Master in Computational Cognitive Science at University of G. d’Annunzio
Two-year LM-55 master's at d'Annunzio University in Chieti, taught in Italian and English, combining psychology, neuroscience, statistics and AI for data analysis, with pathways in cognitive neuroscience data and clinical decision-making. Entry needs a listed degree or 30 credits, B2 English and an interview.
Master
2 years
Chieti
Multiple
University of G. d’Annunzio
Computational Cognitive Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-55) taught in Italian and English at d'Annunzio University in Chieti. Entry needs a degree in a listed field such as engineering, psychology, computer science or statistics, or 30 credits in set areas, plus English at B2, Italian at B2 for foreign students and an admission interview.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
d'Annunzio's Computational Cognitive Science master asks for a degree in one of the listed fields or at least 30 credits in set subject areas, English at B2, Italian at B2 for foreign students, and an admission interview. These rules come from the 2025/26 course record. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a degree in one of these Italian classes, or an equivalent qualification earned abroad and recognised as suitable: [1]
- L-8 information engineering and L-9 industrial engineering
- L-16 public administration, L-18 business economics and management, and L-33 economics
- L-23 building science and techniques
- L-24 psychology
- L-30 physics, L-31 computer science, L-35 mathematics and L-41 statistics
- L-SNT/01 to L-SNT/04 health professions (nursing and midwifery, rehabilitation, technical and prevention professions)
Graduates of other classes can apply if they have at least 30 credits in total in one or more of four groups: [1]
- Psychology: M-PSI/01 to M-PSI/08.
- Economics and statistics: SECS-P/07, SECS-P/08, SECS-P/10 and SECS-S/01 to SECS-S/06.
- Computing and mathematics: INF/01, ING-INF/05 and MAT/01 to MAT/09.
- Biomedical sciences: BIO/09, BIO/14, MED/01, MED/03, MED/09, MED/25, MED/26, MED/42, MED/45, MED/48 and MED/50.
The course expects familiarity with basic psychophysiological processes in humans, statistical or psychometric methods, and computer procedures for processing data. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and the university judges whether a foreign degree is equivalent to a listed class. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in computer science, IT, electronics, electrical or mechanical engineering, or a B.Sc. in computer science, maths, physics, statistics or psychology, since these match listed fields.
- Check carefully: a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA in economics matches a listed field, but the interview tests psychology, statistics and data processing, so a thin maths or statistics record needs attention. A B.Sc. in nursing or a physiotherapy degree also needs a careful look at how it compares with the listed health professions classes.
- Often short: degrees in biotechnology, life sciences, pharmacy, humanities, law or design, unless physiology, pharmacology, statistics, maths, computing or psychology courses add up to 30 credits.
English and Italian
English at CEFR level B2 or higher is a minimum entry requirement. Foreign students also need Italian at B2 or higher. The course record leaves the ways of checking both levels to the course regulations and does not list accepted certificates or test scores. [1]
Admission interview
The course has open access, so there is no selective written test and no cap on places. Every candidate has an interview that checks knowledge of the programme's subject areas and of the chosen pathway. You are admitted if the interview shows that you meet the curricular requirements and have adequate preparation. [1]
Which year these rules come from
These rules come from the 2025/26 course record, when teaching started on 1 October 2025. The record does not set application deadlines or separate dates for non-EU applicants. The next call sets the dates for 2027/28. [1]
Foreign qualifications
A degree earned abroad counts if the university recognises it as equivalent and suitable for admission. Students moving from another master's course have their earlier studies assessed by the course council, which decides which exams can be recognised. [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 Chieti-Pescara G. d'Annunzio, Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences. Annual course record (SUA-CdS) of the Master's degree in Computational Cognitive Science (class LM-55 R), academic year 2025/26 (in Italian). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Chieti-Pescara G. d'Annunzio, Computational Cognitive Science programme page (teaching language, admission, curricula and final exam), undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Computational Cognitive Science (Scienze Cognitive Computazionali) is a two-year, 120 CFU master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-55, cognitive sciences) at the University of Chieti-Pescara G. d'Annunzio. It is run by the Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences and taught on the Chieti campus in Italian and English, with part of the teaching in English. [1][2]
The degree trains data scientists with a grounding in psychology, neuroscience, statistics and programming, who can manage and analyse large, complex datasets such as neuroimaging and epidemiological data. Admission is open, with no cap on places, and the 2025/26 course record planned for 20 students. [1]
What you will study
The first year is largely common to all students and builds a base in data analysis, programming, artificial intelligence, psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Units in the 2025 cohort plan include: [1]
- Cognitive Psychology (8 CFU)
- Psychometric and Computational Techniques for Cognitive and Clinical Research (8 CFU)
- Cognitive Neuroscience (8 CFU)
- Scientific Programming (9 CFU)
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (8 CFU)
- Mathematics and Statistics for Cognitive Sciences (7 CFU)
- Neurophysiology (6 CFU)
- Elements of Signal Analysis (6 CFU)
In the second year you follow one of two pathways: [1][2]
- Big-data analyst in cognitive neuroscience: clinical neuroscience (neuropsychology, neurology and psychiatry), brain imaging methods and applications, and neuroimaging data analysis.
