Master in Applied Data Science at University of L’Aquila
Two-year English-taught master's (LM-DATA) at the University of L'Aquila in statistics, programming, data mining and big data, with Data and Life Science or Data and Business Analytics curricula.
Master
2 years
L'Aquila
English
University of L’Aquila
Applied Data Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-Data) taught in English at the University of L'Aquila. Entry needs a degree of at least three years in a quantitative field, or 30 credits in listed computing, statistics and maths areas, plus English at B2. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
L'Aquila's Applied Data Science master needs a degree of at least three years in a field such as computer science, engineering, physics, maths, economics or statistics, or one with at least 30 credits in listed quantitative areas, plus English at B2 and a positive document review, sometimes with an interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a degree of at least three years from a university outside the Italian system that allows admission to the master's you apply for. [1]
The curricular rule comes from the 2025/26 course regulations. Graduates of Italian classes L-8 (information engineering), L-9 (industrial engineering), L-30 (physics), L-31 (computer science), L-33 (economics), L-35 (mathematics) or L-41 (statistics) qualify. Graduates in other fields need: [2]
- At least 30 CFU in total in the listed sectors: computer science and information engineering (INF/01, ING-INF/01 to 06), bioengineering and management engineering (ING-IND/34 and 35), statistics (SECS-S/01 to 06), mathematics (MAT/01 to 09), physics (FIS/01 to 08), medical statistics and public health (MED/01 and MED/42), econometrics (SECS-P/05), business and management (SECS-P/07, 08 and 10), linguistics (L-LIN/01), and biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics (BIO/10 to 12 and BIO/18).
- At least 18 of these in computer science or information engineering (INF/01, ING-INF/03 to 06), statistics (SECS-S/01 to 06), econometrics (SECS-P/05), mathematics (MAT/01 to 09), physics (FIS/01, 02 and 07) or medical statistics (MED/01).
Depending on which requirements you meet, the programme council can set a specific path within the degree. [2]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and the committee looks at the subjects you studied. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science, IT or Electronics, a BCA, or a B.Sc. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Physics.
- Check carefully: a B.Com, a BBA, a B.A. in Economics or a B.Sc. in Biotechnology. Business, economics and biology credits can count toward the 30, but at least 18 must be in computing, statistics, maths, physics or econometrics.
- Often short: a B.A. in the humanities or a law degree with little maths, statistics or computing.
The application asks for official descriptions of your relevant courses, or the university's self-certification form, so the committee can see what each course covered. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, written and spoken, including subject vocabulary. [1][2]
For the 2026/27 call, proof was a B2 or C1 certificate issued within the last four years, uploaded with the application or sent through ETS (institution code 3676). Applicants who studied in English for one or more years, at university or high school, and native speakers could self-declare instead. The call names no minimum test score. [1]
The course regulations add that a committee can assess the English of a student who enrols without a certificate and set a personalised catch-up path. For Universitaly pre-enrolment, the university lists a B2 language certificate among the required uploads. [2][3]
Selection
After the deadline, the Rector appoints an evaluation committee of at least three members, which sets its criteria in a preliminary report. Selection can be on documents only or on documents and an interview, and candidates called for interview are told at least five days before. Each committee produces a ranking list of eligible candidates. [1]
You submit one application, which can cover at most two programmes in this call. For 2026/27, the Applied Data Science ranking was approved by rector's decree on 16 April 2026. [1][4]
2026/27 deadlines
- Applications: by 1:00 pm Italian time on 25 February 2026. [1]
- Final-year students: could apply if they graduated by 15 August 2026, sending the degree certificate by then or within 10 days of graduating. [1]
- Universitaly pre-enrolment: by 31 July. [3]
The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [3]
Documents and non-EU steps
You apply on the PICA portal with documents in English: a CV (Europass preferred), your degree certificate and transcript, certificates and transcripts of any other degrees, official descriptions of your relevant courses or the self-certification form, a motivation letter, up to two reference letters, proof of English and an identity document. You then sign and submit the application. [1]
If you are ranked eligible and need a visa, you register on Universitaly for this master's, and the university approves the pre-enrolment without a further academic check. You can enrol only with a study visa. [1]
To enrol you provide your final degree certificate, your transcript, a B2 language certificate, and CIMEA comparability and verification certificates, a declaration of value or an English Diploma Supplement. The consulate may still require a declaration of value for the visa. [3]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of L'Aquila, International Relations Office. Call for selection of students with a foreign bachelor's degree for master's degrees taught in English, cohort 2026 (academic year 2026/27). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of L'Aquila, Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. Course regulations of the master's degree in Applied Data Science (class LM-Data), academic year 2025/26 (in Italian). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of L'Aquila. Enrolment of international master's students and international students' calls page, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of L'Aquila, International Relations Office. Call for 50 contributions to student travel and installation costs for English-taught master's degrees, academic year 2026/27 (in Italian). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Applied Data Science (Data science applicata) is a two-year master's degree in the new national data science class, LM-DATA, at the University of L'Aquila. It is run by the Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics (DISIM), taught in English and delivered in person in L'Aquila, for 120 ECTS.
