There’s been a standardization process establishing equivalent degrees in pretty much all of Europe.
The basic framework adopted is of three cycles of higher education qualification. As outlined in the Bergen Declaration[7] of 2005, the cycles are defined in terms of qualifications and European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits:
1st cycle: typically 180–240 ECTS credits, usually awarding a bachelor’s degree. The European Higher Education Area did not introduce the Bachelor with Honours programme, which allows graduates with a “BA hons.” degree (e.g. in UK, USA, Canada) to undertake doctoral studies without first having to obtain a master’s degree.
2nd cycle: typically 90–120 ECTS credits (a minimum of 60 on 2nd-cycle level). Usually awarding a master’s degree.
3rd cycle: doctoral degree. No ECTS range given.
In most cases, these will take 3, 2, and 3 years respectively to complete. The actual naming of the degrees may vary from country to country.
Indeed. When I’m speaking in English, I normally just refer to the degree I got in 2009 as a Bachelor’s, the degree I got last week as a Master’s, and the one I’ll hopefully get in three years as a PhD, without even mentioning their Italian names unless I have some kind of reason to do that.
There’s been a standardization process establishing equivalent degrees in pretty much all of Europe.
Indeed. When I’m speaking in English, I normally just refer to the degree I got in 2009 as a Bachelor’s, the degree I got last week as a Master’s, and the one I’ll hopefully get in three years as a PhD, without even mentioning their Italian names unless I have some kind of reason to do that.