Alma Mater Ticinensis FOUNDATION Track

All participants in this program are required to take the two specialized courses in Italian language and Contemporary Italian & European History and two courses offered by the University of Pavia. Students usually earn a total of 13 credit hours while studying in this program, but a heavier courseload is possible if needed. 

Since the Illinois study abroad application requires a preliminary course selection, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor before their time abroad. 

The preliminary course selection is confirmed upon acceptance into the program and finalized schedules are available upon arrival in Pavia, when students will also work with the Pavia staff to confirm their enrollment.

General information on academics at the University of Pavia can be found here.

Students will take two courses at Palazzo Vistarino. These courses are taught exclusively for Illinois students by University of Pavia faculty at Palazzo Vistarino.

• Italian Language Course (4 or 3 credits; ITAL 101 or higher)

• Contemporary Italian and European History Course (3 credits; HIST 3-- or ITAL 415)

Students will be automatically enrolled in the core courses upon acceptance into the program.

Students will take two additional courses at the University of Pavia according to their academic interests. Courses are available in either Italian or English. 

Students can take pre-approved courses from the Course Approval Database (if offered during the studying abroad semester) or work with their academic advisor to find equivalencies for other courses from the University of Pavia website. When browsing the University of Pavia website, students should check the syllabi of the classes they are interested in to ensure that the classes are taught in English and are offered during the right semester (First Semester = Fall Semester, Second Semester = Spring Semester).

How do I find which classes are available at the University of Pavia?

Business/Economics Track:

• Economics, Development, and Innovation

  • Industrial Organization and Innovation Track

  • International Development and Economic Policy Track

• International Business and Entrepreneurship

  • Digital Management curriculum

  • International Management curriculum

  • Sustainable Management curriculum

• Finance

Humanities and Social Sciences Track:

• Digital Communication

• Economic Development and International Relations

• The Ancient Mediterranean World: History, Archaeology, and Art

• Theoretical and Applied Linguistics; Linguistics and Modern Languages

• World Politics and International Relations

Psychology Track:

• Psychology, Neuroscience, and Human Sciences

  • Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience Track

  • Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience Track

• Neurobiology

IMPORTANT: Students interested in taking MCB coursework in Pavia should contact Lilia Garcia at liliag2@illinois.edu.

Application phase

Students submit a preliminary course selection in the Intended Plan of Study questionnaire included in the Illinois study abroad application. All students should list four courses offered by the University of Pavia.

• • Students should list two main options and two back-ups, ranked by preference, chosen from the Course Approval Database and/or the University of Pavia website based on the University of Pavia's academic offering during their semester abroad.

  • This list should NOT include the Italian Language class or the Contemporary Italian & European History class. 

Pre-departure phase

Upon acceptance into the program, students will confirm their course selection by uploading a tentative Learning Agreement to the University of Pavia application. LAS International Programs and the students' Home College will automatically enroll students in:

• • Study Abroad Placeholder Course (12 credit hours) in your Home College

  • LAS 291/292.

The Alma Mater Ticinensis Foundation will automatically enroll students in:

• • Italian Language (ITAL 101 or higher)

  • Contemporary Italian & European History (ITAL 415, HIST 3--)

While abroad

Although courses offered will be published in the University's catalog, exact class schedules are not typically published until much later and students often receive their schedules upon arrival in Pavia.

This system requires an increased level of flexibility when determining academic schedules for the semester. As with most study abroad programs, LAS International Programs cannot guarantee enrollment in specific courses, but University of Illinois and Palazzo Vistarino staff will assist students in their course planning and aid in the process of finalizing schedules onsite.

Click here for a sample schedule for the Spring Semester.

Prior to departure, students must meet with their advisors to discuss possible coursework.

• IMPORTANT: MCB students should contact Lilia Garcia at liliag2@illinois.edu and Melissa Michael at mmichae@illinois.edu .

The course approval process is generally completed after students have returned to Illinois, but it is strongly encouraged to get started well in advance of your arrival in Pavia. Check out the Grades & Transcripts page to learn more!