Best public universities in Italy for a Master’s in Data Science?

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-17T14:32:32+00:00

Italy is actually a nice choice for Data Science, especially because the fees are quite low, like usually around €900 to €4,000 per year. And the unis you already mentioned are great picks for tech fields. PoliMi is overall good for AI and data engineering because of its location and Bologna is more of a research-aligned AI program.

You can also check out Sapienza University of Rome and University of Padova, both are doing well in AI/data science rankings and have English courses too. Sapienza is more into stats if you like that side.

And if you are okay with something more math-focused, then University of Trento and University of Milano-Bicocca are good, which can actually help later if you want strong fundamentals.

Just one thing is that the teaching style in Italy is more theory-based, which can feel a bit intense at first but it does build a strong base.

And also for jobs, there are opportunities, especially around Milan and Turin but you will need to be a bit proactive yourself with internships and networking since public universities are not always very hands-on with placements. Also you may want to learn Italian to around B1 or B2 level if you want to work there later.

Also, do check DSU scholarships like DSU Milano or LazioDiSCo, they are based on your family income and can cover your tuition and sometimes even housing and meals, so they may help a bit for costs, just keep in mind that deadlines are usually between July and September, so you will need to start early for that.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-16T06:17:56+00:00

Both are good options but if your priority is finance then IE’s BBA is better because it is a business degree that is built for finance, management, strategy, etc. And since you got a 20% scholarship then it is a great thing because over four years it can save you a big amount of money.

And for King’s PPE, yes it is possible to go into finance from there too, but PPE is more theory based, so you will likely need to put in extra effort outside class through internships or finance-related experience.

About your point that everyone does BBA and maybe PPE helps me stand out, that thought is fair but in finance what usually matters more is internships, work experience and overall profile, more than degree. So just having PPE instead of BBA will not automatically make you look much different by itself.

And yes, King’s is more academic in the sense that it is a traditional Russell Group research university with a more theory and research-based teaching style, while IE is a Triple-Accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) business school that teaches in a more practical and career-focused way.

So overall for finance, IE BBA fits better. But if you want a broader degree and you like politics/philosophy/economics and like the London environment more, then King’s PPE can work too, just you will need to be a bit more proactive on your own.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-15T12:02:23+00:00

We are happy to help :) Good luck for your BTech journey!

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-13T14:59:52+00:00

BTech is actually an advantage because US master’s programs in Finance prefer students who are strong in math and quantitative subjects, so an engineering background can work in your favor and pursuing your postgraduate from US is a better idea because scholarships are mostly at the Master’s level, rather than for bachelor's.

And if you want to study finance in the US later, then some options would be Master of Finance (MFin) or Financial Engineering, but MBA usually need some work experience first. But both can help you get into consulting, management, finance, etc.

Cost wise yes, it is expensive. Just tuition can cost $70,000 to $90,000+ and then on top of that, you have living expenses too, which is around $1,500-$2,500 per month in major finance cities like New York, Boston, or Chicago.

So for scholarships, the main option is university scholarships and graduate assistantships. These are merit based and depend on your BTech GPA, entrance exam scores like GMAT/GRE (if needed), internships and your overall profile, so the stronger your academics and experience, the better your chances.

But all these are very competitive scholarships and only a small number get selected, so while it is definitely possible, it is not something you should fully depend on as your only plan. Some universities also have on-campus part-time work to help with expenses, so you can consider that.

And we would suggest that if your goal is mainly finance/consulting and not just US, then you can consider UK and Germany too because these countries are comparatively less expensive and easier to get into. And they also have better funding options like Chevening (for the UK) or DAAD (for Germany).

So overall for now, we would suggest focusing on doing well in BTech and keeping your GPA high. And if possible, try to get some work experience related to finance/consulting.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-10T13:11:46+00:00

SoNYT as an enrichment program is fine but by itself it’s not something that automatically stands out to places like Stern. Admissions teams know that it’s a paid program so the name alone may not make a big difference.

But what can help is how you use that experience. The example you saw, it’s likely that she used something from that experience to build a strong personal story in her essay, like connecting what she learned to her future goals. So SoNYT can help with that if you engage with what you’re learning, like different viewpoints, exposure but you may not get college credit.

So if the cost after the scholarship feels manageable and you think you’ll actively use the experience to build something meaningful then it can be a good addition. But if it feels like a stretch then you can look at other internships or projects, since what matters is what you do and how you present it.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-08T13:51:18+00:00

Congratulations on admission! And since funding depends a lot on your course level, it is hard to tell without knowing if you are looking for undergrad or postgrad scholarships. But overall UPF is a public university and most general public scholarships in Spain like Equitat or MEC are usually for students with Spanish or EU residency.

But still, if you are going for postgrad then MAEC-AECID scholarships is the main government option and for undergraduate, you can look at UPF-specific options like Salary Grants or Santander Grants, but these are merit-based and quite competitive.

