Social Sciences for Globalisation (GLO)

Studenti nel cortile
Social Sciences for Globalisation (GLO)
Course sheet
A.Y. 2025/2026
Bachelor
L-37 R - Scienze sociali per la cooperazione, lo sviluppo e la pace
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
3
Years
Course location
Milan
Language
Italian
In recent decades, a series of economic, social, political and cultural processes have taken place, and have appeared in all their evidence, that have changed, and continue to change, both international society as a whole and individual national societies, processes whose hallmark is growing interdependence on a planetary scale. These phenomena are summarised by the term 'globalisation'. These phenomena, however, are often poorly and poorly understood in terms of their real characteristics and their actual effects, giving rise to distorted and one-sided interpretations and inadequate interventions in terms of public policies. Faced with the complexity of these changes and the incisiveness of their consequences, it therefore appears useful to have graduates who are able to interpret the phenomena of global interdependence and their implications in a rigorous and non-ideological manner.
Mastery - albeit at a basic level proper to the three-year degree - of the conceptual and technical-methodological tools for understanding the phenomena of global interdependence appears today as an indispensable requirement in every social context.
The degree course in Social Sciences for Globalisation intends to respond to the above-mentioned training requirements by providing students with an interdisciplinary knowledge base (sociological, anthropological, political, legal, economic, linguistic) and the related statistical-methodological tools, aimed at training them in the ability to analyse globalisation phenomena and to promote economic and social policies, both at global and local level. The planned training places particular emphasis on the social and political aspects of globalisation processes, assigning to these disciplinary areas an adequate number of credits to master the most salient concepts and themes.
The aim is therefore to bring into the labour market graduates with a versatile and multi-purpose education, endowed with autonomous judgement skills, able to understand and analyse globalisation processes under their various social, economic, political and cultural aspects and motivated to work in the fields of international development and social policies. The degree in ?Social Sciences for Globalisation? therefore aims to train qualified professionals capable of independently carrying out diagnostic and intervention tasks within strategies outlined by higher-level managers in complex organisational contexts, both public and private.
The course is divided into curricula, which can be accessed after a broad common basic preparation that extends beyond the first two years of the course.
The degree in Social Sciences for Globalisation offers a good basis for admission to numerous Master's degrees.
The aim is to offer the labour market graduates with a versatile and multi-purpose education, equipped with critical judgement skills, able to understand and analyse globalisation processes from various social, political, legal, economic and cultural aspects, motivated to work in the fields of international development and local social policies. The degree in Social Sciences for Globalisation therefore aims to train qualified professionals capable of independently carrying out analytical tasks in complex organisational contexts, both public and private.

Professional outlets include:

International cooperation technician
Function in a working context:
Collaboration, also with wide autonomy, in the design, conduct and evaluation of international social and cultural cooperation projects. Coordination of projects of international organisations, governmental and non-governmental organisations for cooperation and development. Collaboration, with broad autonomy, in study and research centres on international cooperation and social development.
Competencies associated with the function:
Broad knowledge and understanding of the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of globalisation processes. Good interdisciplinary training in the social sciences and critical knowledge of the main social theories of modernisation, development and democratisation. Good knowledge of the main supranational institutions and their functioning. Good methodological competence, especially oriented towards the design and evaluation of social interventions.
Occupational outlets:
Government bodies (ministries, directorates-general, institutions and cooperation bodies), community bodies (multilateral agencies of the United Nations)

Local development policy technician
Function in a working context:
Collaboration, also with wide autonomy, in designing, conducting and evaluating projects for local development, socio-cultural empowerment, prevention of social marginality and assistance to the socially disadvantaged groups. Collaboration, with broad autonomy, in study and research centres on the governance of socio-economic policies at local level.
Skills associated with the function:
Good interdisciplinary training in the field of social sciences. Good methodological competence, especially oriented towards the design and evaluation of social interventions.
Employment opportunities:
Local public sector, third sector organisations, research institutions, as well as trade unions and professional organisations that contribute to the governance of socio-economic policies in the local area.

Technician for the organisation and management of production factors in an international context
Function in a business context:
Assisting, also with large degrees of autonomy, in the development of analysis of the territory of establishment and related intervention programmes vis-à-vis the main stakeholders in companies operating abroad and making use of foreign personnel. Specifically, technicians working in the personnel, internal and external relations, studies and planning offices, and communication offices.
Skills associated with the function:
Good interdisciplinary training in the social sciences with particular competence in understanding and interpreting complex situations characterised by significant cultural differences.
Occupational outlets:
Private multinational companies or companies operating abroad using foreign staff.
According to the formative aims of the degree in Social Sciences for Globalization, international mobility is strongly encouraged. Students can refer to the tutor to the Erasmus Program for information on calls, the definition of educational plans of study in foreign universities, the modalities for the recognition of credits, and any other issue concerning the opportunity to study abroad.

Detailed information regarding the Erasmus+ and the Placement calls are available at the website of the Degree Program in Social Sciences for Globalization: https://glo.cdl.unimi.it

Students enrolled in the Degree Program in Social Sciences for Globalization will make a stay abroad under the Erasmus+ Program that offers the opportunity to live an experience of study abroad (attending courses, taking exams, preparing their final dissertation, doing research) gaining acceptance in the academic career of the training activities undertaken.

