Master in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science at University of Calabria
Two-year English-taught LM-18 master's at the University of Calabria combining deep learning, intelligent agents and neurosymbolic AI with a Data Science or Computer Security curriculum, plus an internship and thesis.
Master
2 years
Rende
English
University of Calabria
Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-18) taught in English at the University of Calabria in Rende. Entry needs a scientific or computing-related bachelor's with solid programming, algorithms, databases and maths, plus English at B2 checked in an online interview. For 2026/27, 9 of the 15 non-EU places came with a scholarship covering fees, housing and meals.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
UniCal's AI and Computer Science master has limited places. Non-EU applicants living abroad need a foreign bachelor's in a scientific or computing-related field that gives access to master's study, sound knowledge of programming, algorithms, databases and maths, English at B2, a positive CV review and a remote oral exam. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a university degree obtained abroad that is valid for admission to master's study in Italy and gives access to second-cycle study in the country where it was awarded. It should be a scientific or computing-related bachelor's, and you need sufficient knowledge of programming, algorithms, databases and mathematics. [1][2]
There is no minimum CGPA, although your score can be used to rank applications. [2]
For comparison, the 2024/25 departmental criteria admitted Italian graduates in computer science (class L-31) or information engineering (L-8) directly, and graduates in mathematics (L-35), statistics (L-41) or physics (L-30) with at least 24 CFU in computer science (INF/01 or ING-INF/05) and at least 12 CFU in mathematics. [3]
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 or IT, or a B.Sc. in Computer Science, with courses in programming, algorithms, databases and maths.
- Check carefully: a BCA, a B.Tech in Electronics or Electrical Engineering, or a B.Sc. in Mathematics, Statistics or Physics. These can fit if your transcript shows programming, algorithms and databases as well as maths.
- Often short: a B.Com, BBA or BA, or a B.Sc. in a life science, which rarely covers programming, algorithms, databases and university maths.
The application lets you upload the syllabus of all your courses, so the committee can see what each course covered. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2, written and spoken. The 2026/27 call assesses language proficiency through an online interview. You can upload an English certificate if you have one, but neither the call nor the programme page lists a required test or score. [1][2]
Selection
Admission is decided by a departmental committee on qualifications and a remote oral exam. [1]
- CV and qualifications: the committee evaluates your CV and the qualifications you submit.
- Remote oral exam: at least twice as many candidates as places are invited. The exam is held in English and checks your knowledge of the subject areas, your cultural background and your English. It is mandatory for admission.
- Rankings: two merit rankings are drawn up, one for scholarship places and one for places without a scholarship. In a tie, the younger candidate ranks higher.
Places and scholarships in 2026/27
The 2026/27 call offered 15 places to non-EU applicants living abroad: 9 with a scholarship and 6 without. [1]
- Scholarship places: for applicants whose household income is below €26,500 if independent or €41,500 for a two-person family. For a family of three or more, the income limit is €54,000. Winners show this with an ISEE parificato by 30 October 2026. Students from particularly poor countries use a certificate from the Italian mission instead.
- Places without a scholarship: for applicants whose household income is above those limits.
- What the scholarship covers: the enrolment fee, free accommodation, campus canteen meals and pocket money of about €3,600.
- Keeping it: winners who earn fewer than 20 ECTS by 30 November 2027 must repay what they received, and renewal for 2027/28 needs at least 30 ECTS by 10 August 2027.
2026/27 deadlines
Applications closed at 11:59 pm Italian time on 30 March 2026. The deadline for conditional enrolment was 10 June 2026, later extended to 17 June 2026, and places left vacant were reallocated by 16 July 2026, with enrolment by 31 July 2026. Enrolment is finalised in person at UniCal's Welcome Office, by 30 October 2026 for this intake. [1][4]
UniCal expects to publish the 2027/28 call around January 2027. [5]
Documents and non-EU steps
You apply on UniCal's Esse3 portal, choosing the call for extra-EU students, for one master's degree only. You can upload the first page of your passport, your CV, your bachelor's degree, your transcript of records, the syllabus of all your courses and any English certificate. [1]
Scholarship winners receive UniCal's acceptance letter through the Universitaly portal. After enrolment you hand in your foreign degree with an official Italian translation, legalised or with an Apostille, plus a declaration of value or CIMEA certificates of comparability and verification, by 28 February 2027 for the 2026/27 intake. [1]
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 Calabria, Internationalisation Area. Unicaladmission call for applications for non-EU students residing abroad, two-year master's degree programmes, academic year 2026/27, with the How to apply guide. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Calabria, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science admission information for applicants with qualifications obtained outside Italy, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Calabria. Annex 1 to the master's admission call: places, criteria and departmental choices, academic year 2024/25 (in Italian). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Calabria. Rector's decree reallocating scholarship places for non-EU master's applicants, academic year 2026/27 (in Italian). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Calabria, Unicaladmission page for international students, academic years 2026/27 and 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-18, computer science, 120 ECTS) taught in English by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Calabria (UniCal). It runs on the Arcavacata di Rende campus near Cosenza.
