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Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Cattolica International

Course details

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  • Total number of students: 35 
  • International students: 20 

“International” refers to students holding a non-Italian high school diploma. 

You will take classes over three years, combining science, business, and food industry topics. Each course includes ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System), and you’ll also complete an internship and a final dissertation. 

 

You can find full course syllabi on the university website by selecting the academic year, campus, and Faculty. 

Year 1 Building your science and business foundations

In the first year, you’ll study key subjects in science and economics through both lectures and lab work. Courses include: 

 

  • Applied statistics and Physics - 9 ECTS
    • Applied Statistics - 4 ECTS
    • Physics - 5 ECTS
       
  • Chemistry - 10 ECTS
    • Inorganic Chemistry - 5 ECTS
    • Organic Chemistry - 5 ECTS
       
  • Plant Physiology and Genetics - 9 ECTS
    • Plant Physiology - 4 ECTS
    • Applied Genetics - 5 ECTS
       
  • Biochemistry - 8 ECTS
    • Biochemistry - 4 ECTS
    • Applied Biochemistry - 4 ECTS
       
  • Applied Agronomy and Horticulture - 8 ECTS 
    • Applied Agronomy - 4 ECTS
    • Horticulture - 4 ECTS
       
  • Food Economics - 10 ECTS
    • Fundamentals in economics - 5 ECTS
    • Agri-food economics - 5 ECTS
  • Theology*

Year 2 Focus on food systems and sustainability

Your second year includes applied sciences, food safety, animal welfare, and sustainability. Courses include: 

 

  • Applied Agri-Food Microbiology - 6 ECTS
     
  • Food Technology - 9 ECTS
    • Principles of Food Processing - 5 ECTS
    • Sensory Evaluation - 4 ECTS
       
  • Crop Protection - 9 ECTS
    • Entomology - 3 ECTS
    • Plant Pathology - 6 ECTS
       
  • Animal Science - 9 ECTS
    • Animal Physiology - 4 ECTS
    • Applied Animal Science - 5 ECTS
       
  • Sustainability and Food Law - 10 ECTS
    • Food Law and Certification - 5 ECTS
    • Economic and Environmental Sustainability - 5 ECTS

 

  • The Wine Trail 
    • Applied Viticulture - 6 ECTS
    • Applied Enology - 6 ECTS
    • Integrated Vineyard Protection - 6 ECTS

Year 3 Specialised hubs and real-world experience

In your final year, you’ll explore Italy’s top food sectors and apply your skills through an internship and thesis. ​​​​​​
  • Food Safety - 8 ECTS
    • Biological Safety - 5 ECTS
    • Chemical Safety - 3 ECTS
       

Cheese and Cured Meat Hub

  • Milk, Meat Production and Technology - 12 ECTS
    • Milk and Meat Production - 6 ECTS
    • Technology of Animal Chain Products - 6 ECTS
  • Microbiology of Diary and Meat Foods - 6 ECTS

 

Tomato, Pasta and Bakery Hub

  • Vegetable Production and Technology - 6 ECTS
  • Cereal Grains, Processing and Technology - 12 ECTS
    • Cereal Grains - 6 ECTS
    • Grain Processing and Baking Technology - 6 ECTS
  • Free Electives - 12 ECTS
  • Internship and Final Exam - 9 ECTS
  • Theology*

*Theology seminar

Theology courses are seminars in religious studies that explore religious and ethical topics from an academic and cultural viewpoint, promoting thoughtful discussion across diverse traditions.
This programme prepares you to work in many parts of the food supply chain — from farms to supermarkets. 

You will learn how to manage production, improve quality, and support sustainability across food businesses. This makes you ready for jobs in: 

  • Farms and food companies: Roles in production, planning, and quality control in both small and large agri-food businesses. 
  • Retail and trade: Jobs in sales, supply chain coordination, or product management with food retailers or distributors. 
  • Support services: Opportunities in consulting, marketing, or services that help agri-food companies grow and follow food regulations. 

 

You can also continue your studies with a 2-year Master of Science in: 

  • Agricultural and Food Economics 
  • Sustainable Viticulture and Enology 

Or you can choose a postgraduate programme abroad. 

 

 

  • Classes start: September 21, 2026 
  • The academic calendar for 2026/27 will be online in July (visit this page). 
  • A Welcome Event is usually held the week before classes begin. Details will be shared in early August. 

Preliminary courses in Chemistry, Biology, Applied Statistics, and Physics are offered before classes begin. 

 

International students can join Italian language courses offered by SELDA (Servizio Linguistico d’Ateneo). These courses require a fee. 

 

To contact SELDA: 

  • Use the “Request for Information” form on the iCatt homepage