Literature - Vercelli (Binational Degree) - A. Y. 2025/2026

This degree is designed to guarantee a solid basic preparation in the field of Literature, with reference to the founding disciplines of humanistic knowledge which have expanded over the course of European history from solely study of the classics to become one of the cornerstones of nineteenth-twentieth century university culture, and which constitute the 'hard core' of a classical education, according to the canons of Western tradition. The training areas identified in this degree, which is characterised by a simple and linear structure, clear, easy and immediate to interpret, linked to clear evidence of an ability to understand real data (typical of a student with a high level of education) are: Italian studies (Italian language and literary culture), European languages and literatures (those with which Italian culture and society have come into contact, plus their extra-European branches, American in particular), the history of Italian language and philology, history from antiquity to the present day, geography, archaeology, artistic culture and literature, the classical roots on which the modern world was built.

Due to the wide range of disciplinary sectors and professional skills envisaged, the course can be divided into different curricula or training courses.

Basic training is acquired first of all through courses in the field of Italian Literature, Italian Language, Philology and Linguistics, History, Geography, Classical culture. In the second and third year of the course, the student will be able to follow, in all or some of these sectors, courses in which more specific themes and methodological issues will be addressed. It will be an opportunity to make use of the general knowledge already acquired and to encourage harmonious growth of the learner's individual interests, developing them in a constructive way.

The course offers an essential grounding in the literary, linguistic, historical, geographical and artistic culture of the ancient, medieval and modern ages. This occurs through direct contact with original texts and documents; again in this case a gradual approach is applied. The first objective is that of a solid institutional knowledge base, which is achieved in the basic courses. Then, taking into account their own interests and career intentions, students can follow other courses with methodological ambitions and a more specifically oriented approach, which do not exclude seminar integration or the inclusion of seminar hours. Training is provided in the field of classical Latin and (if necessary) Greek, and tools will be supplied to approach the ancient and literary Italian language forms.

Written and oral skills in at least one European Union language, in addition to Italian, are verified by a specific test; this can be avoided by providing appropriate documentation beforehand (certificates suitable for this purpose will be stated in the Regulations). Knowledge of the foreign language must be sufficient for cultural use (not merely tourism or conversation purposes). This language must be used, where necessary, as a tool to complete disciplinary research, through use of internet resources and the necessary non-fiction and reference works. Assessment of language skills will be carried out by the teachers with whom the student will take the final test.

Use of the Internet and e-mail are key within the course. But the most important objective is essentially another: within the disciplines, updating will be carried out to fully exploit the main electronic tools for archiving and consulting knowledge, especially those available in 'free' form, without cost or access limitations, so that the student can use them whenever necessary.

The learning areas in relation to the professional destinations indicated above are the following:

a) Literary and linguistics (with a specific path linked to the ancient and medieval world)

b) Historical

c) Cultural Assets / Cultural Heritage (for this last option, a specific path is envisaged).

The course involves the pursuit of 60 basic credits in the sector of classical languages, Italian literature and language and history: this solid initial training covers areas a) and b). The characteristic training activities in turn complete these areas, and start the development of area c), which is further completed with the Key disciplines and then with the Similar and Integrative disciplines. The study path is therefore based on areas a) and b), but allows, through the independent choices of the student according his/her own interests, the appropriate development of area c).

The course in Humanities offers basic preparation in the disciplines on which humanistic knowledge is based: classical Greek and Latin roots, Italian studies (Italian language and literary culture), history of the Italian language, philology, socio-political history, geography, archaeology and art history.

Specific itineraries are planned for the areas of cultural heritage and the ancient and medieval world.

Basic courses are offered in the fields of Italian literature, Italian language, philology and linguistics, history, geography, classical culture.

In the second and third year, you will be able to follow courses in which more specific themes and methodological issues are addressed.

The course requires that, in the third full-time year, students pass a language test for 3 credits.

Credits reserved by the University for art. 10 subsection 5 letter. d: the activities are listed in the option sheet of the last year of the course. For seminars, conferences and other activities, consult the attachment at the bottom of the page.

Qualitatively high level teaching and research

• Innovative teaching with seminars, conferences, workshops, educational trips
• Opportunity to undertake international mobility programs, Erasmus and Free-Mover, thanks to partnerships with leading foreign universities
• Possibility of obtaining a dual degree thanks to the binational agreement with the Université de Savoie (Chambéry)

Museum technicians; library technicians; archive and library assistants; organisers of fairs, exhibitions and cultural events; conference and reception organisers; marketing technicians, public relations technicians; radio, television, cinema and theatre production organisation technicians.

