Master in Automation and Robotics Engineering at Polytechnic University of Bari
Two-year English-taught LM-25 master's at the Politecnico di Bari in automatic control, robotics, electric drives and machine learning for control, with an internship and a thesis. Entry needs 48 subject credits, B2 English and 85/110 or an interview.
Master
2 years
Bari
English
Polytechnic University of Bari
Automation and Robotics Engineering is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-25) taught in English at the Politecnico di Bari. Entry needs a three-year degree with at least 48 credits in set control, computing, maths and physics subjects, English at B2, and a grade of 85/110 or a successful interview. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Poliba's Automation and Robotics Engineering master asks for a three-year degree or recognised foreign equivalent with at least 48 credits in set control, computing, maths and physics subjects, English at B2, and a bachelor's grade of 85/110 or a successful interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a three-year university degree, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable, with at least 48 CFU across three groups of subjects. [1][2]
- At least 18 CFU in core subjects (group A): automatic control, applied mechanics of machines, electrical converters, machines and drives, and computer engineering (sectors ING-INF/04, ING-IND/13, ING-IND/32 and ING-INF/05).
- At least 18 CFU in basic sciences (group B): chemistry fundamentals, physics, algebra, geometry and mathematical analysis (sectors CHIM/07, FIS/01, FIS/02, FIS/03, MAT/02, MAT/03 and MAT/05).
- The rest in related subjects (group C): electronics, electromagnetic fields, telecommunications, electrical and electronic measurements, electrical engineering, management engineering, probability and statistics, numerical analysis and operations research (sectors ING-INF/01, 02, 03 and 07, ING-IND/31 and 35, MAT/06, MAT/08 and MAT/09).
Missing credits must be made up before the check of your preparation, through single courses at Poliba or another Italian university. You cannot enrol with outstanding obligations. These rules come from the course structure approved in 2025 and the 2025/26 teaching regulations. [1][2]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and for foreign degrees the course council reviews your subjects, not just your total. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Electrical, Electrical and Electronics, Instrumentation and Control, Mechatronics or Computer Engineering that includes control systems, electrical machines or programming, plus solid maths and physics.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech in Mechanical, Electronics and Communication or Information Technology, or a BCA or B.Sc. in Computer Science. Computing and machine mechanics count towards the core group, but the 18 maths and physics credits or the related engineering subjects can fall short.
- Often short: a B.Sc. in Physics or Mathematics, which covers basic sciences but rarely 18 credits in control, mechanics, drives or computing, and a B.Com, BBA or BA.
If credits are missing, the course council can set up to 60 CFU of single courses to pass before enrolment, or admit you with a set study plan. [4]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher. You can show it with a certificate Poliba recognises (for Trinity College, only ISE certificates count) or by passing the exam at Poliba's language centre. Without a certificate, the course teaching staff can also assess your English from your previous studies, with an interview if needed. Native English speakers are exempt. The regulations do not list specific tests or scores. [2][3]
Grade threshold and interview
There is no written admission test. A bachelor's grade of 85/110 or higher counts automatically as adequate preparation. Below that, you sit a compulsory interview on automatic control, applied mechanics, electrical machines and drives, and computer engineering, and you cannot enrol without passing it. [2]
The 85/110 rule is set on the Italian scale, and the regulations do not say how foreign grades convert. For foreign degrees, the evaluation states whether an interview is needed. [2][4]
2026/27 application windows
For 2026/27, Poliba accepts master's applications on Esse3 only in set windows: 28 July to 15 September 2026, 1 to 15 October, 1 to 15 November and 1 to 15 December 2026, 5 to 20 January 2027, 1 to 15 February, 1 to 15 March and 1 to 15 April 2027, and 2 to 10 May 2027. Admitted students enrol from 22 September 2026 to 20 May 2027, and anyone enrolling from 1 February 2027 must enrol part-time. You can apply only after you graduate. [3]
Poliba asks non-EU applicants to file visa applications by 30 November 2026 in principle. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [5]
Documents and non-EU steps
Non-EU applicants who need a study visa pre-enrol on Universitaly, which they can do before Poliba opens its procedure, and also send the admission request on Esse3, which for two-year master's programmes is the evaluation itself. For 2026/27 Poliba set 5 places on this programme for them. [5][6]
- For the evaluation: passport, bachelor's degree certificate and transcript of records are required, and a B2 English certificate is recommended. A CV, Diploma Supplement, syllabus and recommendation letter are suggested. [5]
- Authenticity: a CIMEA verification certificate, an ENIC-NARIC certificate, or legalisation or an Apostille. [5]
- At enrolment: passport, study visa and residence permit, your degree certificate and transcript with legalised translations, a B2 English certificate, and a CIMEA comparability certificate, an ARDI correspondence certificate or a declaration of value. [5]
Poliba's master's admission page also asks applicants with foreign degrees for their school-leaving certificate with an official translation and a legalised translation of the degree at application, while the non-EU overview defers legalised translations to enrolment, so we prepare both early. [3][5]
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.
- Politecnico di Bari, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering. Course structure (ordinamento didattico) of the Master's degree programme in Automation and Robotics Engineering, class LM-25, approved by the Academic Senate in February 2025, academic year not stated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering. Teaching regulations of the Master's degree programme in Automation and Robotics Engineering (class LM-25), academic year 2025/26. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari. Admission to two-year master's degree programmes: application periods, requirements and procedure, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari. Operating guidelines for access to two-year master's degree programmes in engineering, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari. General overview for non-EU candidates applying to bachelor's and master's programmes, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari. Places reserved for non-EU applicants living abroad who need a study visa, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari. Student fee regulations, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari. Automation and Robotics Engineering programme page (language, duration, curricula and career outlets), undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Bari. Course catalogue entry for Automation and Robotics Engineering (study paths, language and credits), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Automation and Robotics Engineering (Ingegneria dell'Automazione e Robotica) is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-25 at the Politecnico di Bari, which replaced the former master in Automation Engineering. The lessons, seminars and laboratories are delivered in English in Bari.
