Master in Data Science at University of Catania
Two-year English-taught LM-Data master's at the University of Catania, run across mathematics and computer science, engineering and economics, covering statistical learning, big data, deep learning and cloud computing. Entry needs a degree in one of six quantitative fields and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Catania
English
University of Catania
Data Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-Data) taught in English at the University of Catania in Sicily. Non-EU applicants need a bachelor's of at least three years in economics and management, physics, computer science, engineering, maths or statistics, with solid computing, maths and statistics, plus English at B2 such as IELTS 5.5. Regional ERSU scholarships mean it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Catania's Data Science master asks non-EU applicants living abroad for a bachelor's of at least three years in economics and management, physics, computer science, engineering, maths or statistics, a solid base in computing, maths and statistics, English at B2, and at least 50 out of 100 in the committee's ranking. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a first-level degree or higher, obtained abroad, that lasts at least three years and gives access to master's study in the country where it was awarded. It must be judged suitable in one of these fields: [1]
- Economics and management
- Physics
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Statistics
You also need adequate knowledge of computer science, mathematics, and probability and statistics. The committee judges this from the credits and marks on your transcript. The call does not set minimum credit numbers or a minimum grade. [1]
What this means for your transcript
The committee reads your subjects, credits and marks, not just the name of your degree. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science, IT, Electronics or another engineering branch, or a B.Sc. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or Statistics.
- Check carefully: a BCA, B.Com or BBA sits in a listed field, but a BCA can be light on probability and statistics, and a B.Com or BBA on computing and maths.
- Often short: a BA in humanities, or a B.Sc. in Biology or Chemistry, falls outside the six listed fields.
English
English at B2 or higher, shown by one of: [1]
- IELTS overall 5.5 or higher
- TOEFL 72 or higher
- Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) or higher
- A certificate from the university that awarded your degree stating that its official language was English
- Citizenship of a country whose official language is English
Selection and ranking
A committee of at least three lecturers checks your file and scores it out of 100. You need at least 50 to be eligible, and ties go to the younger candidate. The committee may ask for an online interview or test. [1]
- Academic CV: up to 60 points
- Relevance of your previous studies: up to 25 points
- Documented work experience in data processing or analysis: up to 10 points
- Reference letter: up to 5 points
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied on the university's Smartedu portal from 10 February 2026 (12:00) to 17 March 2026 (23:59), Italian time. Rankings were due by 6 May 2026. [1]
Final-year students could apply if they graduated by 31 July 2026. Admitted students had 15 days from the admission notice to confirm their place. The 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
The application needs: [1]
- Passport pages with your personal details
- Degree certificate, or an enrolment certificate showing your expected graduation date
- Transcript with exams, marks, the grading scale and, where possible, your GPA
- Official syllabi of every course in your degree, on your university's letterhead or stamped by it
- A reference letter written for this application, preferably by a university lecturer
- A Europass CV in English and your English certificate
- A signed summary form, plus any other useful documents, such as a declaration of value or statement of comparability
Documents not in Italian or English need an official translation. After you confirm your place, you receive an admission letter for Universitaly pre-enrolment, which is needed for the study visa. Admitted students who confirmed and applied through Universitaly, but whose visa came too late, can ask to enrol in the following year without applying again. [1]
On arrival in Catania you hand in your passport with the study visa, your Italian tax code, an ENIC-NARIC statement of comparability or declaration of value, and a copy of your residence permit application. [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, International Relations Office. Public selection for the admission of non-EU students living abroad to English-taught Master's degree programmes, including Data Science (class LM-DATA), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Catania, Master's degree in Data Science (LM-Data) course overview page, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Data Science is a two-year international master's degree in class LM-Data, worth 120 ECTS and taught in English at the University of Catania. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science leads it, and it is shared with the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering and the Department of Economics and Business. Classes are held at two sites in Catania: the economics department on Corso Italia and the Città Universitaria science campus on Via Santa Sofia.
The course trains professionals who collect, manage and interpret data in scientific, technological and business settings. It suits graduates in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, statistics or economics with a quantitative bent.
