Master in Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering at University of Pisa

About the programme

Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-32, computer systems engineering) worth 120 ECTS, run by the Department of Information Engineering within the School of Engineering of the University of Pisa. It has open admission for Italian graduates, while holders of foreign degrees go through a selective call. Teaching is in Pisa.

The degree trains engineers who build systems to manage large volumes of data and extract knowledge from them, and who design intelligent systems using AI techniques. It welcomes computer engineering graduates as well as graduates from nearby fields with solid programming skills. All compulsory units are taught in English and the English credits are enough to graduate; some electives and the catch-up units in basic computer engineering are taught only in Italian.

What you will study

The first year builds data and infrastructure skills, with 15 credits chosen from an elective group that includes Statistics, Databases, Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Internet of Things and Robotics. The second year turns to AI methods and the thesis. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:

• Data Mining and Machine Learning (12 ECTS)
• Large-scale and Multi-structured Databases (9 ECTS)
• Cloud Computing (9 ECTS) and Business and Project Management (9 ECTS)
• Optimization Methods and Game Theory (6 ECTS)
• Information Retrieval and Language Technologies (9 ECTS)
• Deep Learning and Vision, Symbolic and Evolutionary AI, and Process Mining and Intelligence (6 ECTS each)
• A final thesis worth 24 ECTS, plus 9 credits of free choice

How the programme is taught

Every unit combines lectures with laboratory work, with an emphasis on applications that process big data efficiently. The call for applicants also mentions an academic excellence award for the student with the best results at the end of the first year.

Career paths

The department lists profiles such as big data engineer, data service or platform engineer, data analytics engineer, big data infrastructure engineer, business process engineer, AI software engineer or architect, machine learning engineer, big data and AI consultant, and researcher in public or private laboratories. Pisa has one of Italy's largest ICT districts, which the department highlights as a draw for students.

Fees and scholarships

The department's call says yearly fees depend on your country of origin and ranged from €446 to €2,900 in 2025/26. For 2026/27 the university's all-inclusive maximum is €2,900 a year, regional tax included. DSU Toscana scholarships bring free housing, meals and a tuition exemption, so the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students. The programme also takes part in MAECI and Invest Your Talent in Italy scholarships. See the fees page.

How to apply from outside the EU

Holders of a foreign degree must pass a selection run through a joint call with Computer Engineering. For 2026/27 you applied on the English master's portal by 5 February 2026 (23:59 GMT), uploading your degree certificate and transcripts, passport, CV and English declaration, and paying €30. Decisions were due by 13 March 2026. Read the 2026/27 call.

Admitted students receive a letter, pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for a type D study visa, then enrol in Pisa with a declaration of value or CIMEA statement of comparability.

How ApplyAZ helps

If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.