Italy is known globally for its numerous contributions to the arts, fashion, culinary, architecture, and design. Its rich history and culture, historical landmarks, famous restaurants, and beautiful tourist spots make it one of the most visited countries in the world. The nation is also the home of the world’s oldest and most renowned research universities.
However, with the rise of modern technology and digitalization and the availability of big data in several processes in most industries worldwide, the demands for experts and engineers in this field continue to grow. If you want to earn a data science degree overseas, Italy is an excellent place to study. We discuss some of the country’s best data science universities here, so make sure to read carefully.
Top Schools Offering Data Science in Italy
1. Sapienza University of Rome
The Sapienza University of Rome is known as one of the best data science universities in Italy and the world. Established in 1303, this school is also Europe’s largest institution and is considered one of the oldest in Rome. It seeks to play a significant role in the advancement of knowledge for the benefit of society through high-quality education and research and expanding its international reach.
Sapienza has over 1,000 partner universities in 86 countries in and outside Europe, where its faculty and students can study and participate in research projects and internships. It offers master’s and doctorate degrees in data science. Students are trained to design, analyze, and manage big data and identify its implications for different organizations, industries, and society as a whole.
Moreover, its students can apply their theoretical knowledge through activities and projects in collaboration with the universities’ industry partners and research laboratories. You can learn more about the programs by clicking on the link above.
2. University of Bologna
The University of Bologna is the oldest institution in the world, established in 1088, and one of the most popular universities for Italian and international students. The school has a vast global network to promote international cooperation and actively participate in the exchange of knowledge for its faculty and students.
Unibo is also part of an international alliance called “Una Europa,” composed of eight leading European universities in Italy, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the UK that conducts research, projects, and other initiatives to benefit the education community. Along with its partner institutions, it also conducts several training classes and online courses for data science and artificial intelligence and their impact on society.
The University of Bologna offers master’s and Ph.D. degrees in data science, where students learn about its applications. Professors at this school use different teaching methods and give students access to various tools and software. Students also participate in career workshops and internships to prepare for future careers.
3. Polytechnic University of Milan
The Polytechnic University of Milan, locally known as Politecnico di Milano, is among Italy’s best data science universities. It is also one of the top Italian schools with a global reputation for its excellence in architecture, design, and engineering. This school is also known for its contributions to research and collaborations with different sectors in the community to address societal and environmental issues such as poverty, gender inequality, sanitation, and sustainability.
Politecnico di Milano offers master’s and doctorate degrees in this field. The university’s EIT Digital Master School gives data science students the edge in international experience. It allows them to spend part of their academic year in another European institution. It also allows them to work closely with prestigious research and technology schools, top corporations, SMEs, and start-ups.
4. University of Milan
The University of Milan, founded in 1924, is a highly research-intensive school considered to be one of the country’s top universities, Its name consistently appears in multiple global rankings even though it is comparatively younger than several other institutions in Italy. It is also the only Italian university member of the League of European Research Universities, an organization dedicated to promoting the importance of research in innovation and progress in society.
In 2019, the institution, along with five other leading research universities in Paris, Prague, Copenhagen, Heidelberg, and Warsaw, formed the 4EU+ European University Alliance. One of the alliance’s four flagships is strengthening research and enhancing education in data science, big data, and computation sciences.
UNIMI offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in data science. These programs are designed to provide expertise in data management techniques and tools, mathematics, statistics, and information technology through a blend of lectures and several laboratory activities.
5. Polytechnic University of Turin
According to the 2024 QS World University Ranking, the Polytechnic University of Turin, also known as Politecnico di Torino, is among the top 260 universities worldwide. It is also known for its excellent engineering, technology, and architecture programs. The school aims to improve society by discovering and disseminating new knowledge acquired through research and continuously enhancing the quality of education provided to its students.
Politecnico di Torino strives to provide interdisciplinary learning in all of its programs. It also facilitates several activities that develop the skills needed in the industry and the student’s interpersonal and communication skills. The university’s Learning Center and Teaching Lab serve as venues for group projects, experimentation, and other interactive learning activities.
This Italian university offers a master’s degree in data science. All courses use the English medium to allow students to pursue their careers at the international level. Students here take introductory compulsory courses on the processes, models, and technologies involved in the extraction and interpretation of big data during the first year and then choose their area of specialization from the second year onwards.
Moreover, while the school doesn’t offer a direct Ph.D. program for data science, you can still pursue a doctoral degree related to the field, including a National Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and a Ph.D. in Computer and Control Engineering.
Data science has become more prominent because it significantly improves or develops new technologies through data in various sectors, including healthcare, transportation, education, and more. Hence, many companies provide more opportunities for students interested in pursuing this study area. The universities above are some suggestions where you can learn data science in Italy, so choose which suits you best.
We hope this article on Italy’s best data science schools was helpful. Also, make sure to check out the Available Data Science Programs for International Students in Europe to learn more about studying in Italy and Europe!
