Master in Data Science at University of Milan-Bicocca
Two-year, 120 ECTS English-taught Data Science master (class LM Data) at the University of Milano-Bicocca in Milan, combining statistics and computing for big data. Entry needs subject hours, a minimum GPA, English at B2 and an interview.
Master
2 years
Milan
English
University of Milan-Bicocca
Data Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM Data) taught in English at the University of Milano-Bicocca in Milan. With a foreign degree you need a GPA of at least 3 out of 4, about 750 hours of study in computer science, statistics, maths or physics, and English at B2. Shortlisted candidates then take an admission interview.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Milano-Bicocca's Data Science master asks for a bachelor's degree with a set amount of study in computer science, statistics, maths or physics, a minimum grade, English at B2 and an admission interview. Candidates who do not meet the subject and grade rules are not shortlisted for the interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and subject credits
You need a bachelor's degree (or a three-year university diploma) or higher. [1][2]
- With a foreign degree: about 750 hours of academic work, including lectures, assignments and individual study, in computer science, computer science and engineering, statistics, mathematics and operational research, or physics. For an EU degree this is 30 ECTS. [2]
- With an Italian degree: at least 30 CFU across INF/01, ING-INF/05, SECS-S/01 to SECS-S/06, MAT/01 to MAT/09 and FIS/01 to FIS/08. [1]
Credits from single course exams can count towards the requirement, unless those exams are compulsory units of this master's. [1]
Grade and degree subject
To be shortlisted for the interview with a foreign degree, you need all of the following: [2]
- A GPA of at least 3 on a scale of 1 to 4.
- The 750 hours of study described above.
- A first or second cycle degree, obtained or about to be obtained, in computer science, information technology engineering, statistics, physics or mathematics.
If you meet the grade and hours rules but your degree is in another field, you can still be shortlisted if your study plan includes at least one passed course in statistics and one in computer science (or computer science and engineering), each of at least 150 hours of academic work. The committee can ask for detailed syllabuses of specific exams. [2]
Italian degrees follow the same logic on the 110 scale: a mark of at least 83/110 in classes L-31, L-8, L-41, L-30 or L-35, or in another class with at least 6 CFU in statistics and 6 CFU in computer science. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Hours and credits on a foreign transcript are counted subject by subject, and the committee checks the courses you passed, not just your degree title. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science or IT, or a B.Sc. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics or Physics, with a GPA of at least 3 out of 4.
- Check carefully: a BCA, B.Sc. IT, or a B.E. in Electronics or Mechanical Engineering. If the degree field is not one of the five listed, you need a 150-hour statistics course and a 150-hour computer science course on your transcript.
- Often short: a B.Com, BBA or BA, unless it includes substantial statistics and computing courses that reach about 750 hours in the listed subjects.
The foreign-degree grade rule uses a 4-point GPA. If your transcript shows a 10-point CGPA or percentages, we check where your grade sits before you apply. [2]
English
English at CEFR level B2 is required. [1][2] On the university's list of accepted certificates, B2 starts at IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59 or a Cambridge English score of 160, and certificates must be no more than 5 years old when you submit them. [3]
For applicants with a foreign qualification, you do not need a separate certificate if your previous degree was taught entirely in English or English is your native language. [2]
Admission interview
Admission depends on an interview with the evaluation committee. It assesses knowledge of computer science and statistics, following a published syllabus. Candidates living more than 100 km from the university, or with documented study, work or health reasons, can be interviewed remotely by videoconference on request. The committee may suggest in-depth courses to some candidates. [1][2]
2026/27 application windows
Non-EU applicants who need a student visa, and other candidates with foreign qualifications, apply only through the university's DreamApply portal. [1] For 2026/27 there were two windows open to applicants living abroad: [2]
- 7 November 2025 to 16 January 2026.
- 16 March to 16 April 2026.
Two later windows, 15 May to 15 June 2026 and 7 July to 7 September 2026, were only for EU and non-EU applicants already living in Italy. The 2027/28 dates are set by the next call. [2]
Applicants still finishing a bachelor's could apply. For 2026/27, enrolment of graduating students required the degree by 31 December 2026. [1]
Documents and fees
Admitted students pay a deposit to secure their place. Tuition depends on the programme and your country of income. [2]
Qualification documents are accepted in English or Italian. Otherwise you need official translations with verified copies of the originals, and you bring the original documents with you when you arrive at the university. [2]
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 Milano-Bicocca. Admission to the Master's degree programme in Data Science (FDS02Q, class LM Data), academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milano-Bicocca, admissions portal for applicants with foreign qualifications. Data Science programme listing: entry qualification, English, application periods and fees, Fall semester 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milano-Bicocca. English language certifications accepted by the University, approved by the Academic Senate on 5 November 2025. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Data Science programme page (degree class, language, department, location and structure). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Data Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in the Data Science degree class (LM Data), taught in English by the Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication (DISCo) of the University of Milano-Bicocca, in Milan. Access is open, with an examination of entry requirements and an admission interview.
