Psychological Sciences and Techniques

This degree programme provides some of the macro-areas of knowledge required to continue with 2nd cycle studies allowing Psychological Science and Techniques graduates to go on to become psychologists. It aims to achieve the following learning outcomes:
a) development of transversal skills by which students may learn to diagnose the academic and professional situations they experience during this study programme;

b) development of pre-vocational skills (management of interviews, management of small groups, production of technical reports, etc.);

c) acquisition of the (self) assessment skills required for effective management of their own study programme and planning future developments in terms of their academic and professional career;

d) knowledge of the different working contexts in which the psychologist operates so that they can plan their own professional path.
Considering these complex objectives, the study programme is divided as follows:
• the first year concentrates on acquisition of general knowledge in the psychology field, strengthened by some basic skills in the English language (Level B1) and the development of study methods;

• the second year focuses on the further study of course units in the various M-PSI subject areas;

• finally, the third year fills in some general areas of knowledge and offers the chance for further study of subjects relevant for the student's plans for a 2nd cycle degree programme.
The study programme is completed over the three year period by acquisition of conceptual frameworks and intervention techniques which are specific to related and supplementary subject areas of psychology. The aim is to move from the general to the specific, from metacognitive thinking towards experimental application.
A further core feature of the study programme is the range of different workshops (aiming to develop study methods, experiment with data-processing software, provide insight into the psychologist's working environments), which involve active participation by the students and the contribution of some important external speakers.
Psychological Science and Techniques graduates complete their studies with knowledge of the English language to level B1. Study will include both acquisition of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and dialogue) and compulsory attendance of lessons, in line with criteria specified by the degree programme following guidelines from the Academic Bodies.

Admission to the degree programme is subject to possession of a five-year secondary school diploma or suitable equivalent qualification obtained abroad, or a four-year secondary school diploma and diploma for the relative supplementary year, or where this is no longer active, students admitted will be assigned additional learning requirements.
1.2 One also needs high-school-level knowledge of subjects relevant to the degree programme syllabus, especially in the following five areas: understanding a text in Italian; logical reasoning and problem-solving; rudiments of the scientific method; general knowledge and current affairs; knowledge of English to A2 level (anyone shown by the language test to be lower than that level will be set an Additional Learning Requirement, known as an ‘OFA').
The overall knowledge requirement is tested by a written admission exam in multiple-choice form. The criteria and procedure will be stated in the Call for applications published each year by the Degree Programme Board, as foreseen by the current degree programme teaching regulations.
1.3 The degree programme restricts the number of students according to the resources available. The number of students who may enrol and the process of selection will be published every year by a special Call for applications.
1.4 The Call also states the pass-mark for the admission test to this restricted-access degree programme as a reference point for the assignment of OFAs.
Students who score below the pass-mark, yet are admitted, will be assigned OFAs and have to fulfil these requirements:
- compulsory attendance of General Psychology I for at least 70% of the lessons.
- compulsory participation in training activities scheduled by the Degree Programme Board.
- pass the exam of General Psychology I within the winter exam session of the following year.
1.5 The following categories of student are exempt from OFAs but must pass the admission test: those enrolling via a switch or transfer of programme, unless the switch or transfer occurs in the same year in which they register; students who already possess an academic qualification (degree or university diploma), including foreign degrees. Students who take the option of converting from old to new degree system in Psychological Science and Techniques are exempt from both the admission test and OFAs.