GUIDES TO THE UNIVERSITY

  

To classify language competence levels, Università Bocconi conforms to the Common European Framework established by the Council of Europe.

Basic User	A1	Elementary
	A2	Pre-intermediate
Independent User	B1	Intermediate
	B2	Post-intermediate
Proficient User	C1	Advanced
	C2	Proficient

Language skills for each level are available on the Language Centre website in Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The Combined Bachelor and Master of Science in Giurisprudenza [Law] includes in its program structure two compulsory European Union foreign languages: a first foreign language and a second one.

The objective of first foreign language courses is to provide students with the language skills for the general use of the first language for the specific area of law and for the second foreign language, the language skills needed for an appropriate general language use.

The foreign language are as follows:  

	Language	Teaching area	Teaching	Exam	Credit points
First year	First language	general	1st and 2nd semester	2nd semester	4
Second year	First language	legal	1st and 2nd semester	2nd semester	3
Third year	Second language	general	1st and 2nd semester	2nd semester	4
Fourth and fifth year		-	-	-	-

The first language exam of the first year is a prerequisite to the second-year exam.

Credit points are awarded once students pass the exam.

The credit points given for passing the first-year exam form part of the first-year credit points needed to access second year (see "Administrative Procedures Regulations and Deadlines").

The language learning path for the first foreign language begins in the I semester of the first year of studies.

When passing the partial exam credit points are not awarded but 1 extra point expressed in marks out of thirty which is calculated in the Bocconi exam final grade may be awarded (see the language course profiles and syllabuses published on the website respectively at http://www.unibocconi.eu/courses and www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Language Teaching> Curricular activities).

For both the first and second foreign language courses, the grade out of thirty which assesses foreign language skills is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

As an alternative to sitting the Bocconi exam, students may register the results of any foreign language international certifications, among those recognized by Bocconi, in their academic career (see "Method of Assessing Foreign Language Knowledge").

Positioning of the languages for the students enrolled from the second to the fifth year of studies in the 2013/2014 academic year

The combined bachelor and MSc in Giurisprudenza [Law] includes 2 languages of the European Union to be included in the study plan: a compulsory first language and an elective second language (included in the elective courses to be chosen by the student). Objective of the first language courses is to provide the students with adequate skills for an appropriate use of the specialized language in the legal area and, for the second language, adequate skills for an appropriate use of the general language.

First language (compulsory)

The first language includes:

	Teaching area	Teaching	Exam	Credit points
2° year	general (*)	1st and 2nd semester	2nd semester	2
3° year	legal	2nd semester	not present (**)	-
4° year	legal	1st semester	I semester	2

The first year exam is a prerequisite of the second year exam and the second year exam is is a prerequisite of the fourth year exam.
The credit points are earned when passing the relating exam.

(*) During the second year, in addition to the general language, also the first elements of the specialized language are included (legal).

(**) for legal English in the third year of studies second semester a partial exam (elective) is scheduled.

When passing the partial exam credit points are not awarded but 1 extra point expressed in marks out of thirty which is calculated in the Bocconi exam final grade may be awarded (see the language course profiles and syllabuses published on the website respectively at http://www.unibocconi.eu/courses and www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams> Certificates).

Second language (elective)

The second language includes:

	Teaching area	Teaching	Exam	Credit points
5th year	general	1st and 2nd semester	2nd semester	6

A partial exam (elective) in the first semester of the fifth year of studies is scheduled.
When passing the partial exam credit points are not awarded but 1 extra point expressed in marks out of thirty which is calculated in the Bocconi exam final grade may be awarded (see the language course profiles and syllabuses published on the website respectively at http://www.unibocconi.eu/courses and www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams>Certificates>Exam requirements).

The educational path for the second foreign language starts in the first semester of the fifth year.

For both the first and second foreign language courses, the grade out of thirty which assesses foreign language skills is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

As an alternative to sitting the Bocconi exam, students may register the results of any foreign language international certifications, among those recognized by Bocconi, in their academic career (see "Method of Assessing Foreign Language Knowledge").

The choice of foreign languages follows the same criteria for both first and second languages,  depending on:

• the languages chosen must be different from the student's native language;
• English is the compulsory first language for all non native English speakers.

The method of choosing languages is as follows:

First language	Second language
English	French-Italian-Portuguese(*)-Spanish­-German

(*)Notice that for the Portoguese language there is no longer teaching nor Bocconi exam and therefore students can only register in the study plan one among internationally recognized certifications recognised by the University.

At www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter in Language Laboratory, teaching materials for the individual study are available.

Students who are native English speakers, must choose the first language from the other curricular languages.
Students who aren't native Italian speakers, can choose Italian as their second language.

