Degree programme choice orientation

SOrT is Sapienza’s integrated Orientation Service. It has a central office in the University City campus and help desks located across the Faculties. Through SOrT, students can obtain detailed information on Faculties and degree programmes, as well as guidance to support them in making informed academic choices.
The central office, together with Faculty academic staff, coordinates incoming orientation and tutoring activities, maintains relationships with upper secondary schools and their guidance teachers, supports students during the transition from school to university, and provides assistance to current students. It also offers information on study programmes and admission procedures.

Orientation Initiatives and Projects
1. “Porte aperte alla Sapienza” – Open Days
Held annually at the main campus, this is Sapienza’s most important orientation event, primarily addressed to prospective first-year students. Over three days, participants can meet academic staff and students, receive information, and attend presentations in the Aula Magna introducing the educational offer of all Faculties.
The event is open to anyone interested in enrolling in Bachelor’s degrees, single-cycle Master’s degrees, or Master’s degree programmes, with particular attention to final-year secondary school students. It also offers the opportunity to explore the University’s academic and cultural spaces and to become familiar with student services, including libraries, study rooms, museums, university residences, sports facilities, and the University theatre.
In addition to academic information, participants receive guidance on general and programme-specific admission procedures and entrance test requirements.
To promote inclusive access to higher education, the Student Support Unit for students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) organises dedicated sessions on personalised study plans, as well as academic, financial, and logistical support. The Unit also provides guidance on the documentation required to access such services.
2. “Sapienza Orientation Portal”
Sapienza has developed an online portal https://orientamento.uniroma1.it/index.html to support students in choosing their degree programme.
The portal offers an immersive preview of university life, allowing users to explore campuses, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, theatres, and sports and music facilities through interactive content.
It also provides online learning modules on key subject areas, self-assessment tools, and access to orientation events organised by Faculties and Departments. The portal includes presentation videos of Faculties and degree programmes, particularly newly established ones, and all initiatives are also promoted through the University’s social media channels.
An English version is available for international students.
3. “A Bridge between School and University” Project
This initiative supports the transition from secondary school to university, helping students integrate into higher education.
It includes two main activities:

  • Sapienza introduces itself: orientation meetings and sample lectures delivered by Sapienza academic staff on topics related to each disciplinary area.
  • Sapienza through students: school visits where trained student mentors share their university experience and present available services.

4. Self-assessment tools (developed and scientifically validated by Sapienza experts)

  • “Know Yourself”: supports students in choosing their academic path by generating personality, academic, and professional profiles.
  • “Me, Myself and Others”: assesses soft skills, i.e. personal abilities relevant for social and professional integration.

5. “Orientation Network Programme”
This orientation and knowledge-alignment programme is aimed at students in the final years of secondary school who are preparing for admission tests in the biomedical and psychology areas.
It includes a preparatory course with an initial online phase followed by intensive in-person classes. The programme targets limited-enrolment degree courses in the biomedical, healthcare, and psychological fields.
6. “PCTO – Pathways for Transversal Skills and Orientation” (formerly school-work alternance)
This educational programme allows secondary school students to consolidate school knowledge through practical experiences, helping them develop awareness of their aptitudes, enrich their training, and make more informed choices about their future studies.
7. “Orientation Next Generation (ONG)”
This is a joint project involving all universities in the Lazio region, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). It is designed to support students in making informed educational and career choices.
Sapienza academic staff deliver a 15-hour training course divided into five modules (3 hours each), usually delivered over five consecutive days, unless otherwise agreed with schools. The modules cover topics such as:

  • Why is studying important?
  • What is university study like?
  • How can I best prepare for university?
  • Who am I and who will I become?
  • What careers can I aspire to?

8. Entrance Test Preparation
Sapienza adopts the CISIA Online Test (TOLC) system for admission. Secondary school students can also access practice tests through the CISIA portal, which provides Student Placement Tests (PPS). These allow students to assess their preparation and receive immediate feedback based on comparison with previous cohorts.
9. “Core Knowledge Programme”
This initiative supports students in strengthening the basic knowledge required for their chosen degree programme. It consists of recorded lectures delivered by university lecturers, with the aim of reinforcing entry-level competences and promoting a more conscious and motivated academic path.
10. “Of@Sapienza”
This e-learning platform is designed to improve preparation for admission tests and to reduce Additional Learning Requirements (OFA) in Italian and Mathematics.
It provides self-study tools to strengthen the basic knowledge required for degree programmes in the Humanities, Engineering, and Architecture areas.
11. “Orientation Events”
All orientation events organised by the University, Faculties, Departments, and degree programmes are listed in chronological order at:
https://www.uniroma1.it/it/node/347362
Support for students with disabilities and DSA
Sapienza organises school meetings and individual orientation sessions to present the services available for students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (DSA).
The University supports students in managing admission procedures and access needs, based on certified documentation. The Disability and DSA Student Services Unit evaluates requests for individualised admission arrangements.
For limited-enrolment degree programmes, students may request specific accommodations, including:

  • dedicated rooms
  • additional time
  • reader or assistant support
  • LIS interpreters
  • calculators

The same procedures apply to CISIA admission tests (both in-person and online TOLC@HOME formats).
The Unit also supports incoming students in vulnerable conditions through specialised tutors, peer mentors, and LIS interpreters.
Course-Specific Activities (Degree Programme)
Each year, the Department of Computer Science organises an orientation event called OpenDI, during which the Department opens its facilities to secondary school students to present its degree programmes and research activities.
The event begins with a welcome address by the Department Director, followed by presentations of the degree programmes by the Chair of the Didactic Area Council in Computer Science. This is followed by a guided visit of the Department and Faculty facilities, including interactive demonstrations, short seminars, and meetings with academic staff, researchers, and students.
OpenDI is part of Sapienza’s wider orientation framework and complements the “Porte aperte alla Sapienza” initiative and the Open Day of the Faculty of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Statistics (I3S).
The Sapienza Orientation Portal (also available in English) provides an immersive preview of university life, including the presentation video of the degree programme:
https://youtu.be/GQWpoYegBTw

Students interested in enrolling may also contact the SOrT office through the contact details available on the degree programme website and on Faculty and SOrT pages.