Master in Software: Science and Technology at University of Florence
Two-year English-taught LM-18 master's at the University of Florence, run with IMT School Lucca, training software systems designers in cyber-physical systems, security, testing and dependable software through lab projects and bootcamps.
Master
2 years
Florence
English
University of Florence
Software: Science and Technology is a two-year, 120 ECTS computer science master's (class LM-18) taught in English at the University of Florence, organised jointly with the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca. Fees follow ISEE, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent foreign qualification with a final score of at least 75% of the maximum.
- At least 24 ECTS in computer science or computer engineering and 24 ECTS in mathematics, physics or statistics.
- English at B2 level or higher, shown by a certificate, residence in a country where English is the official language, or a bachelor's taught entirely in English.
- No entrance test: the teaching committee checks your exams and background and may interview you.
- At least two references, plus a declaration of value or CIMEA statement for your degree.
About the programme
Software: Science and Technology is a two-year master's degree in class LM-18 (computer science) at the University of Florence, worth 120 ECTS and delivered entirely in English. It is based at the Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications 'G. Parenti' (DiSIA) in the School of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, with the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science and of Information Engineering. The degree is organised jointly with the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, which provides laboratory facilities and specialist teachers. Access is open.
It trains experts to design, build, validate and maintain complex software systems with high standards of performance, security and reliability. It suits graduates in computer science, computer engineering or a related field with a good base in maths.
What you will study
There is a single curriculum. Mandatory units cover cyber-physical systems, project management, security and embedded systems, and you complete the plan with computer science and related electives plus 12 free-choice ECTS. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Architecture, Model and Analysis of Cyber Physical Systems (12 ECTS)
- Computer and Network Security (12 ECTS)
- Software Project Management and Embedded Systems (6 ECTS each)
- Electives such as Trustworthy Autonomous Systems, Software Dependability, Automated Software Testing and Penetration Testing
- Machine Learning for Software Analysis, Software Performance Engineering and Game Development
- Related units in numerical calculus, operations research and statistical methods for computer science
- A 3 ECTS bootcamp and a 27 ECTS thesis and final exam
How the programme is taught
Most courses include laboratory work and require you to build projects that apply theory to real case studies. Intensive bootcamp courses are organised with companies of different sizes, and several units are taught by IMT Lucca faculty. The thesis takes about six months under a supervisor from the degree committee, and the programme has links with technology companies, startups and research centres through internships, seminars and networking events.
Career paths
The programme trains the Software Systems Designer, a professional who can:
- design, implement, integrate, test and maintain software components and systems
- define quality policies for performance, correctness, reliability and resilience, and verify compliance
- analyse, verify, validate and certify critical software-intensive systems
- manage software projects from conception to delivery
- apply secure-by-design methods and configure modern computer networks
Graduates suit public and private IT companies and organisations that develop complex software. The degree also leads to second-level masters and PhD programmes.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition at UniFi depends on ISEE. For 2026/27, applicants resident abroad receive a figurative ISEE linked to the World Bank income group of their country, from €25,500 to €75,500. Students from developing countries pay only the €140 regional tax and €16 stamp duty, and DSU Toscana scholarship winners and eligible students pay stamp duty only, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
The teaching committee assesses your grade and credits from your bachelor's exams and may call you for an interview, which can also check your English. You apply through Apply Unifi (DreamApply) with a €20 non-refundable fee, two references and a declaration of value or CIMEA statement.
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad could apply from 10 December 2025 to 6 February 2026 or from 16 February to 17 April 2026. After admission you pre-enrol on Universitaly by 31 July and apply for a type D study visa.
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 Software: Science and Technology taught in English?
Yes. The master's is delivered entirely in English, and applicants need B2 English, residence in an English-speaking country, or a bachelor's taught entirely in English.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
Any bachelor's with a final score of at least 75% of the maximum and at least 24 ECTS in computer science or computer engineering plus 24 ECTS in maths, physics or statistics.
Is there an entrance test?
No. Access is open. The teaching committee checks your exams and background and may interview you to confirm your preparation and English.
What is the role of IMT Lucca?
The degree is organised jointly with the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, which provides laboratory facilities and teachers for several units and the bootcamp. You apply and enrol at the University of Florence.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 rounds are not published yet. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad could apply on Apply Unifi until 6 February or 17 April 2026, with a €20 fee.
How much are the fees?
Fees depend on ISEE. Students resident abroad get a figurative ISEE by their country's income group, and DSU Toscana scholarship winners and eligible students pay only the €16 stamp duty.
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