CFU credits

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What are CFU credits and what are they for?

CFU is the conventional unit that measures the student’s workload.

One CFU credit normally corresponds to 25 hours of work involving lectures, tutorials, etc., but also home study. For each academic year, a full-time student is expected to earn 60 CFU credits, i.e. 1,500 hours.

This means that the student will have to obtain:

180 CFU to earn a Bachelor’s degree;
120 CFU to earn a Master’s degree;
300 or 360 CFU to earn a Single-cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degree (5 or 6 years).

For each individual learning activity, the workload consists of the theoretical time in which an average student is expected to achieve the learning outcomes indicated in the Student Guide under 'knowledge and skills to be achieved'. The learning outcomes consist of what the student will understand or be able to do at the end of the learning process.

CFUs are acquired by passing an examination or other test.

CFUs therefore determine the quantity of work; the quality of the student's performance, on the other hand, is measured through a mark on a 30-point scale (minimum mark: 18/30), with possible ‘Cum laude’ honours.

CFUs make it possible to compare different degree programmes at Italian and European universities through an assessment of the workload required of the student in certain subject areas to achieve defined educational objectives.

Moreover, CFU credits facilitate student mobility between different programmes, but also between Italian and European universities.

CFU credits gained during a degree programme can be recognised by other institutions when applying for recognition of prior learning.