Erasmus+ also provides mobility for Placement, that is the opportunity to have an internship abroad, in enterprises or other organizations.

The Erasmus+ Program assures: a) the possibility of a mobility experience abroad up to a total of 12 months (mobility for study and/or placement); b) the opening of mobility for placements to students recent graduates (within 12 months of graduation).
The Degree Program GLO currently provides the opportunity to take courses in sociological, political, historical, anthropological, economic and international law disciplines in German, Danish, Spanish, French, and Portuguese universities.
Course attendance is highly recommended.
Enrolment
Admission to the degree programme requires applicants to have a high school diploma or an equivalent suitable qualification from abroad.
To be admitted to the course students must sit an examination to check their linguistic-communication capabilities, in addition to taking an online test (TOLC-E) organised by the Consortium of Interuniversity Integrated Access Systems (CISIA). Subject knowledge for admission will be deemed acceptable if the scores in the selection band have been achieved.
Students whose score is lower than the value stated in the selection band, limited to the area of verbal comprehension, will be assigned an additional learning obligation (OFA), which must be met and approved within the first year of the course.
The University organises specific tutoring support for the successful completion of the OFA. Additional information is available on the University study portal of the Faculty of Political, Economic & Social Sciences.
If students fail to satisfy the OFA within the required timescale, the following year they will be unable to sit the examinations for the years subsequent to the first year.

English OFA

To be able to sit the English examination stipulated in the curriculum, students must have level B1 English as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (QCER). This level can be confirmed as follows:
- by sending a level B1 or higher language qualification certificate gained no more than 3 years prior to the date it is submitted (for a list of language qualifications accepted by the University, visit the University portal at https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/competenze-linguistiche/placement-test-test-di-ingresso-e-corsi-di-inglese). Certificates must be uploaded at the time of enrolment, or at a later date on the portal at http://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue;
- by sitting a placement test set exclusively by SLAM during the 1st year, between October and December. Students who fail the placement test must follow the courses delivered by SLAM.
The placement test is compulsory for all students who do not have a valid qualification.
Students who do not sit the placement test by December, or do not pass the final test after 6 attempts, must obtain the qualification at their own expense, during the year in which the language examination is scheduled.

Places available: 170 + 10 reserved for non-EU citizens + 1 reserved for students in the Marco Polo project

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Session: 1

Application for admission: from 13/03/2025 to 12/06/2025

Application for matriculation: from 18/06/2025 to 30/06/2025

Read the Call


CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - NOTICE The call for applications is the only official document for admission to degree programmes. Please read it carefully. If you are reading this notice is because the call is available only in Italian as the programme is offered in Italian. Students wishing to enrol must be proficient in Italian.

Session: 2

Application for admission: from 02/07/2025 to 29/08/2025

Application for matriculation: from 04/09/2025 to 10/09/2025

Read the Call


CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - NOTICE The call for applications is the only official document for admission to degree programmes. Please read it carefully. If you are reading this notice is because the call is available only in Italian as the programme is offered in Italian. Students wishing to enrol must be proficient in Italian.

Programme description and courses list
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Organization 9 60 Italian IUS/13
Social Statistics and Population Dynamics 12 80 Italian SECS-S/04 SECS-S/05
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Fundamental Rights 6 40 Italian IUS/13
Society and Social Change 12 80 Italian SPS/07
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cultural Anthropology 12 80 Italian M-DEA/01
Fundamentals of Economics 9 60 Italian SECS-P/01
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: French (6 ECTS) 6 0 French
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English
Optional activities and study plan rules
1 - The student must achieve 6 ECTS between one of the following courses.
The course of "Accertamento conoscenze linguistiche progredite:lingue Anglo-Aamericane" can only be taken by students with an English level equivalent or higher than B2
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (6 ECTS) 6 0 French Open sessions
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German Open sessions
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish Open sessions
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English Open sessions
be activated by the A.Y. 2026/2027
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Comparative and International Public Policy 9 60 English SPS/04
English 6 40 English L-LIN/12
Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences 6 40 English SPS/07
Methodology of Social and Evaluation Research 9 60 Italian SPS/07
Migration Processes 9 60 Italian SPS/10
Political and Economic Geography 6 40 Italian M-GGR/02
Sociology of Labour and Poverty 9 60 Italian SPS/09
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian SPS/05
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Development Policies 6 40 Italian SPS/04
Global Comparative Politics 6 40 English SPS/04
Globalization and Health Policy 6 40 Italian SPS/07
Social Policies 6 40 Italian SPS/07
Optional
African History and Institutions 9 60 Italian SPS/13
Asian History 9 60 Italian SPS/14
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian SPS/05
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian SPS/14
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 6 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
2 - The student must achieve 6 ECTS between one of the following courses:
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
African History and Institutions 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/13
Asian History 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/14
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/05
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/14
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian First trimester SPS/05
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Computer Science Course 3 30 Italian INF/01
Optional activities and study plan rules
3 - The student must get 12 ECTS of free choice
4 - The student must obtain 6 ECTS to be acquired from the following activities:
- Training internships
- Laboratories
In addition, they must obtain 3 ECTS for Computer skills assessment:
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Computer Science Course 3 30 Italian Open sessions INF/01
The following prerequisites are established:

