FAQs

Is the choice of whether to graduate as LM-32 or LM-66 arbitrary or are there constraints in the examinations to be taken if one wants to graduate in one or the other category?
Arbitrary, in the sense that the curriculum is the same for LM32 and LM66. It is then up to each of you to choose your degree. The new degree programme in Cybersecurity is an interclass course for LM32 (Computer Engineering) and LM66 (Computer Security). This means that graduates of this course can be: doctor of cybersecurity (LM32) or doctor of cybersecurity (LM66). The difference is not in the curriculum, but in the title acquired. The title will have a fairly minimal impact, except for competitions or job positions that require a specific degree code.

Having obtained a Bachelor's degree in Security, some examinations have already been taken. Is it possible to replace them? Does replacement depend on the university or is there a margin of choice?
It is possible to assess the syllabuses of the examinations already taken and define a customised study plan.

Does one have to have a previous background in security to take the master's course in security or does the course start from scratch?
We start from scratch. Previous requirements are those acquired in an L-8 or L-31 degree course.

For the Network, Cloud and Application Security course, I read that it is possible to take the exam before taking the course. In what sense?
Starting from the academic year 2023/24, at the Polytechnic it is possible to take the exam before completing the course for some subjects that provide video lectures from previous years. In addition, for courses involving projects, this may also be an option. This possibility must be discussed with the lecturer responsible. This system may be useful, for example, for those enrolling in the second semester who wish to make up exams from the first semester.

Is it possible to have access to material from a course for which I am not registered?
If you do not intend to take the course, it is up to the lecturer: you can ask for your freshman registration to access the material.

What are the Challenges available as alternatives to free credits in the syllabus?
Challenges are project-type activities proposed by companies or organisations, carried out by multidisciplinary groups of students. Often mechatronics engineers, like computer scientists, are very valuable for their skills. Challenges are worth 8 CFU, but of these only 6 are recognisable in lieu of free credits.

I am attending the first year of the LM and I am on a student team at the same time. There is the possibility at the end of the year to apply for recognition of 8 cfu for the activity carried out. Is it then possible to substitute an 8 cfu exam from the second year? If so, do I have to include it in the teaching load already?
You can apply to replace a 6 CFU free-choice course with the activity carried out with the student team. In that case your study plan will increase to 122 CFU, 2 of which will be extracurricular. Replacing an 8 CFU course with the student team activity is not accepted as a variation request.

Are classes recorded? Is it feasible to register for the course as a student worker?
Most lecturers record lectures or share recordings from previous years if the teaching content is stable. However, the choice is left to the individual lecturers.

When does the Erasmus call for applications come out?
The Erasmus programme generally takes place in the second year of the master's degree course, and the call for applications comes out around December of the first year of the master's degree course. A ranking is drawn up on the basis of an assigned point score (given by the number of semesters of enrolment and the average marks, details on the call for applications) and then the assignments are made.

How to apply for Erasmus?
Do you want to apply for Erasmus? All open calls and mobility opportunities abroad can be found on this page https://www.polito.it/didattica/iscriversi-studiare-laurearsi/studiare-all-estero/bandi-per-mobilita-internazionale-studentesca
ATTENTION to deadlines!

I have been assigned a destination, what should I do now?
The Politecnico has selected you for a mobility period at a specific partner university. After accepting the destination, make sure you have all the necessary documents:

• For EU citizens: you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU member states, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (Schengen area), with a valid national identity card or passport;
• For non-EU citizens: before leaving, you must check with the consular representations in Italy of the country of destination what the requirements are. For information on the Italian immigration desk residence permit;
• Non-Schengen countries: you will need a valid passport and a visa for study purposes may be required (e.g. United Kingdom, Turkey).