Courses and programs

On the Uniupo - Syllabus website you can consult the syllabuses of the courses of the first year (select the year of interest from the drop-down menu) or the syllabuses of the subsequent years while on the dedicated page of this website you can find more information on compiling the study plan.

Study plans

• Full-time - Humanities programme
• Full-time - Ancient and medieval world programme
• Full-time - Cultural heritage programme

• Part-time - 4 years - Humanities programme
• Part-time - 4 years - Ancient and medieval world programme
• Part-time - 4 years - Cultural heritage programme

• Part-time - 6 years - Humanities programme
• Part-time - 6 years - Ancient and medieval world programme
• Part-time - 6 years - Cultural heritage programme

Didactic Regulations

• Didactic regulations

The information on registration/enrolment for this course will help you follow the correct procedure.

There are tests to evaluate the level of your initial skills - TOLC, so it is important to also consult the Admission Requirements.

Initial skills assessment test - TOLC

After enrolment, your level of preparation will be assessed through the Initial Skills Assessment Test. The test consists of multiple-choice questions that focus on linguistic-grammatical and text comprehension topics. It is a test required by law, but even if you do not pass it you will still be able to take the 1st year exams of the course you have chosen.
Please note: if you do not pass the mandatory test, you incur a remedial study obligation which you will have to satisfy by the end of the first year (31 October) in order to take the second year exams. For instructions, Visit the section Skills Assessment Tests .
For further information on the entrance test, contact the Teaching Committee of the course: commissionedidattica.lettere@uniupo.it
Visit the section dedicated to Skills Assessment -> Skills Test

​

English Placement Test

After enrolment, your level of knowledge of the English language will be verified through the English Placement Test, an online test carried out in collaboration with Oxford University Press.

The test is mandatory but not selective, and is not binding for access to the courses.
Contacts: Clupo - clupo@uniupo.it 

Visit the section Skills Assessment -> English Placement Test

Useful Links

• CISIA – Test format and syllabus
• DATES TOLC-SU
• Registering in TOLC@HOME
• FAQ CISIA
• ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS LE0337

Teacher-Tutor (Chairman)

Prof. Alice Borgna

Lecturer-tutors 

The Lecturer-tutor has the task of advising, guiding and accompanying you in the compilation of the option forms, as well as throughout your academic career.
The Tutors are: 

• Simone Attilio Bellezza
• Claudio Rosso
• Maurizio Lana
• Eleonora Destefanis
• Carlo Zoppi
• Maria Napoli
• Davide Porporato
• Patrizia Zambrano
• Raffaella Afferni
• Cecilia Gibellini
• Vittorio Tigrino 
• Ludovica Maconi 
• Alice Borgna
• Edoardo Elio Flaminio Tortarolo
• Antonio Vannugli
• Irene Gaddo

Tutoring

For ongoing guidance and support to students enrolled in the degree course, the teaching staff is assisted by tutors specialised in the various training areas, selected by means of a special call for applications from among the best prepared and most deserving student population.

Teaching Commission for Humanities

The Teaching Commission of the Course of Study in Humanities, composed of Professors ​Maurizio Lana (president), Gianpaolo Fassino, Federico Favi and Ludovica Maconi,, collaborates with the Course Council and its President on teaching-related activities, in particular:

• the preparation of the timetable of lectures
• the formation of degree commissions
• the coordination of lecturer-tutors
• the formulation and assessment of entry skills tests
• orientation at entry and en route, in training abroad and international mobility projects and in all the initiatives that the Degree Course implements in the teaching field

Email: commissionedidattica.lettere@uniupo.it.

For those enrolled in the second year and opting for full-time study, the Humanities L-10 course requires students to pass a language qualification for 6 CFU.

Students in possession of an English or French or German or Spanish language certificate accepted by the University of Eastern Piedmont may request its recognition for the purposes of exemption by uploading it during the enrolment process by the deadline. The validity of all certifications is 2 years from the date of issue.

In the case of English, if the certification attests a B1 level, recognition counts as having passed the EPT (English Placement Test) and gives access to English language teaching; if the certification attests a level of at least B2, students may ask the CDS to validate it, for the purposes of recognition of English language teaching, bearing in mind that certifications are valid for a limited period of time. For the regulatory reference framework, please consult this page.

