Application
Applications to open-admission Master's degree programmes for the academic year 2024/2025 are open from 22 January 2024. The application deadline for non-EU students VISA applicants is 30 April 2024. The application deadline for EU students is 30 June 2024.
The application must be submitted online, through the “Admission application” button (on the bottom of this page). Before that, you have to login into the system, by following the instructions provided at this page.
- Submit required documents:
- Standard documentation: (i) degree certificate - if already graduated - and (ii) transcripts attesting exams taken, grades and credits (ECTS/CFU);
- Passport/ID card;
- A short CV;
- English language certification (if any; please check the list of accepted certificates here);
- Pay the application fee. The payment form is available at the end of the application procedure. Online electronic payments from major circuits are accepted.
Please note: incomplete or multiple submissions will not be considered.
- Applicants will be asked to take an online background knowledge test to verify personal competencies and skills. To learn more about the test, please check the "Background knowledge test" section here below. Candidates who do not sit or reach the minimum level required by the Admission Board in the admission test will not be further evaluated and cannot sit further tests;
- The Admission Board will verify the entry requirements in terms of credits (CFU/ECTS) for candidates who successfully pass the test (these credits must be possessed by the date of effective submission of the application for admission);
- Once the entry requirements verified, the Admission Board will decide whether to admit or reject or ask the candidate for an interview (via Skype or other electronic means). In the meanwhile, applicants must take and pass an English test with SLAM, unless they already provided a valid English certificate;
- The candidate will receive the letter of admission/rejection, through the students’ application portal, to the e-mail address provided in your online application submission; at this step of the procedure, the International Students' Office will also verify the compliance of provided documents from international applicants;
- In case of admission, the applicant will be able to proceed with enrolment and pay the annual fees. As soon as the procedure opens, we kindly suggest proceeding with the enrollment.
All applicants who regularly apply for DSE and paid the application fee will be invited via e-mail to take an online background knowledge test about the following areas: Economics and Statistics; Mathematics and Computer Science (please see the "Suggested Bibliography" section here below).
40 multiple choice questions (10 Economics + 10 Statistics; 10 Mathematics + 10 Computer Science). Time available: 60 minutes.
Threshold for passing the test: 40% (min. 16 correct answers: min. 8 correct answers in Eco-Stats and min. 8 correct answers in Maths-CS).
The background knowledge test can be taken once only. Instructions on how and when to take the test are usually sent about one week prior to the test date. Please check your e-mail spam folder as well.
Tests are scheduled as follows:
5 April 2024 - for those who applied by 26 March
13 May 2024 - for those who applied by 30 April
12 June 2024 - for those who applied by 31 May
12 July 2024 - for those who applied by 30 June
Here is a suggested bibliography to prepare yourself for the online background knowledge test. This is not intended to be mandatory, as each applicant may feel free to choose different materials.
Some applicants may also be requested an interview (via Skype or Teams). The interview aims at ascertaining the applicants’ personal knowledge, competences, and skills in the core areas of the DSE programme.
For an idea of the appropriate level of knowledge, competences, and skills, candidates may consider the topics listed in the PDF file.
In order to review the required skills and competences, candidates can consider the following books, or other on-line resources.
Mathematics
Knut Sydsæter, Peter Hammond, Arne Strøm, Andrés Carvajal - Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis - Pearson (5th edition) 2016, Chap: 1-9 (Calculus I), 15-16 (Vector and Matrices).
Economics
Varian H. (2009) Intermediate Microeconomics. A Modern Approach, 8th edition, Norton, New York, N.Y. Chapters: 1-6; 10; 12; 14-16; 18-28.
Blanchard O. (2010) Macroeconomics, 5th edition, Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., 2010.
Statistics and Econometrics
Trosset M.W. (2009) An introduction to statistical inference and its applications with R, CRC Press. Chapters: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14.
One of the following two options:
- Stock J., Watson M. (2010) Introduction to Econometrics, Part I-III, 3rd Edition, Addison-Wesley, Pearson
- R. Carter Hill, William E. Griffiths, Guay C. Lim., Principles of econometrics, 4th ed., Wiley, 2011
Computer Science
J. Farrell. Programming Logic and Design, Comprehensive (8th ed.). Delmar Learning, 2014. Chapters: 1-6.
T.H. Cormen, C.E. Leiserson, R.L. Rivest. Introduction to Algorithms. 3rd Edition, MIT Press, 2009. Parts I-III and VI.
P. Atzeni, S. Ceri, S. Paraboschi, R. Torlone. Database Systems – Concepts, Languages and Architectures. Mc-Graw Hill, available on-line at http://dbbook.dia.uniroma3.it/. Chapters: 1, 2, 4 (only 4.1 and 4.2).
One of the following two options:
- D.E. Comer. Internetworking with TCP/IP. Volume One, 6th edition. Pearson College Div, 2013. Chapters: 1 (1.1-1.5), 3, 4 (4.1-4.3, 4.7), 5 (IPv4 only), 10 (10.1-10.4), 11 (11.1-11.4), 20, 22, 23 (only the role of DHCP and DNS), 25
-
- Network Fundamentals http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_NetworkingFundamentals.htm
- The Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_TheOpenSystemInterconnectionOSIReferenceModel.htm
- TCP/IP Protocol Suite and Architecture http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_TCPIPInternetArchitectureandProtocolSuite.htm
- IP addressing http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_IPAddressing.htm
- UDP e TCP (introductory part) http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_TCPIPTransportLayerProtocolsTransmissionControlPro.htm
- HTTP http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_TCPIPHypertextTransferProtocolHTTP.htm
Prospective students and applicants are invited to read the FAQ document prepared by the DSE Faculty with the cooperation of DSE students.
