DigiSocDigiSocHere you’ll find clear answers to the most common questions about the program, including admission requirements, curriculum structure, tuition fees, scholarships, and career opportunities. Scroll through the categories below to quickly find the information you need to plan your studies and take the next step towards joining our international digital society program.
Understand the vision, academic profile, and unique European character of the DIGISOC Master Programme.
DIGISOC is a European Joint Master’s Programme in Digital Society, Social Innovation and Global Citizenship, jointly offered by the University of Naples Federico II, the University of Innsbruck, and Palacký University Olomouc.
The programme addresses key societal challenges related to digital transformation, social innovation, and global citizenship from an interdisciplinary and European perspective.
DIGISOC was developed in response to the growing need for professionals who can critically understand, responsibly shape, and socially embed digital transformation.
European societies face complex challenges at the intersection of technology, democracy, sustainability, and inclusion. DIGISOC equips students with the academic foundation and transversal competencies required to engage with these challenges across national, institutional, and disciplinary boundaries.
You would choose DIGISOC if you are interested in:
Understanding how digital technologies transform societies, not just how they function technically;
Working at the intersection of digitalisation, social innovation, and public responsibility;
Studying in a highly international, structured, and academically demanding environment;
Gaining international experience without constant relocation during the semester.
DIGISOC combines academic depth with practical relevance and international exposure in a carefully designed joint-degree format.
DIGISOC is unique because it:
Is a European Joint Master’s Programme, not a mobility track or double degree;
Integrates hybrid teaching formats with structured international mobility;
Focuses explicitly on transversal competencies such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and analytical judgement;
Brings together students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds under a shared academic framework.
Rather than training narrow specialists, DIGISOC educates graduates who can navigate complexity, ambiguity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
DIGISOC prepares graduates as socio-digital innovators: professionals who understand digital technologies and can apply them responsibly to address societal challenges.
Graduates develop the ability to:
critically analyse the societal impacts of digital technologies;
work across disciplinary and cultural boundaries;
design and evaluate socially responsible and sustainable solutions;
contribute to complex transformation processes in international contexts.
This profile is relevant for careers in public institutions, international organisations, NGOs, social enterprises, research projects, and organisations engaged in digital transformation and social innovation.
Learn who can apply, how selection works, and what is assessed during the admission process.
Applicants must hold a completed Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent academic qualification (minimum 180 ECTS credits).
The DIGISOC Master Programme is explicitly designed as an interdisciplinary programme and welcomes applications from graduates of a wide range of academic backgrounds, provided that the general admission requirements are met.
In addition, all applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at a minimum level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
DIGISOC is not limited to a single disciplinary background. Eligible applicants typically come from fields related to:
social sciences and humanities
communication, media, and cultural studies
education and pedagogy
economics, management, and social innovation
information, digital, or data-related disciplines
Applicants from other academic backgrounds may also be considered. The Admission Committee assesses eligibility.
English language proficiency at B2 level (CEFR) is a mandatory admission requirement.
The required level can be demonstrated through one of the following:
completion of a school-leaving certificate, Bachelor’s programme, or at least a two-year Master’s programme taught entirely in English;
a positive English grade in a school-leaving certificate issued within the EU/EEA/Switzerland or successful completion of the English course at advanced level III (B2) at the “Sprachenzentrum” (Language Centre), University of Innsbruck
a recognised language certificate (not older than two years), such as:
TOEFL iBT (minimum score: 72),
IELTS (minimum score: 5.5),
Cambridge B2 First (FCE),
Pearson PTE Academic (minimum score: 59).
Yes.
Admission to the DIGISOC Master Programme requires the successful completion of a centralised online admission test, which is mandatory for all applicants.
The admission test forms the core basis for the ranking of applicants and the allocation of the available study places.
The admission test does not assess subject-specific or technical knowledge.
Instead, it evaluates transversal academic competencies that are essential for success in an interdisciplinary and research-oriented Master’s programme.
In particular, the test assesses:
analytical and critical thinking skills
the ability to interpret complex texts and visual information
logical reasoning and evaluation of arguments
reflective engagement with societal and digital issues
The test ensures that applicants from diverse academic backgrounds share a common foundation of critical judgement, reflexivity, and intellectual openness.
The DIGISOC admission test is an individual, online test conducted under remote supervision.
Detailed technical and procedural information is provided in the official Call for Applications (ANNEX 2C).