The degree trains applied data scientists who can identify, represent and analyse large flows of data with quantitative and computational methods. It brings together computer science, statistics and mathematics with the economic, legal, ethical and social side of data, and it treats lab work as a core part of the course. It suits graduates in computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, economics or statistics.
What you will study
The first year is shared by both curricula. In the second year you choose Data and Life Science or Data and Business Analytics; each has a general orientation and one reserved for computer science (L-31) graduates. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Statistics and Programming Methodologies for Data Science (12 ECTS each)
- Networks and Decision Models (12 ECTS)
- Data Mining and ICT Security (6 ECTS each)
- Knowledge, Language and Representation and a unit on business organisation (6 ECTS each)
- Open and Big Data Management and Processing (9 ECTS) and Business Law and Data Processing (6 ECTS)
- Methods and Techniques for Biotechnologies (Data and Life Science) or Methods and Techniques for Business and Economics (Data and Business Analytics), 12 ECTS
How the programme is taught
Lab activities run through the course. The second year leaves 12 ECTS for free electives from across the university and up to 6 ECTS for an internship, which can be internal, with a company or abroad. The 15 ECTS thesis is a written piece of work on a specific topic, prepared with a supervisor and defended in English. [2]
Career paths
The regulation describes the applied data scientist as a professional who can lead data analysis and big data projects in medium and large organisations: defining the problem, acquiring and analysing the data and presenting results that support strategic decisions. Named employers include:
- Small and medium enterprises and large companies
- Consulting and research centres
- Public administration
Fees and scholarships
Fees at the University of L'Aquila are tied to family income. For 2026/27, non-EU students not resident in Italy are treated as the lowest band (ISEE up to €24,000) and pay no annual contribution, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students; keeping it after year one needs a minimum of earned credits. [3] ADSU L'Aquila is the regional scholarship body.
For 2026/27, the university also offered 50 grants of €2,764.97 each towards travel and settling-in costs for foreign students starting its English-taught master's degrees, at most 10 of them for European students. Programme councils proposed students from their admission rankings who had applied on Universitaly in time. [4]
How to apply from outside the EU
Applied Data Science takes graduates of classes L-8, L-9, L-30, L-31, L-33, L-35 and L-41, or of other degrees with at least 30 ECTS in the listed computing, statistics and maths areas. [2] Applicants with a foreign degree use the university's call for master's degrees taught in English on the PICA portal. For 2026/27 it closed on 25 February 2026 at 1:00 pm Italian time, and selection was on documents, possibly with an interview. [1]
After admission we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, which for 2026/27 was due by 31 July, and you apply for a type D study visa. You can enrol only with the visa, and at enrolment you provide CIMEA comparability and verification certificates, a declaration of value or an English Diploma Supplement. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1][3]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against L'Aquila's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your PICA application with your CV, course descriptions and motivation letter, and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your regional DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Applied Data Science at L'Aquila?
A degree of at least three years. Italian classes in information or industrial engineering, physics, computer science, economics, maths or statistics qualify. Other degrees need 30 credits in listed areas, with 18 in computing, statistics, maths, physics or econometrics. [1][2]
Is there an entrance test?
No written test. A committee reviews your documents and may add an interview, with at least five days' notice. Each committee then draws up a ranking list of eligible candidates. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. The 2026/27 call accepted a B2 or C1 certificate issued within the last four years, and those who studied in English for a year or more could self-declare. No minimum IELTS score is named, so we check which proof fits your file. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, applications closed at 1:00 pm Italian time on 25 February 2026, and Universitaly pre-enrolment was due by 31 July. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1][3]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if you graduate in time. For 2026/27, final-year students could apply if they graduated by 15 August 2026 and sent the degree certificate by then, or within 10 days of graduating. [1]
I have a B.Com or a BBA. Can I apply?
Possibly. Business credits count toward the 30-credit rule, but at least 18 credits must be in computing, statistics, maths, physics or econometrics. A B.Com with solid statistics or maths courses is more likely to meet it. [2]
Is there funding for international students?
For 2026/27 the university offered 50 grants of €2,764.97 each towards travel and settling-in costs for foreign students starting its English-taught master's degrees, proposed from the admission rankings. [4]
What jobs does it lead to?
The regulations describe the applied data scientist, leading data analysis and big data projects in small, medium and large companies, consulting and research centres, and public administration. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Applied Data Science at L'Aquila?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against L'Aquila's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the regional DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Applied Data Science?
A recognised three-year Indian bachelor's in computer science, engineering, maths, statistics, physics or economics, such as a B.Tech, B.E. or B.Sc., can meet the rule, and other degrees need 30 credits in listed quantitative areas. You also need English at B2. The steps are the PICA application, the document review, a possible interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Applied Data Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: the PICA application, the document review with a possible interview, the ranking list and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Applied Data Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: the PICA application, the document review with a possible interview, the ranking list and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Applied Data Science are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: the PICA application, the document review with a possible interview, the ranking list and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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