- Decision-making in clinical settings: neurology and psychiatry, standards for health data security, cognitive innovation and lean processes in healthcare, and strategic accounting and decision-making in healthcare organisations.
How the programme is taught
Teaching combines lectures, independent analysis and research, applied experimental work and internships, and exams are written, oral or both. Both pathways include a 10 CFU internship with a company or a public or private body, 4 CFU of training and orientation, 8 CFU of free-choice units and a 16 CFU final thesis. [1]
The thesis is an original piece of work written and presented in Italian or English under a supervisor, and the final mark is out of 110. [1]
Careers
The course record describes roles as a data analyst in neuroscience or healthcare, and as a researcher or graduate technician in universities, local health authorities, research centres, clinics and company research units, including freelance and consultancy work. The degree also prepares you for a PhD. [1]
Fees and scholarships
The university publishes its fees separately from the course record. The regional scholarship body for Chieti is ADSU Chieti-Pescara, and the region decides scholarship awards. Under Italian law, students who win a regional scholarship are exempt from university tuition contributions, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applicants with a foreign degree need a qualification that the university recognises as equivalent to one of the listed Italian degree classes, or that meets the 30-credit rule, plus English at B2 and, for foreign students, Italian at B2. [1]
The course record does not set application dates or describe the non-EU steps. Non-EU applicants living abroad complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and then apply for a type D study visa. These rules come from the 2025/26 course record, and the next call sets the dates for 2027/28.
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 d'Annunzio's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your application, admission interview booking and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ADSU Chieti-Pescara 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 Computational Cognitive Science at d'Annunzio?
A degree in a listed field, or a recognised foreign equivalent: information or industrial engineering, psychology, physics, computer science, maths, statistics, economics, business, public administration, building or the health professions. Other degrees need at least 30 credits in psychology, economics and statistics, computing and maths, or biomedical areas. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No selective written test. The course has open access, but every candidate has an interview on the programme's subject areas and the chosen pathway. You are admitted if you meet the curricular requirements and show adequate preparation. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2 or higher. The course record does not list accepted certificates or IELTS scores and leaves the checks to the course regulations, so we confirm which proof of B2 your file can use. [1]
Do I need to speak Italian?
Yes. The 2025/26 course record asks foreign students for Italian at B2 or higher, and the course is taught in Italian and English, with part of the teaching in English. The thesis can be written and defended in either language. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
The 2025/26 course record does not set application dates, and teaching that year started on 1 October 2025. The next call sets the dates for 2027/28, and we track it for eligible students. [1]
I have a BCA or a B.Com. Can I apply?
Possibly. Computer science and business or economics are listed fields, but the university decides whether a foreign degree is equivalent, and the interview tests psychology, statistics and data processing. We check your transcript against the rule first. [1]
What are the two pathways?
After a largely common first year, you choose Big-data analyst in cognitive neuroscience, focused on brain imaging and neuroimaging data, or Decision-making in clinical settings, focused on healthcare processes, health data security and clinical decisions. [1][2]
What jobs does this degree lead to?
The course record names data analyst roles in neuroscience and healthcare, and researcher or graduate technician posts in universities, health authorities, research centres, clinics and company research units. It also prepares you for a PhD. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Computational Cognitive Science at d'Annunzio?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against d'Annunzio's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ADSU Chieti-Pescara 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 Computational Cognitive Science?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in a listed field, such as a B.Tech or B.E. in computer science or electronics, or a B.Sc. in maths, physics, statistics or psychology, can meet the rule, and other degrees need 30 credits in set areas. You also need English at B2, Italian at B2 and an admission interview. The steps are the application, the interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [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 Computational Cognitive Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: application, admission interview 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 Computational Cognitive Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: application, admission interview 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 Computational Cognitive 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: application, admission interview 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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