What is a pensum and how do you read it?
Updated on 2026-01-15 · Read 6 min
If you have heard the word 'pensum' and are not sure what it means, or you have the document in your hands but do not understand its structure, this guide is for you. We explain what a pensum is, how to read it and how to turn it into something useful for your day-to-day.
What a pensum is
A pensum (from Latin 'pensum', something assigned) is the official study plan of a degree. It describes every course a student must take and pass to earn the degree, organized by semesters, cycles or levels.
In many countries 'pensum' and 'curriculum' are used as synonyms, although strictly speaking the pensum is the official document and the curriculum map is its visual representation.
Parts of a pensum
- Academic periods: semesters, cycles or years
- Courses: name and, sometimes, a code
- Credits: the academic weight of each course
- Prerequisites or co-requisites: courses that unlock others
- Training areas: core, professional, elective, etc.
Pensum vs. curriculum: the difference
The pensum is the official document: the complete list of courses and requirements. The curriculum map is the way to visualize it, usually as a grid by semester, so it is easy to understand and follow.
In short: the pensum is the what, and the curriculum map is how you see and organize it.
How to read a pensum step by step
- Identify how many academic periods the degree has.
- Read the courses of each period from left to right.
- Look at the codes: they usually indicate area or level (for example, MAT101).
- Check the credits of each course and add up each period.
- Mark the prerequisites so you know what depends on what.
Example: interpreting a course code
A code like MAT201 is usually read like this: 'MAT' is the area (Mathematics) and '201' indicates the level or sequence (second level, first course). Formats vary between universities, but the logic is usually the same: area plus sequence number.
Turn your pensum into an interactive plan
A pensum in PDF is hard to follow: you have to search which semester each course belongs to and which ones you already passed. In Mi Malla you can upload the PDF or a photo of the pensum and it is automatically transformed into an interactive plan.
From there you can mark courses as passed, view prerequisites and check your completion percentage without going back to the original document every time.
Frequently asked questions
Are pensum and curriculum the same thing?
They are used as synonyms in many countries. Strictly speaking, the pensum is the official document with all courses and the curriculum map is its visual representation by semester.
How do I know how many credits my pensum has?
Add the credits of every course listed in the document. That total is the academic load of your degree and usually also appears in the regulations or on your program's website.
What is a prerequisite or co-requisite?
A prerequisite is a course you must pass before enrolling in another. Respecting prerequisites prevents blocked courses and delays in graduation.
Can I import my pensum into Mi Malla?
Yes. Upload a PDF or a photo of your pensum and semesters, courses, codes and credits are extracted to create your plan, ready to edit.
Put it into practice with Mi Malla
Import your study plan, calculate your average and manage your studies. Free.
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