Master in Communications Engineering at University of Catania
Two-year English-taught LM-27 master's at the University of Catania covering wireless and mobile networks, IoT, signal processing, antennas and AI for networks, with two curricula and a 9 ECTS internship. Entry needs a relevant bachelor's and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Catania
English
University of Catania
Communications Engineering is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-27) taught in English at the University of Catania. Entry needs a bachelor's of at least three years with a grounding in maths, communications, networking, electronics and programming, plus English at B2, such as IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 72. For 2026/27, the five top-ranked non-EU applicants were offered a university scholarship of €2,000 for each of two years.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Catania's Communications Engineering master asks for a bachelor's or higher degree after at least three years of study, a grounding in maths, physics, communications, networking, electronics and programming, English at B2, and a score of at least 50 out of 100 in the admission board's assessment. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and subject knowledge
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad needed a bachelor's or higher degree awarded abroad after at least three years of study and recognised in its own country as giving access to a master's. The call asks for: [1]
- Basic subjects: mathematical and numerical analysis, linear algebra and geometry, probability and statistics, physics and chemistry.
- Course subjects: analog and digital communications, networking, electronics, computer engineering and programming, and system theory.
- Method: the ability to use mathematics and the basic sciences to describe engineering problems.
Successful candidates mainly come from electronic, telecommunication, automation, electrical or computer engineering, or computer science. [1]
The 2025/26 teaching regulations add a credit guide: at least 24 CFU in mathematics or physics and at least 21 CFU in information engineering subjects such as electronics, electromagnetic fields, telecommunications, automation, computer engineering or circuit theory. On a foreign transcript, one exam in a matching subject counts as 6 or 9 CFU, and the programme council pre-evaluates foreign profiles. [2]
What this means for your transcript
As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Electronics and Communication, Telecommunication, Electronics, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a B.Sc. in Computer Science with solid maths and some communications or electronics courses.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech in Information Technology, Instrumentation or Mechatronics, or a BCA. These often cover programming and networking but can be light on communications theory, electronics or maths.
- Often short: a B.Sc. in Physics or Mathematics usually covers the basic subjects but lacks communications, networking and electronics. A B.Com, BBA or BA does not cover the required subjects.
English
English at CEFR B2 or higher, written and spoken. For 2026/27 the call accepted IELTS with an overall score of 5.5 or more, TOEFL with a total of at least 72, or Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) or higher. A declaration from your university that English was the official language of your bachelor's or master's, or a self-declaration of citizenship of an English-speaking country, also counted. [1]
Selection
There is no written entrance exam. The admission board scores each file out of 100: [1]
- Academic record: up to 50 points
- Relevance of previous studies and experience to the course: up to 40 points
- Reference letter: up to 5 points
- Statement of purpose: up to 5 points
The board may invite you to an online interview or test. A score of 50 or more makes you suitable, and ties go to the younger candidate. The teaching regulations say the assessment covers basic analog electronics, computing and programming, and telecommunications fundamentals. [1][2]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied between 10 February and 17 March 2026, and rankings were due by 6 May 2026. Admitted students then had 15 days to confirm their place. The 2027/28 call is not yet published and will set new dates. [1]
Final-year students could apply if they obtained their bachelor's degree before 31 July 2026. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
The online application on the university's Smartedu portal asked for: [1]
- Passport copy
- Bachelor's degree certificate, or an enrolment certificate showing the expected graduation date
- Transcript with all exams, marks and the grading scale
- Syllabus of each exam, on university letterhead or stamped
- Reference letter, preferably from a university lecturer
- Europass CV in English
- English certificate
- Statement of purpose in English, up to 4,000 characters
After paying the confirmation fee you receive an admission letter for Universitaly pre-enrolment and the type D study visa. Admitted students who complete pre-enrolment but do not get a visa in time can defer to the following year without reapplying. To enrol in Catania you need a Declaration of Value or an ENIC-NARIC statement of comparability. [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 Catania. Public selection for admission of non-EU students living abroad to English-taught master's degrees, academic year 2026/27, including the Communications Engineering (LM-27) course annex. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Catania, Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DIEEI). Teaching regulations of the Master's degree programme in Communications Engineering (LM-27), 2025/26 cohort. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Catania, DIEEI. Communications Engineering course overview and study plan, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Communications Engineering is a two-year master's degree in class LM-27 (telecommunications engineering), run by the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DIEEI) of the University of Catania. The programme is taught entirely in English, carries 120 ECTS and is based at the Cittadella universitaria on Via Santa Sofia in Catania. Places are not capped.
