Master in Engineering Technology for Strategy and Security at University of Genoa
STRATEGOS, a two-year English-taught LM/DS master's at the University of Genoa, trains engineers in modelling, simulation, big data and AI for strategic decisions, ending with a six-month, 37-credit traineeship. Entry needs engineering credits and B2 English.
Master
2 years
Genoa
English
University of Genoa
Engineering Technology for Strategy and Security (STRATEGOS) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM/DS, defence and security) taught in English at the University of Genoa. Entry needs a degree with 36 basic science credits and 45 engineering credits, English at B2 and a personal preparation test, waived with a final mark of at least 9/10. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Genoa's STRATEGOS master asks for a degree or equivalent foreign qualification with at least 36 credits in basic subjects, 30 of them in maths, physics and chemistry, and 45 credits in engineering subjects, plus English at B2 and a personal preparation test unless your final mark is high enough. Visa applicants in 2026/27 also needed a CGPA of 75%. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit rule
The 2026/27 regulations require all of the following: [1]
- A bachelor's or master's degree from an Italian university, or an equivalent qualification.
- At least 36 CFU in the basic subject areas of Italian engineering degrees: computer science and computer engineering (INF/01, ING-INF/05), industrial plants (ING-IND/17), mathematics (MAT/02 to MAT/09), statistics (SECS-S/02), chemistry (CHIM/03, CHIM/07) and physics (FIS/01, FIS/03, FIS/07). At least 30 of these must be in maths, physics and chemistry together.
- At least 45 CFU in the core subject areas of Italian engineering degrees. The list is broad: civil and environmental engineering (ICAR), industrial engineering (ING-IND/01 to ING-IND/35, with some gaps), information engineering (ING-INF/01 to ING-INF/07), plus a few biology, chemistry and geology sectors (BIO/07, CHIM/12, GEO/02, GEO/05, GEO/11).
The credits can come from any university course. For degrees from abroad, the board matches the courses you passed with these subject areas, using your transcript of records. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and Genoa compares your subjects, not just your total. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in a mainstream branch such as Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace or Industrial Engineering. The 45-credit block covers civil, industrial and information engineering, and maths, physics and chemistry units can meet the 30-credit science rule.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. in Computer Science, a BCA, a B.Sc. IT, or a B.Sc. in Physics or Mathematics. These can cover the basic block, but they may lack 30 credits across maths, physics and chemistry, or 45 credits in engineering sectors.
- Often short: a B.Com, BBA, BA or B.Sc. in Economics, where few units fall in the listed science or engineering sectors.
Professional skills and some post-secondary training can be recognised as credits, under the rules in force. We check your transcript against both blocks before you apply. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, including the vocabulary of the subject, shown in one of these ways: [1]
- A certificate from UniGe's list of recognised certifications, within the validity set by the certifying body.
- Passing the B2 test run by the University of Genoa Language Centre (CLAT UniGe).
- A degree taught in English, shown by an official document or a letter from your university.
The regulations do not list specific test scores. In the 2026/27 UniGeApply selection, a B2 certificate or a medium of instruction certificate was accepted, and Italian was not required. [2]
Personal preparation test
Applicants who meet the credit rule must pass a test of personal preparation, held as a public interview, a written test or a video interview, before a board of at least two teachers. It looks at: [1]
- Scientific and engineering foundations.
- Engineering and professional experience.
- Ability to adapt to different contexts.
- Your potential and motivation.
- How you express yourself and your language skills.
The board also weighs your bachelor's record and, for degrees from abroad, the quality of your university. The result is simply passed or not passed. You are exempt if your final mark is at least 9/10 of the maximum for your degree, or at least an A on the ECTS scale. [1]
For 2026/27, the UniGeApply selection for visa applicants set a minimum CGPA of 75% and listed no remote interview, no test and no extra documents for this course. [2] We confirm which step applies to your file.
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU visa applicants applied on UniGeApply from 26 November 2025 to 20 March 2026, and outcomes were due by 22 May 2026. Accepted students then applied on Universitaly, with that window expected to close in June 2026. [3] Applicants still finishing their degree had to complete it by 15 August 2026. [2]
The 2027/28 dates are not yet published, and the next call sets them.
Documents and non-EU steps
Applicants from abroad should preferably apply through the UniGeApply portal, following the deadlines set each year. [1] The pre-evaluation asks for: [2]
- Your CV, covering education, extra courses, work and internships.
- Your degree certificate, or a letter from your university with your expected degree date and CGPA if you have not graduated yet.
- Your transcript of records with exams, credits and grades.
- Your proof of English at B2, or a medium of instruction certificate.
Documents in languages other than Italian, English, French, Spanish or Portuguese need a translation. You can apply for up to two courses. [2] After a positive outcome, you apply on Universitaly, where you choose one university and one course, and after Universitaly approval you pre-enrol at UniGe for the same course. [3]
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 Genoa, Polytechnic School, Department of Naval, Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering (DITEN). Teaching regulations, Master's degree in Engineering Technology for Strategy and Security (STRATEGOS, LM-DS), cohort 2026/27, with the list of teaching units. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Genoa. UniGeApply international admissions selection, academic year 2026/27: students with a foreign qualification applying to master's degrees taught in English. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Genoa. UniGeApply: application windows, fees and next steps for international applicants, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Genoa, STRATEGOS programme page, course 11994, academic year 2026/27 (location, study areas, teaching methods, internship and career outlets). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Engineering Technology for Strategy and Security, known as STRATEGOS, is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM/DS, defence and security) worth 120 ECTS and taught in English at the University of Genoa. It is run by DITEN, the Department of Naval, Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering, and hosted in the labs and buildings of the Polytechnic School in Genoa, with a simulation team also based at the Savona campus. [1][4]
The course trains engineers who build models, algorithms and simulators, analyse big data and apply AI, intelligent agents and machine learning to support strategic decision making. It mixes engineering with economics and international affairs, so it suits engineering graduates drawn to complex systems in industry, business, defence or public bodies.