To find out more about all accepted language certifications, please refer to the dedicated section of the website.

Bachelor’s degree in Humanities L-10

Academic credits recognised as “Other University Activity”, art. 10 subsection 5 lett. d

The "Further activities" are envisaged in the third year of the course, for a total of 3 credits.

It is possible to bring forward the "Further activities" to the second year.

The Course Council may approve the credits relating to each activity, upon request from the referring teacher, who certifies the correct and completed performance of activity by the student.

These activities can be replaced with an internship/internship for 75 hours (3 credits), or with other activities included in the programme (Modern History Workshops, History of Medieval Art, History of Modern Art).

You can enrich your academic career with an international experience.

You can spend a period of study abroad with Erasmus+ mobility by choosing from the many locations where we have international mobility agreements, or opt for other forms of mobility at one of the European and non-European locations with which we have institutional cooperation agreements. You can also spend a period abroad as a "FreeMover" taking advantage of the University's financial and organisational support, whether you intend to study or are interested in gaining professional experience.

You can take advantage of the academic cooperation agreement between the University of Eastern Piedmont (Vercelli) and the Université de Savoie Mont Blanc (Chambéry) and obtain a dual degree.

Finally, you can take part in the Memory Trail visit to Krakow, to the sites of the Shoah.

Erasmus opportunities. Austria: Graz. Belgium: Liège. Croatia: Zagabria. France: Bordeaux, Lille, Metz, Versailles, Paris Diderot, Grenoble. Germany: “Ludwig Maximilian” (Munich), Marburg, Aachen, Bochum, Potsdam. Norway: Volda. Poland: Warsaw, Wroclaw, Lodz, “Adam Mickiewicz” Poznań. Portugal: Madeira. Romania: Alba Iulia, Bucarest. Spain: Malaga, “Carlos III” (Madrid), “Miguel de Cervantes” (Valladolid), Alcalã, Valencia, Tenerife, Salamanca, Seville, Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Cáceres, Santander, Ciudad Real, Huelva.​​

• To find info on teachers and office hours: UPObook
• To contact the Student Secretariat: UPOrisponde
• If you wish to talk directly to the Secretariat (regarding particularly complex issues): UPOriceve
• If you need support from Student Services for disability/learning problems: UPOrisponde
• If you are looking for information on careers guidance, internships and job placements: jobplacement@uniupo.it

A complete list of contact details can be found here.

During the enrolment period, the PIMs (Punto informativo matricole – Enrolment Info Desks) are available.

The helpdesk “S.O.S.T.A.” (University Orientation and Tutoring Service) is a peer support system, provided with the collaboration of students.

Quality Assurance of teaching is linked to the University's quality policies, and is implemented and monitored by evaluating the management of the educational offer, with a view to continuous improvement. At course level, quality assurance is delegated to the Quality Group and Review Team.

• Composition of the Quality Group and Review Team

Documents relevant to the course quality assurance can be found in this section.

Student representatives are part of the governing bodies of the Department and the University, and are an important component, contributing to the management of all its activities.

The headquarters of the student representatives in Vercelli is located in room B3 at the Ex-Ospedaletto, viale Garibaldi 98.

• Student Representatives

• Study Plans
• Programmes (select the year from the drop-down menu)
• Education Regulations

To access programmes from A.Y. 2011/2012 to 2001/2002 contact UPO Replies.

This section is dedicated to the relationships between the Degree in Philosophy and Communication and the Interested Social Partners (ISP), i.e. the organisations and institutions potentially interested in the cultural and professional profile of graduates in Humanities

The Interested Partners express the training needs of their company, which include:

• organisations representing the production of goods and services, professions and/or, in the absence of organisations specifically responding to the needs of the project,
• scientific societies/companies, research centres, academic and cultural institutions of national or international importance.

The ISP can provide valuable information regarding the roles that the Bachelor or Master's degree graduate will be asked to perform, thus allowing the corresponding skills to be identified.

The input of the ISP is also significant with regards to later verification of the effectiveness of preparation achieved by bachelor or master's graduates.

Finally, ISPs also play an essential role in carrying out training or professional internships, hosting candidates and assisting them with company tutors.

The minutes of the Department meetings with the PSIs can be found in the “QA” section of the Disum website, tab Social Partners.