The two-years graduate program in Data Science and Business Informatics has been designed, since 2002, to meet the growing demand for professionals with an interdisciplinary skill both in computer science and in business management and organisation. These skills are highly required by companies in todays’ increasingly competitive environment, as they aim to make best use of their available data using sophisticated analytics methods. The graduate program is focused on Business Intelligence and Data Science techniques to support decision making in industries and complex organisations. The interdisciplinary expertise provided by the Master’s Degree Programme is designed to bridge the cultural gap between IT and management. As highlighted by various studies and publications, there is a shortage of professionals trained who can integrate the various skills and approaches needed to overcome the traditional reluctance of management to involve IT specialists in decision-making processes.
Our graduates are highly sought after in the job market. Statistics show that not only are 100% of them employed within one year of graduation, but they are also assigned positions of responsibility.
The Programme is taught in English. A few elective courses are taught in Italian.
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold a first-cycle degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, or a degree that includes at least 40 ECTS credits in the following areas: Management, Economics, Informatics, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics. Applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in English, for example by holding a CEFR B2-level certificate or higher, or an equivalent recognized qualification.
Please note that there are quota limits on the number of non-EU applicants. Pre-applications will undergo a selection process. Detailed information on how to apply for the Master’s Programme is available on the Enrollment of Foreign Students webpage.
The Master’s Degree in Data Science and Business Informatics is an inter-class programme belonging to both LM-18 (Computer Science) and LM-DATA (Data Science).
This classification does not affect the study plan, as the programme integrates both skill sets in a unified and inseparable way, regardless of the degree class selected at enrollment. However, according to current regulations, students must indicate at the time of enrollment which of the two degree classes they intend to enrol in. This choice may be modified, but only until enrolment in the second year.
This choice becomes relevant for professional qualification purposes: only graduates in class LM-18 (Computer Science) are eligible, upon passing the relevant exam, to register with the Italian Professional Order of Computer Engineers.
However, choosing LM-DATA (rather than LM-18) allows graduates to take the national exam for teaching Mathematics or Physics in Italian high schools (depending on their Bachelor’s degree study program), as specified in Ministerial Decree No. 255 of 22 December 2023.
By default, unless explicitly specified by the student at the time of enrollment, the degree class is set to LM-18 (Computer Science). Students who intend to switch to LM-DATA within the first year, may do so by:
- filling the appropriate form, available at: https://www.unipi.it/didattica/segreterie/gestione-della-carriera/scelta-modifica-del-curriculum-o-della-classe-del-corso-di-studio/
- and sending it to the Students’ Office (Rosaria Mongini <rosaria.mongini@unipi.it>).
A double degree programme is available in collaboration with Université Paris Dauphine.
The programme is taught entirely in English, while allowing students who wish to do so to take certain courses offered in Italian and shared with other degree programmes.
Master’s students may continue their studies in various PhD programmes, including those focused on Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence.
Piani di studio
Informazioni sui piani di studio si possono trovare nella sezione Piani di studio.