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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

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Master in

Software Engineering

In this programme, you will learn how to leverage next-generation technologies such as Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, and Analytics to create, connect, optimize and engineer innovative systems moving to the pragmatic application and commercialization on a rapid and large scale.

Course description

The physical world and the virtual world (cyberspace) are converging into new generations of systems like the Cyber-Physical Systems. Such systems monitor physical environments, communicate and cooperate with each other and with human beings in real-time, and make decentralized intelligent decisions. They are highly dependent on components whose functionality is controlled by software.

With the revolution of Industry 4.0, manufactural production also begins to depend on these systems more and more. At the same time, companies and organizations still need IT to automatize their business processes and release human beings form the burden of repetitive and tedious operations.

Business software provides such support but requires a great knowledge of the operational environment in which it runs as it is developed to meet the needs of a specific business. Thus, designing and building software for such systems is an art that also requires skills in context analysis and customization.

Overall, there is an increasing need for a new generation of systems and software technologies that ensures robust, safe, secure, uninterrupted, and real-time operations - particularly in situations where human life or business is exposed to risk if software fails.

In this Master, you will learn how to conceive, design, implement, customize, and maintain these systems by applying software engineering principles to the industry practice and develop and test your prototypes. Courses are designed to provide you with advanced software engineering knowledge and practice of software and systems development complemented by competences in lean management and entrepreneurship.

The internship program will drive you through a unique experience and can prepare you for your thesis work. The internship can be performed in companies or in collaboration with international research centers associated with the program. The learning experience you get with this Master will give you a solid base for your future as a software and systems-engineer

Go to the admission information

Online Info Session

We offer online information sessions in the coming months during which the master programme will be presented and where interested students can address their questions to professors and students. The Info Sessions take place on the following days:

  • Thursday, 19 December 2024, 14:00 (CET): register here
  • Thursday, 16 January 2024, 14:00 (CET): register here

Courses will definetely be starting

At a glance

Master class: LM-18
ECTS credits: 120
Duration of the course: 2 years
Courses will be taught in English
Places available: 30 + 30 non-EU
Campus: NOI Techpark Bozen-Bolzano
Tuition fees: ca. € 1200 per year 

Structure of the course

  • Foundations: these subjects provide the foundational knowledge of software engineering. They aim to homogenize the knowledge of students from different previous educational backgrounds and prepare them for studying advanced and specialization topics.
  • Advanced topics: these subjects aim to develop the skills of students which complement the foundations, and are useful in the training of the professional figure of software engineers.
  • Specialization topics: these subjects intend to provide students with knowledge specific to an application type or business domain, and prepare them for their thesis work.

People

Degree Course Director: Prof. Xiaofeng Wang (photo)
Student Representative in the Course Council: Marco Panizzo

Exchange programmes and internships

Currently we offer exchange programmes with partner universities all over the world and we are part of a large network of collaboration with employers in Italy and abroad where you can undertake an optional internship with a maximum of 300 hours.

Career Opportunities

Typical job profiles are Software Engineer: Analysis, design, implementation, customisation, overhaul, and maintenance of intelligent solutions with high reliability and performance , by fully exploiting inventions and software technologies for pragmatic application and rapid commercialisation, in real time and on a large scale. Such software systems include: ICT, business, industrial automotive, automation and control, scientific and data processing, the management of complex infrastructures, cyber-physical systems;

On the website of  AlmaLaurea you can check our outstanding statistical data about the satisfaction of our graduates, and their employability.

Go to the survey (in Italian)

Highlights

Studying at unibz

Living in South Tyrol, Housing, Scholarships, Single Subject Courses and more

Coming to unibz from Abroad

Everything you need to know as a degree-seeking applicant or as an incoming exchange student

Application and Admission

You can find all you need to know in order to apply and gain admission to this study programme by browsing through the information below.

Subject to accreditation of the Ministry.

Early Bird Application

Application: 03/03 - 06/05/2025 (by noon local time)
Language exams (online): 17/03/2025 (registration: 03 – 09/03/2025) and 16 -17 - 22 - 23/04/2025 (registration: 24/03 – 08/04/2025)
Publication of ranking lists: by 27/05/2025
Payment of the 1st instalment of the tuition fees: by 05/06/2025 (by noon local time)
Enrolment: from 11/07 - 14/10/2025 (by noon local time) 

Late Application (only for EU citizens)

Application: 28/05 - 09/07/2025 (by noon local time)
Language exams (online): 23 - 27/06/2025 (registration: 28/05 – 15/06/2025)
Publication of ranking lists: by 29/07/2025
Payment of the 1st instalment of the tuition fees: by 05/08/2025 (by noon local time)
Enrolment: from publication of the ranking list until 14/10/2025 (by noon local time) 

Additional Application Session (only for EU citizens)

The faculty can open additional application sessions for single study programmes in August and in September if there are available places. More information on additional sessions will be published in due course.  

Preparatory courses and Freshers Days

Freshers Days: 29 - 30/09/2025

1st semester

Classes: 29/09 - 23/12/2025
Holidays: 24/12/2025 - 06/01/2026
Classes: 07/01 - 24/01/2026
Exams: 26/01 - 21/02/2026

2nd semester

Classes: 02/03 - 02/04/2026
Holidays: 03 - 06/04/2026
Classes: 07/04 - 13/06/2026
Exams: 15/06 - 11/07/2026

Autumn session

Exams: 24/08 - 26/09/2026

The Advisory Service provides support regarding your choice of study. In many cases a simple call or a short request is enough to get the relevant information (Tel. +39 0471 012100).