1. General
Q. Is the Master of Science in Economics tailored for students with a BA (or Laurea triennale) or for students with already a Master (or Laurea Magistrale)?
A. For both. In general it is more suited for students who are seeking just a one-year Master degree. In particular students who come from other disciplines, have already a Master in those fields, and would like to strengthen their preparation in Economics in order to continue with advanced doctoral studies. For students interested in a two-year Master degree, we suggest to look at our Laurea Magistrale in Economics and Finance. The Master of Science in Economics and the Laurea Magistrale in Economics and Finance coincide in the first year. However, admissions to the two programs are handled separately.
Q. Can I continue with Laurea Magistrale in Economics and Finance after the Master of Science in Economics?
A. If you plan already to enroll in a two-year Master you should apply from the beginning to the LUISS Laurea Magistrale in Economics and Finance. The first year is in common with Master of Science in Economics. If you want to have more information about enrolment visit http://www.luiss.edu/economics/admissions. However, if you first enroll in the Master of Economics and you complete it successfully, afterward you can continue with the Laurea Magistrale in LUISS. Exams taken in the Master will count toward the fulfillment of the Laurea Magistrale’s requirements up to 40 ECTS, althought the Master of Science in Economics is worth 60 ECTS. A Laurea Magistrale is instead equivalent to 120 ECTS. The Laurea Magistrale requires also the completion and the defense of a thesis.
Q. I am more interested in a private sector job. Should I enroll in the Msc in Economics?
A. This is a high-quality and demanding course which will enhance your abilities and skills whether you desire to pursue more advanced studies or get a job in the private sector
2. Deadline
Q. Is there a deadline?
A. No, applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the beginning of the course if there is availability of space. Financial aid will be also awarded with the admission letter. Therefore, late applicants might have less chances to receive funding or tuition exemptions.
3. Reference Letter
Q. Can the referee write the reference letters in his/her own mother language?
A. No, it should be in English.
Q. Can I provide a professional reference from my employer instead of an academic reference?
A. We specifically need academic references from professors or university lecturers who are able to give an academic evaluation of your research, intellectual qualities, ability and potential.
Q. What is the role of reference letter in the evaluation process?
A. References letter do play a very important role in the selection process, and its absence might affect the overall evaluation of the application.
4. Diplomas, Degrees, Degree Certificates, Language Certificates
Q: What does the application require as regards degree certificates or transcripts?
A: The Admission Committee needs a record of your university studies – a degree transcript – that will list the exams/courses you have taken at university and the grades/marks you have been awarded.
Q. When should I finish my undergraduate degree to apply?
A. You should expect to finish your undergraduate degree by December, 2012. At the time of application , it will be sufficient to attach the transcript of records with the exams already taken together with marks/grades obtained.
5. Working elsewhere
Q. Can I work full-time while attending the Master?
A. No, the Master is a full-time program.
6. Administrative documents
Q. What if I do not have italian VISA or my academic title has not be issued by an Italian University?
A. In order to be enrolled in Master of Science of Economics you have to make sure that:
1. your home country, if not an EU member state, has regular diplomatic relations with Italy in order to get the Study Visa;
2. you obtained your bachelor or equivalent degree at a university located in a country with regular diplomatic relations with Italy in order to get the Statement of Equivalent Value (Dichiarazione di valore in loco).
Q. How can I obtain a study VISA?
A. All students from countries outside the European Union need to have a Study Visa for Italy. The Study Visa is issued by Italian embassies or consulates. The time required to process visa applications is extremely long, usually three months or even more, including the waiting time for an appointment at the embassy/consulate before the start of the procedure. This means that in order to have the Study Visa at the start of the Master in September, you’d have to apply for it not later then June, that is, immediately after receiving your admission notification from LUISS.
The issuing process for the Study Visa is conditioned by the issuing process for the Statement of Equivalent Value (Dichiarazione di valore in loco).
Q. What is the statement of equivalent value?
A.The statement of equivalent value (Dichiarazione di valore in loco) certifies that a bachelor degree obtained in any country except Italy, or at a foreign university located in Italy is equivalent to an Italian bachelor’s degree. Students from all countries, whether EU or non-EU citizens, have to get the Statement in order to enrol in the Master unless they hold an Italian bachelor degree.
Please note: of decisive importance is the origin of the bachelor degree, not the origin of the student (e.g. a Russian student who has completed her/his bachelor’s degree in Great Britain has to apply for the S.E.V. in London).
Students who already have obtained a further graduate degree (master or equivalent) after their bachelor degree have to get the S.E.V. nevertheless. The document does not regard further degrees but only the bachelor degree (or equivalent), which is the necessary academic requirement for application to the MOSEC
The S.E.V. is issued by Italian embassies or consulates in the place where the bachelor degree has been issued. The time required to process S.E.V. applications is quite long, usually up to three months, including the waiting time for an appointment at the embassy/consulate. In order to have the S.E.V. at the start of the Master in September, you have to apply for it not later then June, that is, immediately after receiving your admission notification from LUISS.
For further information see also the LUISS International website .