What you will study
You follow one of two graduation paths: Data Analysis and Modelling or Data-driven Applications, and you may switch path at the start of each year. The course covers data collection, processing, compression and security, programming for data analysis, statistical and machine learning, deep learning and big data databases. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Statistical Learning (supervised and unsupervised learning) and Statistical Laboratory
- Data Base and Big Data Analytics
- Basics of Computing and Optimization
- Data Protection Law and Digital Innovation and Transformation Management
- Deep Learning, from foundations to advanced techniques
- Cloud Computing and Big Data and Computer Security and Data Protection
- Options such as Time Series Analysis for Economic and Financial Data, Data Analysis for Public Health, Bayesian Statistics and Questionnaire Data Analysis, and IoT-based Applications for Intelligent Systems
How the programme is taught
The degree is interdisciplinary by design, mixing statistics, computing, engineering and economics. A specific training activity during the course opens chances for collaboration and mentoring in companies and in other organisations where data collection and analysis play a central role.
Career paths
Graduates bring a quantitative approach to scientific, economic, managerial, social and health questions, work in interdisciplinary teams and understand the ethics of personal data. The university sees them in business management, company competitiveness, territorial planning and the evaluation of public policies. Roles named in the official profile include:
- Statisticians
- Software analysts and designers, and systems analysts
- Management and control specialists in public administration and private companies
- Market analysts and specialists in economic systems and business economics
Fees and scholarships
Each ranking's top five candidates were offered a university scholarship of €2,000 a year for two years. The regional body ERSU Catania awards scholarships on merit and family income, so this degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Non-EU applicants living abroad enter through a ranked list in the university's yearly call, published in February. Data Science weighs your file differently from the other English-taught master's: CV 60 points, relevance of studies 25, experience in data analysis 10 and reference letter 5, with 50 out of 100 needed. For 2026/27 applications on the Smartedu portal ran from 10 February to 17 March 2026.
If admitted, you confirm your place within 15 days, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment with your admission letter and apply for a type D study visa. If the visa arrives too late, you can ask to enrol in the following year without applying again.
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 Smartedu application, place 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 Data Science master?
A first-level degree of at least three years, or higher, in economics and management, physics, computer science, engineering, mathematics or statistics. The committee also checks your computer science, maths, and probability and statistics from the credits and marks on your transcript. [1]
I have a BCA or a B.Com. Can I apply?
Possibly. Computer science and economics and management are both listed fields, but the committee looks for enough maths and statistics on your transcript. A BCA can be light on statistics and a B.Com on computing, so we check your courses first. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No fixed written exam. Non-EU applicants living abroad are scored out of 100 on their academic CV (60), relevance of studies (25), data analysis work experience (10) and a reference letter (5), and need 50 to qualify. The committee may add an online interview or test. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. Accepted proof is IELTS 5.5 overall, TOEFL 72, Cambridge FCE or higher, a statement from your university that your degree was taught in English, or citizenship of an English-speaking country. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied on the Smartedu portal from 10 February to 17 March 2026, and rankings were due by 6 May 2026. The 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if you graduate in time. For 2026/27, final-year students could apply if they graduated by 31 July 2026, uploading an enrolment certificate that shows the expected graduation date. [1]
Are there scholarships for this degree?
The top five in each ranking were offered a university scholarship of €2,000 a year for two years. [1] Regional ERSU Catania scholarships, based on merit and family income, mean this degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
What are the two paths?
Data Analysis and Modelling, and Data-driven Applications. Classes are split between the Department of Economics on Corso Italia and the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Città Universitaria campus. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Data Science 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 Data Science?
A three-year or longer Indian bachelor's, such as a B.Tech, B.E., B.Sc., BCA or B.Com, can meet the rule if it sits in one of the six listed fields and shows solid computing, maths and statistics. You also need English at B2, for example IELTS 5.5. The steps are the Smartedu application, the ranking, the place confirmation 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 Data Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Smartedu application and ranking, place confirmation 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 Data Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Smartedu application and ranking, place confirmation 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 Data 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: Smartedu application and ranking, place confirmation 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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