The course trains engineers who design control systems for plants and processes and build robotic systems. It suits graduates in automation, electrical, electronic, computer or mechanical engineering who enjoy mathematics and control.
What you will study
The 2025/26 teaching regulations set three curricula: Systems Automation, Industrial Robotics and Aeronautical Robotics, the last reserved for students on the EIT Digital dual-degree programme in Autonomous Systems and Intelligent Robots. The first year covers dynamical systems theory, estimation and control and either machine learning, optimisation and embedded control or applied mechanics, power electronics and sensors. The second year is shared: industrial and mobile robotics, electric drives, model predictive control and intelligent control, then a 6-credit internship and an 18-credit final exam. [2]
Poliba's programme page lists Cyber-physical systems and Robotics as the active curricula, and its 2026/27 course catalogue shows Automation, Robotics, Intelligent Robotics and Aeronautical study paths, so we confirm the options for your intake. [8][9]
The official profile names these areas of expertise:
- Systems for the automatic control of plants and processes
- Modelling, analysis and management of complex systems
- Industrial robotics
- Electrical and electronic systems for automation
Career paths
Graduates work in design, coordination and technical or managerial leadership. The official page points to these employers:
- Manufacturing and industrial processing companies
- Industrial automation and robotics firms
- Research centres and standardisation bodies
- ICT, automotive and aerospace companies
Fees and scholarships
Your yearly contribution is set by Poliba's student fee regulation, which also lists the exemptions. ADISU Puglia scholarship holders are fully exempt, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students; the region decides who wins a scholarship. Under the 2026/27 fee regulation, a first-year student with an ISEE up to €26,000 pays no contribution. Families with income abroad document it through translated, legalised consular statements. [7]
How to apply from outside the EU
We apply on Poliba's Esse3 portal during an open window, once you have graduated. There is no written test: Poliba checks your credits and English, and a bachelor's grade of 85/110 or higher counts as adequate preparation, otherwise an interview applies. Foreign degrees need the degree certificate and transcript with legalised translations into Italian or English. [2][3]
For 2026/27, Poliba set nine application windows between 28 July 2026 and 10 May 2027, and 5 places on this programme for non-EU applicants living abroad who need a study visa. If you need a visa, we also complete your Universitaly pre-enrolment, and then you apply for a type D study visa. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [3][5][6]
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 Poliba's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Universitaly pre-enrolment and the admission request on Esse3.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ADISU Puglia 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 Poliba's Automation and Robotics Engineering master?
A three-year degree or recognised foreign equivalent with at least 48 credits in set subjects: 18 or more in automatic control, machine mechanics, electrical drives or computing, 18 or more in maths, physics or chemistry, and the rest in related engineering or maths subjects. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. Under the 2025/26 regulations, a bachelor's grade of 85/110 or higher counts as adequate preparation. Below that, a compulsory interview covers automatic control, applied mechanics, electrical drives and computer engineering, and you must pass it to enrol. [2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. Poliba accepts recognised certificates or its language centre exam, and native speakers are exempt. The regulations do not name specific tests or scores, so we check which proof of B2 your file can use. [2][3]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, master's applications open in set windows from 28 July 2026 to 10 May 2027, and Poliba asks non-EU applicants to file visa applications by 30 November 2026 in principle. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [3][5]
Can I apply before I graduate?
No. Poliba accepts master's applications only from candidates who already hold their bachelor's degree, because the final grade is part of the evaluation. You can still start Universitaly pre-enrolment before Poliba opens its own procedure. [4][5]
I have a B.Tech in Mechanical or Electronics Engineering. Can I apply?
Possibly. Both usually cover the 18 maths and physics credits. Machine mechanics counts towards the core group and electronics counts as a related subject, but the core group still needs 18 credits in control, mechanics, drives or computing. Missing credits are made up through single courses. [1][2][4]
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 Poliba set 5 places on Automation and Robotics Engineering for non-EU applicants living abroad who need a study visa, plus 5 under the Marco Polo programme for Chinese applicants. [6]
Which curricula can I choose?
The 2025/26 regulations list Systems Automation and Industrial Robotics, plus Aeronautical Robotics for EIT Digital dual-degree students. The 2026/27 catalogue shows Automation, Robotics, Intelligent Robotics and Aeronautical paths, so we confirm the current options for your intake. [2][9]
Can someone handle my whole application to Automation and Robotics at Poliba?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Poliba's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ADISU Puglia 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 Automation and Robotics?
A recognised Indian B.Tech or B.E. can meet the 48-credit rule if it includes at least 18 credits in control, machine mechanics, electrical drives or computing and 18 in maths and physics. You also need English at B2, plus an interview if your grade is below the threshold. The steps are Universitaly pre-enrolment, the admission request on Esse3 and enrolment after the visa. [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 Automation and Robotics are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Universitaly pre-enrolment, an admission request on Esse3 and a positive admission outcome, 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 Automation and Robotics are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Universitaly pre-enrolment, an admission request on Esse3 and a positive admission outcome. 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 Automation and Robotics 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: Universitaly pre-enrolment, an admission request on Esse3 and a positive admission outcome, 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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