What you will study
The study areas listed by the university combine quantitative engineering with strategy. They include: [4]
- Advanced models and complex system analysis for industry, business, defence and homeland security
- Modelling and simulation, including data farming, design of experiments, statistics and data fusion
- Data mining and big data
- Decision support systems and game theory
- Artificial intelligence, intelligent agents and machine learning
- Human behaviour modelling and serious games
- Economics for corporate strategic planning, and international affairs and geopolitical models
- Enabling ICT networks and technologies
How the programme is taught
STRATEGOS uses classes, labs, computer simulations, role-play games and virtual and live exercises. Seminars also build soft skills such as project management and teamwork. The last six months of the degree are an internship in a company or international lab, working on new solutions to real problems. [4] The traineeship is worth 37 ECTS. It is coordinated by a member of the teaching staff and a company supervisor, ends with a project work and final report, and is graded out of 30. The thesis is worth 8 ECTS and is written in English. The course has no separate curricula. [1]
Career paths
The university presents strategic engineering skills as useful for top management, strategic planning and management in large corporations. Graduates can also develop smart solutions, services and products for complex systems in business, industry, consulting, international agencies and defence, as well as smart cities and government bodies. Small high-tech firms are also named as employers of strategic engineers. [4]
Fees and scholarships
STRATEGOS follows UniGe's income-based fee rules. Applicants whose family lives abroad present an ISEE-U parificato, issued free by an affiliated CAF. For 2026/27, first-year students with an ISEE-U of €13,000 or less are exempt from the tuition contribution. ALiSEO Liguria awards regional scholarships, and the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
For 2026/27 the non-EU pre-selection asked for a CGPA of at least 75%, with no remote interview and no extra documents. [2] Graduates abroad have their credits checked for equivalence with the Italian engineering subject areas, based on their transcript. [1]
Applications start on UniGeApply, whose 2026/27 session for visa applicants ran from 26 November 2025 to 20 March 2026, with one application covering up to two courses and outcomes due by 22 May 2026. After acceptance you apply on Universitaly, where you choose one university and one course, then pre-enrol at UniGe for the same course and apply for your study visa. [3] The 2027/28 dates have not been announced.
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 Genoa's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your UniGeApply pre-evaluation, Universitaly visa application and UniGe pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ALiSEO Liguria 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 STRATEGOS at Genoa?
A degree or equivalent foreign qualification with at least 36 credits in basic subjects such as maths, physics, chemistry, statistics and computing, at least 30 of them in maths, physics and chemistry, plus 45 credits in civil, industrial or information engineering subjects. The board checks your transcript. [1]
Is there an entrance test?
The regulations set a personal preparation test, as a public interview, written test or video interview, unless your final mark is at least 9/10 of the maximum or an ECTS A. For 2026/27, the UniGeApply selection listed no remote interview or test for visa applicants. [1][2]
What CGPA do I need?
For 2026/27, visa applicants needed a minimum CGPA of 75%. A final mark of at least 9/10 of your degree's maximum, or an ECTS A, also exempts you from the personal preparation test. UniGe publishes the thresholds each year. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2, including subject vocabulary. You can prove it with a certificate on UniGe's recognised list, the CLAT UniGe B2 test or a degree taught in English, and in 2026/27 a medium of instruction certificate was also accepted. No IELTS score is listed, so we check which proof your file can use. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, visa applicants applied on UniGeApply from 26 November 2025 to 20 March 2026, with outcomes by 22 May 2026, before the Universitaly application. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [3]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. You apply with a letter from your university giving your expected degree date and CGPA. For 2026/27, applicants still finishing their degree had to complete it by 15 August 2026. [2]
I have a BCA or a B.Sc. in Computer Science. Can I apply?
Possibly. Computing units can count in the basic block, but you also need 30 credits across maths, physics and chemistry and 45 credits in engineering sectors, which these degrees often lack. Computer engineering units can count toward the engineering block. We check your transcript against both rules. [1]
Does the degree include an internship?
Yes. The last six months are a 37 ECTS traineeship in a company, research lab, agency or institution, coordinated by a teacher and a company supervisor and graded out of 30. The degree also includes an 8 ECTS thesis written in English. [1][4]
Can someone handle my whole application to STRATEGOS at Genoa?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Genoa's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ALiSEO Liguria 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 STRATEGOS?
A recognised Indian B.Tech or B.E. in most engineering branches can meet the rule if your transcript shows 36 basic credits, at least 30 of them in maths, physics and chemistry, plus 45 credits in engineering subjects. You also need English at B2 and, in 2026/27, a CGPA of at least 75%. The steps are UniGeApply pre-evaluation, the Universitaly visa application and UniGe pre-enrolment. [1][2] 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 STRATEGOS are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: UniGeApply pre-evaluation, Universitaly application and UniGe 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 STRATEGOS are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: UniGeApply pre-evaluation, Universitaly application and UniGe 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 STRATEGOS 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: UniGeApply pre-evaluation, Universitaly application and UniGe 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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