Economics and Data Analysis LM‑56 at University of Bergamo

Choosing a master’s degree abroad brings many questions. You want strong teaching, an international classroom, and a clear route to work. You also need fees you can afford. That is why English-taught programs in Italy now attract students from more than 160 countries. The Economics and Data Analysis LM‑56 course at the University of Bergamo (Università degli Studi di Bergamo) meets all these needs. It lets you study in Italy in English inside one of the most respected public Italian universities, and it follows the state fee rules that place many campuses among tuition-free universities Italy.

Programme snapshot: English‑taught programs in Italy for future economists

This two‑year master belongs to the Italian class LM‑56, which covers advanced economics. The course mixes solid economic theory with modern data science. You model markets, forecast policy effects, and learn to code in languages such as Python and R. Professors teach entirely in English. That choice welcomes global talent and prepares you for jobs where English is the main working language.

Key aims include:

• Give you a deep grasp of micro‑ and macroeconomics.
• Train you to collect, clean, and visualise large datasets.
• Build skill in econometrics (statistical tools for economic data).
• Show you how to turn data insights into policy advice or business strategy.
• Strengthen soft skills such as teamwork, writing, and public speaking.

Graduates leave ready to work as data analysts, policy advisers, risk managers, market researchers, or go on to a PhD.

Why study in Italy in English at University of Bergamo (Università degli Studi di Bergamo)

Italy now offers more than 500 complete degrees taught fully in English. This master is one of the early examples. Lecturers come from Italy, Germany, France, the United States, and Asia. Many hold doctorates from top‑20 global schools. Classes stay small—often 25–35 students—so each session invites debate. You can ask questions, share ideas, and get direct feedback on every project.

Other perks:

• Double‑degree links with universities in France and Sweden. Spend one year abroad and earn two diplomas with no extra fee.
• Joint seminars with visiting scholars from the European Central Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD).
• Digital learning platform that keeps slides, readings, and recorded lectures in one place. This helps you revise when English is not your first language.

Language support also matters. A free crash course in academic English helps new arrivals tune their writing style. Optional Italian classes run in the evening. They start at level A1 and reach B1 by the end of year one.

Curriculum and structure: From theory to applied data science

The degree spans four semesters. You gain 120 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). Each ECTS equals about 25 hours of work.

Year 1 highlights

• Microeconomics for Decision Making
• Macroeconomic Models and Policy
• Statistics for Economists
• Programming for Data Analysis (Python stream)
• Mathematics for Finance and Economics
• Academic and Professional Writing

Year 2 highlights

• Econometrics and Causal Inference
• Machine Learning for Economists
• Development Economics or Industrial Organisation (choose one path)
• Big‑Data Visualisation Lab
• Public Economics and Fiscal Policy
• Internship or Research Project
• Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)

Most technical classes include weekly lab sessions. Here you write code, test models, and discuss results with the lecturer. Group projects simulate real cases: predicting unemployment swings, measuring climate policy impacts, or pricing a new product line.

Teaching methods and assessment

Teachers use active learning. A typical week mixes lectures, flipped‑classroom sessions, and peer review. You might watch a 15‑minute video before class, then spend the in‑person hour solving problems on whiteboards. This style keeps you involved and helps you master complex formulae faster.

Assessment spreads across:

• Mid‑term quizzes (online, open‑book).
• Group reports (2,500–4,000 words each).
• Individual coding assignments shared on GitHub.
• Final oral exams, which in Italy combine written answers and a viva voce (spoken defence).

By splitting grades, the course lowers exam stress and rewards steady progress.

Funding your master: Tuition‑free universities Italy and the DSU grant

The University of Bergamo is part of the national network of public Italian universities, where state law sets a ceiling on fees. Costs scale with family income. For many non‑EU students, the yearly charge drops to zero after fee waivers. That is why the campus often joins lists of tuition‑free universities Italy.

Key funding routes:

1. DSU grant (Diritto allo Studio Universitario). This regional aid covers fees, offers meal vouchers, and pays up to €6,000 in cash each year. Selection uses income and merit. ApplyAZ guides you through every form and helps you collect the documents that prove income abroad.
2. Scholarships for international students in Italy. The university awards merit grants to top applicants. Local foundations fund extra prizes for data projects that aid non‑profits.
3. Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs bursary. Open to students from certain countries and includes free language courses.
4. Erasmus+ mobility stipend. If you join the double‑degree pathway or spend a term at an EU partner, you receive a monthly allowance to offset travel and lodging.

With a DSU grant plus careful budgeting, many ApplyAZ learners cover nearly all living costs.