The course combines foundations in computer science with a specialisation in artificial intelligence, which the university highlights as a research strength of UniCal. It suits graduates in computer science or a related scientific field who want to design and build advanced AI and data systems.
What you will study
All students take a common AI core, then choose the Data Science curriculum, focused on data analysis, or the Computer Security curriculum, focused on protecting computer systems. Units in the 2026/27 study plan include:
- Deep Learning (9 ECTS) and Intelligent Systems, with modules in Automated Planning and Intelligent Agents
- Theoretical Computer Science: Decidability and Logics, and Computational Complexity
- Agile Software Development and Research Seminars in AI and CS
- Neurosymbolic AI, including Foundations of Neurosymbolic AI and an LLM Lab, plus Algorithmic Game Theory
- Data Science units such as Data Warehouse and Visualization, Big Data Analytics, Statistical Methods for Data Science and Massively Parallel Programming on GPUs
- Computer Security units such as Cryptography, Network Security, Secure Software Design, and Cyber Offense and Defense
- Training activities (6 ECTS) and a thesis (18 ECTS)
How the programme is taught
The course relies on projects and laboratory work, and students can do training periods and internships in companies and research centres in Italy and abroad. The department reports internship links with more than 100 Italian and international ICT companies, and the course page mentions double-degree options with European universities.
Career paths
Graduates work as analysts and specialists in artificial intelligence, data science and computer security, in ICT companies or public institutions, or continue to a PhD or postgraduate school. The university lists these roles:
- Design and development of advanced information systems, including AI systems
- Data analysis and big data engineering
- Computer and network security
- Management, estimation and testing of complex software projects
After the state exam, graduates can also register as information engineers in Italy.
Fees and scholarships
For 2026/27, nine of this course's non-EU places came with a UniCal scholarship, open to applicants whose household income was below the call's limits, shown with an ISEE parificato. The scholarship covers the enrolment fee and adds free accommodation, campus canteen meals and about €3,600 in pocket money, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [1]
How to apply from outside the EU
Competition is tight: the 2026/27 call offered just 15 places to non-EU applicants living abroad, 9 with a scholarship and 6 without. Applications go through UniCal's Esse3 portal under the call for extra-EU students, for one degree only. The committee ranks CVs and qualifications, then holds online oral exams for a shortlist of at least twice the number of places, and checks English in an online interview. [1]
For 2026/27, applications closed at 11:59 pm Italian time on 30 March 2026. UniCal expects to publish the 2027/28 call around January 2027. [1][5]
Once you are admitted, we complete your Universitaly pre-enrolment and you request a type D study visa. After enrolment you hand in your degree with an official Italian translation, plus a declaration of value or CIMEA certificates of comparability and verification; for the 2026/27 intake the deadline was 28 February 2027. [1]
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 UniCal's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Esse3 application with your CV, transcript and course syllabus, 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 UniCal's AI and Computer Science master?
A scientific or computing-related bachelor's that gives access to master's study in the country where you earned it, with sufficient knowledge of programming, algorithms, databases and maths. There is no minimum CGPA, but your score can be used for ranking. [2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. A committee evaluates your CV and qualifications, and at least twice as many candidates as places are invited to a remote oral exam in English, which is mandatory for admission. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2, written and spoken. The 2026/27 call checks it in an online interview. You can upload an English certificate if you have one, but no specific test or score is listed, so we check which proof your file should include. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad had until 11:59 pm Italian time on 30 March 2026. UniCal expects to publish the 2027/28 call around January 2027. [1][5]
How many places and scholarships are there?
For 2026/27, 15 places for non-EU applicants living abroad: 9 with a scholarship covering the enrolment fee, free accommodation, canteen meals and about €3,600 pocket money, and 6 without. [1]
Who can get a scholarship place?
Applicants whose household income is below €26,500 if independent or €41,500 for a two-person family. For three or more, the income limit is €54,000. Winners show this with an ISEE parificato by 30 October 2026 for the 2026/27 intake. Places without a scholarship are for incomes above these limits. [1]
I have a BCA or a B.Sc. in Mathematics. Can I apply?
Possibly. The degree must be scientific or computing-related and show programming, algorithms, databases and maths. As a benchmark, Italian maths, statistics and physics graduates needed 24 computing credits and 12 maths credits under the 2024/25 criteria. [2][3]
What are the two curricula?
After admission you choose one of two curricula: Data Science, focused on data analysis and big data, or Computer Security, focused on cryptography, network security and secure software. [3]
Can someone handle my whole application to AI and Computer Science at UniCal?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against UniCal'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 AI and Computer Science?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in a computing or scientific field, such as a B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science or IT, or a B.Sc. in Computer Science, can fit if it shows programming, algorithms, databases and maths. You also need English at B2. The steps are the Esse3 application, the CV review, the remote oral exam 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 AI and Computer Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: the Esse3 application, the CV and qualifications review, the remote oral exam 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 AI and Computer Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: the Esse3 application, the CV and qualifications review, the remote oral exam 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 AI and Computer 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 Esse3 application, the CV and qualifications review, the remote oral exam 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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