Admission

The formal requirement for admission is a Bachelor's degree granted by a recognised university in Computer Sciences or related disciplines.

Candidates with a Bachelor's degree of a recognised University of Applied Sciences may be admitted with 30-60 additional ECTS to be earned during or before the beginning of the programme, with Bachelor courses according to a study program defined by the scientific director. Admissions will be treated on a case by case basis. Students with other degrees may be admitted on a case by case basis as well.

Please check the language requirements below.

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Language

The admission to English-language Master programmes at USI requires a good command of English. Non-native English speakers applying to the Master’s or whose previous degree was obtained in another language, are required to provide an internationally acknowledged language certificate equal to the B2 level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR) or equivalent (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

The B2 level on the CEFR corresponds to the following scores in internationally acknowledged exams:

IELTS*	5.5
TOEFL*	Computer-based: 183 Internet-based*: 65 Paper-based: 513
Cambridge English	B2 First
TOEIC	Listening & Reading: 785 Speaking: 150 Writing: 160

Students admitted under the above-mentioned condition must achieve a C1 competence in English within the maximum time required to obtain the Master's degree.
The level can be certified either by attending a language course offered at USI during the Fall and Spring semester, and by taking the final exam, or by providing an internationally acknowledged language certificate*.

* The C1 level on the CEFR corresponds to the following scores in internationally acknowledged exams:

IELTS	7.0
TOEFL	Internet-based: 100
Cambridge English	C1 Advanced, grade C or above BEC (Business English), grade C or above
TOEIC	Listening & Reading: 945 Speaking: 180 Writing: 180

We only accept the English qualifications mentioned above. The certificate must still be valid at the point of the application. In general, we are not able to accept language test results older than 3 years, as of September 1st.

Italian

As Lugano is located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, students might be interested in acquiring the basics in Italian.
The Università della Svizzera italiana offers a free of charge Italian language course: further information can be found here.

Academic Year 2021/22

When do I have to submit my English language certification?

Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society / Economics / Informatics
The language certification should be included in the application package. Exceptions will be made for those who can prove cancellation of international certificates exam sessions.