Master in Digital Minds at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught master in cognitive sciences (LM-55 R) at the University of Bologna's Department of the Arts, joining philosophy, psychology, the arts and computer science. Open access, with a 90/110 grade rule, an online interview and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
Digital Minds is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-55 R) taught in English at the University of Bologna. Entry needs a bachelor's with 6 credits in logic or philosophy of language and 6 in psychology, or an Italian degree in those fields, a final grade of at least 90/110, an online interview and English at B2. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Bologna's Digital Minds master asks for a three-year bachelor's or recognised foreign equivalent that includes at least 6 credits in logic or philosophy of language and 6 in psychology (Italian graduates in philosophy, communication or psychology meet this directly), a final grade of at least 90/110, English at B2 and a compulsory online interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a three-year university degree, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable that gives access to a similar programme in the country where it was awarded. [1]
Graduates of Italian degrees in classes L-5 Philosophy, L-20 Communication or L-24 Psychology meet the curricular requirements directly. Any other degree, including a degree earned outside the Italian system, must include at least 12 ECTS: [1]
- At least 6 ECTS in philosophy: logic and philosophy of science, or philosophy and theory of language.
- At least 6 ECTS in psychology: general psychology, psychobiology and physiological psychology, psychometrics, developmental and educational psychology, or work and organisational psychology.
For a foreign degree, the committee checks your academic record against these requirements. If you do not meet all of them, the call says you cannot register for the programme. [1][2]
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 subjects you studied, not just the total. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a BA or B.Sc. in Psychology, a BA in Philosophy, or a joint BA in both, that includes a course in logic, philosophy of science or philosophy of language and at least one psychology course, such as general, developmental or organisational psychology.
- Check carefully: a Psychology degree with no logic or philosophy course, a Philosophy degree with no psychology course, or a BA in Mass Communication, where one of the two blocks is often missing.
- Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA, B.Com, BBA or a B.Sc. in a science subject, which rarely include both a philosophy or logic course and a psychology course.
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, proved when you apply in one of these ways: [1]
- A recognised certificate gained from 1 January 2023. The list includes IELTS from 5.5, TOEFL iBT from 72, Cambridge FCE, Trinity ISE 2, PTE Academic from GSE 50 and the Oxford Test of English at B2, among others. [3]
- A certificate stating that your bachelor's or master's degree was taught in English. [1]
- A self-declaration that you are a native English speaker. [1]
- A self-certification of passing a B2 English test at an Italian university language centre in a previous university career. [1][3]
Final grade and interview
There is no written test. A committee appointed by the Department of the Arts checks your documents and your personal competencies in two steps: [1]
- Final grade: at least 90/110. If you are still finishing your degree, your weighted average mark must be at least 24.42. For a foreign qualification, the committee verifies your final grade by assessing your academic record. Candidates below the threshold are not invited to the interview.
- Interview: compulsory for all candidates and held online. You must be online at the start of your session or you are excluded. The call page includes suggested readings for the interview.
If you do not pass the interview, you cannot register for the programme. [1]
2026/27 intakes and deadlines
- Intake 1: applications 18 March to 20 April 2026, interviews 4 to 14 May 2026.
- Intake 2: applications 28 April to 20 May 2026, interviews 3 to 12 June 2026.
- Intake 3: applications 27 July to 21 August 2026, interviews 3 to 11 September 2026.
- Intake 4, European applicants only: applications 21 September to 9 October 2026, interviews 26 to 30 October 2026.
Admitted candidates had until 19 November 2026 to enrol. If you take part in one intake and are not admitted, you cannot take part in a later one. You could apply before graduating if only your final examination was left, with the degree completed by 31 December 2026. The 2027/28 call sets the next dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
On Studenti Online you upload: [1]
- Your degree certificate translated into Italian or English, with your transcript of records and Diploma Supplement where available. If you have not graduated yet, your transcript of exams taken.
- A valid identity document, or your passport if your ID has no English translation.
- Your proof of English at B2.
- Your residence permit, if you already hold one.
- Optionally, a CV in English, used only to guide the interview and not for evaluation.
Non-EU citizens living abroad must also pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for an entry visa for study. After admission you enrol on Studenti Online and pay the first instalment, then upload your degree and entry visa in the matriculation call for foreign qualifications. Your documents must be translated and their authenticity and value verified where required, and you show the originals to the International Student Administration Office on arrival. Admission and a validated pre-enrolment do not complete your enrolment on their own: the office first checks your qualification. Career activation had to be completed by 26 February 2027. [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 Bologna. Admission notice for the second-cycle degree programme in Digital Minds, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna, Digital Minds programme website: overview and programme enrolment pages (degree class, access, crash courses and non-EU enrolment steps), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna, humanities degree programme websites. English language requirement for admission: list of recognised certificates, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Bologna. Tuition fees and exemptions, reduced fixed fee for non-OECD citizens and table of maximum contribution amounts, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Digital Minds is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-55 R, Cognitive sciences, run by the Department of the Arts (DAR) on the University of Bologna's Bologna campus. It is worth 120 ECTS, is delivered entirely in English and has open access, so the number of places is not capped. The university lists it among its international programmes.
