
SMART: the five key pillars of the innovative Luiss training model
The SMART model of the Luiss Graduate School is structured around five distinctive factors that define its pedagogical framework and educational effectiveness.
- Student-Centricity – Customizable educational pathways tailored to each student's specific needs.
- Multidisciplinarity – Integrating skills from different fields of knowledge.
- Academic Rigor – A solid theoretical foundation with advanced teaching methodologies.
- Readiness – A focus on applying skills in the real world of work.
- Tech-Enhancement – Targeted use of digital technologies to enhance learning.
Structure and rules of the study program, starting with the 2025-2026 cohort
The following provisions define the structure of the educational program, the attendance and participation methods, the evaluation system, and the examination regulations for Graduate School courses, starting with the 2025–2026 cohort.
Attendance and Participation
Without prejudice to the Mandatory Attendance stipulated in the University’s Academic Regulations, students are considered:
- attending if they actively participate in at least 70% of the classes
- non-compliant if they do not meet the minimum threshold of 70% class attendance
- exempt from mandatory attendance if they have documented health issues, documented work commitments (including internships), competitive sports commitments recognized by the University, or are participating in an international exchange program.
Assessment methods
The assessment system at the Graduate School consists of continuous assessment, which tracks students’ learning progress throughout the semester, and a final exam.
Specifically:
- The grades earned during the semester through continuous assessment, which faculty may choose to include individual or group assessments, contribute 1/3 to the final grade.
- The final exam score, which faculty may choose to administer as a written exam with a transcript, a written exam followed by an oral exam with a transcript, or an oral exam with a transcript, accounts for two-thirds of the final grade.
Continuous assessment is mandatory, and students cannot opt out of ongoing assessments.
For students who don’t meet the required attendance threshold or are exempt from the attendance requirement, the grade for each course is based on a final exam, which counts for 100% of the grade. The exam will cover an appropriate amount of course material to compensate for the student’s lack of participation in classroom activities.
The assessment methods are outlined in the syllabus for each course.
Number of exam sessions
For each course, the following are scheduled:
- 2 exam sessions during the exam period for the semester in which the course is offered.
- 1 exam session in each subsequent session. During this exam session, the continuous assessment will not be maintained. Therefore, students will be evaluated through a single final exam, which will account for 100% of the grade.
Conduct of examinations
Starting with the 2025/2026 cohort, students will not be able to decline continuous assessment or exam evaluations. However, students have the option to withdraw from the exam as follows:
- Graded oral exam – The student may withdraw as long as the faculty member has not yet given a score out of thirty for the exam, before the grade is recorded.
- Graded written exam – Students may withdraw until the end of the exam by handing in the exam and informing the instructor of their decision, ensuring the instructor has taken note of it.
- Written exam followed by a graded oral exam – The student may withdraw either during the entire written exam or during the subsequent oral exam, up until the moment before the faculty member announces the final grade. If a student withdraws from the oral exam, the grade from the written exam is not valid for the next exam session.
For students enrolled in 2025–2026 in years beyond the first, the rules established for the year of initial enrollment apply, with the exception of subjects with outstanding requirements. In the event of transfers or participation in international programs (such as double degrees or structured partnerships), the new regulations will apply based on the year in which the course is offered.
Yes, but I can request an exemption from attendance in the event of: proven health issues with medical documentation, documented work or internship commitments, or competitive sports activities recognized by the University.
If you meet the exemption criteria, you must submit a written request that is certified and approved by the Graduate School via a designated link (which will be communicated and shared) during the first week of classes. If I participate in an exchange program, the exemption applies automatically and does not need to be requested.
No. If granted, the exemption from compulsory attendance applies to all courses in the same semester.
Yes, and it must be requested within the first week of the start of the relevant semester.
I am assessed through a final exam, and that grade makes up 100% of the evaluation for each course. The exam will require a different amount of independent study compared to that of attending students. This is to compensate for the reduced workload during the semester, and it will involve individual and group activities aimed at acquiring knowledge and skills.
Yes, but I have to attend at least 70% of the classes for each course/subject.
I transition from being an attending student to a non-attending student for the individual course, and I am assessed through a final exam that counts for 100% of the grade. The final exam will require a different amount of independent study compared to that required of attending students. This is to compensate for the reduced workload during the semester, and it will involve individual and group activities aimed at acquiring knowledge and skills.
One-third of the final grade is based on continuous assessment, and the remaining two-thirds are determined by a final written and/or oral exam. This exam is offered during the two exam periods at the end of the semester in which the course is taught. In subsequent sessions (retake sessions), I am assessed through a final written and/or oral exam that accounts for 100% of the evaluation.
Continuous assessment is the evaluation based on various activities selected by the faculty throughout the semester. All scores from these assessments contribute 1/3 to the final grade.
Yes. If I withdraw from or am absent for a test that is part of the continuous assessment, that test will be graded 0 and will be included in the calculation of the final grade for the course.
Yes. If I miss a test that is part of the continuous assessment, that test will be graded 0 and will be included in the calculation of the final grade for the course.
There are two exam sessions at the end of the semester in which the course is offered, and one session in each subsequent session (retake session).
Yes, the final exam, which counts for 100% of the grade, will differ in duration and/or content to compensate for the reduced workload during the semester. This will be achieved through individual and group activities aimed at acquiring knowledge and skills throughout the semester.
Yes, but only by the end of the trial itself.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
I can withdraw from the written exam by handing in my paper before the end of the exam, making sure the instructor records my withdrawal.
I may withdraw from the oral exam until the instructor has provided a score out of thirty, prior to the official recording of the grade.
If I withdraw from the final exam during the first exam period, I can retake the exam, which counts for 2/3 of the grade, during the second exam period, thereby retaining my continuous assessment.
If I miss the first exam session, I can take the exam, which counts for 2/3 of the grade, during the second session, thereby maintaining my continuous assessment.
If I fail on the first attempt, I can retake the exam, which counts for 2/3 of the grade, on the second attempt, thereby maintaining continuous assessment.
No, during the retake session, I am assessed based on a single final exam, and the grade from that exam makes up 100% of the assessment for the course in question. This exam will differ in duration and/or content from the one that counts for 2/3 of the overall grade.
I always have the right to review a written exam, within the timeframe and in the manner specified by the instructor. You may not refuse the grade you receive.
No. You cannot reject any assessment you receive, whether it’s part of continuous assessment (1/3 of the grade), the final exam (2/3 of the grade), or the overall course assessment.
In the syllabus for each course, I can find information on learning objectives, course materials, and assessment guidelines.
If I enrolled in an academic year prior to 2025/2026, the SMART model applies to all courses I have not completed, provided they are offered again starting in the 2026/2027 academic year or later. For exams in courses no longer offered starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, the previous rules apply.