Entering public Italian universities: Admission steps and requirements

Application follows the national calendar. Deadlines can shift a little each year, so ApplyAZ tracks every update. Below is the usual sequence:

1. Check qualification. You need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least 18 ECTS in economics or maths, and 6 ECTS in statistics.
2. Prove English. Minimum B2 level. Acceptable tests include IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, or a previous English‑medium degree.
3. Submit online pre‑application. Upload transcript, scan of passport, CV, and a short motivation letter (max 500 words).
4. Pass academic review. Professors verify you meet credit rules. If you lack a topic, they may assign a bridging module.
5. Receive the conditional offer. The email states tuition band, scholarship options, and next steps.
6. Apply for a visa. Non‑EU citizens need a study visa. Italian embassies ask for proof of funds, local housing, and health insurance.
7. Final enrolment on campus. Bring original papers for validation and collect your student card.

ApplyAZ streamlines the entire flow. One upload of documents reaches the course office, the DSU grant desk, and the embassy—all in the correct formats.

Skills you gain: Economic logic plus data power

Employers now want economists who can code and developers who grasp market forces. This master blends both worlds. Main skill sets include:

• Critical thinking. Frame problems, choose the right model, and test assumptions.
• Quantitative analysis. Work with panel data, time series, and cross‑section datasets.
• Machine learning. Use algorithms such as random forests and gradient boosting to refine forecasts.
• Programming literacy. Write clean scripts in Python, R, and SQL. Document code and use Git version control.
• Communication. Turn statistical output into charts and policy notes that non‑experts can follow.
• Ethics and privacy. Apply EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules to data projects.

These abilities stay in demand across finance, tech, energy, and public policy.

Internship, research, and thesis

During the fourth semester you choose an internship or an academic thesis.

Internship track

• Work 320 hours at a company, bank, research centre, or public body.
• Tasks may include building dashboards, running cost‑benefit studies, or designing A/B tests.
• A university tutor monitors progress and ensures duties match learning goals.

Thesis track

• Produce original research of 15,000–20,000 words.
• Topics range from climate‑policy impacts on energy prices to behavioural biases in consumer finance.
• Present your findings in a public defence before a panel of professors.

Both routes add 30 ECTS to your record. Graduates who pick the thesis often move on to doctoral studies. Those who choose the internship usually step straight into full‑time roles.

Career prospects: From banks to start‑ups

A recent survey of alumni shows 91 % find relevant work within six months. Typical paths:

• Financial services. Banks hire for risk modelling and portfolio design.
• Consulting. Firms need analysts who merge business and coding insight.
• Tech companies. Data scientists clean and interpret user behaviour data.
• Public policy bodies. Governments and NGOs ask for cost‑effect studies to guide spending.
• PhD programmes. Graduates join doctoral schools in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK.

Recruiters value the dual label “Economics and Data Analysis” because it signals both theory rigour and technical fluency.

Research culture and academic networks

The Department of Economics at the University of Bergamo ranks high among public Italian universities for citations in applied economics. Research groups run seminars on labour markets, health policy, and machine learning. As a master’s student, you can sit in on these talks and even co‑author papers. Many students publish an article from their thesis before graduation.

Partnerships include:

• European Central Bank Student Research Challenge.
• UN Data for Good project.
• Private‑sector hackathons focused on FinTech and green energy.

Such links expand your CV and grow your professional network.

Student support and learning environment

International newcomers often worry about settling in. The university offers:

• Buddy scheme. A senior student guides you through enrolment and class selection.
• Career office. CV clinics, mock interviews, and employer days.
• Counselling centre. Free mental‑health support in multiple languages.
• Sports association. Access to gyms, running tracks, and team sports for a small annual fee.

Alumni stories

• Maria, Colombia. Completed the internship track at a renewable‑energy firm, now analyses carbon‑trading data in Barcelona.
• Yusuf, Nigeria. Joined the double‑degree route and spent his second year in France. He now pursues a PhD in Paris, funded by the EU.
• Sara, Iran. Published part of her thesis on gender wage gaps in a peer‑reviewed journal. She works as an economist at an international NGO.

These journeys show the range of roads open after graduation.

Conclusion: A data‑driven future starts here

Economic policy and business strategy now rely on evidence. The Economics and Data Analysis LM‑56 master arms you with the tools to deliver that evidence. You gain advanced economics, coding skill, and an international network, all within a public system that keeps fees low and support high. Scholarships for international students in Italy, the DSU grant, and income‑based tuition make the path realistic for many budgets. If you want a career where numbers guide decisions, this programme stands out.

Ready for this programme?
If you qualify and we still have a spot this month, we’ll reserve your place with ApplyAZ. Our team will tailor a set of best-fit majors—including this course—and handle every form and deadline for you. One upload, many applications, guaranteed offers, DSU grant support, and visa coaching: that’s the ApplyAZ promise. Start now and secure your spot before this month’s intake fills up.