Part 1 - All about the University
How is the timetable scheduled?
A lot of information about the timetabling and scheduling can be found on Parma’s website, this is always a great place to start. Generally it’s the usual timetable; October- February, then March – June. Classes start a little later in the morning, from 10:30am to 5:30pm. There are no lectures on Fridays, excluding some occasional circumstances when they would have lectures in the morning.
How are the exams scheduled?
Most exams are written exams for the first two years, after which all the exams are orals. The most notable exception is that written exams are oral during the COVID pandemic, since they have to be done online. There are also options to do an oral if you wish to get a better mark. Once the pandemic is more contained, all exams are going to be in person in theory; that is the intent of the course at least, the extent to which this can be followed during COVID can fluctuate. Parma also offers multiple attempts at exams, and you can continue with your year even if you haven’t passed all of your exams.
Does Parma conduct dissections?
Parma follows the general trend of conducting pro-sections at best, with very little to no chance to do a dissection yourself.
How is clinical experience conducted?
On the English course things start very early, the first clerkships and clinicals are as early as the 2nd term of 2nd year. Then, as per usual, all 3rd year and 4th year are going to be full blown clinicals. Parma’s ‘clerkship’ is essentially a course about research methodology, which includes lab experience.
What are the language requirements at Parma, if any?
There is no mandatory requirements, students are expected to make themselves prepared for interactions in Italian with patients later in the year.
What are the abroad opportunities at Parma?
While there isn’t any solid foundation for it yet, Parma administration are working on agreements with hospitals in other European countries; agreements additional to Erasmus and other programmes.
What are the tuition fees and general expenses?
The fees are composed of the ISEE calculated tuition fee, and a flat fee of 156 euro, that is the regional fee with stamp duty (this is something that all students, regardless of scholarships, pay). Even still, the highest rate would be around 2000 euros which is cheap. The most common scholarships that students get at the University of Parma are from the regional agency. These are credit based, one must have some 30 credits at the end of the first year.
Part 2 - All about the City
What is the weather like in Piacenza?
Like most of the northern Italian cities it’s generally humid and sunny, and Piacenza definitely experiences all 4 seasons in full. Investing in air conditioning is highly recommended. Winters will likely be a good mix of stormy rain and snow with a very frosty reception, lows as low as -10 Celsius. Summers will be nonstop hot and humid.
How is transport around the city? Which mode would one recommend?
As usual a staple form of transport in most cities, cycling once is a fantastic option. It is often safer and opens up a lot more shortcuts. There also is this new line they called Metro bus; which runs across all the main sites every 10 minutes, on all weekdays from Monday to Friday.
What housing options are there? How do scholarships affect them?
Scholarships are mostly to cover accommodation. If you don’t get a dorm, there are no dorms or if you choose not to go to a dorm, you can get the amount allotted for accommodation in cash, if that makes things easier. Generally these funds will cover housing, though living expenses are unlikely to be covered.
How is the general cost of living?
Parma generally lays somewhere in the economic bracket between Messina – Milan; general living wont cost you and arm and a leg, but you can’t afford to dine like a king in a foreign land.
What kind of student activities are available around Piacenza city?
Piacenza itself is situated reasonably close to a fair number of outdoor activity opportunities. Following the river, take a walk through gorgeous scenic nature so close to your home; or hop right in and go rafting or kayaking. Parma to Milan is less than one hour by train. Regional trains are relatively cheap too for day trips. Milan is famous for art museums and historical sites.