It trains engineers to design, build and manage telecommunications and information systems across traditional and next-generation networks, including the Internet of Things, 5G, satellite systems, smart cities and Industry 4.0. It suits graduates in electronic, telecommunication, automation, electrical or computer engineering and in computer science. [1]
What you will study
The degree has two curricula: Communication Networks and Services and Communication Technologies and Systems. They share a common first semester, then differ in their specialist units and optional groups. The 2026/27 study plan includes:
- Transmission Lines and Antennas (9 ECTS)
- Internet (9 ECTS) and Communication Theory and Systems (6 ECTS)
- IoT and Big Data Sensing, Compression and Communications and Deep Learning and Generative Models (9 ECTS each, networks curriculum)
- Radar Imaging and Remote Sensing (9 ECTS, technologies curriculum)
- Mobile Radio Networks and Signal Processing for Multimedia Applications (9 ECTS each)
- Advances in Telecommunications Networks and Network Intelligence (6 ECTS each)
- Biometrics, Multimedia Forensics and IoT (9 ECTS, technologies curriculum)
How the programme is taught
The course is organised around four areas: digital signal processing and biometrics; wireless and wired communication systems and IoT; protocol architectures and programming for distributed systems; and microwaves, antennas and RF electronics. Laboratory work is a large part of the teaching. Every student completes a 225-hour internship worth 9 ECTS and a final thesis worth 18 ECTS, and 9 ECTS are left for units chosen freely across the university.
Career paths
Graduates work on the design, development and management of telecommunications infrastructure and information systems. The department points to telecommunications networks, cybersecurity, ICT management, research and development, AI for networks, cloud engineering, automotive, smart cities, aerospace and defence, and start-ups.
- Companies that design, produce and operate communications equipment
- Telecommunications service providers and network planning firms
- Technology consulting and outsourcing companies
- Public administrations and air, maritime and land traffic control authorities
Fees and scholarships
Non-EU applicants living abroad are admitted through a separate call with its own fee rule. The top five candidates in the ranking were offered a university scholarship of €2,000 for each of two years. [1] ERSU Catania runs regional scholarships based on merit and family income for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applications go through the Smartedu portal, with a separate application for each programme. We upload your degree certificate, transcript and course syllabus, a European-format CV, a reference letter, a statement of purpose and an English certificate. The board gives up to 100 points, 50 of them for your academic record and 40 for the relevance of your studies and experience, and may hold an online interview or test. For 2026/27 the call was open from 10 February to 17 March 2026, and the 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1]
Once admitted, you confirm your place within 15 days, we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, and you apply for a type D study visa. [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 Catania's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application, enrolment confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ERSU Catania 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 Catania's Communications Engineering master?
A bachelor's or higher degree after at least three years of study, with knowledge of maths, physics, communications, networking, electronics and programming. Successful candidates mainly come from electronic, telecommunication, automation, electrical or computer engineering, or computer science. [1]
Is there an entrance test?
No written exam. The board scores your file out of 100: 50 for your academic record, 40 for the relevance of your studies and experience, and 5 each for the reference letter and statement of purpose. It may hold an online interview or test. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. For 2026/27 the call accepted IELTS 5.5 overall, TOEFL 72, Cambridge FCE or higher, or a declaration from your university that your degree was taught in English. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied between 10 February and 17 March 2026. The 2027/28 call is not yet published, and we track it for eligible students. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. For 2026/27, final-year students could apply if they obtained their bachelor's degree before 31 July 2026, uploading an enrolment certificate that shows the expected graduation date. [1]
I have a BCA or a B.Tech in IT. Can I apply?
Possibly. These degrees often cover programming and networking, but the board also looks for communications theory, electronics, maths and physics. The credit guide asks for 24 credits in maths or physics and 21 in information engineering subjects. [1][2]
Are there scholarships for non-EU students?
Yes. For 2026/27, the five best-ranked candidates in the ranking were offered a university scholarship of €2,000 for each of two years. [1] Eligible students can also apply for the ERSU Catania regional scholarship.
What are the two curricula?
Communication Networks and Services, and Communication Technologies and Systems. Both share a common first semester and include a 9 ECTS internship and an 18 ECTS thesis, written and defended in English. [2][3]
Can someone handle my whole application to Communications Engineering at Catania?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Catania's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ERSU Catania 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 Communications Engineering?
A recognised Indian B.Tech or B.E. in Electronics and Communication, Electronics, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a B.Sc. in Computer Science, can meet the rule if it covers maths, communications, networking and electronics. You also need English at B2. The steps are the online application, the confirmation fee, Universitaly pre-enrolment and the visa. [1] 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 Communications Engineering are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, admission letter 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 Communications Engineering are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, admission letter 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 Communications Engineering 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: online application, admission letter 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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