FAQs

What is the difference between Embedded Systems and Automatic?

• Embedded Systems: focuses on the design, simulation, testing and reliability analysis of embedded systems;
• Automatic: covers control systems, robotics and industrial automation.

What are the differences between automation and mechatronics?

• Automation is part of Computer Engineering and trains computer engineers with expertise on hardware, software, databases and networks;
• Mechatronics is multidisciplinary, including mechanics, electronics, automation, computing and electricity.

Is it possible to exceed 120 CFU?
Yes, you can add additional credits to your study plan.

Is it possible to change orientation during the course?
Yes, especially after the first year, thanks to the presence of common courses. Any unplanned lessons can be used as free credits.

Can I include second year courses in the first year’s teaching load?
Yes, up to a maximum of 80 CFU.

When should I choose the path (e.g. Software, Embedded Systems, Automation)?
The choice is made when the study plan is defined.

If I choose a course in English, can I switch to the Italian version during the year?
No, the teaching load must be defined at the beginning of the year and cannot be modified in this way.

Does the master’s degree explicitly mention the chosen orientation?
No, the title will be "Master in Computer Engineering", but you can specify the orientation in the CV.

Is IELTS Academic Online accepted?
No, it is not recognized by the Polytechnic.

Is advance credit also available for students attending a three-year course outside the Polytechnic?
No, advance credit is only possible for students enrolled in a three-year course at PoliTO.

I have the possibility to make advance credits, but filling in the teaching load I can only enter the courses of the first semester. Why can’t I enter the second ones?
It will be possible to insert the exams of the second semester when you apply for the magistral.

Coming from a three-year course in Cinema Engineering, which supplementary exams should I take to access Graphics and Multimedia?
No one.

In the presentation of the study plan automatically results the 30 CFU thesis, if you want to do the internship + thesis I should delete from the study plan and enter the thesis manually?
This change is made during the year when you have an approved internship.

I signed up in March and I chose the full-time membership. If I want to change my registration in part-time, on what dates can I do it?
In September.

Is it possible to remove a course from the career plan if you already have one?
Yes.

Does passing the English three-year examination meet the language requirement for admission to the master’s degree?
Can be considered equivalent if you have obtained the IELTS certification or one of the certifications recognized by PoliTo

What is meant by "file with the program of the exams taken" required during the registration for the master’s degree at PoliTo for those coming from an external university?
If you have completed your three-year course at another university, the requested file must contain a detailed description of the contents of the courses you attended. You can download this information from the web pages of the individual courses of your university and create a single PDF file to upload during registration.

I am enrolled from the second period. Is it still possible to change my career plan?
If you have signed up recently (< 10 days) you can make a change.

Students from other universities must pass a ranking to enroll in the master’s degree at PoliTo?
No, there is no ranking. You just have to pass the career assessment and meet the entry requirements to be admitted.  

Is it possible to apply for a career assessment before obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an external university?
Yes, you can apply for it even as a graduate, without waiting for the completion of the degree.  

Can students from other universities who graduate in October have access to courses and teaching materials before official registration?
Yes, it’s possible. Simply select the relevant examinations in the teaching section to view the course material even before completing registration.

If I change my career plan in February, can I take the new exams immediately?
No, it is not possible to take examinations if you have not acquired the attendance.  

Can I replace two free credits already in the load with a 12-credit internship?
No, the internship is part of the final 30 CFU test and cannot replace free credits.  

Is it possible to give exams already in September following the video lessons?
No.

Is it possible to include second year courses in the first?
Yes, with few limitations on propedeutics.

How do I change the free credits in my study plan?
They are updated at the time of enrollment in the second year.

Can I change my career plan after the first semester?
Yes, you can do this at the end of the first half-year without paying any premium.

What are the video courses?
Recorded video courses are marked with the "camera" icon.

Is it possible to take courses in the first semester if I enrol in the second semester?
Yes, you will be able to insert them in the teaching load of September.

To access LABINF for the first time you must activate a specific account or you can log in directly with your credentials of the educational portal?
You need a specific account. Some information is here: https://labinf.polito.it/faq.html The laboratory is activated, however, asking in advance to the teachers of courses that use LABINF the list of students enrolled and proceeds with the registration.

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.

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.

When does the mobility begin?

• 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.

Who shall I contact? 

