Picture of a student studying Renaissance wall paintings in Florence

The language of instruction and assessment is English. Both formal and informal mechanisms of assessment are used. Formally assessed work is not graded but is pass/fail, which encourages teamwork among a group of students with diverse backgrounds and skills. Informal assessment is based on didactic exercises such as essays and seminars, and on supervision of the practical work. It allows staff to monitor a student's progress in each subject area, and to adjust the curriculum and supervision as necessary.

Students take written examinations for formal courses in March of the first and second years, and a viva voce at the end of each of the three years. Students must pass both the examinations and the viva in order to continue to the second and third years of the course. Award of the degree at the end of the third year is based on assessment of the dissertation, and a viva voce on all aspects of the student's performance.