The Institute follows the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Each ECTS consists of 15 classroom teaching hours and 15 hours of academic work outside the classroom. One hour for 1 ECTS course, and 2 hours for 2 & 3 ECTS courses are allotted for recapitulation to enhance philosophical/theological integration, either within classroom or library hours.
Each academic year has two semesters with a scope of 60 ECTS, including courses and activities. In the First Cycle, students complete 120 ECTS after the Two-year Philosophy Programme and 180 ECTS after the Three-year Theology Programme. In the Second Cycle, 120 ECTS are completed after the Two-year Licentiate Programme, 60 ECTS after the One-year Pastoral Programme, and 120 ECTS after the Two-year Regular Diploma in Theology Programme.
The medium of instruction is English, except for courses related to Tamil Culture, across all programmes: Two-year Philosophy, Three-year Theology, Two-year Regular Diploma, Two-year Licentiate, and One-year Pastoral Programmes.
A teaching hour is 45 minutes, with six class hours daily, five days a week, excluding Wednesday, which is a study day for personal study.
Class attendance and library hours are compulsory. Absentees must submit a leave application signed by the concerned Animator/Superior to the Prefect in advance for foreseen leave or delay, or inform the Prefect before unforeseen leave, followed by a leave application.
Missing more than 20% of classes forfeits the ECTS for that course, requiring repetition before the exam. The fifth and sixth hours on working days are library hours, unless otherwise noted in the calendar.
Norms for Baccalaureate in Theology: Internal exams are written, lasting 45 minutes max. For Philosophy, 4 ECTS courses have a 15-mark internal exam and 10-mark assignment; 2/3 ECTS courses have a 25-mark internal exam. For Theology, 2/3/4 ECTS courses may have a 25-mark internal exam or creative assessment if not assigned otherwise. Language courses may have three 20-minute tests (30 marks total) plus a 70-mark final exam.
Philosophy internal exams are held in the afternoon; Theology exams during class hours. Questions can be objective or descriptive. Failed students retain internal marks for re-exams. External exam modes/durations: 1 ECTS (1.15 hrs written/10 mins oral), 2 ECTS (1.30 hrs/12 mins), 3/4 ECTS (2 hrs/15 mins). Page limits: 1 ECTS (4-5), 2 ECTS (6-7), 3/4 ECTS (8-9).
For multiple subjects, at least one external exam must be oral or written. One ECTS exams may occur a week after the course, on study days or afternoons; 2/3/4 ECTS exams are at semester end. External questions are descriptive. Passing requires 40% aggregate: Philosophy (30/75 external for courses with internals, 40/100 without); Theology (30/75 external with assignments/internals, 40/100 without).
Norms for All Streams: Exam schedules are ratified by the Controller. Notifications and student lists are sent before exams. Failed students can re-take in the second session or after a month if failed again. Second session mode is teacher-decided. Oral exams allow reasonable help; written exams use supervised questions, allowing primary sources like the Bible. Retotaling, revaluation, and viewing require Controller applications. Absences with Rector/Superior concurrence shift to second session.
Norms for Baccalaureate in Theology: Philosophy assignments are 4-5 pages, book reviews 3-4 pages; Theology seminar/subject assignments are 9-10 pages. All must be in English.
Norms for All Streams: Works must show extra reading and magisterial knowledge, using only library books/articles (no online/AI resources). They follow scientific methodology per Institute guidelines, printed on A4 with 1.5 spacing (no handwritten work). Submissions are due at the Academic Office by the set date; late submissions lose 2 marks/day without permission, requiring Prefect approval for extensions. No extra academic work beyond the Handbook is allowed.
Baccalaureate and Licentiate Degrees are granted by the aggregating Institute; Diplomas by the aggregated Institute. They are conferred to candidates completing the required ECTS for each programme.
Grading system: Pass Mark 40; Pass Class (Probatus) 40-49; III Class (Bene probatus) 50-59; II Class (Cum laude probatus) 60-74; I Class (Magna cum laude probatus) 75-89; Distinction (Summa cum laude probatus) 90-100.
Copying in exams or assignments results in dismissal. Plagiarism leads to failure in all semester exams, requiring repetition. Failing more than three subjects after re-exams notifies the student’s Ordinary/Superior for continuance decisions.
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