Social Sciences for Globalisation (GLO)

Studenti nel cortile
In-person programme
Social Sciences for Globalisation (GLO)
Course sheet
A.Y. 2026/2027
Bachelor
L-37 R - Scienze sociali per la cooperazione, lo sviluppo e la pace
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Open with admission self-assessment 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.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
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
To be admitted to the Bachelor's degree program in Social Sciences for Globalization, applicants must, pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 1, of Ministerial Decree 270 of 2004, hold a five-year upper secondary school diploma or another qualification obtained abroad that has been recognized as equivalent.
In addition to the knowledge and skills acquired in previous studies, admission requirements include reading comprehension, knowledge of the Italian language, and logical reasoning, acquired during high school.
Furthermore, during the course of study, students must attain a level of English proficiency equivalent to B2 (or higher) on the Common European Framework of Reference.

Methods for Assessing Knowledge and Personal Preparation
To assess basic knowledge and preparation, all applicants must take an online test (TOLC-E, TOLC-SPS, or TOLC-SU) administered by the CISIA Consortium prior to enrollment; this test is mandatory but not selective.
The test covers questions related to reading comprehension and knowledge of the Italian language, knowledge and skills acquired during studies, and logical reasoning questions.
For more information on topics, scoring, and how to register for the TOLC, please consult:
- the GLO admission announcement at the link: https://glo.cdl.unimi.it/it/iscriversi
- the University website under the "TOLC Cisia Test" section: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/iscriversi/iscriversi-una-prima-laurea/test-tolc-cisia
- the CISIA consortium website, where you can find information on the structure and syllabus of the TOLC-E, TOLC-SPS, and TOLC-SU, including practice examples: https://www.cisiaonline.it/area-tematica-tolc-studi-umanistici/home-tolc-su/

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS (OFA) AND REMEDIAL PROCEDURES
Students who score below the thresholds indicated in the admission notice on the self-assessment test (TOLC-E, TOLC-SPS, or TOLC-SU) will be assigned additional educational requirements (OFA) aimed at addressing their initial gaps.
The OFA must be completed within the first year of the program. The requirements for completing the OFA will consist of participating in remedial activities organized by the University. If the OFA remedial assessments are not passed, the student's academic progress will be unblocked upon passing the Anthropology exam.
Further details will be available in the admission announcement and on the "OFA Remediation" page of the GLO website at the following link: https://glo.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/recupero-ofa

Applicants who already hold a degree or are enrolled in a degree program at the University of Milan or another university may be exempted from the test only if admitted to years beyond the first. For admission to years beyond the first, a specific request for a preliminary evaluation of academic standing must be submitted in accordance with the procedures and deadlines described in the admission notice.


English Language OFA

To fulfill the English OFA and take the English language exam required by the study plan, proficiency in English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required. This level may be demonstrated in the following ways:
- by submitting a language certificate obtained no more than 3 years prior to the date of submission, at level B2 or higher (for the list of language certificates recognized by the University, please refer to the website: (https:// www.unimi.it/it/node/39322). The certificate must be uploaded at the time of enrollment or, subsequently, on the portal https://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue;
- by taking the Placement Test, administered by the University Language Center SLAM exclusively during the first year, from October to December. If the test is not passed, it will be necessary to take the courses offered by the SLAM Center.
The Placement Test is mandatory for all students who do not hold a valid certification.
Students who do not take the Placement Test by December or who do not pass the final course exam within 6 attempts must obtain a certification through private study in order to fulfill the OFA requirement and take the English language exam.