It prepares graduates from different scientific backgrounds for value-driven analysis of large amounts of data, known as big data, using modern statistical techniques and computational models. It suits students from the natural sciences, social sciences and economics who have a solid base in statistics and computer science.
What you will study
The programme combines statistics and computer science with a strong multidisciplinary side covering legal, social and economic issues around data. The structure is:
- 12 exams worth 90 ECTS: 7 in the first year and 5 in the second
- Statistical techniques for the analysis of large data sets
- Computational models and computer science for data processing
- Legal, social and economic aspects of data use
- An internship (stage) and a final thesis for the remaining credits
How the programme is taught
Classes are held in the U6 building on Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo in Milan. The didactic regulations, class schedule and exam calendar are published online, and the internship gives practical experience before the thesis.
Career paths
The programme trains specialists who can extract value from large data sets in companies, public bodies and research. The university's orientation material features graduates and industry speakers working in data roles. Typical directions include data analysis, data engineering and research, or further study at doctoral level.
Fees and scholarships
Data Science is listed in fee area B. For 2026/27 international students with a foreign qualification and residence abroad paid fixed tuition by country group, and India is in group 1, the lowest group. The university's DSU call exempts winners from tuition, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
If you have a foreign degree, we apply on apply.unimib.it, and one application covers up to three master's programmes. An evaluation committee checks your subject hours, degree and grade average, then interviews shortlisted candidates. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad could apply from 7 November 2025 to 16 January 2026 or from 16 March to 16 April 2026, and rankings were published by session. Later windows were only for applicants already living in Italy. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published.
After admission, you pay a deposit to secure your place, we pre-enrol you on Universitaly, and you apply for a type D study visa.
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 Milano-Bicocca's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your DreamApply application, supporting documents and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your regional DSU 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 Milano-Bicocca's Data Science master?
With a foreign degree you need a GPA of at least 3 out of 4, about 750 hours of study in computer science, statistics, maths or physics, and a degree in one of those fields or IT engineering. Other degrees qualify only with a statistics course and a computer science course of at least 150 hours each. [2]
Is there an entrance exam or interview?
No written test, but there is an admission interview on computer science and statistics, based on a published syllabus. Only candidates who meet the subject and grade rules are shortlisted. Candidates living more than 100 km away can be interviewed remotely on request. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. On the university's certificate list, B2 starts at IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72 or PTE Academic 59, no more than 5 years old. You need no separate certificate if your previous degree was taught entirely in English or English is your native language. [2][3]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad had two DreamApply windows: 7 November 2025 to 16 January 2026, and 16 March to 16 April 2026. Later windows were only for applicants living in Italy. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. The rules accept a degree you have obtained or will obtain, and Italian candidates are assessed on a recalculated weighted average. For 2026/27, graduating students had to complete their bachelor's by 31 December 2026 to enrol. [1][2]
I have a BCA or a B.Com. Can I apply?
Possibly. A BCA is computing-heavy, so the key gaps are usually a 150-hour statistics course and the GPA of 3 out of 4. A B.Com needs both a 150-hour statistics course and a 150-hour computer science course, within about 750 hours in the listed subjects. We check your transcript course by course. [2]
How is the degree structured?
Twelve exams worth 90 ECTS, seven in the first year and five in the second. The remaining credits come from an internship and the final thesis. Classes are held in the U6 building on Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo in Milan. [4]
Can someone handle my whole application to Data Science at Milano-Bicocca?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Milano-Bicocca's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the regional DSU 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?
An Indian bachelor's in computer science, IT engineering, statistics, maths or physics, such as a B.Tech or B.Sc., can fit with a GPA of at least 3 out of 4 and about 750 hours of study in these subjects. Other degrees need a statistics course and a computer science course of at least 150 hours each. You also need English at B2 and an admission interview. [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 Data Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: DreamApply 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 Data Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: DreamApply 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 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: DreamApply 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.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
