Master in Digital Heritage at University of Salento
Two-year English-taught LM-43 R master's at the University of Salento in Lecce that trains humanities graduates in digital methods for cultural heritage, from AI and HBIM to VR and gaming. Entry needs a humanities degree, B2 English and an interview.
Master
2 years
Lecce
English
University of Salento
Digital Heritage is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-43 R) taught in English at the University of Salento in Lecce. Entry needs a humanities bachelor's in a listed class, or at least 54 credits in set humanities areas, plus English at B2 and basic computer skills. An online interview checks your preparation, and no specific IT knowledge is required.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Salento's Digital Heritage master asks for a bachelor's in one of seven humanities classes, or any bachelor's with at least 54 credits in set humanities areas, plus English at B2, basic computer skills and a passed online interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You must meet one of two rules: [1][2]
- A bachelor's in a listed class: Cultural Heritage (L-1), Performing Arts and Music Studies (L-3), Philosophy (L-5), Humanities (L-10), Modern Languages and Cultures (L-11), Communication Sciences (L-20), or Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (L-43).
- Or any bachelor's or equivalent with at least 54 credits in archaeology and ancient studies, art history, music and performing arts, literature and philology, languages and linguistics, philosophy, history, geography, or history of architecture.
No specific IT knowledge is required, but all students are expected to have basic computer skills. [1][2]
What this means for your transcript
Italian credits and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and the subjects you passed matter, not just your total. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a BA in History, Archaeology, English or another literature, Philosophy, Fine Arts or Foreign Languages, where most papers fall in the listed areas.
- Check carefully: a BA in Mass Communication or Journalism, a B.Arch, or a BA in Sociology or Political Science, which may include some history or language papers but need 54 credits in the listed areas.
- Often short: a B.Tech, BCA, B.Sc., B.Com or BBA, which rarely include 54 credits of humanities subjects.
English and Italian
English at CEFR level B2 is required, and your English and basic computer skills are checked during the interview. The call does not list specific certificates or scores. [1]
For foreign students, the interview also checks basic Italian. If needed, you attend an Italian language training activity during the programme. [1][2]
Online interview
There is no written test. After an administrative check of your degree, a commission of three professors holds an individual online interview on basic knowledge of: [1]
- ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean
- methods for historical and archaeological research
- medieval and modern history
The minimum score for admission is 18/30. Candidates who do not pass can apply for a later session. There are no additional learning requirements at entry. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, there were three online interviews: 7 September 2026, 3 December 2026 and 4 March 2027. Applications for the September interview ran from 29 July to 27 August 2026, with the admission fee paid by 28 August 2026. [1]
Non-EU applicants living abroad could only take the September interview, because Universitaly pre-enrolment and the visa application had to be completed by 30 November 2026. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
Non-EU applicants living abroad apply on Salento's student portal, selecting the admission procedure for international students to Digital Heritage, and attach in a single PDF, translated into Italian or English: [1]
- a copy of your passport or ID card
- your bachelor's degree certificate
- the final list of all exams with marks and your final grade or CGPA
All applicants apply by the application deadline. If admitted, non-EU students complete Universitaly pre-enrolment through the Italian mission in their country of residence, and a study visa is required for enrolment. [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 Salento, Department of Cultural Heritage. Call for applications, Master's degree in Digital Heritage (LM-43), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Salento, Department of Cultural Heritage. Teaching regulations of the Master's degree in Digital Heritage (LM-43), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Salento, Digital Heritage programme page (admission requirements, study plan and career profiles), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Salento, International Office. Master's degree admission for international students, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Digital Heritage is a two-year international master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-43 R, computer methods for the humanities) taught in English at the University of Salento in Lecce. It is run by the Department of Cultural Heritage and carries 120 ECTS. [2][3]
The programme is designed for graduates in the humanities who want technical skills to study, preserve and promote tangible and intangible cultural heritage. It combines European and Mediterranean heritage studies with ICT and artificial intelligence, and no specific IT knowledge is required at entry. [2][3]
What you will study
The first year builds technical foundations alongside humanities knowledge; the second moves to virtual and augmented reality, 3D and gaming, GIS and HBIM, and digital data management. Compulsory units in the 2026/27 plan include: [3]
- Computer Science for Cultural Heritage and Mobile Applications Development (6 ECTS each)
- Digital Treatment of Historical Archives and Innovative Project Management (6 ECTS each)
- Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and HBIM Laboratory (3 ECTS each)
- Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications and a lab on digital environments for heritage, including 3D and gaming (6 ECTS each)
- Digital Information Law and Italian Language in Digital World (6 ECTS each)
Electives include Database Design, Web Technologies, Digital Dissemination of Cultural Heritage, Digital Management of Archaeological Data, Digital Methods in Landscape Archaeology, GIS Application in Cultural Heritage and Digital Treatment for Fine Arts Data Collection. You also choose 12 free-choice credits. [2][3]
How the programme is taught
Teaching is hands-on, with laboratories, a 4 ECTS internship and project work, and attendance is compulsory for lab activities. The final exam, worth 20 ECTS, is the discussion of an original research thesis, either experimental or based on research. Part-time study is possible, over twice the normal length. Partners include the Polo Biblio-Museale of the Apulia region, CETMA in Brindisi, the Musei Civici di Bologna and the European Heriland network. [2][3]
Career paths
The programme trains UX designers, digital content creators and digital heritage designers, and prepares graduates to work as web application analysts and designers, archivists, museum curators and conservators, and researchers in historical and philological fields. Graduates work in IT companies, museums, libraries, archives, public bodies, research centres and digital publishing, and can go on to a PhD. [3]
Fees and scholarships
Salento's international admissions page lists a flat yearly rate for non-EU international students. These students do not need an ISEE. The regional scholarship body for Apulia is ADISU Puglia, and the region decides scholarship awards. [4]
How to apply from outside the EU
Non-EU applicants living abroad apply on Salento's student portal, choosing the admission procedure for international students to Digital Heritage. For 2026/27, they could only take the September online interview, held on 7 September 2026, because Universitaly pre-enrolment and the visa application had to be completed by 30 November. A study visa is required for enrolment. [1]
The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [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 Salento's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application for the admission interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ADISU Puglia 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 Digital Heritage at Salento?
A bachelor's in Cultural Heritage, Performing Arts and Music, Philosophy, Humanities, Modern Languages, Communication Sciences or Conservation and Restoration, or any bachelor's with at least 54 credits in set humanities areas such as history, archaeology, literature and languages. [1]
Do I need a computer science background?
No. The programme is designed for humanities graduates and does not require specific IT knowledge. You are expected to have basic computer skills, which are checked during the admission interview. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. A commission of three professors holds an online interview on Mediterranean ancient civilisations, historical and archaeological research methods, and medieval and modern history. The minimum score for admission is 18/30. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. Your English is checked during the interview, and the 2026/27 call does not list specific certificates or scores, so we check which proof of B2 your file can use. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad could only take the 7 September 2026 interview, applying between 29 July and 27 August 2026, because Universitaly pre-enrolment had to be done by 30 November. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [1]
I have a BA in History or a BCA. Can I apply?
A BA in History usually fits, as history and related humanities subjects count towards the 54-credit rule. A BCA is often short, because the rule asks for humanities credits rather than computing ones. We check your transcript subject by subject. [1]
Do I need to speak Italian?
The programme is taught in English. For foreign students, the interview also checks basic Italian, and you attend an Italian language training activity if needed. The 2026/27 plan also includes a compulsory Italian Language in Digital World unit. [1][3]
What jobs does it lead to?
The programme trains UX designers, digital content creators and digital heritage designers, and prepares graduates for roles as web application designers, archivists and museum curators, in IT companies, museums, libraries, archives, public bodies and digital publishing. [3]
Can someone handle my whole application to Digital Heritage at Salento?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Salento's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ADISU Puglia 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 Digital Heritage?
A recognised Indian humanities bachelor's, such as a BA in History, Archaeology, English Literature or Philosophy, can meet the rule if it includes at least 54 credits in the listed humanities areas. You also need English at B2 and basic computer skills. The steps are the online application, the September online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 November. [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 Digital Heritage are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, the September online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 November, 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 Digital Heritage are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, the September online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 November. 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 Digital Heritage 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, the September online interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 November, 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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