If a student has more than one mother tongue (e.g. coming from or residing in a multilingual country or living with parents from 2 different nationalities) the student must choose one language as his mother tongue for the whole duration of his studies.

First-year students have English assigned automatically as their first compulsory language.

The choice of the second foreign language is done when enrolling for the fifth year.

Minimum exits levels are:

	Language	Exit level
First general language	English	B2 (*)
First specialized language	Legal English	B2
Second language (general)	French-Portuguese-Spanish	B1
	German	A2

(*) Students enrolled from the second to the fifth year of the 2013-2014 academic year choose the desired exit level between B2 and C1 when registering for the final exam (second year of studies) by using the Punto Blu independently from the study path attended.
Higher exit levels are possible, only if established by international foreign language certifications from among those recognized by the University.

The method for learning foreign languages offered by the Language Centre is structured in:
A. Lessons to prepare the students to

• International language certifications recognized as an alternative of the Bocconi exam (only for English first language);
• Bocconi exams (for curricular first and second languages).

B. Guided individual study

A. Teaching
The Language Centre organizes lessons and provides curricular courses which generally run only if enough students are enrolled in.

Lessons to prepare the students to certifications for English

For all students, the courses of preparation for the certifications are offered from the second semester of the first year to the second semester of the second year; students enrolled from the second to the fifth year for the 2013-2014 academic year, they are also offered in the second semester of the third year and in the first semester of the 4th year. The courses prepare the students to the following certifications:

• ILEC, International Legal English Certificate, specialized/legal language. Examination Center University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, levels B2 and C1;
• IELTS , International English Language Testing System, general language, Examination Center British Council, IDP - IELTS Australia, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, level C1 and B2 (only as an alternative of the first year exam).

The offer of the certifications is limited to few cases in which the students can record a certification as an alternative to the Bocconi exam provided for in the program structure.

In addition:

• places available are limited: to be admitted students must sit for a test;
• once the test is carried out, the ranking for the students admitted is set: test results are IT processed and are in line with European parameters;
• the courses have a semester structure (October-December; February-May), each one includes 48 teaching academic hours (except for IELTS C1: 24 hours).

Periods and methods to sit for the test and to enrol in such courses are communicated through the yoU@B student Diary before the start of each semester (further information at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter in Language Teaching).

Each course is started only if an adequate number of enrolled students is reached.

Course syllabuses are available at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter in Language Teaching > Curricular activities>Corso di laurea magistrale in giurisprudenza

Each course is started if there are enough enrolled students.

A1 Lessons to prepare the students to Bocconi exams for curricular language courses for students initially enrolled from the 2013-2014 academic year

First foreign language (first year of studies) and first specialized language (second year of studies)

Lessons for the first foreign language include for both cases a single path lasting two semesters for a total of 96 hours of lessons, automatically assigned to each student when initially enrolling and enrolling in the second year.

Second foreign language
Lessons for the second foreign language include a single path lasting one year in the third year automatically assigned to each student when making the choice of the language, for a total of 128 hours of lessons.

Attendance to first and second language courses is strongly recommended; attending courses is the most effective way of learning the language and preparing for the final exam. Active  participation in a course and certain self-study activities can add 2 extra points out of thirty to the final exam mark (more detailed information is available at http://www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams - Certificates > Exam requirements).

For the first language, general and legal, and for the second language there is also a partal exam (elective) in the first semester. When passing the partial exams no credit points are given but 1 additional point out of 30 which is counted into the calculation of the final grade of the Bocconi exam (see the course profiles and the exam requirements available at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams - Certificates>Exam requirements).

First year students who have finalized their enrolment can check their language class timetable at yoU@B. Students enrolled in subsequent year can check the timetable when the teaching starts.
The summarized course programs (course profiles) of the language courses are available at www.unibocconi.eu/courses.

The detailed programs (course syllabuses and exam requirements) are available at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams - Certificates>Exam requirements).

A2. Teaching for the Bocconi exams for the curricular languages for students enrolled from the 2^nd to the fifth year of studies in the 2013-2014 academic year

For the first general language teaching in the second year includes an annual total number of hours equal to 72 hours of lessons. For the first specialized language, teaching in the third and fourth year includes a path lasting 2 semesters (second semester third year and first semester fourth year), for a total number of hours equal to 72 hours of lessons. For the second foreign language teaching in class lasts one year (fifth year) for a total of 128 hours of lessons.