Candidates for admission to the master's degree course may come from various bachelor's, but must have earned at least 30 ECTS in computer science and mathematics (scientific disciplinary sectors: from MAT-01 to MAT-09, INF-01, ING-INF/05) and/or in the area of economic sciences and statistics (scientific disciplinary sectors: SECS-S/01, SECS-S/02, SECS-S/03, SECS-S/06, SECS-P/05, SECS-P/01, SECS-P/02, SECS-P/03, SECS-P/07, SECS-P/08, SECS-P/10).
Curricular requirements must be met by the date of effective submission of the application for admission.
2. Proficiency in English
Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B2-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate of B2 or higher level issued no more than three years before the date of admission application. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322. The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels based on language certificates submitted by the applicant during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Placement test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the placement test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the placement test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
3. Personal competencies and skills: assessment criteria
Minimum curricular requirements cannot be considered as a verification of personal competencies and skills, which is mandatory. Admission is conditional and it depends on the assessment of the personal competencies and skills of the student provided by the Admission Board, whose members are appointed by the Faculty Board-Collegio Didattico.
Assessment of personal competencies and skills will be ascertained through a written online admission test, held in English language. A more detailed description of the test content and how the test will be structured and organised will be made available on the degree course website close to the opening of admissions. Candidates who do not sit or reach the minimum level required from the Admission Board in the admission test will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and cannot sit further tests.
For candidates who both meet the curricular requirements and reach the minimum level in the admission test, assessment of personal competencies and skills is based on the academic curriculum (quality of the previous degree as well as the average grade obtained in the bachelor program; grades obtained in mathematics, statistics, computer science and economics courses are part of the evaluation) and choice coherence (coherence between the academic curriculum and/or the activities previously carried out by the student and the learning objectives of the MSc in Data Science for Economics).
The Admission Board also reserves the possibility to request the applicant an oral interview (i.e., via Teams, Skype, Zoom or other platforms). The oral interview aims to verify the individual knowledge and skills required by DSE. A complete, detailed list of topics that can be asked during the interview is published on the DSE website. Students with a foreign qualification are also required to ascertain the basic requirements equivalent to the minimum requirements for students with an Italian qualification.
The DSE program also reserves the right to evaluate the possible definition of a planned maximum number of students, determined each year by the competent academic bodies, on the basis of structural, instrumental, and personnel resources available for the functioning of the degree course.
To obtain the degree, those who do not hold an Italian high school diploma or bachelor's degree must demonstrate proficiency in Italian at the A2 or higher level per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level must be demonstrated prior to completing the course programme in one of the following ways:
by submitting a certificate of A2 or higher level issued no more than three years prior to the date of submission. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349/). The language certificate must be submitted to the University Language Centre (SLAM) via the Language Test category of the InformaStudenti service: https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML;
via an entry-level test administrated by SLAM that can be taken only once and is compulsory for all students who do not have a valid language certificate. Those who fail to reach A2 level will have to attend one or more than one 60-hour Italian course(s) geared to their level.
Those who do not take the entry-level test or fail to pass the end-of-course test after six attempts will have to obtain language certification privately in order to earn the 3 credits of Additional language skills: Italian.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 30/06/2024
Application for matriculation: from 08/04/2024 to 15/01/2025
Attachments and documents
Please note
Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated and it will in no case be possible to request the refund of the admission fee.
For students enrolled on bachelor’s, master’s and single cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments of different amounts and with different payment deadlines:
- the first, corresponding to the minimum amount, is the same for all students
- the second - technically referred to as an ‘all-inclusive fee’- that is variable.
The University provides:
- A no tax area for students on track with exams and not on track with exams for one year with ISEE certification until 30.000 €.
- Fees exemption on account of merit, income or disability, or if they meet other specific requirements;
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements;
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad;
The University also provides:
- Part-time study
- Financial aid, refectory service, accommodation,
- Awards and scholarships
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
- Registrar office - contacts
- Online information desk InformaStudenti
- International students: welcome desk
- Students with disabilities
- Students with SLD
Programme tutoring and contacts
Students who decide to study in Italy often find themselves thrown into a system and a culture which are very different from those of their own countries; they must also deal with unfamiliar and, at times, complex bureaucratic procedures.
At our University they can now count on the Welcome Desk, a service designed for students, doctoral students and interns who have come to Milan for the first time, but also to those who already live in the city and need to verify the validity of academic qualifications obtained abroad in order to enrol on one of our courses.
The Welcome Desk aims at being the international students’ point of reference for all the initial necessities of your new adventure in Milan and at Unimi.
Welcome Desk
via S. Sofia, 9/1 – 20122 Milan
The office only receives by appointment. Book through the Informastudenti service by selecting the "INTERNATIONAL" category once logged in. Applicants who have not enrolled yet should register here as external users first.