Foundation Programme in Social Sciences
- Degree
- Foundation Programme
- Credits
- 60 FC
- Duration
- 1 Year
- Language
- English
- Year
- 2026/2027
The Foundation Programme in Social Sciences is a one-year, English-language study programme divided into two semesters (from October 2026 to March 2027 online, with optional on-campus weeks in April 2027). It enables students to meet the prerequisites for applying to a three-year or single-cycle degree programme at Luiss. Designed for international students, this is Luiss’s Foundation Year.
To enrol on the course, students must have completed at least 11 years of secondary education and hold a certificate demonstrating B2-level English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, Duolingo).
The programme offers introductory courses in Economics, Law, and Socio-Political Studies, along with academic modules designed to develop critical and computational thinking. There will also be classes aimed at improving English language skills and learning the basics of Italian, along with workshops more focused on developing soft skills.
The Luiss Foundation Programme is delivered entirely online from October to March and offers the option of taking part in two weeks of in-person study in April, on an optional basis.
From October to March, the courses are delivered online. In April, students are invited to come to campus to actively engage with the programme, which also focuses on soft skills.
Upon completing the Foundation Programme, students will receive a certificate of completion, which certifies the skills they have acquired and allows them to apply for Luiss’s Bachelor’s and Single-Cycle Degree Programmes, subject to taking part in one of the admission selection processes. Foundation Credits (FCs) cannot be converted into CFU or ECTS.
Director
Barbara De Donno
Full Professor of Comparative Private Law, Luiss Department of Law. Secretary General of ICC Italy. Member of the Interministerial Commission for the Reform of the Environmental Code. Director of the Master's in Business and Company Law and of the Foundation Course in Social Sciences. Member of the Governing Board of the Luiss School of Law, of the editorial boards and scientific committees of comparative law journals, and of the Académie Internationale the Académie Internationale de Droit Comparé, the Italian Association of Comparative Law, and various research centres. A lawyer specialising in cases before the Court of Cassation, formerly a member of the EIA-SEA Commission of the Ministry of the Environment and of the Presidium Council of the Tax Judiciary. Coordinator and member of research groups, and speaker at national and international conferences. Author of publications on comparative and European business law.
FAQs
The Foundation Programme in Social Sciences is Luiss’s Foundation Year: a one-year academic programme, with classes taught in English, that enables students to meet the prerequisites for applying to Luiss’s Bachelor’s and Single-Cycle Degree Programmes. It is designed for international students who, for example, have not completed 12 years of schooling or do not hold AP or A-Level qualifications.
To apply, you need to complete the online application and upload the required documents, which include your secondary school diploma, an identity document, and a B2 English language certificate. For further information, please consult the admissions notice or contact the Foundation Office at foundation@luiss.it.
Yes, attendance is compulsory for at least 80% of each course in order to sit the final exams and receive the certificate of completion.
Teaching takes place entirely online from October to March. In April, students also have the opportunity to take part in two optional weeks of in-person study at the Rome campus, where they can actively engage with the programme, which also focuses on soft skills.
The classes are taught in English by an internationally renowned faculty. The curriculum also includes the Italian Language course, which teaches the basics of Italian.
The enrolment fee is €7,500, payable in two instalments of €4,500 and €3,000, with the deadlines set out in the Admissions section.
Students with international qualifications must hold an upper secondary school diploma that complies with current regulations, representing at least 12 years of schooling. Specific requirements include:
- American diploma: at least 3 Advanced Placement (AP) courses with scores between 3 and 5 in subjects relevant to the chosen course of study, including one in Italian if required by the regulations.
- British diploma: at least 3 relevant Advanced Level (A-Level) exams, each with a minimum grade of a pass.
- IB Diploma: Only diplomas that meet the IBO’s requirements for obtaining the full diploma are accepted (IB courses, certificates, and the IB Career Programme are not valid).
If the qualification does not meet these requirements, the student can make up for it by:
- Completion of a Foundation Programme that aligns with the chosen field of study, offered by an accredited university.
- An academic year completed at an accredited university or college, with all required examinations passed.
For more information, please visit this page.
Email: foundation@luiss.it
Phone: +39 06 85225386
Registered office: Viale Romania, 32 - 00197 Rome
The Foundation Programme in Social Sciences offers a curriculum structured around 60 Foundation Credits (FCs), providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary range of courses. Students have access to introductory courses in Economics, Law, and Political Analysis, which help them grasp the fundamentals of the Social Sciences. They also learn to develop soft skills such as coding, negotiation, and public speaking, which are essential for their future careers.
