How to graduate

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The Academic Senate of the University of Siena, in light of the local and national epidemiological context and the anticipated end of the state of emergency, has decided that, from 1st April 2022, all exams and graduation assessments will take place exclusively in person. Remote examinations will no longer be permitted.

Remote exams will be allowed only in exceptional cases with proven positivity for Sars-Cov-2 or mandatory isolation, provided the student provides evidence of their inability to attend in person.

GRADUATION SESSIONS A.Y. 2023-2024

15 – 16 – 17 July 2024

16 – 17 – 18 October 2024

11 – 12 – 13 December 2024

14 – 15 – 16 April 2025

CRITERIA FOR AWARDING THE FINAL GRADE

 

Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (L-36)

To graduate, students must pass a final examination, which involves preparing a written report, possibly in a foreign language, with the necessary bibliographical references and documentation on a topic agreed upon with the lecturer responsible for one of the subjects in the candidate's curriculum. A commission then assesses the report following current regulations. The final paper is presented in front of the graduation committee. The grade expressed out of 110, with the possible addition of honours, is determined by using the average grades obtained in the exams as the starting point. The committee, based on the report and the outcome of the discussion, may award up to a maximum of 6 points above the calculated average. The final exam is worth 7 ECTS credits.

 

Master’s Degree in International Studies (LM-52)

The final examination consists of discussing a thesis chosen by the candidate on a subject within their study plan and agreed upon with the lecturer responsible for that subject (supervisor). A second supervisor is required.

The thesis must be the result of original research carried out by the student under the coordination of the supervisor and must meet the following criteria:

a) It must be the result of thorough research;

b) It should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to organise and structure the work;

c) It should include adequate bibliographical references and precise citations of sources;

d) It should address the problems inherent to the study with a scientifically sound method, demonstrating the candidate’s critical abilities.

The thesis may be written in a foreign language at the student's discretion and with the supervisor's approval. The final examination consists of presenting and discussing the thesis before the Graduation Committee, using audiovisual and/or IT tools at the student's discretion.

To be admitted to the final examination, students must submit a graduation application to the Student and Teaching Office, signed by the supervisor, according to the new digital procedure, by the deadlines set out in the academic calendar. Exceptions to this deadline may be granted for justified reasons by the Department Director. Students must also have settled any university fees and fines; completed all the ECTS credits required by the study plan, excluding those allocated to the final examination; and submitted a copy of the thesis to the Student and Teaching Office within the deadlines set by the academic calendar.

The final exam is worth 18 ECTS credits. The final grade, expressed out of 110, with the possible addition of honours, is determined by calculating the weighted average of the grades obtained in the exams. In the final average calculation, rounding down is applied for scores from 1 to 49 hundredths and rounding up for scores from 50 to 99 hundredths.

The Graduation Committee, based on the thesis and the discussion, and after hearing the opinions of the supervisor and second supervisor, may award up to a maximum of 6 points above the calculated average. The awarding of honours must be decided unanimously by the Committee. An additional 2 points (up to 8 total) may be awarded if the thesis covers a particularly complex topic, developed with originality and dedication by the candidate, as certified in writing by the supervisor. This certification and a thesis copy must be submitted to the Department Director at least one week before the discussion to give the Graduation Committee members time to review it. The Director will inform the Chair of the Graduation Committee of the request for an increased score, which must be approved unanimously by the Committee.

 

Master’s Degree in Public Administration Sciences (LM-63)

The final examination involves the discussion of a thesis chosen by the candidate on a subject within their study plan and agreed upon with the lecturer responsible for that subject (supervisor). A second supervisor is required.

The final examination consists of presenting and discussing a written paper before the Graduation Committee. The student may use paper, IT, audiovisual, multimedia, or other supports. The thesis must consist of an adequate number of pages for a monographic study and meet the following criteria:

a) It must be the result of thorough research;

b) It should demonstrate the candidate's organisational and articulation skills;

c) It should include adequate bibliographical references and precise citations of sources;

d) It should address the study’s problems with a scientifically sound method, demonstrating the candidate’s critical abilities.

The thesis may be written in a foreign language at the student's discretion and with the supervisor's approval.

The final grade is expressed out of 110, with the possible addition of honours.

 

To be admitted to the final examination, students must:

  • submit the graduation application to the Department’s Teaching Office by the deadlines set in the academic calendar;

  • be up to date with university fees and any fines;

  • have satisfied the following requirements within the set deadlines:

a) passed all the exams and obtained all the ECTS credits required by the study plan, excluding those allocated to the final exam;

b) completed the Alma Laurea online questionnaire;

c) submitted an electronic copy of the thesis and a signed title page to the Department’s Teaching Office by the deadlines set in the academic calendar.

The final examination committee comprises at least five members appointed by the Department Director.

The Graduation Committee may award a maximum of 6 points above the calculated average based on the thesis and discussion. An additional 2 points (up to 8 total) may be awarded for theses on particularly complex topics, developed with originality and dedication by the candidate, as certified in writing by the supervisor. This certification must be submitted to the Department Director at least one week before the discussion. The Director will inform the Chair of the Graduation Committee, and the Committee must unanimously approve the increased score.

The final grade, expressed out of 110, with the possible addition of honours, is determined based on the weighted average of the grades obtained in the exams.

The final exam is worth 18 ECTS credits.

 

Master’s Degree in Social Sustainability and Welfare Management (LM-87)

The final examination consists of presenting and discussing the thesis before the Graduation Committee, using audiovisual and/or IT tools at the student's discretion.

The final exam is worth 15 ECTS credits. The final grade, expressed out of 110, with the possible addition of honours, is determined by calculating the weighted average of the grades obtained in the exams. The average is rounded down for scores from 1 to 49 hundredths and rounded up for scores from 50 to 99 hundredths. The Graduation Committee, based on the thesis and discussion, and after hearing the opinions of the supervisor and second supervisor, may award up to a maximum of 6 points above the calculated average. The honours distinction must be awarded unanimously by the Committee. For an additional 2 points (up to 8 total), the thesis must cover a particularly complex topic, developed with originality and dedication by the candidate, as certified in writing by the supervisor. This certification must be submitted to the Department Director with a copy of the thesis at least one week before the discussion to allow the Graduation Committee members time to review it.

The Director will inform the Chair of the Graduation Committee of the request for an increased score, which the Committee must unanimously approve.