Its line is "Where Minds Meet Machines". In the university's words, the degree is designed to explore the intersection of philosophy, psychology, arts and computer science, to master human and artificial cognition. It suits students who want to work across those fields, on questions that link the human mind with artificial systems.
What you will study
The four disciplines the university names are the building blocks of the degree:
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- The arts
- Computer science
The common thread is cognition, both human and artificial. For 2026/27 the degree website also published crash courses: introductory courses that give new students the basic concepts they need to follow the Digital Minds learning activities. [2] The course units, credits and teaching periods for each intake are listed in the course structure diagram on the degree website; we check the 2027/28 version before you apply, as units can change between intakes.
Career paths
The professional profiles the degree prepares for are set out in the prospects section of the degree website, which we read before you apply. A laurea magistrale also opens the way to PhD programmes in Italy and abroad. For the job market, the degree website links to the university's Towards the job market service, and its notice board carries career items such as mock job interview sessions with feedback from recruiters. [2]
Fees and scholarships
Digital Minds is in the standard fee band for second-cycle degrees for 2026/27. [4] The contribution follows family income, and with an ISEE up to €27,000 this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. If you hold citizenship of a non-OECD country (countries like India are on the list) and your family income is only abroad, a reduced flat fee is possible. [4]
How to apply from outside the EU
Access is open, so there is no cap on enrolments and non-EU applicants do not compete for a fixed quota, but every candidate must meet the credit, grade and English rules and pass a compulsory online interview. [1] For 2026/27, applications ran on Studenti Online in four intakes. Non-EU applicants could use the first three, which closed on 20 April, 20 May and 21 August 2026; the fourth, in October, was open only to European applicants. If you are not admitted in one intake, you cannot try again in a later one. The 2027/28 notice is not yet published. [1]
Non-EU applicants living abroad must also pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for a study visa, and we submit the pre-enrolment for you. [1] The university validates it once you have passed the assessment and paid the first instalment by the deadline in the call, and validations can take longer in August, when its offices close for several days. The consulate also asks for proof of financial means. [2] In Bologna you show your original documents to the International Student Administration Office and apply for a residence permit within eight days of arrival. [2]
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 Bologna's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Studenti Online application, interview preparation and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ER.GO Emilia-Romagna 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 Minds at Bologna?
A three-year bachelor's or recognised foreign equivalent. Italian degrees in philosophy, communication or psychology qualify directly. Any other degree, including foreign ones, needs at least 6 ECTS in logic, philosophy of science or philosophy of language and 6 ECTS in psychology. You also need a final grade of at least 90/110. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. You need a final grade of at least 90/110, or a weighted average of 24.42 if you are still finishing, and a foreign grade is assessed from your academic record. Every candidate then takes a compulsory online interview, and the call page lists suggested readings for it. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. IELTS from 5.5 is one option, as are TOEFL iBT from 72 and other listed certificates gained from 1 January 2023. A certificate stating that your degree was taught in English also counts, so we check which proof your documents can give. [1][3]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants could use three intakes, which closed on 20 April, 20 May and 21 August 2026, with online interviews a few weeks later. The October intake was open only to European applicants. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if only your final examination is left. The 2026/27 call asked for a weighted average of at least 24.42, and the committee assesses foreign transcripts. The degree had to be completed by 31 December 2026, or the enrolment was cancelled. [1][2]
I have a BA in Psychology or a B.Tech. Can I apply?
A BA in Psychology usually covers the 6 psychology credits, but you also need 6 credits in logic, philosophy of science or philosophy of language. A B.Tech rarely includes either block. The call says you cannot register without all the required credits, so we check your transcript first. [1]
Is there a limit on places?
No. For 2026/27 access was open, with no maximum number of enrolments. You still have to meet the credit, grade and English rules and pass the interview, and if you are not admitted in one intake you cannot try again in a later one. [1]
What does the degree cover?
It explores the intersection of philosophy, psychology, the arts and computer science to understand human and artificial cognition. It belongs to class LM-55 R, Cognitive sciences, is run by the Department of the Arts in Bologna, and offers crash courses on basic concepts for new students. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Digital Minds at Bologna?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Bologna's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ER.GO Emilia-Romagna 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 Minds?
An Indian BA or B.Sc. in Psychology or Philosophy can fit if it includes at least 6 credits in logic or philosophy of language and 6 in psychology. The committee checks your final grade from your academic record against the 90/110 rule, and you need English at B2. The steps are the Studenti Online application, an online 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 Digital Minds are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Studenti Online application, online 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 Digital Minds are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Studenti Online application, online 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 Digital Minds 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: Studenti Online application, online 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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