The Educational Model of the Undergraduate School
The Luiss Undergraduate School’s curriculum is designed to provide an active and engaging learning experience. Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, the Undergraduate School’s degree programs will adopt an educational model based on Engaged Learning.
In this model, students are not just recipients of knowledge; they are active participants who take responsibility for their own educational journey. This approach fosters experiential and interactive learning, aimed at developing a critical analysis method that is essential for tackling the complexities of today's challenges.
The degree programs involved are:
Engaged Learning: the experiential learning model at Luiss
The Engaged Learning model offers students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world challenges, collaborating with organisations, businesses and institutions on shared social issues. Through practical experiences complemented by opportunities for critical reflection, learning translates into impact.
As part of a study programme built on a solid theoretical foundation and aligned with the highest international standards, students develop key transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and digital skills.
Challenges, project work, clinics, work placements and other practical experiences form an integrated ecosystem that makes learning more engaging, applied and future-oriented.
Active teaching methods and innovative tools
The Engaged Learning teaching model integrates:
- Lectures and expert testimonials.
- Multimedia materials.
- Digital tools for data collection and analysis.
- Practical activities: field trips, role-playing, simulations, and the use of professional software.
The goal is to provide not just knowledge, but a transferable and lasting learning method that can adapt to new and evolving challenges.
Structure and rules of the study program, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year
Below are the main provisions regarding the new organization of exam sessions, the procedures for conducting exams, and the introduction of midterm exams. These provisions will take effect starting in the 2025–2026 academic year for Bachelor’s and Single-Cycle Master’s degree programs.
Number of exam sessions
Starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, the exam session system will be structured as follows:
- Bachelor's Degree Programs
- Two exam sessions at the end of each semester of course delivery.
- 1 exam session in each subsequent session.
- 1 exam session in the fall.
- Single-Cycle Master's Degree Program in Law
- Three exam sessions at the end of each semester the course is offered.
- 3 exam sessions in each subsequent session.
- 1 exam session in the fall.
Students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year in a year subsequent to their first year will follow the rules established for their first year of enrollment, with the exception of any outstanding coursework, which will be completed in 2025-2026 under the new regulations.
Conduct of examinations
Starting with students enrolled in the 2025/2026 academic year, it will no longer be possible to reject the grade received on an exam. However, students have the option to withdraw from the exam as follows:
- Graded oral exam: Students may withdraw up until the moment before the grade is recorded.
- Written exam (followed by a graded oral exam): Students may withdraw during the written exam. Subsequently, during the oral exam, the same rule applies as for the graded oral exam outlined in the previous point.
- Graded written exam: Students may withdraw at any time during the exam by handing in the exam to the instructor.
Students have the right to review their exam before the grade is recorded; however, they cannot refuse the grade they receive.
Midterm Exam
Starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, a mandatory midterm exam will be introduced for students enrolled in Bachelor’s degree programs (with the exception of language exams). To that end, classes will be suspended for one week during the semester:
- October 20–26, 2025 (first semester).
- March 9–14, 2026 (second semester).
Students can decline their midterm grade and opt to take the full exam during the exam session.
For students enrolled in 2025–2026 in years beyond the first, the rules established for the year of first enrollment apply, with the exception of subjects with outstanding requirements, which will be offered in the first year of 2025/2026. For incoming transfers or participation in international programs (such as double degrees and structured partnerships), the new regulations will apply based on the year the course is offered.
Yes, but I can request an exemption from attendance if I participate in competitive sports activities recognized by the University.
No, course exams and the final exam must be taken in person. Exceptions are allowed for specific personal situations, such as serious and documented medical conditions or disabilities, or for students who are incarcerated. Additionally, exams can be taken online in the event of temporary emergency situations that allow for distance learning.
For all three-year degree programs, there are two exam sessions at the end of the semester in which the course is taught, and one session in each subsequent exam period.
For the Single-Cycle Master's Degree in Law, there are three exam sessions at the end of the semester in which the course is taught, three sessions in each subsequent session, and one session in the fall session.
A midterm is an interim test scheduled during the semester to assess students' knowledge acquired thus far.
For three-year degree programs, midterms for each course (excluding language courses) will be held during the week when classes are suspended. Specifically, the weeks when classes are suspended will be as follows:
• October 20–26, 2025, for the first semester.
• March 9–14, 2026, for the second semester.
The student will be assessed during the scheduled exam sessions through a single individual test, which will account for 100% of the final grade.
Yes, you can decline the midterm grade and opt to take the full exam during the exam session.
For the course’s regular exam session and the two subsequent make-up sessions:
• For first-semester courses: the winter session, the summer session, and the fall session of the relevant academic year.
• For second-semester courses: summer session, fall session, and winter session of the relevant academic year
No, you cannot refuse the grade you received on a final exam. However, you have the option to withdraw from the exam before it ends.
Yes, but only by the end of the trial itself.
Yes.
You can withdraw from the written exam by handing in your paper before the end of the exam, making sure the instructor records your withdrawal.
You can withdraw from the oral exam before it ends, but make sure the instructor records your withdrawal.
You always have the right to review a written exam, within the timeframe and in the manner specified by the instructor. The right to refuse the grade remains unaffected.
The syllabus for each course provides information on learning objectives, course materials, and assessment guidelines.