Master in Exploration and Applied Geophysics at University of Pisa
Two-year English-taught LM-79 geophysics master's at the University of Pisa with Exploration, Applied, and Earthquake and Volcano Physics curricula, a 40 ECTS thesis and a double degree option with Montanuniversität Leoben. Entry needs set subject credits and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Pisa
English
University of Pisa
Exploration and Applied Geophysics is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-79) taught in English at the University of Pisa. Entry needs a bachelor's with at least 20 credits in maths, physics, chemistry or informatics and 60 in engineering, physics or geology, plus English at B2 and an online interview. DSU Toscana winners are exempt from tuition, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Pisa's Exploration and Applied Geophysics master asks for a bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least 20 credits in maths, physics, chemistry or informatics and 60 more in engineering, physics or geology, plus English at B2. An evaluation committee reviews your CV and qualifications and interviews you online. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
The 20 plus 60 credit rule
You need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent or higher foreign qualification, with at least: [1][2]
- 20 ECTS in maths, physics, chemistry or informatics (sectors MAT, FIS, CHIM, INF/01 and ING-INF/05). No more than 6 of these can come from computer science or computer engineering.
- 60 more ECTS in engineering, physics or geology (sectors ING-INF/01 to 04 and 07, FIS/01 to 07, GEO/02 to 05, 07, 10 and 11, ICAR/01 to 03 and 06 to 09, and ING-IND/06 and 11).
The call says three-year degrees (or higher) in geological sciences, environmental sciences, physics, civil and environmental engineering, telecommunications engineering, electronic engineering, petroleum engineering and computer sciences generally meet these requirements. [1] If the requirements are not fully met, the degree programme sets the training activities you need to fill the gap. [2]
What this means for your transcript
Italian credit sectors and foreign transcripts do not map one to one, and the committee checks the subjects you passed, not just your degree title. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Geology, Physics or Environmental Science, or a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil, Electronics, Telecommunications or Petroleum Engineering, the fields the call says generally meet the rule.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in Computer Science or IT, a BCA or a B.Sc. in Computer Science. The call lists computer sciences among fields that generally fit, but only 6 computing credits count towards the 20, so you also need maths, physics or chemistry. A B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering or a B.Sc. in Mathematics also needs checking against the 60-credit block.
- Often short: a B.Com, BBA or BA, which rarely includes these subjects.
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher is mandatory. [1] The programme page says your English is checked at the admission interview, and the call does not list specific certificates or scores. [1][2]
Interview and assessment
There is no written entrance exam. An evaluation committee appointed by the degree programme board checks that you meet the credit rule and that your preparation is adequate, especially your basic maths and physics. It examines your CV and qualifications and then interviews you online by videoconference. [1][4]
Before the interview you may be asked to take an online pre-evaluation test on the same topics, which include basic mathematics, physics and geology. The outcome is admission, non-admission or conditional admission with a set training programme. [2]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, applications opened on 28 November 2025 at noon. The call itself sets no closing date, but strongly advises non-EU students to apply as soon as possible so they have time to prepare all the required documents. [1]
The application portal listed 20 September 2026 as the deadline for non-EU students and 31 December 2026 for EU students, and notes that programme coordinators can change these dates. [3] The 2027/28 dates are set by the next call.
Application and visa steps
EU and non-EU applicants apply on the University of Pisa's portal for English-taught degree programmes. Each applicant can submit up to two applications on the portal before they reach the committee. [1]
After a successful interview you receive an admission letter and a guidance letter. For non-EU citizens who need a visa, the mandatory next step is pre-enrolment on Universitaly, followed by the type D study visa and final enrolment. [4]
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 Pisa, Department of Earth Sciences. Call for the enrolment of non-EU and EU citizens, Master of Science in Exploration and Applied Geophysics, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pisa, Exploration and Applied Geophysics (class LM-79) programme page: admission requirements and procedures, curricula and 2026/27 study plan. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pisa, application portal for English-taught degree programmes. List of courses with call opening dates and EU and non-EU deadlines, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pisa, Department of Earth Sciences. Exploration and Applied Geophysics web pages: admission requirements and test, application and enrollment, study plan and double degree, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Pisa. Tuition fees for degree courses, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Exploration and Applied Geophysics is a two-year master of science (laurea magistrale, class LM-79, Geophysics) worth 120 ECTS, taught in English by the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Pisa. It trains geophysicists who can solve geophysical, geological and engineering problems in a wide range of settings.