Test format at a glance:
80 multiple-choice questions
4 answer options per question (one correct answer)
75 minutes
Online, remotely supervised
Individual test session
What is assessed:
The test evaluates critical thinking skills, including the ability to analyse written and visual information, interpret meaning, and draw logical conclusions.
It does not assess subject-specific expert knowledge.
Scoring and threshold:
+1 point for each correct answer
–0.25 points for each incorrect answer
0 points for unanswered questions
Minimum score to pass: 16 points
To prepare effectively, candidates are strongly encouraged to:
familiarise themselves with key debates on digital society, social innovation, and global citizenship;
practise reading and interpreting policy-oriented and analytical texts;
reflect on how digital technologies affect society, governance, inclusion, and sustainability.
Readings:
Applicants will be informed of the admission decision after the completion of the admission test and the evaluation process by the Admission Committee.
Exact timelines, including notification dates, are published annually in the official Call for Applications.
Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the official application platform.
The whole application process includes:
Detailed instructions, deadlines, and document requirements are provided in the Call for Applications, which is binding for the admission process.
Explore how the programme is structured across semesters, locations, and learning formats.
The DIGISOC Master Programme is delivered jointly by three European universities and combines on-site and online as hybrid teaching formats.
Teaching takes place in English and follows a coordinated curriculum shared across all partner institutions. A central pedagogical element is the Collaboratorium for Blended International Hybrid Learning, which enables students to collaborate across locations while remaining enrolled at their respective home university.
This structure allows students to benefit from the academic strengths of all partner universities without the need for constant relocation.
Mobility takes place in clearly defined and bundled phases, primarily through short-term on-site components (e.g. Summer Schools). Outside these periods, students study from their designated home university or participate in hybrid formats.
This design ensures a high degree of planning security and makes it easier to combine studies with personal, professional, or financial commitments.
Summer Schools are mandatory, short-term mobility components of the DIGISOC curriculum and serve as key moments of intensive international exchange.
Summer School I takes place at the beginning of the programme and includes a five-day on-site phase at one of the partner universities. It introduces core concepts of DIGISOC and supports cohort building.
Summer School II takes place in the second semester and focuses on a specific thematic area. Students choose one of several offered options, each including a five-day on-site phase.
Both Summer Schools are embedded in the curriculum and awarded ECTS credits.
The DIGISOC Master Programme is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) structured as follows:
Semester 1: Foundations of digital society, social innovation, and global citizenship; first Summer School
Semester 2: Advanced thematic modules and second Summer School
Semester 3: Specialisation through elective modules with a thematic focus
Semester 4: Master thesis and aplication-oriented phase (e.g. internship, service learning, or research-based work)
This structure combines theoretical grounding, specialisation, and practical application.
Courses are offered in hybrid formats, combining synchronous online sessions, asynchronous learning elements, and selected on-site components.
Students can attend many courses from their home university while interacting with peers and faculty across all partner institutions. Teaching teams often include lecturers from multiple universities, reinforcing the programme’s joint and European character.
DIGISOC offers structured flexibility.
In the third semester, students choose a thematic specialisation (e.g. education, culture, or communication) through elective modules. Depending on the module, these can be completed either:
in hybrid format from the home university, or
on-site at one of the partner universities.
This allows students to tailor their learning pathway while remaining within a clearly defined academic framework.
Get a clear overview of costs, tuition fees, and available funding opportunities.
For the DIGISOC Master Programme, a tuition fee of EUR 2,000 per academic year is charged.
The tuition fee is centrally collected by the University of Naples Federico II (Italy), which acts as the coordinating institution for administrative matters related to fees.
In addition to the tuition fee, students must expect mandatory administrative contributions, which may include:
a regional public tax (per year – currently EUR 167.50);
a stamp duty (per year – currently EUR 16.00);
the Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH) contribution (per semester – currently EUR 25.20; as of winter semester 26/27 EUR 26.20);
an environmental fee (if students reside on the Olomouc University campus for a period exceeding three months).
Yes. DIGISOC offers programme-specific scholarships for students with EU citizenship or citizenship from countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme (DEP).
These scholarships are intended to support mobility-related expenses linked to mandatory on-site activities within the programme. The aim is to promote accessibility, diversity, and inclusion, with particular attention to underrepresented groups.
The limitation of DIGISOC scholarships to EU (or equivalent) students is linked to the funding framework of the Digital Europe Programme, which restricts financial support to EU Member States and associated countries.