- Antropologia culturale is a prerequisite for Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences (all curricula)
- Società e mutamento sociale is a prerequisite for Processi migratori (all curricula)and Politiche sociali (all curricula),
- Comparative and International Public Policy is a prerequisite for Politiche dello sviluppo (CURRICULUM PROCESSI GLOBALI) and Sociologia dello sviluppo economico locale (CURRICULUM COESIONE E SVILUPPO SOCIALE)
- Statistica sociale e dinamiche di popolazione is a prerequisite for Metodologia della ricerca sociale e valutativa (all curricula)
- Istituzioni di economia is a prerequisite for Sociologia del lavoro e della povertà (all curricula) Politiche dello sviluppo (CURRICULUM PROCESSI GLOBALI) e Sociologia dello sviluppo economico locale (CURRICULUM COESIONE E SVILUPPO SOCIALE).
- The achievement of the B2 English language qualification is a prerequisite for Lingua inglese
- The course of "Accertamento conoscenze linguistiche progredite:lingue Anglo-Aamericane" can only be taken by students with an English level equivalent or higher than B2
- The OFA fulfillment is a prerequisite for the second and third year courses.
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Organization 9 60 Italian IUS/13
Social Statistics and Population Dynamics 12 80 Italian SECS-S/04 SECS-S/05
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Fundamental Rights 6 40 Italian IUS/13
Society and Social Change 12 80 Italian SPS/07
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cultural Anthropology 12 80 Italian M-DEA/01
Fundamentals of Economics 9 60 Italian SECS-P/01
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: French (6 ECTS) 6 0 French
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English
Optional activities and study plan rules
1 - The student must achieve 6 ECTS between one of the following courses.
The course of "Accertamento conoscenze linguistiche progredite:lingue Anglo-Aamericane" can only be taken by students with an English level equivalent or higher than B2
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: French (6 ECTS) 6 0 French Open sessions
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German Open sessions
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish Open sessions
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English Open sessions
be activated by the A.Y. 2026/2027
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Comparative and International Public Policy 9 60 English SPS/04
English 6 40 English L-LIN/12
Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences 6 40 English SPS/07
Methodology of Social and Evaluation Research 9 60 Italian SPS/07
Migration Processes 9 60 Italian SPS/10
Political and Economic Geography 6 40 Italian M-GGR/02
Sociology of Labour and Poverty 9 60 Italian SPS/09
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian SPS/05
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Gender, Society and Inequalities 6 40 Italian SPS/08
Local Economic Development Sociology 6 40 Italian SPS/09
Social Policies 6 40 Italian SPS/07
Sociology of Organized Crime 6 40 Italian SPS/09
Optional
African History and Institutions 9 60 Italian SPS/13
Asian History 9 60 Italian SPS/14
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian SPS/05
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian SPS/14
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 6 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
2 - The student must achieve 6 ECTS between one of the following courses:
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
African History and Institutions 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/13
Asian History 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/14
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/05
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian Open sessions SPS/14
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian First trimester SPS/05
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Computer Science Course 3 30 Italian INF/01
Optional activities and study plan rules
3 - The student must get 12 ECTS of free choice
4 - The student must obtain 6 ECTS to be acquired from the following activities:
- Training internships
- Laboratories
In addition, they must obtain 3 ECTS for Computer skills assessment:
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Computer Science Course 3 30 Italian Open sessions INF/01
The following prerequisites are established:

- Antropologia culturale is a prerequisite for Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences (all curricula)
- Società e mutamento sociale is a prerequisite for Processi migratori (all curricula)and Politiche sociali (all curricula),
- Comparative and International Public Policy is a prerequisite for Politiche dello sviluppo (CURRICULUM PROCESSI GLOBALI) and Sociologia dello sviluppo economico locale (CURRICULUM COESIONE E SVILUPPO SOCIALE)
- Statistica sociale e dinamiche di popolazione is a prerequisite for Metodologia della ricerca sociale e valutativa (all curricula)
- Istituzioni di economia is a prerequisite for Sociologia del lavoro e della povertà (all curricula) Politiche dello sviluppo (CURRICULUM PROCESSI GLOBALI) e Sociologia dello sviluppo economico locale (CURRICULUM COESIONE E SVILUPPO SOCIALE).
- The achievement of the B2 English language qualification is a prerequisite for Lingua inglese
- The course of "Accertamento conoscenze linguistiche progredite:lingue Anglo-Aamericane" can only be taken by students with an English level equivalent or higher than B2
- The OFA fulfillment is a prerequisite for the second and third year courses.
Learn more
Location
Milan
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Internship tutor
Seminar and workshop tutor
Contacts

The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:

  • The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
  • The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year) 
  • An additional fee is due for online programmes

The University also offers:

  • Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
  • Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
  • Concessions for international students with refugee status

Scholarships and benefits

The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).

Learn more