The provisions regarding academic progression and administrative matters applicable to “part-time” students are set forth in the University of Foggia’s Regulations on Tuition and Fees (Art. 21).
University students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program, a single-cycle master’s degree program, or a master’s degree program may opt for a part-time study track, which involves a course of study spanning a greater number of years than the normal duration of the program in which they are enrolled.
A part-time student enrolls with the intention of earning up to 50% of the university credits specified in the study plan for the relevant academic year of the individual degree program (including curricular credits associated with seminars, labs, internships, work placements, proficiency requirements, and other activities specified in the academic regulations of the degree programs).
Students who, for reasons related to work, health, sports, or caring for family members, are unable to devote themselves to their studies on a full-time basis may enroll on a “part-time” basis.
Each year, upon enrollment and registration, students must provide the appropriate documentation to prove their status as:
- working students must provide the appropriate certification issued by their employer, while self-employed individuals must prove their status by presenting proof of registration in the relevant registries (Chamber of Commerce – VAT number);
- student pursuing a dual career as a student and athlete—this status must be attested by the appropriate certification specified in paragraph 2 of Article 21 of the Tuition and Fees Regulations.
- a student who is caring for family members with a documented lack of self-sufficiency, that is, a student who is not merely occasionally engaged in the care and assistance of relatives who are not self-sufficient due to physical or mental health reasons. For the purposes of this regulation, relatives are defined as the student’s parents, children, siblings, and spouse. The relative’s lack of self-sufficiency must be adequately documented by a certificate issued by the competent authorities and submitted together with the student’s family status certificate;
- a student with serious health problems, that is, a student with medical conditions that prevent regular attendance at classes and, consequently, the ability to take the standard exams required of full-time students for each academic year. These health conditions must be documented by a certificate issued by the competent health authorities;
- students with disabilities and specific learning disabilities (SLD), even if they are behind in their studies, in accordance with Framework Law No. 104/1992, as amended, and Law No. 170/2010, or who have not received the financial aid provided for in the relevant University Regulations;
- Student concurrently enrolled at the Conservatory and the University (Art. 29, para. 2 of Law No. 240 of December 30, 2010, and Ministerial Decree of September 28, 2011). The student must: • declare that they are enrolled concurrently at the aforementioned institutions (Ministerial Decree of September 28, 2011, Art. 1, para. 2); • submit to both institutions the study plans required by their respective regulations (Ministerial Decree of September 28, 2011, Art. 1, para. 3); • notify both institutions of any changes to the study plans, following their review and approval, for further approval. (Ministerial Decree of September 28, 2011, Art. 1, para. 3). para. 3 The academic authorities reserve the right to evaluate entirely exceptional or special requests not included in the categories indicated in paragraph 2.
Part-time enrollment is permitted for students up to their first year of overstay, with the exception of students pursuing a dual degree, who may apply for part-time status beyond their first year of overstay.
The request to enroll in the “part-time” program must be submitted at the same time as online registration or renewal of enrollment for subsequent academic years; the request must be accompanied by documentation explaining the reasons for requesting part-time status.
A part-time student may request to switch to full-time status only after completing two academic years prior to the year of the request. Therefore, part-time enrollment involves dividing one full-time year into two consecutive academic years of part-time study; consequently, the credits a student can earn for each part-time enrollment period will be equal to 50% of the credits that could be earned under full-time enrollment. A change in enrollment status will not be permitted until the student has completed the enrollment cycle required to earn the same number of credits as a full-time student, except in fully justified, exceptional cases subject to review by academic authorities.
Failure to request a switch to the full-time program automatically results in enrollment in the part-time program for the following two years as well.
A student who completes the part-time period—which is twice the number of academic years of their degree program—will be automatically enrolled as a full-time student in the following academic year.
A student who transitions from part-time to full-time status is required to enroll in a course load consisting of the academic credits for the academic year in which they are enrolled.
Choosing a part-time program does not alter the “normal duration of the program” established by law for the purpose of buying back years toward retirement benefits. Therefore, for legal purposes, the certificates will indicate the “normal duration of the course,” and, for educational planning purposes, the “agreed-upon duration of the course.”
Part-time students pay the full enrollment fee and are entitled to a 50% reduction in their annual all-inclusive tuition fee, which would otherwise be due under the standard rules.
A student who intends to graduate before the end of the “agreed period” must pay the full tuition fee for the entire remaining period.