Master in Digital Minds at University of Bologna
Two-year English-taught master in cognitive sciences at the University of Bologna's Department of the Arts, combining philosophy, psychology, the arts and computer science to study human and artificial cognition, with open access.
Master
2 years
Bologna
English
University of Bologna
Digital Minds is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-55 R, Cognitive sciences) taught entirely in English at the University of Bologna. It brings together philosophy, psychology, the arts and computer science to study human and artificial cognition. Access is open, and tuition follows family income.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree, or a foreign qualification that gives access to second-cycle study in the country where it was awarded, with the prior credits the admission notice asks for.
- English proficiency at the level the admission notice sets; the whole degree is delivered in English.
- Open access: there is no fixed number of places, and your personal preparation is assessed as the notice describes.
- An application on Studenti Online within the window in the notice, then Universitaly pre-enrolment if you need a study visa.
- At enrolment, your translated degree certificate and transcript plus a Diploma Supplement, CIMEA statement, declaration of value or legalisation.
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. The degree website also published a set of crash courses for 2026/27. The course units, credits and teaching periods for each intake are listed in the course structure diagram on the degree website; 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 you should read before applying. 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 a mock job interview workshop and a Bologna Chamber of Commerce scheme of incentives for keeping recent graduates in local companies.
Fees and scholarships
Digital Minds is not in the higher fee bands, so for 2026/27 the maximum is the standard €2,550 a year for second-cycle degrees, on top of a fixed €157.04. The contribution follows family income, and an ISEE up to €27,000 means only the fixed part: zero euro tuition 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 of €1,200 plus €157.04 is possible. ER.GO scholarship winners pay €157.04 only.
How to apply from outside the EU
The admission notice for the degree is the key document. It lists the prior credits you need, the English requirement, how your preparation is checked and the dates, and the 2027/28 edition has not been published yet. Applications are made on Studenti Online; with open access, non-EU applicants do not compete for a fixed quota.
Once admitted, submit the Universitaly pre-enrolment. The consulate needs the university's unconditional validation of it and proof of means of at least €10,179.85 (2026). Validations pause during the August closure, so apply early. In Bologna you enrol, pay the first instalment and request a residence permit within eight days of arrival.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is Digital Minds taught in English?
Yes. The degree is delivered entirely in English in Bologna. The admission notice for your intake states the English level required and the certificates or other proof the university accepts.
What does the degree cover?
It explores the intersection of philosophy, psychology, the arts and computer science to understand human and artificial cognition. The degree belongs to class LM-55 R, Cognitive sciences, and is run by the Department of the Arts.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
The admission notice sets the curricular requirements, including any minimum credits in specific subject areas. Because the degree spans four disciplines, check the notice carefully to see whether your bachelor's degree meets them.
Is there a limit on places?
No. Digital Minds has open access, so there is no fixed number of places. Your curricular requirements and personal preparation are still checked as described in the admission notice.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 the maximum is €2,550 a year plus a fixed €157.04. A family ISEE up to €27,000 means paying only €157.04, and non-OECD citizens with family income only abroad can choose €1,200 plus €157.04.
Can I get a scholarship?
Eligible students can apply for the ER.GO regional scholarship. Winners pay only the fixed €157.04 a year. ER.GO, the right-to-study body of Emilia-Romagna, sets the rules and decides the awards.
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