For scholarship winners, in order to be able to sign the contract, you must enter your IBAN using the procedure on your personal page of the Didactics Portal > Online Secretariat > Fees and Payments (a current account in your name or jointly in your name or a prepaid card in your name).
For some destinations the university offers free language courses (French A1 and A2, Spanish A1 and A2, Portuguese A1, German A1, Swedish A1). Participation is NOT compulsory.
To sign the contract you have to wait for an email with instructions on how to proceed from the mobility office, indicatively in spring.
Your partner university will contact you by email (or the polytechnic will write to you by ticket/email) to explain the steps you need to take in order to apply for admission (= APPLICATION). You will need to provide your details and submit certain documents, e.g: Nomination letter, Transcript of Records, Recommendation letter, Learning Agreement, etc.

What is the Learning Agreement?
The Learning Agreement (LA) is the founding document of mobility and guarantees the recognition of credits acquired abroad when you return to the Politecnico at the end of your mobility. You must agree it with the support of the academic contact for mobility through the appropriate procedure on the Education Portal (Online secretariat > ‘outgoing mobility’ box) and obtain approval from the partner university.
The portal contains the archive of LAs set up in past years. It is a useful tool for taking inspiration, and it is also possible to filter by state, city, partner university, study cycle, cds, a.y., etc.
In general, the following rules apply:

• Mobility by Courses: View the training offer of the host university and contact academic contacts to submit your LA proposal;
• Double Degree Mobility: a ‘fixed’ course established by the host university, there is a CFU scheme as per Attachment A of the Announcement. LA correspondence details to be defined with academic contact person Polito;
• Mobility for Thesis or C+FP: identify thesis supervisor Polito; agree with the host university on the topic and methods for thesis development and follow regular deadlines/procedures for thesis request as per Student Guide.

For more specific information, please consult the compilation guide available within the LA application on the Portal (“Guide” button).

Can I renounce my mobility?
Yes, you can opt out at any time. It is necessary to download and fill in the CANCELLATION FORM, send it by ticket to the International Mobility Office, specifying the reason. The committee will consider whether or not to impose a sanction, if any. It is also necessary to inform the academic contact person and the host university.
In general:

• If you are a winner of ERASMUS+/IN MOBILITY status only (without a grant), no penalty will be applied and you will be able to apply for other mobility notices
• If you are a grant holder and you renounce your grant, you will incur a penalty of 100 Euros, but you will still be able to apply for other mobility calls;
• If you are a grant winner and you renounce after the signature of the contract, there will be a fine of 200 Euros and you will NOT be able to apply for other mobility calls.

Quando inizia la mobilità?

• Double Degree: Departure is scheduled for the FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR. Duration is 10 to 24 months depending on the assigned university;
• Annual Mobility: Departure is planned for the FIRST SEMESTER. Duration is 8 to 12 months depending on the assigned university;
• Semester mobility (≤ 6 months): departure is scheduled for the semester chosen at the assignment stage. Changes to the semester of departure, if allowed, must be reported via Ticket on the topic ‘Mobility abroad - EU countries’. NB: Semester changes must be approved by the academic contact person.

I have concluded my period abroad, what should I do?
In order to register the end of your mobility, you must hand in all the return documents available at Segreteria Online -> Outgoing Mobility. Upload to ACTIVITY IN PRESENCE DECLARATION -> FORM FOR SELF-CERTIFICATION OF START AND END OF MOBILITY.
For scholarship holders, these documents are indispensable for receiving the balance of the scholarship.

How will credits/exams passed in mobility be recognised?
First of all you need to have a final and approved LA and Transcript of records issued by the host university.
NB: TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDS AND LA MUST MIRROR EACH OTHER.
After receiving the evaluations from the host university, you will need to request the transcript of records to mobilita.studenti@polito.it. The examination recognition process is automatic (Mobility Office -> Academic contact person).
Grades will be converted by the academic contact person on the basis of conversion tables (ask the contact person for the criteria applied) TABLES AND ECTS SCALE IN USE AT THE POLYTECHNIC OF TURIN.