The programme itself is open to applicants worldwide, but scholarship eligibility follows the rules of the underlying EU funding scheme.
Scholarships are awarded through separate calls organised by the DIGISOC consortium.
Applicants must apply independently for scholarships after or alongside the admission process, depending on the respective call. Selection criteria, required documents, and deadlines are announced under Costs and Scholarships.
As international mobility is an integral and mandatory component of the DIGISOC curriculum (e.g. participation in Summer Schools), these mobility phases are structured to allow students to apply for Erasmus+ funding or comparable mobility support schemes.
Erasmus+ grants can help cover travel and accommodation costs incurred during international study phases. Funding availability and amounts depend on individual eligibility and national Erasmus+ regulations.
Specific information on visas, document requirements, and admission procedures.
If you are a Non-EU candidate residing abroad, you apply under a separate admission track with reserved study places.
Non-EU candidates residing abroad are applicants who:
are non-EU citizens,
reside outside the European Union, and
require a visa to enter EU Member States.
As a Non-EU applicant, you should be aware that eligibility requirements apply earlier in the process and that visa and pre-enrolment procedures must be planned carefully and early.
No.
Non-EU candidates residing abroad must have completed their Bachelor’s degree before registering for the admission test.
At the time of registration for the admission test, you must:
confirm that you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree, and
confirm English proficiency at B2 level.
Official documents are submitted after successfully passing the admission test, not at the test registration stage.
The DIGISOC Master Programme offers 90 study places in total, allocated as follows:
75 places for EU and EU-equivalent candidates
a maximum of 15 places for Non-EU candidates residing abroad
Non-EU candidates compete exclusively for the reserved Non-EU places.
You can begin visa procedures after receiving the letter of acceptance within the admission procedure.
Non-EU candidates are required to comply with all national pre-enrolment and visa procedures applicable in the degree-awarding countries.
Because visa timelines vary by country, candidates are strongly advised to inform themselves early and to start procedures immediately.
Information about visa from UPOL
Information about visa from UIBK
Information about visa from UNINA
After successfully passing the admission test, Non-EU candidates must submit all required academic documents for formal admission.
These documents must:
meet the legalisation or apostille requirements of the respective degree-awarding countries, and
be uploaded by 15 May 2026 at the latest.
While guidance will be provided, candidates are responsible for ensuring that all documents comply with legal requirements.
Enrolment is finalised only after:
successful completion of the admission test,
submission and verification of all required documents, and
completion of all national pre-enrolment and visa procedures.
Responsibility for completing these steps, including obtaining a visa, rests solely with the candidate.
At present, DIGISOC scholarships are not available for Non-EU students.
This limitation is not a programme decision, but results from the EU funding framework that supports the DIGISOC scholarship scheme. The scholarships are funded through the Digital Europe Programme, which restricts financial support to students from EU Member States and countries associated with the programme.
The DIGISOC Master Programme itself is open to applicants worldwide. However, eligibility for programme-funded scholarships must follow the rules of the underlying EU funding scheme.
Non-EU students are therefore encouraged to explore external funding opportunities, such as national scholarships, foundations, or international funding programmes.
Find answers about living, working, and organising everyday student life across countries.
DIGISOC students usually live at the place of their home university and travel only for short, clearly defined mobility phases (e.g. Summer Schools).
Each partner university offers student housing options (student residences, shared flats):
Information about dormitories from UPOL
Information about accommodation from UIBK
Information about accommodation from UNINA
Housing availability and costs vary by city, so students are encouraged to start looking early, especially for the first semester.
Living costs depend on lifestyle and location. As a rough orientation:
Innsbruck tends to have higher housing costs, especially in the private market.
Naples generally offers lower living costs, particularly for accommodation and food.
Olomouc is typically the most affordable of the three locations.
Students should budget for accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, and personal expenses. Short-term mobility phases may involve additional travel and accommodation costs, which can often be supported through mobility funding.
In principle, yes, but conditions vary by country and residence status.
EU students generally have broad access to student employment.
Non-EU students must comply with national employment regulations, which may limit working hours.
Because DIGISOC is academically demanding and includes international components, part-time work should be carefully balanced with study commitments.
The programme is designed to be structured and predictable, with mobility phases bundled into short periods rather than long relocations.
Hybrid teaching formats and advance scheduling help students plan their time.
However, DIGISOC is an intensive Master’s programme, and students should expect a significant workload, particularly during project phases, summer schools, and the final semester.