Call for applications

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

Application for enrolment: from 15/07/2026 to 20/10/2026

Read the Call

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Programme description and courses list
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Organization 9 60 Italian GIUR-09/A
Social Statistics and Population Dynamics 12 80 Italian STAT-03/A STAT-03/B
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Fundamental Rights 6 40 Italian GIUR-09/A
Society and Social Change 12 80 Italian GSPS-05/A
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cultural Anthropology 12 80 Italian SDEA-01/A
Fundamentals of Economics 9 60 Italian ECON-01/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: French (6 ECTS) 6 0 French NN
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English NN
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 NN
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English Open sessions NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Comparative and International Public Policy 9 60 English GSPS-02/A
English 6 40 English ANGL-01/C
Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences 6 40 English GSPS-05/A
Geography of Resources, Borders and Migration 6 40 Italian GEOG-01/B
Methodology of Social and Evaluation Research 9 60 Italian GSPS-05/A
Migration Processes 9 60 Italian GSPS-08/B
Sociology of Labour and Poverty 9 60 Italian GSPS-08/A
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Development Policies 6 40 Italian GSPS-02/A
Global Comparative Politics 6 40 English GSPS-02/A
Globalization and Health Policy 6 40 Italian GSPS-05/A
Social Policies 6 40 Italian GSPS-05/A
Optional
African History and Institutions 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/C
Asian History 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/D
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/A
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/D
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/A
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 6 0 Italian NN
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 GSPS-04/C
Asian History 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/D
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/A
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/D
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/A
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Lab: Applied Qualitative Research 3 20 Italian GSPS-04/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian INFO-01/A
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:
- AI Literacy
- Training internships
- Laboratories
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian Open sessions INFO-01/A
The following prerequisites have been established:
- Cultural Anthropology is a prerequisite for Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences (all curricula);
- Society and Social Change is a prerequisite for Migration Processes and Social Policies (all curricula);
- Comparative and International Public Policy is a prerequisite for Development Policies (Global Processes curriculum);
- Social Statistics and Population Dynamics is a prerequisite for Social and Evaluative Research Methodology (all curricula) and Demography and Social Change (Cohesion and Social Development curriculum);
- Institutions of Economics is a prerequisite for Sociology of Work and Poverty (all curricula) and Development Policy (Global Processes curriculum).
- Achieving B2 proficiency in English is a prerequisite for taking the English Language exam. - For the advanced assessment of Anglo-American language proficiency, B2-level language proficiency is required (as demonstrated by the placement test or language certifications).
- Completion of the Additional Educational Requirements (OFA) in the language and communication area is a prerequisite for the second- and third-year exams.
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Organization 9 60 Italian GIUR-09/A
Social Statistics and Population Dynamics 12 80 Italian STAT-03/A STAT-03/B
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Fundamental Rights 6 40 Italian GIUR-09/A
Society and Social Change 12 80 Italian GSPS-05/A
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cultural Anthropology 12 80 Italian SDEA-01/A
Fundamentals of Economics 9 60 Italian ECON-01/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: French (6 ECTS) 6 0 French NN
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English NN
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 NN
Additional Language Skills: German (6 ECTS) 6 0 German Open sessions NN
Additional Language Skills: Spanish (6 ECTS) 6 0 Spanish Open sessions NN
Advanced Language Skills: Anglo-American (6 ECTS) 6 0 English Open sessions NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Comparative and International Public Policy 9 60 English GSPS-02/A
English 6 40 English ANGL-01/C
Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences 6 40 English GSPS-05/A
Geography of Resources, Borders and Migration 6 40 Italian GEOG-01/B
Methodology of Social and Evaluation Research 9 60 Italian GSPS-05/A
Migration Processes 9 60 Italian GSPS-08/B
Sociology of Labour and Poverty 9 60 Italian GSPS-08/A
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Gender, Society and Inequalities 6 40 Italian GSPS-06/A
Local Economic Development Sociology 6 40 Italian GSPS-08/A
Social Policies 6 40 Italian GSPS-05/A
Sociology of Organized Crime 6 40 Italian GSPS-08/A
Optional
African History and Institutions 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/C
Asian History 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/D
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/A
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/D
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian GSPS-04/A
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 6 0 Italian NN
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 GSPS-04/C
Asian History 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/D
History and Institutions of Latin America 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/A
History and Institutions of Muslim Countries 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/D
Storia dell'america del nord 9 60 Italian Open sessions GSPS-04/A
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Lab: Applied Qualitative Research 3 20 Italian GSPS-04/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian INFO-01/A
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:
- AI Literacy
- Training internships
- Laboratories
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Ai Literacy 3 30 Italian Open sessions INFO-01/A
The following prerequisites have been established:
- Cultural Anthropology is a prerequisite for Ethnic Relations and Cultural Differences (all curricula);
- Society and Social Change is a prerequisite for Migration Processes and Social Policies (all curricula);
- Comparative and International Public Policy is a prerequisite for Development Policies (Global Processes curriculum);
- Social Statistics and Population Dynamics is a prerequisite for Social and Evaluative Research Methodology (all curricula) and Demography and Social Change (Cohesion and Social Development curriculum);
- Institutions of Economics is a prerequisite for Sociology of Work and Poverty (all curricula) and Development Policy (Global Processes curriculum).
- Achieving B2 proficiency in English is a prerequisite for taking the English Language exam. - For the advanced assessment of Anglo-American language proficiency, B2-level language proficiency is required (as demonstrated by the placement test or language certifications).
- Completion of the Additional Educational Requirements (OFA) in the language and communication area is a prerequisite for the second- and third-year exams.
Learn more
Academic guidance tutor
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Internship tutor
Seminar and workshop tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Contacts

For students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes, tuition fees are to be paid in two instalments:

  • the amount of the first instalment is the same for all students and is due upon enrolment
  • the amount of the second instalment varies according to each student's ISEE University value and the degree programme in which they are enrolled
  • for international students with income and assets abroad, the second instalment varies according to their country of origin.

Education incentive programmes and other benefits

The University offers scholarships, cafeterias, subsidised accommodation and other forms of financial support to students meeting specific economic and merit requirements.

More information

A.Y. 2026/2027

A.Y. 2025/2026

A.Y. 2024/2025

A.Y. 2023/2024

A.Y. 2022/2023

A.Y. 2021/2022

A.Y. 2020/2021