Attendance in the courses of the first and second foreign language is strongly recommended: the courses are offered as ideal learning path of the language and preparatory for the final exam. Positive participation in a course and carrying out specific study activities autonomously can increase the exam final grade for a maximum of 2 points out of 30 (detailed information is published in the exam requirements of each language available at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams-Certificates>Exam requirements).

For the first language Legal English and for the second language there is also a partal exam (elective) in the first semester. When passing the partial exams no credit points are given but 1 additional point out of 30 which is counted into the calculation of the final grade of the Bocconi exam (see the course profiles and the exam requirements available respectively at www.unibocconi.eu/courses and at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams - Certificates>Exam requirements.

Language class timetable can be viewed on yoU@B when the teaching starts.

The summarized course programs (course profiles) of the language courses are available at www.unibocconi.eu/courses.

The detailed programs (course syllabuses and exam requirements) are available at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Language Teaching>Curricular activities>Corso di laurea magistrale in giurisprudenza.

B. Guided independent study

Learning a foreign language requires not only attending lessons regularly but also consistent efforts in independent study.The Language Center offers students information and consulting services for language study. Its language laboratory provides a variety of preparatory materials (multi-media library) and other material is available online for different languages at in Language Laboratory.Learning a foreign language requires not only attending lessons regularly but also consistent efforts in independent study.The Language Center offers students information and consulting services for language study. Its language laboratory provides a variety of preparatory materials (multi-media library) and other material is available online for different languages at in Language Laboratory.

Guided independent study consists of a variety of activities which the student carries out, based on specific indications given by the teacher. Activities may involve teaching materials, (e.g. exercises in books) support from the language laboratory (e.g. multimedia courses) and other material available online. 

The course syllabuses available at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Language Teaching provide information concerning lessons as well as guided independent study. For each subject dealt with during lessons, there are corresponding activities which can be carried out.

As a general guide, the total amount of hours which should be dedicated to independent study per week is 3-4 hours per week.

For English, Università Bocconi strongly recommends an initial language preparation of at lest B1 level (intermediate) of the European Language Framework (see European Language Framework) in order to attend the language courses with needed knowledge.
On the Bocconi website at www.unibocconi.it/centrolinguistico in Requisiti minimi in ingresso (only Italian version) detailed information on the language skills needed and on self-learning paths to follow to rech the specified level is available.

In order to seek for the correct learning path assigned, all non English native speakers enrolled in class groups taught in Italian, must assess their initial knowledge of English as follows:

• when finalizing enrolment students must show that they have at least one of the language requirements stated when they applied for admission online and indicated by the University (see the website www.unibocconi.eu/admission or
• when making the selection "Italian candidates", students take the aptitude test entirely in English, or
• when making the selection "Italian candidates", together with the aptitude test (in Italian) students take a test for the language positioning.

Students who are not native Italian speakers or non-EU citizens with no Italian residency must take the online Italian language test (in accordance with Ministerial regulations).

Assessment is carried out by:

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

International certifications
As an alternative to the Bocconi exam students may only choose to take one of the international certifications exams indicated by the University. The registration of the achieved result in the academic career, after being converted into a number grade out of a possible thirty is made by the Secretary’s Office of the Language Centre under presentation of the original certification.

The level of the certifications presented must be for each language equal to or higher than the exit levels (in accordance with the criteria indicated in "Exit levels").

International certification is registered in the student's academic career and it is valid for 3 years (except for some international tests which are valid for less time, see www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exams-Certificates.

The list of international certifications recognized for the different exams is published at http://www.unibocconi.eu/ /languagecentre , in Exams-Certificates .

For both the first and second foreign languages, international certifications may be presented starting with the first year of studies. In any case, the related credit points and marks are attributed to the year of studies of the course

With respect to the first foreign language it should be noted that in order to be registered in the student's academic career, an international foreign language certification the following cases are possible. 

For students initially enrolled starting from the 2013-2014 academic year:

• if the certification presented is of level B2 general it can replace only the exam of the 1^st year;
• if the certification presented is of level general C1 or C2 or legal language B2, C1 or C2, it can replace only the exams of the first and second year. Specifically: 
  - if the certification is presented during the first year of studies: 4 credit points will be registered in the student's academic career for the first year of studies and 3 credit points will be registered for the second year of studies; in this case only the first year credit points are calculated to pass from the first to the second year of studies and only if the certification is  presented by 14 July 2014;
  - if the certification is presented during the second years of studies or later, the student will be lacking the credit points necessary for the exams of each year until these are registered. 

