EIT Digital Master School

Autonomous Systems

A two-year Master's programme delivered across two different European countries: the first year at an "Entry" university and the second year at an "Exit" university. In Year 1 you build strong technical foundations while gaining an introduction to entrepreneurship and management. In Year 2 you focus on a design-oriented project and a Master's thesis that bridges technology and innovation.

The programme develops your ability to design and implement autonomous solutions through laboratory work, team projects, and application-driven activities aligned with real professional scenarios.

Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Embedded Systems Internet of Things (IoT) Robotics Automation Networked Systems Systems Modelling

Programme structure

Year 1: technical foundations + entrepreneurship/management. Year 2: design project + Master's thesis.

Internship

In Year 2, the internship is typically integrated into the Master's thesis, in collaboration with companies or partner organisations.

Indicative deadline

15 April 2026, 23:59 (CEST)

Programme Structure & Curriculum

The MSc in Autonomous Systems lasts two academic years and is organised into four semesters (30 ECTS each). The curriculum combines lectures, laboratory work, and applied project-based learning. The fourth semester is fully dedicated to the Master's Thesis.

Note on objectivity: The outline below reflects the programme structure as approved at curriculum-design level. Operational details (dates, timetables, and exact titles/ECTS where applicable) are published in the official programme announcements and may be updated annually.
Semester 1 (30 ECTS) Robotics · Artificial Intelligence · Modelling
Semester 2 (30 ECTS) Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship · Estimation · Control
Semester 3 (30 ECTS) Maritime Informatics · Maritime Robotics · New Technologies in Additive Manufacturing
Semester 4 (30 ECTS) Master's Thesis

Programme-level Learning Outcomes

For detailed course syllabi and the most up-to-date information, please consult the programme's official sources.

Why this programme

Autonomous systems are at the heart of today's technological transformation — from vehicles and robotic applications to connected infrastructures and AI-enabled services. The programme emphasises integrated knowledge across software, electronics/automation, and communications, preparing you to design and implement systems that perceive their environment, make decisions, and operate safely.

A strong focus is placed on hands-on learning: laboratory courses, team projects, and — during the second year — an internship typically embedded in the Master's thesis. Studying in two countries also provides meaningful international experience and expands your professional network.

What you will gain

  • Practical experience in developing autonomous applications through projects and lab work.
  • Understanding of the innovation cycle — from technical solution to deployment and impact.
  • International mobility (two countries) and exposure to different academic environments.
  • A market-oriented internship integrated into the Master's thesis (where applicable).

Who it is for

The programme is intended for applicants who want to deepen their expertise in autonomy technologies, work on the design of intelligent systems, and acquire skills directly applicable to contemporary industrial and research challenges.

Indicative academic backgrounds:

Electrical Engineering Computer Science Computer Engineering Information Technology Industrial Engineering Informatics

Indicative prerequisites

  • Competence in programming, data structures, and algorithms.
  • Solid mathematical background (calculus, algebra, statistics).
  • Knowledge of engineering/system theory is a strong advantage.
  • Strong C++ proficiency, particularly for core courses.

In some cases, relevant professional experience may be considered, provided it is clearly documented in the motivation letter.

Universities

When applying, you select two universities — one for Year 1 (Entry) and one for Year 2 (Exit). The following list is indicative and may vary by academic year:

Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary)
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Hungary)
University of Trento (Italy)
University of Bologna (Italy)
Politecnico di Bari (Italy)
EURECOM (France)
Université Côte d'Azur (France)
KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)
Aalto University (Finland)
University of the Aegean (Greece)

Career prospects

The second year culminates in a Master's thesis, often integrating an internship. This experience connects you with real-world problems, helps translate knowledge into practical outcomes, and can support professional networking within the European market.

Amazon Capgemini Ericsson Huawei Italdesign S.P.A. Nokia Scania Sigma Connectivity ThoughtWorks Veoneer Sweden AB

Many graduates go on to work in large organisations, startups, or consulting roles, depending on their chosen specialisation and thesis topic.

Tuition & scholarships

The programme charges tuition fees and offers scholarships and fee waivers, subject to official criteria.

01

Excellence Scholarship

Full tuition waiver and a monthly allowance (subject to the cost of living in the study country).

02

Full Tuition Waiver

Full tuition fee waiver.

03

Partial Tuition Waiver

Partial tuition fee waiver (50%).

Eligibility and terms depend on the programme's official requirements.

Exact tuition fees and scholarship terms are published on the programme's official website and updated annually.

The application (including scholarship consideration) is submitted through the official application portal. Additional local funding opportunities may also be available through individual universities.

How to apply

For required documents, deadlines, and step-by-step instructions, follow the process in the programme's official application system.

Indicative deadline
15 April 2026, 23:59 CEST

For any definitive information (tuition fees, eligibility, deadlines), please verify through the official sources.

Contact

+30 22810 97134

For questions about the programme, admissions, or any other inquiry, feel free to reach out by phone or use the contact form.

Quality Assurance & Review

Programme quality is monitored annually through student course evaluations, learning-outcome assessment, and feedback from relevant stakeholders. Findings lead to documented improvement actions (syllabus, teaching methods, laboratory activities, and assessment), which are implemented in the following cycle.

Public information on this website follows the principles of completeness, clarity, and objectivity. For definitive items (tuition fees, deadlines, eligibility), information is verified against official sources.

Accessibility

This website has been designed in line with universal design principles and aims to comply with accessibility standards WCAG 2.1 (Level AA) and EN 301 549. It supports adequate text contrast, alternative descriptions for non-decorative visual elements, keyboard navigation, clear heading structure, and compatibility with assistive technologies.

For accessibility issues or support for students with disabilities, please contact the Programme Secretariat using the details in the Contact section.

Support for students with disabilities: Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request, such as accessible learning materials, alternative formats for submitting coursework/assessment where needed, and administrative support to facilitate participation in learning activities, in line with the University's applicable policies.

This programme has been developed and is implemented within the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union, Project no. 101123118.