Study programme
The study programme consists of four semesters full-time study (120 ECTS). Students select 30 ECTS of foundational courses (over the two years) and 60 ECTS of electives based on their interests, plus a substantial Master's thesis (30 ECTS).
To broaden the student's perspective, in addition to courses from the other master programmes of the Faculty, up to 6 ECTS of electives can be obtained by following any Master course offered at USI.
The students have the possibility to obtain a specialisation by writing the Master's thesis and taking at least 18 ECTS of courses in one of the following areas:
- Artificial Intelligence (from A.Y. 2021/22)
- Computer Systems
- Geometric and Visual Computing
- Information Systems
- Programming Languages
- Software Development (from A.Y. 2021/22)
- Theory and Algorithms
Please be aware that slight changes in the study programme may occur.
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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: 513Cambridge English
B2 First
TOEIC
Listening & Reading: 785
Speaking: 150
Writing: 160*Due to the current health emergency, USI temporarily accepts TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IETLS Indicator as alternatives to the standard tests.
TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/
IELTS: https://www.ieltsindicator.com/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 aboveTOEIC
Listening & Reading: 945
Speaking: 180
Writing: 180We 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.Exceptional Measure for the A.Y. 2020/21: when do I have to submit my English language certification?
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Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society / Economics / Informatics: by 30 December 2020.
If a student/student fails to obtain the required level of English by the deadline, enrolment in the 2021 winter session will be cancelled, the exams taken in the intermediate session will be invalidated and admission to the Master's degree will not be confirmed.
Candidates will also be required to reach level C1 by the deadline for obtaining the degree.
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Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society / Economics / Informatics: by 30 December 2020.
