Master in Data Science at University of Padua
English-taught LM Data master at the University of Padua in statistical learning, machine learning and deep learning, with four study plans from mathematics of data science to biological, intelligent-systems and social data. Entry needs maths and programming skills and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Padua
English
University of Padua
Data Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM Data) taught in English at the University of Padua. Entry needs a bachelor's of at least three years with proven skills in calculus, linear algebra, probability, programming and algorithms, plus English at B2. Non-EU students with a household abroad pay a fixed yearly fee, waived for regional scholarship winners, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Padua's Data Science master asks for a bachelor's of at least three years, or a recognised foreign equivalent, with proven skills in calculus, linear algebra, probability, programming and algorithms, a grade that meets Padua's minimum for your country, and English at B2. There is no entrance test: a committee reviews your courses and grades. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and subject requirements
You need a bachelor's degree of at least three years, or a qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable, with specific curricular requirements and adequate preparation. [1]
For Italian degrees, the curricular rule is at least 30 CFU in mathematics, statistics and computer science, including: [1]
- At least 12 CFU in mathematics or statistics (sectors MATH, STAT-01/A and STAT-04/A).
- At least 6 CFU in computer science or computer engineering (sectors INFO-01/A and IINF-05/A).
For foreign degrees, the admission committee checks the curricular requirements itself. [1] The programme looks closely at the number and content of your courses in mathematics, probability and computer science. [4]
The knowledge expected on entry is: [1]
- Mathematics: differential and integral calculus in one and several variables, sequences and series, basic linear algebra, and basic probability, including random variables, expected value and the central limit theorem.
- Computer science: programming in a high-level language such as Java, C, C++ or Python, how a computer system is organised (CPU, memory, peripherals, network and operating system), and elementary algorithms and data structures.
Entry qualification and minimum grades by country
Padua's country list for 2027/28 sets these master's entry titles and minimum grades: [3]
- India: a three- or four-year Honours bachelor's, a professional bachelor's of four to five and a half years, or a three-year pass or general bachelor's followed by a postgraduate bachelor's or a master's of at least one year. Minimum grade 70 out of 100, 7.0 out of 10, 5.6 out of 8 or 2.8 out of 4.
- Pakistan: a three-year Honours bachelor's, a four- or five-year professional bachelor's, or a two-year pass bachelor's followed by a two-year master's, an LL.B. or a B.Ed. Minimum GPA 3.3 out of 4.
- Bangladesh: a four-year Honours bachelor's or a four- or five-year professional bachelor's. Minimum GPA 3.3 out of 4.
- Sri Lanka: a four-year bachelor's or a Special Degree. Minimum GPA 3.0 out of 4.
- Nepal: a bachelor's of three to five years. Minimum GPA 3.0 out of 4 or 65 out of 100.
- Saudi Arabia: a bachelor's of four to six years.
- United Kingdom: a Bachelor Honours degree. United States: a four- or five-year bachelor's with a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4. Malaysia: a bachelor's of three to five years with a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.
The list is for reference only. You can still apply if your country is not listed, as with most Gulf states, and the university's Admissions and Welcome Unit decides whether your qualification gives access. [3]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and the committee looks at the content of your courses, not just their number. As a guide, based on the rules above:
- Usually a fit: a four-year B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science, IT or Electronics, or an Honours B.Sc. in Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science, with calculus, linear algebra, probability and programming on the transcript and a grade that meets your country's minimum.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in civil, mechanical or chemical engineering, where probability, algorithms and data structures may be thin, or a B.Com or BBA with statistics but little programming.
- Often short: a three-year BCA or B.Sc. that is not Honours, unless you also hold a postgraduate bachelor's or a master's of at least one year, or a BA without calculus, linear algebra or programming.
English
English at B2 level of the CEFR, for all applicants with a foreign qualification. [5] For 2027/28, accepted certificates and minimum B2 scores include: [5]
- IELTS Academic or General Training 6.0
- TOEFL iBT 4.5 for tests from 21 January 2026, or 86 for earlier tests
- Cambridge B2 First 173
- PTE Academic 65
- Duolingo English Test 115
- Trinity ISE II, Oxford Test of English 126 or LanguageCert B2 Communicator
Certificates must still be valid, or no more than two years old on 15 September 2026 if they carry no expiry date. You can upload the certificate after you apply, up to 31 July 2027. [5]
You are exempt if you are a native English speaker from a listed country such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, or if you completed your previous education entirely in English in one of those countries or in the EU or Schengen area. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are not on the exemption list, so an English-medium degree from there still needs a certificate. [5]
Selection
There is no entrance test. The committee assesses your curriculum, the number and content of your courses in mathematics, probability and computer science, your exam grades and grade point average, and your English. [1][4]
Italian graduates need a final mark of at least 85/110. For foreign degrees, the committee checks your final grade against criteria it sets, alongside the country minimums above. [1][3]
Deadlines for 2027/28
Applications for 2027/28 open in three calls on the university's online application portal: [2]
- Call one: 15 September to 15 November 2026.
- Call two: 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027.
- Call three: 1 April to 1 June 2027, only for EU students and non-EU students living in Italy.
