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GUIDES TO THE UNIVERSITY

2013-2014 A.Y.
Bachelor of Science Programs (3-y)



3.1.8.
Method of assessing foreign language knowledge

Knowledge is assessed by one of the following methods:

  • international certification from among those recognized by the University, or
  • Bocconi exam.


International certifications
Students can choose to take an exam for only one of the international certifications recognized by the University instead of the Bocconi exam. Students will then apply to have the result converted into a mark out of thirty by the Language Centre Secretary's Office under presentation of the original certification and recorded in their academic career.

The level of the international certification must at least correspond to or be higher than the exit level set for the language in question (see "Exit levels").

For the purpose of registering international certifications in the academic career, certifications are valid for a period of 3 years from the date they were obtained (except for some international tests which are valid for less time, see www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams-Certificates).

The list of the international language certifications recognized for the different exams is published on the website at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams-Certificates.

In addition to the list of international general language certifications, the University also recognizes special language certifications for MSc programs published on the same website section.

International certifications can be presented even in the first year of studies; this applies to both 1st and 2nd languages. In any case, students will have the credit points and marks expressed out of thirty registered for the year of studies in which the course is placed in the program structure.

With reference to the first language, it is important to note that the registration of an international certification in the student's academic career is only possible in the following 2 cases:

  • if the certification is submitted in the first year of studies, 3 credit points will be registered in the student's academic career in the first year of studies and the other 3 credit points from the second year of the program. In this case, only the credit points awarded for the first-year exam will be included in the calculation of credit points that are required in order to continue studies in the second year, only if the certification is handed in by 14 July 2014;
  • if the certification is submitted in the second year of studies or later, the student will have an exam debit for the credit points attributed to each year until registration has been completed.


In both cases, with reference to the first language the following will apply if at the time of certification registration the student:

  • has not passed any Bocconi exams: the certification mark which has been converted into a mark out of thirty will be shown as the mark achieved for both the first and second exams;
  • has already passed and registered the first Bocconi exam in the study plan: the certification mark which has been converted into a mark out of thirty will be shown as the mark for the second exam only.


Students must take the exams for international certifications through an official Examination Centre, either in Italy or abroad.

Students are responsible for the costs associated with sitting the exams for international certifications.

The certifications submitted for the admission procedures can also be used as an alternative to the Bocconi exam. These certifications can only be submitted if they satisfy the exit level requirement and are among those recognized by the University (upon presentation of the original certification to the Secretary’s Office of the Language Centre within 3 years from the conferral date, except for some international tests which are valid for less time, see www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter in Exams - Certificates).

The Language Centre offers a service which is designed to give guidance and information on the exam assessment methods and to provide specific preparation materials and past exam papers which are available at the language laboratories. This service is offered to all students interested in taking the Bocconi exams or in international certifications.

Bocconi exam
Language knowledge is assessed by an exam. This exam is designed to test the student's comprehension and knowledge of both written and spoken language adapted to the appropriate language level of competence required. The exam is structured in a written exam and a compulsory oral integrative one; admission in the oral exam is subject to passing the written exam.

Only for the first language, the first-year exam constitutes in a written exam only and it is a prerequisite of the second-year exam.

For the second language in the third year of studies, there is one final exam (compulsory) in the second semester and also one partial exam (optional) in the first semester (for information on partial exams check the website at http://www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams - Certificates> Bocconi exams).

Exams are prepared in accordance with the same language standards relating to international certifications.

The final grade is given on the basis of the final exam results and other elements such like the learning progress made specifically:

  • for the 1st language:
    - positive results for active class participation and for guided individual study each year;
  • for the 2nd language:
    - positive results for active class participation and guided individual study;
    - positive partial exam results.


The exam is marked out of thirty and is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

The language level achieved when passing the second year exam is specifically indicated on the official exam report and official academic transcript.

Students can achieve higher exit levels than the curricular courses for both 1st and 2nd languages. This is only possible through the registration of one of the international certifications recognized by the University in the student's academic career.

Last change 24/07/2013 14:35