Foundation Course in Sciences (FCS)
University of Pisa Summer - Winter Schools & Foundation Course
Key Information
Campus location
Pisa, Italy
Languages
English, Italian
Study format
Blended, Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 5,000 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* 5000 euros
Introduction
The Foundation Course Science (FCS) is made of 60 credits (CFC) and the duration is one year divided in two semesters.
Lessons are taught in English and there are 24 CFC of Italian language from the A1 to the B2 level.
Mandatory modules consist of 51 CFC and students can choose the remaining 9 CFC among several optional modules.
The program includes 40 hours of study focused on the preparation of TOLC-MED TEST. Subjects covered are Logic, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
The FCS prepares students interested in scientific courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Math, Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Physics. The program’s modules are based on last year’s curricula of scientific subjects as given at Italian scientific high schools.
Students who have gaps in Math may attend a preparatory class (Math0) in September with dedicated tutors before the beginning of the regular class (Basic Mathematical Language)
Academic Coordinator: Prof. Marco Polini
Mandatory modules
Basic Mathematical Language (6 CFC)
Physics (9 CFC)
Chemistry (6 CFC)
Biology (6 CFC)
Italian Language and Culture (24 CFC)
Elective modules
First semester (6 CFC)
Principles of Economics and Management (3CFC) / Ecology for Agriculture (3CFC) / Introduction to philosophical thought (3 CFC)/ Italian History (3 CFC), Introduction to Film History (3 CFC)
Second semester (3 CFC)
Goesciences (3 CFC) / Logic and Reasoning (3 CFC) / Italian literature II B (3 CFC)/ Advanced Math (3 CFC)/ Introduction to European Law (3 CFC)
What is the foundation course?
The Foundation Course is a study program composed of two fields of study: Humanities (Foundation Course in Humanities-FCH) and Sciences (Foundation Course in Science-FCS), taught in English and primarily aimed at candidates who do not possess the minimum schooling requirements outlined in current legislation for enrolment at Italian universities.
Attendance of the Foundation Course is mandatory and students must accumulate all the credits provided by the course in order to obtain the final qualification.
The modules available within the Foundation Course are taught in English and a certificate of knowledge of the English language at a B2 level is required.
FAQ
- What other options do you have for this program?
Humanities, Native Italians, Free Choice modules.
- Can I pay for this program in installments?
Yes
- What is the admission process for this program?
The application period is from 3/03/2023 to 31/05/2023
You must apply only for one program (Humanities, Science, Native Italians, Single modules) by going to the Foundation Course website (foundationcourse.unipi.it)
There are 120 spots available (60 for Humanities and 60 for Science).
Native italians and Single modules are counted separately.
Upon completion of the assessment process, successful candidates will be informed by email by 16/06/2023 and they will be asked to pay the first fee and to sign the Responsibility Agreement by 30/06/2023. After this they will receive the acceptance letter within two weeks and they will be asked to apply for the Visa through the Universitaly portal (if non-EU students).
The first fee is 1016 euros
Should the number of eligible candidates exceed that of the available places, we will consider successful candidates the first 60 for Science and the first 60 for Humanities in chronological order according to when they have filled and sent us the application for the program.
Should some of the successful candidates decide to withdraw or not to pay the first fee by 30/06/2023 they will be excluded from the program.
Eligible candidates who are not among the first 60 for Humanities or the first 60 for Science will be put in a waiting list and they might be called if some of the successful candidates decide to withdraw.
Eligible candidates in one of the two programs (Humanities or Science) may also be offered to choose the other one if there are remaining spots available. For ex., if one candidate has applied for Science and the spots are full he/she may be asked to move to Humanities in order to be considered successful. If he/she does not accept the change he/she will be put in the waiting list.
Candidates from the waiting list may be admitted by 14/07/2023 and they will have until 31/07/2023 to pay the first fee so as to receive the acceptance letter.
The list with successful, eligible and rejected candidates will be published in the Foundation Course website by 16/06/2023.
Each candidate will be identified in the ranking list through the ID number given by DreamApply during the application procedure.
- What documents are required to apply to this program?
- Passport
- Secondary school leaving certificate obtained after at least 11 years of school + transcript of records of the last school year.
If you have not obtained your Secondary School Qualification yet, it is enough a school enrollment certificate. The deadline to submit the final school certificate is 15/09/2023.
- English language certificate (B2 level at least) or proof of one full year of school in English.
We do accept the following certificates: IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English qualifications
If you do not have any of them an interview is required
- Declaration of Value or CIMEA Statement of Comparability and Statement of Verification of your Secondary School Certificate. Deadline to obtain the documents is 31/01/2024
- Translations in English or Italian of your school documents
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure of the foundation course
The academic year is structured in two terms for which attendance is obligatory.
Each term lasts for 12 weeks and corresponds to the already existing academic semesters.
The terms are organized in the following way:
- 1 week of orientation (which happens once the students arrive)
- 9 weeks of classes
- 1 week of exam preparation (winter break)
- 1 week for exams
Once a student has finished the FC program, s/he will receive a certificate that will allow the student to request enrolment in a Bachelor’s or long single-cycle degree program at the University of Pisa.
Once a student has obtained the FC certificate, should the student be interested in pursuing a degree program at another Italian university, it will be the student’s responsibility to contact the University of interest in order to request information about the procedure and timetable for a pre-evaluation and possible enrolment. According to ministerial decree n. 7696 of March 23rd, 2016, the Italian legal system foresees that each university has full autonomy regarding the admission criteria requested from students interested in studying at their university.
Gallery
Ideal Students
Suitable candidates for the foundation course
The Foundation Course (FC) is a pre-university program for students without the minimum school requirements to apply for an undergraduate degree in an Italian university.
Indeed, for the university enrollment a secondary school leaving certificate obtained after 12 years of school is normally required.
The program is primarily designed for students with:
- A secondary school qualification obtained after 11 years of school
- An American high school diploma without 3 Aps or 1 year of college
- International General Certificate of Education/ General Certificate of Education without 3 A-levels
In order to apply for the Foundation Course your Secondary School Certificate must give you the right to apply for the university in the country to which your school system belongs.