Admission procedures graduate degree programme

Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Degree programme in Agricultural and food economics (Class LM-69/LM-70)

Academic year 2023/2024 - Cremona Campus

English language programme

Contents

1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.1. Curricular requirements........................................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2. Knowledge of the English language ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.3. Adequacy of personal preparation........................................................................................................................................................... 3

2. NUMBER OF PLACES ................................................................................................................................................ 3

3. ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES .................................................................................................................... 3

3.1. Interview to verify the adequacy of personal preparation ................................................................................................... 4

4. INTERVIEW TO VERIFY THE ADEQUACY OF PERSONAL PREPARATION ..................................................................................... 4

5. ENROLMENT AND PRE-ENROLMENT ............................................................................................................................. 5

6. CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES OR SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDERS (SLD) ........................................................................... 5

7. TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER UNIVERSITY, SECOND DEGREE AND RESUMPTION OF CAREER ........................................................... 5

8. PROGRAMME CHANGE WITHIN UNIVERSITÀ CATTOLICA ..................................................................................................... 6

9. CONTACTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 6

10. FINAL NOTES AND PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE PROCEDURE................................................................................................ 6

 Admission Procedures Graduate Degree PROCEDURES, MODALITIES, AND
Programme OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the graduate degree programme in Agricultural and food economics is subject to the
admission requirements set out in the following paragraphs.

1.1. Curricular requirements

For admission to the graduate degree programme in Agricultural and food economics, it is necessary to
have the requirements under A or the requirements under B:

A. a three-year degree in one of the following classes under Ministerial Decree 270/04 (or in the
corresponding classes provided for in the former Ministerial Decree 509/99) obtained, or to be
obtained, by the last graduation session of the home university in the academic year 2022/23:
• L-2 Biotechnology (formerly D.M. 270/04 or class 1 ex M.D. 509/99);
• L-13 Biological sciences (formerly D.M. 270/04 or class 12 ex M.D. 509/99);
• L-18 Economics and business management sciences (ex D.M. 270/04 or class 17 ex M.D.
509/99);
• L-25 Agricultural and forestry sciences and technologies (ex D.M. 270/04 or class 20 ex M.D.
509/99);
• L-26 Agro-food sciences and technologies (ex D.M. 270/04 or class 20 ex M.D. 509/99);
• L-33 Economics (formerly D.M. 270/04 or class 28 ex M.D. 509/99);
• L-38 Zootechnical sciences and animal production technology (ex D.M. 270/04 or class 40 ex
D.M. 509/99;
• L-GASTR Science, culture and politics of gastronomy;

B. a three-year degree (ex D.M. 270/04 or ex D.M. 509/99) obtained, or to be obtained, by the last
graduation session of the home university in the academic year 2022/2023 and at least 32
ECTS in the three-year degree programme syllabus, or as single courses passed, among the
scientific-disciplinary fields below:
- at least 8 ECTS in basic science and agri-food technology: AGR/01, AGR/02, AGR/03,
AGR/04, AGR/07, AGR/11, AGR/12, AGR/15, AGR/16, AGR/17, AGR/18, AGR/19, BIO/01,
BIO/02, BIO/04, BIO/05, BIO/10, CHIM/01, CHIM/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/06, CHIM/10, FIS/01,
FIS/02, FIS/03, FIS/07, MED/42, MED/49;
- at least 8 ECTS in mathematical and statistical disciplines: MAT/01, MAT/02, MAT/03,
MAT/05, MAT/06; SECS-S/01, SECS-S/03, SECS-S/04, SECS-S/06, INF/01;
- at least 8 ECTS in the analysis of economic and organisational mechanisms in the agri-food
system: SECS-P/01, SECS-P/02, SECS-P/06, IUS/03, IUS/04, IUS/13, IUS/14;
- at least 8 ECTS in economics and business management: SECS-P/07, SECS-P/08, SECS-
P/09, SECS-P/10, ING-IND/35.

Up to 16 ECTS may be missing from those required. The degree programme coordinator
reserves the right to assess whether the required teaching content has been covered in the
programme syllabus and, if necessary, to define an ad hoc study plan. Candidates will receive
appropriate communication.

The syllabus of candidates with a pre-reform university degree or a three-year university degree or a
diploma from a three-year school for special purposes of pre-Ministerial Decree regulations 509/99 or
integrated specialisation/graduate degree programme from post-Ministerial Decree 509/99 -
MINISTERIAL DECREE 270/04 is assessed by a special Committee appointed by the Faculty.