• Mobility Office: takes care of application process, documents, language certificates, visas/admin support, and transcript submission workflow. The Mobility Office may connect you with other students.
• Academic Mobility Delegate: academic approval and recognition (Learning Agreement, course/thesis coherence). 
  • The current Academic Mobility Delegate is Prof. Sara Vinco. 
  • Contact via ticket system: https://didattica.polito.it/pls/portal30/sviluppo.ticket.login?p_redirect=S&p_arg=741&p_subarg=2441. Email (emergencies / before mobility approval only): sara.vinco@polito.it

I applied and have questions about the application process, my ranking, any language requirement, etc. What should I do?

Contact the Mobility Office: Click here
 

How do I choose the best destination?
Check the host course catalog and compare with your study goals. Use past Learning Agreements and feedback from students who already went there
 

I’ve been assigned a destination. What’s next?
Attend the delegate kick-off call, which is organized as soon as the assignment phase is over. The meeting is usually recorded. Before the mobility, follow the standard study progression: do not anticipate second-year POLITO courses before departure, as you cannot get first-year exams recognized through mobility.
 

The host university asks for a recommendation letter. Who provides it?
Ask the Academic Mobility Delegate, by including the details of your Bachelor degree (program, University, date, mark) and deadlines.
 

What is the Learning Agreement (LA)? 
Your official plan abroad: host courses plus the POLITO courses they replace.

• On the POLITO side, you may indicate only courses you have not attended/passed before departure, i.e., only second-year courses (no exceptions).
• At destination, you can choose courses from the provided catalogue by choosing exams that are technical and coherent with your background, and avoiding any overlap with exams already passed at POLITO. If a non-technical course is mandatory at the host, note it in the LA.
• Mappings must be clear and specific, and both one-to-one or one-to-many are accepted. 

Typically a LA includes 30 ECTS for one semester (e.g., thesis only), 60 ECTS for two semesters (courses plus thesis), 90+ ECTS in case of double degree. Always respect your assigned credit budget and confirm minimum requirements with the Mobility Office. Note that one POLITO ECTS credit may correspond to a different number of credits in your host institution. This information will be communicated by the Academic Mobility Delegate. 
 

When do I submit/update the LA?

Before departure for initial approval, during mobility (if any change occurs; please note that unapproved changes may not be recognized), and after mobility for final recognition. 
 

What happens if I fail an exam abroad?

You must revise the LA to remove it, and you may need to take the corresponding POLITO exam(s) after returning. Check minimum credits that must be achieved abroad with the Mobility Office.
 

Can I do an internship abroad?

Yes, if arranged by the host. POLITO typically just converts credits, and the Academic Delegate does not organize internships or sign host-internship paperwork.
 

Can I shorten my stay, e.g., to skip the thesis?

Only for severe reasons (e.g., serious health/family issues). Early interruption can affect grants and the program. 
 

How to manage the Thesis Abroad?

You must define a host advisor, and a POLITO advisor (official supervisor) who approves the topic. The thesis may be defended in Turin or at your host university. 
 

How are exams recognized?

The host issues a Transcript of Records, that must be submitted to the Mobility Office, which verifies consistency with the LA and completes recognition. Grades are converted by using ECTS criteria, when available, or via a normalization factor. Parameters are periodically updated and conversion is not negotiable.

What is the difference between a 30 CFU thesis and a combination of internship + thesis (12+18 CFU)?

• Thesis of 30 CFU: single job at the Polytechnic or in a company;
• Traineeship (12 CFU) + Thesis (18 CFU): the internship takes place in the company and the thesis, usually related, can continue in the company or at the Polytechnic.

Can I apply for more than one thesis proposal at a time?
No, the application is sent only after agreement with a rapporteur.

Are there geographical or type constraints for theses in the company?
No, there are no bureaucratic or geographical constraints, as long as the internal rapporteur approves the work.

Can I write my thesis in English and discuss it in Italian?
Yes, if your degree program is not entirely in English.

How do I activate insurance coverage for a thesis in the company?
The document is issued automatically after the thesis request has been approved by the rapporteur.

Having the thesis in overbooking you can still start this academic year?
You can start it unofficially, but not officially. The thesis is an activity that has its official beginning when you apply for a thesis confirmed by your supervisor, but a student may start it earlier by making arrangements with a lecturer.

Does the thesis have a minimum or maximum number of pages?
No, there are no defined limits.

If I have attended an orientation in English, can the thesis be in Italian?
No, you must follow the language of the chosen orientation.

I would like to apply for an in-company thesis found on the portal in the thesis section, but in the meantime I am also evaluating options for external internships. If you choose an external internship, is it always possible to withdraw for the thesis in the company?
Sending the application does not mean activating the thesis. The thesis is activated when you have the name of the speaker and the topic, so when you have decided.