With respect to the first foreign language exam is is also specified that , in all cases, when registering the certification in his career:

• student has not taken the Bocconi exam: the grade of the certification, converted into a grade expressed out of thirty, will be given:
  - as the result of only the first year exam if the certification is of level B2 general language;
  -as the result of the first and second exam if the certification is of level C1 or C2 general language or legal B2, C1 or C2;
• student has already taken the first Bocconi exam and has it registered in his/her academic career: the grade expressed out of thirty will be given as the result of the second exam only, only if the level and linguistic area are appropriate.

For students enrolled from the 2nd to the fifth year of studies 2013-2014

• If the certification presented is of general level B2 it can replace only the exams of the first and second year, in particular when the certification is presented in the second year of studies or subsequent years: students will turn out ‘in debito d’esame’ (student who has not yet passed the exam for previous year/s) for the credit points relating to each year until they are recorded.
• If the certification presented is of general level C1 or C2 or legal language B2, C1 or C2 it can replace the exams of 1st year, second year and fourth year. In particular when the certification is presented in the second year of studies or subsequent years: students will turn out ‘in debito d’esame’ (student who has not yet passed the exam for previous year/s) for the credit points relating to each year until they are recorded.

With reference to the first language it is also specified that in all cases, if when recording a certification in the student’s academic career the student:

• has not taken any Bocconi exam: the grade of the certification, transformed into a grade out of thirty is:
  - result of both the first and second exam if it is of general language level B2;
  - result of both the first, second and third exam if it is of legal language level B2, C1 or C2;
• has already and recorded the first Bocconi exam in his/her academic career: the grade of the certification, converted in a grade out of thirty is result of the second exam only and of any third exam on the basis of the level and language area of the certification (as specified above).

International foreign language certifications can be received by sitting an exam with an official examination centre, both in Italy and abroad.

Students are responsible for any costs related to exams certification.

For students who are interested in certifications or in the Bocconi exam or, the Language Centre provides information and guidance on exam assessment methods. Specific materials for exam preparation and past exam papers are also available at the language laboratory.

• International certifications recognised by the University as an alternative to the Bocconi exam

Bocconi exam
The assessment is carried out by taking an exam which tests comprehension skills and knowledge of written and spoken language depending on the level of competence to be achieved.

The exam is structured in a written exam and an oral integrative compulsory exam. Admittance in the oral exam depends on passing the written exam.

The first-year exam is a prerequisite of the following exams.

Students can apply for having the Legal English (first language) curricular exam exempted i.e. having the grade achieved in the Genral English (codes 30129 or 50127) on the basis of the year of initial enrolment of the CLMG or former Bocconi undergraduate degree in Giurisprudenza [Law]exam recorded in the student academic career (exam grade or grade of the recognised international certification expressed out of thirties according to the appropriate tables defined by the Language Centre) only for the following exam (English first language first year of studies) exit levels: B2 legal, C1 general, C1 legal, C2 general, C2 legal.

If students who meet the above necessary requirements apply for the exemption must hand in the request form to the Academic Affairs Division Desk from 1 August to 30 September 2013 and from 08 to 21 January 2014.

The second foreign language includes a partial exam (optional) to be taken in the I semester and a final exam to be taken in the II semester (for information on partial exam check the website at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecentre in Exam Certificates>Course contents and Exam requirements.

Exams follow the same language standards as those set for international certifications.

For the first language and for the second one the final grade is given on the basis of the final exam result as well as other means of evaluation to check progress made during the course of studies. Specifically:

-  positive results each year for active classroom participation and guided independent study; 
-  passing partial exam (only when scheduled, see 2.3.5 The language learning path

The grade achieved is out of 30 and it is included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

The level of competence achieved is recorded on the official exam report and on the official academic transcript.

Exit levels which are higher than those foreseen for curricular exams of first and second languages are only possible through the registration in the student's academic career of any international certifications recognized by the University, and it is not considered in the graduation grade.

Also foreign languages can be recorded as additional exams. With reference to the curricular languages it is specified that:

• the same rules which are valid for additional exams are applied (see "Additional courses");
• the recording of the grade earned through the Bocconi exam or the conversion in a grade out of thirty of the score achieved upon international certification from among the ones recognized by the Univerisity in accordance with the same methods for the recognition and recording valid for the first and second foreign language (see "Method of assessing foreign language knowledge, International certifications");
• the minimum exit level and linguistic field specified for second language (see "Exit levels").

In addition students can record in their study plan also Russian, which is a non curricular language. For the recording of Russian:

• the same rules valid for all additional exams (see "Additional courses") are applied;
• there are no Bocconi exams therefore it is only possible to record an international certification from among the ones recognized by the university in accordance with the same methods for recognition and recording valid for curricular languages (see "Method of assessing foreign language knowledge, International certifications");
• a minimum exit level equal to B1 for linguistic business or general area.