Foundation Programme in Social Sciences
Luiss Foundation Programme: Requirements and Course Overview
The Luiss Foundation Programme on Social Sciences is a 2-semester study program that allows students to fulfil the prerequisites for applying to a bachelor's or single-cycle degree program in Italy, including at Luiss.
To access the course, students must have completed at least 11 years of secondary education and possess a B2-level English language certification (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, Duolingo).
The program offers introductory courses in Economics, Law, Political Science, and modules aimed at developing critical and computational thinking. Additionally, there are classes designed to improve English language skills and learn the basics of Italian, along with workshops focused on developing soft skills. For the academic year 2026/2027, the Foundation Programme will be a blended course: the first semester will be delivered via online synchronous classes, while the second semester will be delivered mainly online and students will be invited on campus for a period to live a student life experience.
At the end of the Foundation Programme, students will receive a completion certificate that verifies the skills acquired and grants access to Luiss bachelor's and single-cycle degree courses, upon participation in one of the admission selection processes. The Foundation Credits (FC) are not convertible into CFU or ECTS.
Students wishing to enrol in the programme may apply online by clicking on the ‘Apply now’ button from March until 11 September 2026.
Additional useful documents can be found at the bottom of the page.
The Programme's Director is Prof. Barbara De Donno
E-mail: foundation@luiss.it
Phone: +39 06 85225386
Address: Viale Romania, 32 - 00197 Roma
FAQ
To apply, you must complete the online application and upload the required documents, including your secondary school diploma, an ID document, and a B2 English language certification. For more information, refer to the admission call or contact the Foundation Office at foundation@luiss.it.
Yes, attendance is mandatory for at least 80% of each course in order to take the final exams and receive the completion certificate.
Students with international qualifications must hold a high school diploma that complies with current regulations, with at least 12 years of schooling.
Specific requirements include:
- American Diploma: at least 3 Advanced Placement (AP) exams with scores between 3 and 5 in subjects relevant to the chosen field of study, including one in Italian if required by the rules.
- British Diploma: at least 3 relevant Advanced Level (A-Level) exams with a passing grade.
- IB Diploma: only diplomas that meet the IBO requirements for obtaining the full diploma (IB courses, certificates, and the IB Career Program are not valid).
If the qualification does not meet the requirements, the student can compensate with:
- Completion of a Foundation Programme consistent with the chosen field of study, offered by an accredited university.
- One academic year completed at an accredited university or college, passing all required exams.
For further information, visit this page.
Educational offerings and curriculum
The Foundation Programme on Social Sciences offers a study plan of 60 credits, with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary educational offering. Students have access to introductory courses in Economics, Law, and Political Analysis, which help them understand the basics of Social Sciences. Additionally, they learn to work on soft skills such as coding, negotiation, and public speaking, which are essential for their future careers.
Study Plan
Course
Introduction to Computational Thinking
The course introduces computational thinking for solving complex problems, with a focus on algorithms, automation, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. You learn how to apply this approach in fields like science, engineering, economics, and business analytics. Upon completion, you'll gain problem-solving skills and an understanding of how modern technologies like AI and machine learning rely on computational methods.
Introduction to Critical Thinking and Methodologies
The course provides an introduction to critical thinking, which is essential for understanding, making decisions, and interacting in a technological context. The course explores theories of truth and knowledge through practical exercises and group projects in the fields of justice and social sciences. You are guided in evaluating reasoning and identifying fake news and cognitive biases, which helps improve your logic, argumentation, and idea generation skills.
Introduction to Macro and Microeconomics
The course teaches the fundamental principles of economics to analyze topics such as how markets work, the consequences of pricing policies, the origins of money, and the causes of inflation and unemployment. Students acquire tools and concepts that are useful for tackling advanced studies in the fields of economics and finance.
Introduction to Private Law
The course provides an overview of Italian civil and commercial law, preparing students for careers in law and business. The first part covers civil law, including its rules, sources, and application, as well as topics related to the law of persons, family, inheritance, property, obligations, and contracts. The second part focuses on commercial law, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, corporations, and bankruptcy proceedings.
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 legal courses and aims to equip students with the tools of legal language and the ability to reference key sources of law, academic debate, and case law through exercises and practical in-class assessments.
Fundamentals of Management
The course provides foundational business management skills, emphasizing the role of resources and relational contexts in business development processes. 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 case studies and exercises, students will delve into topics such as environmental analysis, strategic resources, and competitive strategies. The course also addresses pressing issues like social diversity, sustainability, and the integration of new technologies (AI, IoT, Blockchain, Metaverse, etc.) for business digitalization.
Fundamentals of Investing
The course provides an introduction to investments and financial instruments. The goal is to provide basic knowledge and fundamental principles about investing, from an overview of financial markets and traded securities to investment analysis and portfolio management. Additionally, the course provides tools for analyzing common stock portfolios and conducting basic investment analysis.
Introduction to Social and Political Analysis
The course examines democratic regimes, comparing them with non-democratic ones, and analyzes the process of democratic representation, focusing on the main actors (citizens, parties, and interest groups) and on the processes of interaction, such as elections and the representation of interests. The course also explores political institutions—parliaments, governments, bureaucracies, and courts—as well as the decision-making output of the political system, namely public policies and the distribution of power. Finally, the course addresses the interplay between domestic politics and multilevel governance.
Language Empowerment and Academic Preparation
The course aims to improve students' English communication skills and develop their critical, creative, and digital abilities. It features interactive workshops, with ongoing assessment based on participation and assignments. Students will receive regular feedback and enhance their English skills, cultural knowledge, and professional practices, building a solid foundation for their academic and professional future.
Italian Language
The course provides Italian language skills for speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The course aims to help you build a basic vocabulary and gain a better understanding of Italian as a means of communication.
Why choose Luiss Foundation Programme on Social Sciences
The Luiss Foundation Programme on Social Sciences is much more than just a preparatory course: it is a real opportunity to build a solid academic foundation and experience a unique educational journey. Designed to meet the needs of international students, this program not only opens the doors to Italian universities but also serves as a launching pad for personal and professional growth.
In just one year, students can:
- Fill any gaps in the requirements for access to Italian universities, such as reaching 12 years of schooling or lacking AP or A-Level qualifications for students from countries with different education systems, such as those with American or British diplomas.
- Acquire a solid academic foundation to pursue Bachelor's or Single-Cycle Master's degree programs.
- Prepare for the standard admission procedures at Luiss.
- Make the most of their gap year by living an international experience in Rome.
- Improve language skills (English and Italian) and soft skills essential for the future.
Finally, the Foundation Programme stands out for its academic quality. Students attend classes taught in English by an internationally recognized faculty, acquiring skills that are globally acknowledged and useful. This not only enriches students' resumes but also prepares them to excel in both academic and professional global environments.
Tuition fee
The tuition fee for the Luiss Foundation Programme amounts to 7500 €, to be paid in two installments:
- 4500 € to pay the terms indicated in the communication of the outcome;
- 3000 € to pay during the first semester of the Programme and no later than 15th January 2027.
Students submitting their application within 60 days from the publication of the call for applications will be granted a €1,000 reduction on the first installment.