Graduates learn the main geophysical methods, from seismic and gravity to magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic techniques, set up laboratory experiments and work with recent acquisition technology such as fibre optics for seismology. Strong computational training lets them model natural processes, analyse large datasets and apply AI techniques. The course is open to graduates in geosciences, physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science and environmental sciences.
What you will study
There are three curricula: Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, and Earthquake and Volcano Physics. The first year builds shared foundations and the second is largely devoted to research. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Exploration seismology and Applied geophysics
- Laboratory of seismic acquisition and processing
- Computational geophysics and Signal processing for physics
- Rock physics
- Curriculum units such as Seismic imaging, Advanced well logging, Physics of volcanic processes, Fluid dynamics and Laboratory of instrumental seismology
- A 40 ECTS thesis, with training and seminars
How the programme is taught
The University of Pisa and Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria run the International Master of Applied and Exploration Geophysics double degree. Selected students, chosen on academic performance, spend at least one semester in Leoben and earn at least 24 ECTS there, graduating with a diploma from both universities. The department also lists international mobility options and available thesis topics.
Career paths
The University of Pisa points graduates to:
- Geophysical service and consulting companies
- Environmental monitoring agencies
- Resource exploration companies
- Engineering and design firms
- Public and private research institutions
Fees and scholarships
The department notes that the course takes part in the Invest Your Talent in Italy programme and that MAECI scholarships are open to international students. [1] For 2026/27, students with income abroad were automatically given a flat rate by their country's income group, or could ask for a fee based on an ISEEU parificato. [5] The DSU Toscana grant includes exemption from tuition fees, so the course can be tuition-free for eligible students. [1]
How to apply from outside the EU
EU and non-EU applicants apply on the University of Pisa's portal for English-taught degrees. For 2026/27 applications opened on 28 November 2025. The call set no closing date and urged non-EU students to apply as early as possible to leave time for documents, while the portal listed 20 September 2026 as the non-EU deadline. [1][3] A committee reviews your CV and qualifications and then interviews you online by videoconference, sometimes after an online pre-evaluation test. [1][2]
Admitted non-EU students receive an admission letter and a guidance letter, then pre-enrol on Universitaly and apply for a type D study visa. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [4]
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 Pisa's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your application on Pisa's English-taught degree portal and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your DSU Toscana 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 Pisa's Exploration and Applied Geophysics master?
A bachelor's or equivalent with at least 20 ECTS in maths, physics, chemistry or informatics, and 60 more in engineering, physics or geology. The call says degrees in geology, environmental sciences, physics, civil, telecommunications, electronic or petroleum engineering and computer sciences generally meet this. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written exam. The committee reviews your CV and qualifications, then interviews you online by videoconference on basic maths, physics and geology, sometimes after an online pre-evaluation test. The result is admission, non-admission or conditional admission. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2 or higher is mandatory. The call does not name specific certificates or scores, and the programme page says your English is checked at the interview. We check which proof of B2 your file should include. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, applications opened on 28 November 2025. The call set no closing date and urged non-EU students to apply early, while the application portal listed 20 September 2026 for non-EU applicants. The 2027/28 dates are not yet published. [1][3]
I have a B.Tech in Computer Science or a BCA. Can I apply?
Possibly. The call lists computer sciences among degrees that generally fit, but only 6 computing credits count towards the 20-credit maths and science block, and the 60-credit block needs engineering, physics or geology. We check your transcript subject by subject. [1][2]
Can I earn a double degree?
Yes. Students enrolled in Pisa can apply to the International Master of Applied and Exploration Geophysics with Montanuniversität Leoben. Those selected on academic performance spend at least one semester in Austria, earn at least 24 ECTS there and receive a diploma from both universities. [4]
Are scholarships available?
Eligible students can apply for a DSU Toscana scholarship, which includes accommodation, meals and exemption from tuition fees. The course also takes part in Invest Your Talent in Italy, and MAECI scholarships are open to international students. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Exploration and Applied Geophysics at Pisa?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Pisa's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the DSU Toscana 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 Exploration and Applied Geophysics?
An Indian bachelor's such as a B.Sc. in Geology or Physics, or a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil, Electronics or Petroleum Engineering, often covers the 20 credits in maths and sciences and the 60 in engineering, physics or geology. You also need English at B2 and an online interview. The steps are the portal application, the admission letter and Universitaly 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 Exploration and Applied Geophysics are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: portal application, online interview, admission letter 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 Exploration and Applied Geophysics are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: portal application, online interview, admission letter 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 Exploration and Applied Geophysics 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: portal application, online interview, admission letter 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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