Programme of study
Course
An Introduction to Computational Thinking
The course provides an introduction to computational thinking for solving complex problems, with a focus on algorithms, automation, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. You will learn how to apply this approach in fields such as science, engineering, economics, and business analytics. By the end of the course, you will have developed problem-solving skills and an understanding of how modern technologies, such as AI and machine learning, are built on computational methods.
An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Methodologies
This course provides an introduction to critical thinking, which is essential for understanding, making decisions, and interacting in a technological context. Theories of truth and knowledge are explored, with practical exercises and group projects in the fields of justice and the social sciences. You will be guided in evaluating reasoning and in identifying fake news and cognitive biases, with the aim of improving your skills in logic, argumentation, and idea generation.
An Introduction to Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
The course teaches the fundamental principles of economics needed to analyse topics such as how markets operate, the effects of pricing policies, the origins of money, and the causes of inflation and unemployment. Students acquire tools and concepts that are useful for undertaking advanced studies in the economic and financial fields.
An Introduction to Private Law
The course offers an overview of Italian civil and commercial law, preparing students for studies in law and economics. The first part covers civil law, including its rules, sources, and application, as well as topics in the law of persons, family law, inheritance law, property law, the law of obligations, and contract law. The second part focuses on commercial law, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, companies, and bankruptcy procedures.
An Introduction to Public Law
The course provides a general understanding of Public Law, with a particular focus on the Italian Constitution and the principles of constitutionalism. It serves as a foundation for future law courses and aims to equip students with the tools of legal language and the ability to document key legislative sources, academic debate, and case law, through exercises and practical assessments in class.
The Fundamentals of Management
The course equips students with foundational skills in business management, highlighting the importance of resources and relational contexts in the processes through which companies develop. Students learn the tools needed to support strategic decisions and business functions such as marketing, production, finance, human resources, logistics, and research and development. Through business cases and exercises, topics such as environmental analysis, strategic resources, and competitive strategies will be explored in depth. Furthermore, the course addresses pressing issues such as social diversity, sustainability, and the integration of new technologies (AI, IoT, Blockchain, the Metaverse, etc.) for corporate digitalisation.
The Fundamentals of Investing
The course provides an introduction to investments and financial instruments. The aim is to provide foundational concepts and key principles of investing, covering everything from an overview of financial markets and the securities traded on them to investment analysis and portfolio management. In addition, the course equips students with tools to analyse portfolios of ordinary shares and to carry out basic investment analysis.
An Introduction to Social and Political Analysis
The course examines democratic regimes, comparing them with non-democratic ones, and analyses the process of democratic representation. It focuses on the key actors – citizens, political parties, and interest groups – and on the processes through which they interact, such as elections and the representation of interests. The course also explores political institutions (parliaments, governments, bureaucracies, and courts) and the decision-making outputs of the political system – namely, public policies and the distribution of power. Finally, the interaction between domestic politics and multilevel governance is discussed.
Language Development and Academic Preparation
The course aims to improve communicative competence in English and to develop critical, creative, and digital skills. It consists of interactive workshops, with ongoing assessment based on participation and assignments. Students will receive regular feedback and will improve their English language skills, cultural knowledge, and professional practices, thereby laying a solid foundation for their academic and professional futures.
Italian Language
The course develops skills in the Italian language for speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The course aims to help students acquire a basic vocabulary and develop a better understanding of the Italian language as a means of communication.
The Luiss Foundation Programme in Social Sciences is much more than just a preparatory course: it’s a genuine opportunity to build a solid academic foundation and enjoy a unique educational experience. Designed to meet the needs of international students, this programme not only opens the door to Italian universities but also serves as a springboard for their personal and professional futures.
In just one year, students can:
- Make up for any shortcomings in the requirements for entry to Italian universities, such as not having completed 12 years of schooling or lacking AP or A-Level qualifications for students from countries with different education systems, like those with American or British diplomas.
- Gain a solid academic foundation to undertake Bachelor's degree programmes or single-cycle Master's degree programmes.
- Prepare for Luiss’s standard admissions procedures.
- Make the most of your gap year by having an international experience in Rome.
- Improve language skills (English and Italian) and the soft skills that are essential for the future.
Finally, the Foundation Programme stands out for its academic quality. Students attend classes taught in English by an internationally renowned faculty, gaining skills that are recognised and valuable worldwide. This not only enhances students' CVs but also prepares them to excel in global academic and professional environments.
Tuition fee
The tuition fee for the Foundation Programme is set at €7,500.
The amount can be paid in two instalments, as per the following amounts and deadlines:
- 1st instalment – to be paid by the deadlines specified in the admission email: €4,500
- 2nd instalment – to be paid by 15 January 2027: €3,000