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 Admission Procedures Graduate Degree PROCEDURES, MODALITIES, AND
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1.2. Knowledge of the English language

In addition to the ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS listed above, it is mandatory to have an adequate
knowledge of English, corresponding to at least a B2 level. It is therefore necessary to hold one of the
following English language certifications obtained as of 1 January 2021:
- TOEFL/IBT (with a score of at least 84);
- Academic IELTS (with a score of at least 6.0);
- Cambridge English: First - FCE;
- Cambridge English: Advanced - CAE;
- Cambridge English: Proficiency - CPE;
- Cambridge English: Business English Certificate (BEC Vantage and BEC Higher);
- Trinity College London: Integrated Skills in English (from ISE II);
- Pearson PTE Academic (with a score of at least 65)

or one of the following requirements:

- a three-year degree obtained, or to be obtained, in English;
- undergraduate degree from one of the profiles/programmes taught in English at Università Cattolica
del Sacro Cuore;
- undergraduate degree (ex D.M. 270/04) from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental
Sciences at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore who have passed the English Language
examination (SeLda).
In case of lack of the indicated certifications or requirements, it is necessary to take an online English
language proficiency assessment test, within the deadlines for opening the application form (see
paragraph 3 ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES), organised by the SELDA Language Service of
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. The dates and how to register are indicated in the appropriate
notice.
Only after having reached at least a B1+ level will it be possible to proceed with the booking of the
interview to verify the adequacy of personal preparation.
WARNING: Candidates who pass the online English language proficiency assessment test at B1+ level
or hold one of the following English language certificates obtained after 1 January 2021:

- TOEFL/IBT (with a score of at least 75);

- Academic IELTS (with a score of at least 5.5);
- Cambridge English: PET with merit;
- Cambridge English: Business English Certificate (BEC Preliminary with merit);
- Trinity College London: Integrated Skills in English;
- Trinity College London: Integrated Skills in English (from ISE B1+);
- Pearson PTE Academic (with a score of at least 50)

a curricular supplement of English language is assigned at the interview.

1.3. Adequacy of personal preparation

The adequacy of the personal preparation referred to in Art. 6(2) of Ministerial Decree 270/2004 is not
directly recognised and an interview is scheduled in accordance with the procedures set out in section
4 below INTERVIEW TO VERIFY THE ADEQUACY OF PERSONAL PREPARATION.

2. NUMBER OF PLACES
For the graduate degree programme in Agricultural and food economics, places are open access,
within the limits of available resources.

3. ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES

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 Admission Procedures Graduate Degree PROCEDURES, MODALITIES, AND
Programme OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

The places on the graduate programme in Agricultural and food economics are allocated following
interview to verify the adequacy of personal preparation, within the limits of available resources.
Candidates with an Italian qualification must use the Enrolment Portal, for the procedure to follow
please consult the Enrolment Portal User Guide.
Candidates with a foreign qualification must comply with the provisions issued by the Ministry of
University and Research, which have been made public in an appropriate note. For information on
admission to the graduate degree programme, please contact the International Admissions Office and
view the admission procedures at https://international.unicatt.it

3.1. Interview to verify the adequacy of personal preparation

APPLICATION SUBMISSION: from 10 March 2023 to 11 December 2023
Candidates:
- possessing the curricular requirements under A
- possessing all curricular requirements under point B
- in the absence of certain curricular requirements under point B, within the limits indicated above;
- possessing English language skills of at least B1+ level

must book an interview to verify the adequacy of their personal preparation through the Enrolment
Portal from 10:00 a.m. on 10/03/2023 until 11:59 p.m. on 11/12/2023.

Candidates will receive the result by e-mail at the end of the interview: if the result is positive, they can
reserve their place in chronological order, paying the first instalment of university fees through the
Enrolment Portal within 7 days, after which the candidate is considered to have withdrawn and loses
access priority. If, on the other hand, the result is negative, they may not enrol in the programme (see
section 4 INTERVIEW TO VERIFY THE ADEQUACY OF PERSONAL PREPARATION).
Please consult the Enrolment Portal User Guide for the interview booking and place reservation
procedure.

4. INTERVIEW TO VERIFY THE ADEQUACY OF PERSONAL PREPARATION

Without prejudice to the possession of the ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, candidates must undergo an
interview to verify the adequacy of their personal preparation aimed at ascertaining the possession of
basic knowledge and skills, with particular reference to the subject areas that characterise the graduate
degree programme. It will only be possible to book the interview once the English language level is at
least B1+. The candidate is deemed suitable if he/she demonstrates sufficient basic knowledge of the
required topics, is able to make connections between them, shows sufficient independence of
judgement and is able to communicate in an appropriate language.

In the event that the interview is concluded positively but with evidence of knowledge gaps in the areas
indicated in paragraph 1.1. CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS, curricular integrations will be assigned.
The interview is conducted online, through the Microsoft TEAMS platform. No later than the day before
the date of the interview, candidates receive the invitation by e-mail from the coordinating professor.
During the interview, candidates must show a valid identity document and any documentation deemed
useful for the purpose of verifying their study plan (e.g. programmes of courses taken during their three-
year degree pathway).
The outcome of the interview is communicated at the end of the interview. Successful candidates can
reserve their place within the specified deadlines. Unsuccessful candidates cannot enrol in the
programme. Those who were absent may book a new interview to verify the adequacy of their personal
preparation through the Enrolment Portal.
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 Admission Procedures Graduate Degree PROCEDURES, MODALITIES, AND
Programme OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

For information on booking an interview and reserving a place through the Enrolment Portal, please
consult the Enrolment Portal User Guide.