You can apply to a programme only once per academic year. Classes start on 1 October 2027. [2]
You can apply before you graduate, as long as you complete your degree by 31 July 2027. An official certificate of completion can stand in for the diploma. [3]
For 2026/27, the programme had 50 places for non-EU students living abroad, with no cap for EU students and non-EU students living in Italy. [4]
Documents and non-EU steps
To apply, you upload your passport, transcript or mark sheet, degree certificate if already awarded, CV, motivation letter and English certificate, all as PDFs. Diplomas and transcripts must be official and in Italian or English, or come with official translations. No legalised documents are needed to apply. [2]
If you are admitted, you accept your place by paying the enrolment fee. Non-EU applicants living abroad then complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July and apply for a type D study visa. [2][6]
At enrolment, your degree and transcript must be translated into Italian or English and legalised or apostilled. A CIMEA certificate of verification can replace legalisation. [6]
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 Padua, School of Science. Degree programme regulations and Annex 2 study plans, Master's degree in Data Science (class LM Data), 2026/27 cohort. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, international application portal. Data Science programme factsheet and documents required for your application, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Specific entry requirements for qualifications awarded by non-Italian education systems, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Department of Mathematics. Data Science programme website: admission, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua, Global Engagement Office. Language requirement for admission, accepted English certificates and exemptions, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua. Study in English: how to enrol, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Padua. Call for student fees and exemptions, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Data Science is a master's degree in the new class LM Data (Data Science), taught entirely in English in Padua. It belongs to the School of Science, with the Department of Mathematics as its home, lasts two years, carries 120 ECTS and has open admission with requirements.
The degree aims to form data scientists whose solid technical background is complemented by a multidisciplinary preparation in the fields where big data arise. It draws on engineering, computer science, mathematics and statistics, and covers the tools to collect, manage and analyse big data. It suits graduates with a quantitative bachelor's degree and a good base in mathematics and programming.
What you will study
The first year builds the core in probability, statistics and learning. In the second year you choose one of four paths. The structure on the application portal includes:
- Stochastic Methods (first year)
- Statistical Learning (first year)
- Machine Learning (first year)
- Path 1: Mathematics of Data Science
- Path 2: Biological Data Analytics
- Path 3: Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems
- Path 4: Cognitive, Social and Economic Data Analytics
How the programme is taught
According to the programme website, teaching covers big data, deep and statistical learning, bioinformatics and human data analysis, together with the legal, ethical and business side of working with data. Hands-on laboratory work is part of the training.
In the 2026/27 study plans, every unit is taught in English, and each plan includes an 18 CFU internship and a 15 CFU final thesis, written and defended in English. Two further curricula, DEAI and TMDS, are international tracks open only through separate calls. [1]
Career paths
Graduates can design and carry out big data analysis projects in companies, consulting firms and public institutions. The university lists these employers:
- Research centres
- Internet companies
- Consulting companies
- Start-ups and high-tech industries
- Public administrations
Fees and scholarships
As a School of Science degree, Data Science is in fee Group B. For 2026/27, non-EU students whose household is not resident in Italy pay a fixed yearly fee, which is lower for countries on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries; the ISEE parificato only affects the regional tax. Students found eligible for the regional scholarship are exempt, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. The university also offers up to 100 full fee exemptions, awarded on merit, to international students enrolling in programmes taught entirely in English. [7] See the fees page.
How to apply from outside the EU
Your transcript needs to show calculus, linear algebra, probability, programming and algorithms, since the programme requires proven skills in these areas. We apply on apply.unipd.it with your transcript, CV, motivation letter and English certificate. For 2027/28, non-EU applicants living abroad can apply from 15 September to 15 November 2026 or from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. [2]
After admission you confirm your place, we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, and you apply for a type D study visa. Universitaly pre-enrolment is due by 15 July, and at enrolment your degree and transcript must be translated into Italian or English and legalised or apostilled, or covered by a CIMEA certificate of verification. [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 Padua's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application on apply.unipd.it, acceptance of your place and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your University of Padua 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 Data Science at Padua?
A bachelor's of at least three years, or a recognised foreign equivalent, with proven skills in calculus, linear algebra, probability, programming and algorithms. Italian graduates need at least 30 CFU in maths, statistics and computer science; for foreign degrees the committee reviews your courses and grades. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No. There is no entrance test. The committee assesses the number and content of your courses in mathematics, probability and computer science, your exam grades and grade point average, and your English level. [1][4]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. For 2027/28, accepted B2 results include IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new scale or 86 before 21 January 2026, PTE Academic 65 and Duolingo 115. An English-medium degree from India does not exempt you, as India is not on the exemption list. [5]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2027/28, non-EU applicants living abroad can apply from 15 September to 15 November 2026 or from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. The third call, from April to June 2027, is only for EU students and non-EU students living in Italy. [2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. You can apply before your degree is awarded, but you must complete it by 31 July 2027. An official certificate of completion can stand in for the diploma. [3]
I have a BCA or a three-year B.Sc. from India. Can I apply?
Only with an Honours degree or further study. Padua's list for India accepts a three-year bachelor's if it is Honours, or a three-year pass degree followed by a postgraduate bachelor's or a master's of at least one year. Your transcript must also show maths, probability and programming. [1][3]
What grade do I need with an Indian degree?
Padua's 2027/28 country list sets a minimum of 70 out of 100, 7.0 out of 10, 5.6 out of 8 or 2.8 out of 4 for Indian degrees, depending on the scale on your transcript. The committee then reviews your full record. [3][4]
Which study plans can I choose?
In the main curriculum you follow one of four study plans: Mathematics of Data Science, Biological Data Analytics, Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems, or Cognitive, Social and Economic Data Analytics. All four include Statistical Learning, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, an internship and a thesis. [1][2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Data Science at Padua?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Padua's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the University of Padua 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?
Padua's 2027/28 list for India includes three- or four-year Honours bachelor's degrees and professional bachelor's degrees of four to five and a half years, with a minimum of 70 out of 100 or 7.0 out of 10. Your transcript must show calculus, linear algebra, probability and programming, and you need English at B2. The steps are the online application, accepting your place and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][3][5] 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: online application in call one or two, acceptance of your place 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: online application in call one or two, acceptance of your place 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: online application in call one or two, acceptance of your place 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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