Q: When should I begin planning my final dissertation? What does the final exam involve?

A: Italian Second-Level Degrees require students to complete their studies with a final examination, which includes the submission and presentation/defense of a dissertation. The degree is officially awarded upon successful completion of this final requirement.

To be admitted to the final exam, students must first pass all the courses in their study plan and complete a dissertation. We recommend that students begin planning their final thesis around the start of the second semester of their second year. The first step is to identify a topic of interest and find a faculty member to act as a thesis supervisor.

There are two types of final exams students may choose from:

• Short thesis: This involves writing an essay that summarizes and reviews existing literature on a specific topic. It is intended to demonstrate comprehensive understanding rather than original research. Students who choose the short thesis are expected to simply present their work before a panel. A maximum of 4 points can be awarded for this type of thesis.

• Long thesis: This requires students to engage in a deeper exploration of their chosen topic, showing their ability to address basic research questions (e.g., formulating hypotheses, performing statistical analyses, working with large datasets, etc.). Students who choose the long thesis will present and defend their work before a panel. A maximum of 7 points may be awarded.

Only students who complete a long thesis are eligible to graduate summa cum laude.