If you enrolled before the 2025/2026 academic year, consult the list of Programmes and Regulations available on your School website.
The information provided about the programme refers to the academic year 2025/26 and may be subject to change in the academic year 2026/27.
MSc in Computer Science and Engineering
Computer engineers are the creators of the technologies that make modern life possible. At the Politecnico, this program trains professionals who are not only able to code, but also to tackle and solve complex problems with a solid engineering approach, working on both software and hardware. Studying Computer Engineering at Politecnico di Milano means choosing to play a leading role in the contemporary world, because computing is everywhere: in the power grid and in smartphones, in automobiles, in industrial control systems, in banks, websites, and online stores.
Compared to the Bachelor’s degree, the Master’s degree provides a more specialized and competitive professional profile, with advanced studies in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, human–computer interaction, cybersecurity, and advanced hardware architectures.
What distinguishes a computer engineer is a comprehensive vision of the digital ecosystem: they can contribute to the design of a system from the initial idea all the way to the final product, which may then be used by millions or even billions of people. The degree program offers a multidisciplinary education that enables students to engage with experts from other fields — from energy to construction, from mechanics to telecommunications — speaking their language and integrating diverse skills into innovative solutions.
Studying Computer Engineering opens up virtually unlimited opportunities: robotics, artificial intelligence, finance, industry, healthcare, mobility. There is no sector that does not need to be programmed, controlled, or optimized. And with just a computer, you already have your own personal laboratory, ready to experiment, create, and challenge yourself. At Politecnico di Milano, all this is combined with an environment of academic excellence in both teaching and research, with an international outlook, where you can turn your passion for technology into a solid, dynamic profession that is central to the future.
To be admitted to the Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, applicants must first meet the legal requirements, which include holding a first-level (Bachelor’s) degree. In addition, a minimum grade average is required, along with a certificate demonstrating a good command of the English language. Once these minimum requirements have been met, admission to the Master’s program depends on the type of Bachelor’s degree held.
For candidates coming from the Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Politecnico di Milano who meet the minimum requirements, there are generally no difficulties, as the program is designed to ensure continuity. Students from other Italian universities must also meet the minimum requirements; however, they are more likely to be assigned “obligations,” meaning specific courses that must be included in their study plan to fill gaps in subjects not covered during their undergraduate studies. These additional requirements count toward the total credits required for the Master’s degree.
Students from engineering programs other than Computer Engineering typically have a strong background in core engineering subjects but often lack sufficient preparation in computer science. For this reason, if admitted, they will be required to complete a number of additional courses related to computer science.
Conversely, students holding a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Scienze dell’Informazione) usually have a highly specialized background in computing but may lack engineering fundamentals. If admitted, they will therefore have “obligations” and possibly “academic deficiencies” (i.e., mandatory additional courses) aimed at filling these engineering gaps. On the other hand, some of the more general courses in the Master’s program may cover topics that these students have already encountered during their undergraduate studies.
For further details, please refer to Section 6 of the academic regulations.
Students holding a degree from a foreign university who have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering have a good chance of being admitted, although with some additional requirements. Admission is more complex for those who have completed a different program; in such cases, admission requires that the applicant has completed at least some fundamental courses in computer science, basic scientific subjects, and engineering. Even in this case, some obligations (mandatory courses) are typically assigned. For further details, please refer to Section 6 of the academic regulations.
The Master’s degree program in Computer Science and Engineering consists of 120 credits delivered over two years: 100 credits of coursework and 20 credits for the thesis. Politecnico di Milano offers three Pre-Approved Study Plans (PSPA). Two of these are vertically structured tracks: the “Business and Innovation” plan (T2D) and the “Artificial Intelligence” plan (T2I). The third offers a broad and flexible curriculum with many options and opportunities that students can tailor according to their preferences: the “Computer Science and Engineering” plan (T2A). Some courses are common to all three study plans.
The “Business and Innovation” study plan is structured as follows: the first year includes all the core computer science courses that complete the Bachelor’s degree background. The remaining forty credits in the second year are taken together with Management Engineering students and consist of courses typically focused on management topics. The thesis, however, remains a computer science thesis. This study plan is designed to train professionals who specialize in ICT management and in all aspects related to business management through information technology. Students have freedom of choice for approximately 40 credits, which can be selected from a well-defined portfolio of courses.
The “Artificial Intelligence” study plan is fully focused on the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning in all its forms. In this case as well, students can choose among several courses, including applications of artificial intelligence in specific domains such as autonomous robotics, video games, computer vision, data mining, and recommender systems.
The “Computer Science and Engineering” study plan is a very general and flexible program with minimal constraints. Because the field is constantly evolving, this structure allows students to select courses based on their personal interests and aptitudes. Out of the total 120 credits, subtracting the 20 credits for the thesis and 35 credits of mandatory courses, the remaining 65 credits can be freely chosen from a pool of approximately one hundred different courses. In this way, students can design their own customized study plan.
Within this plan, ten possible tracks are available:
- Ambient and data intelligence
- Big data and data science
- Bioinformatics and e-health
- Business informatics, analytics and intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Games, Entertainment, and Learning
- Internet engineering
- Pervasive systems
- Robotics and vision
- Software engineering for complex systems
After completing the Master’s degree, there are three possible paths: continuing one’s studies by pursuing a PhD or a second-level specialized master’s program, entering the job market, or starting a research collaboration.
In terms of career opportunities, there are four main sectors where computer engineers can find employment: software companies that develop and maintain software, industrial companies, consulting firms, and startups. This is a significant career choice, as working as a computer engineer in a consulting firm is very different from working as a computer engineer in a software development company.
Startups are small companies built around an innovative idea. They often require specific expertise, such as that provided by a Master’s degree or even a PhD. Some students, after completing their Master’s degree, go on to found their own startups. Politecnico di Milano supports entrepreneurial initiatives through its ecosystem by offering activities and services dedicated to startup development.
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