5. ENROLMENT AND PRE-ENROLMENT

Graduate candidates without curricular integrations, after reserving their place through the payment
of the first instalment, must enrol through the Enrolment Portal. To find out about the enrolment
procedure, please consult the Enrolment Portal User Guide.

Graduate candidates with curricular integrations and undergraduate candidates, after reserving
their place through payment of the first instalment, must proceed to pre-enrolment.
For information on the pre-enrolment procedure, see the Enrolment Portal User Guide.

Pre-enrolment for the graduate degree programme is accepted subject to reservation and is
conditional on:
- the fulfilment of the assigned curricular integrations, within the timeframe set out below;
- obtaining the degree within the time limits set out in the admission procedures.

Pre-enrolled candidates reserve a place with the right to attend graduate degree programmes from their
start. They are required to finalise their enrolment immediately after graduation and/or completion of the
curricular integrations.

Curricular integrations: candidates who have been assigned curricular integrations, once pre-enrolled, are
required to complete them from the September/October 2023 examination session and by the April 2024
examination session. Failure to pass these will affect enrolment in the graduate degree programme.
Students may attend lectures on the subjects included in the study plan, but may not take the relevant
examinations before the integration and finalisation of enrolment.

6. CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES OR SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDERS (SLD)

Candidates with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are required to upload, in the
appropriate profile section of the Enrolment Portal, the disability report or certificate relating to the SLD
and send an email to [email protected] or [email protected], at least 3 days
before the date of the interview, to inform them of their registration for the interview.
Registration for the interview must necessarily be done via the Enrolment Portal. For further
information, please contact the secretariat at: [email protected]; segreteria.dsa-
[email protected], tel. 0523 599 148.

7. TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER UNIVERSITY, SECOND DEGREE AND RESUMPTION OF CAREER

Candidates wishing to transfer from another university, enrol in a second degree or resume their
university career must meet the ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS and comply with the deadlines and procedures
set out in section 3 ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES.
Candidates must apply for admission to the graduate degree programme in Agricultural and food
economics via the Enrolment Portal.
Following admission, it is necessary to reserve the place by paying the first instalment and the secretarial
fees and to submit the Application Form via the Enrolment Portal by the deadlines indicated in paragraph
3 ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES.
Candidates who transfer from another university, after having reserved their place, may sit other
examinations, at their university of origin, until they submit their Transfer Application, which must
normally be submitted no later than 18 December 2023. The place is reserved when the submitted
documentation is validated by the Student Services Centre.
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 Admission Procedures Graduate Degree PROCEDURES, MODALITIES, AND
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The competent teaching structure will only assess examinations taken and recorded up to the submission
of the Transfer Application.
Candidates enrolling for a second degree, after reserving their place by paying the first instalment and
secretarial fees, must submit an Application for a Second Degree, which must normally be submitted
no later than 31 December 2023. The degree from the home course must necessarily be obtained by 31
December 2023. The place is reserved when the submitted documentation is validated by the Student
Services Centre.
Candidates resuming their careers, after having paid the first instalment and the secretarial fees, must
submit an Application for Resumption of Career, which must normally be submitted no later than 18
December 2023. The place is reserved when the submitted documentation is validated by the Student
Services Centre.
The year of admission will be assessed by the Faculty Council or a delegated committee, which will take
into consideration the candidate's entire academic career. The place is reserved when the submitted
documentation is validated by the Student Services Centre.

8. PROGRAMME CHANGE WITHIN UNIVERSITÀ CATTOLICA

Candidates wishing to change programme/profile within Università Cattolica at the Università Cattolica
must meet the ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS and comply with the deadlines and procedures indicated in
section 3 ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES.
Candidates must apply for admission to the Agricultural and food economics degree programme via
the Enrolment Portal.
Following admission to the programme, a place must be reserved by making the first instalment and
secretarial fee payments and submitting the application via the Enrolment Portal within the deadlines set
out in section 3 ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES.
After reserving a place, it is possible to take other examinations of the programme/profile of origin until
the start of the Change procedure, which is done by clicking the "Proceed with Change" function in the
Enrolment Portal, normally no later than 18 December 2023.
The competent teaching structure will only assess the examinations taken and recorded until the start of
the Change procedure.
The year of admission will be assessed by the Faculty Council or a delegated committee, which will take
into consideration the candidate's entire academic career.

9. CONTACTS
For further information and clarifications, you can use the 'Request for information on graduate degree
programmes' service or consult the FAQ. If you need support in using the Enrolment Portal, you can use
the 'Assistance' button within the Portal.

10. FINAL NOTES AND PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE PROCEDURE

The 'General regulations for determining university fees a.y. 2023/24' apply to enrolled students.

Students are required to take note of any additions, amendments, updates to these procedures
published on Università Cattolica website.

Pursuant to law no. 241/1990, the person responsible for this admission procedure is Annalisa Castellani
(Student Career Services Responsible).

Cremona, 20 February 2023

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