You can substitute the free choice credits planned in your curriculum with the recognition of competencies acquired while undertaking other learning activities at Politecnico or outside the university.

A learning activity can be recognized even if it exceeds the total number of credits required for graduation (credit overload), but within the limit of 12 extra credits. An external activity is recognized on a pass-or-fail basis (i.e. it has no grade, it is simply recorded with a “pass”). 

You can request the recognition of a learning activity at any time during your university career, but the process must be completed before you register for the Final Examination. After this date pending requests will not be taken into consideration.

A specific board is in charge of evaluating students’ requests.

If your request is accepted by the board, you need to accept the approval of the board:

Politecnico can recognize this competence only one time during your Bachelor’s degree programme.
If you have a certificate of a foreign language other than the compulsory languages of your degree programme, you can ask for its recognition at any time of your university career. Send your request using a specific procedure called Approvazione attività esterne/Approval of external activities available on your personal page of the Teaching - Segreteria online section. 
Upload a copy of your language certificate. If your request is approved, you must present your original certificate to the staff of the Language Centre (CLA). The table of the foreign languages and certificates accepted by Politecnico is available on the CLA website. 

Competitive sports activities (3 CFU)

Politecnico can recognize up to a maximum of 3 credits, only one time during the entire duration of your studies  (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme). 
If you achieve outstanding results in sports competitions while you are studying at the university, you can ask for the recognition of this activity at any time of your university career. Send your request using a specific procedure called “Approvazione attività esterne”/Approval of external activities” available on your personal page of the Teaching - Segreteria online section. 

The term “competitive sports activities” refers to: 

1. athletes called into the Italian national team of disciplines with a federation approved by CONI and recognized as Olympic sports;
2. absolute champions or champions of division in Italian championships, or medalists in European /World championships  in one of the disciplines with a federation approved by CONI and recognized as Olympic sports;
3. athletes, couches or referees who participated in top level national and international championships. 

Student team activities
Politecnico can recognize 3,6, or 12 credits only one time during your Bachelor’s degree programme and only one time during your Master’s degree programme. 
If you are actively involved in a student team, you can ask for the recognition of this activity. Send your request using a specific procedure called Approvazione attività esterne/Approval of external activities available on your personal page of the Teaching - Segreteria online section. The leader of your student team must certify the nature of your collaboration and the amount of time that you have dedicated to it. On the basis of such information the faculty member responsible for your Personal Study Plan (referente del piano degli studi) decides if your request can be accepted and how many credits you will be granted.

Other learning activities outside the university
Politecnico can recognize 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 or 12 credits depending on the activity. Politecnico can recognize more than one external activity during your Bachelor’s degree programme (and more than one during your Master’s degree programme), but each activity will be recognized with a different number of credits.
Universities can recognize activities and competences acquired outside the university in compliance with the law (Law No. 240/2010, Article 14).  
If you are going to participate or have participated in external learning activities (training courses, workshops, Summer or Winter Schools,…) which are relevant and coherent with your educational path, you can ask for their recognition.  Send your request using a specific procedure called “Approvazione attività esterne”/Approval of external activities” available on your personal page of the Teaching - Segreteria online section.  Upload your supporting documents  (agenda, contents and  duration of the event).  On the basis of such information the faculty member responsible for your Personal Study Plan (referente del piano degli studi)  decides if your request can be accepted and how many credits you will be granted. If you are requesting the recognition of an activity listed under point 1,2,3  you cannot ask for its recognition as “learning activity outside the university” (point 4).