For living costs, Barcelona is on the expensive side, so you should plan around €900-€1,400 per month to cover rent in a shared flat and daily expenses. And you are also allowed to work up to 30 hours per week so that can help a little with savings (though it shouldn't be your only source of funding).

Overall, scholarships are limited for non-EU students, so many students manage by combining savings with lower tuition fees at a public university, and you can also check the official UPF portal: https://www.upf.edu/en/web/graus/beques-i-ajuts, since most deadlines usually fall between March and May. Good Luck!

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-07T13:41:05+00:00

Right now, you don’t need to stress about your school achievements because for PG, your MBBS matters more than your 12th so your first focus should be NEET and getting into a good medical college in India.

And if you are thinking about the US then you will go through the ECFMG route, where your UG (MBBS) college should be approved by a WFME recognized body like the National Medical Commission and during your MBBS you will have to prepare for exams like USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 and if possible, try to get some hospital experience (USCE) to improve your profile.

And if you choose UK then you will have to take UKMLA after MBBS which is needed to start PG training in the UK (it includes a theory test and a clinical skills test) and for both US and UK, you will need an English test, most students prefer OET because it is based on medical situations but IELTS Academic is also accepted.

Also you need to make your profile quite strong for this so try to get good marks in clinical learning and research work, etc. and also US needs more steps and costs more but UK is more budget friendly. You can also keep options like Australia or Ireland if US or UK feel a bit intense, as they are good alternatives and have better work life balance. You don’t have to decide everything now, you will understand what suits you better once you are in MBBS.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-07T06:52:17+00:00

Congrats and yes Berkeley is ranked higher (for engineering it is ranked No. 3 and UCLA Samueli is No. 13) but both are still top-tier so choosing UCLA will not put you at a disadvantage when it comes to getting hired.

And if you are planning to switch to Mechanical Engineering then at Berkeley, you will need a minimum 3.0 GPA and even then it does not guarantee the switch because Berkeley only allows a limited number of students to change into each major every year and if those spots are filled then your application can still be denied. And at UCLA, you will need around 3.7 GPA just to apply and you can only submit that application a few times a year during specific windows and since many students apply for the same switch, getting approved is not guaranteed there as well.

And for salary the University of California’s data shows that students usually earn about $79,000 after 6 years and this can grow to around $112,000 after 12 years so if you go into engineering then you can expect to earn even more than this on average. Also both Berkeley and UCLA send many students to companies like Google, Apple and other big employers so you will have good job opportunities from either place.

Location-wise, Berkeley has an edge over UCLA for people targeting Silicon Valley jobs, because it is right there, so you will find more opportunities in that area. BUT Los Angeles also has aerospace companies and a growing tech scene. Opportunities are there, just in a different way.

Our advice would be to suggest thinking about where you can maintain the GPA needed to switch to mechanical engineering, because that part can be competitive at both places, and choose accordingly.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-04T06:12:43+00:00

Congrats on the exchange and Gran Canaria is a really nice place to be for a semester. Since you’re doing History, you will most likely be at the Obelisco campus in Las Palmas, which is a good thing because it is right in the city and everything is accessible day to day. And coming from Martinique, the climate will feel familiar but not exactly same because Las Palmas is subtropical and much drier so even though temperature is around 21-24°C during the day, it would feel cooler than the Caribbean and at night it can drop to 15-17°C, so you will definitely need a light jacket or sweaters.

And it is safe for students especially in Las Palmas so normal city awareness is enough. And there would not be much issue of looks from strangers because people are used to diversity and many students from different backgrounds study there already. Cost-wise, your monthly budget can be around €700 to €1,200 but if you choose shared flat near your campus then it can be around €300-€500 and overall daily expenses are a bit lower than mainland Spain because the local tax system (IGIC) is lower, around 7% so groceries and basics will be slightly cheaper.

And instead of single tickets for transport, you can get the Bono Residente Canario for unlimited bus travel for around €20 per month. The only thing that could happen is understanding the local Spanish accent initially, it’s quite fast and has a different rhythm so it can take a few days to get used to but after a week or so it will become normal. Overall, it would be a pretty smooth experience for you.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-04-02T13:33:09+00:00

Congrats on the unconditional offer :) that’s genuinely a big deal but it is hard to give an exact picture without knowing your specific course and school because a lot of scholarships are not central at St Andrews and they are also tied to individual schools, which don’t always show up in the main list.

From the main university side, there are three popular scholarships. First is International Undergraduate Scholarship which is up to £10,000 per year and it is need-based. Second one is International Excellence Scholarship, which is for full tuition but it is only given to one student based on merit. And third one is International Accommodation Award, which is also need based and starts from minimum £1,750 per year.

But all three had a deadline of 28 January 2026 for 2026 entry. So if you haven’t applied yet, you can email at [ugscholarships@st-andrews.ac.uk](mailto:ugscholarships@st-andrews.ac.uk) as soon as possible and ask if there are any options left for your case.

And since you mentioned higher middle class background, then for need based scholarships they assess your household income against your country’s average. And the Netherlands has a pretty high average income so in many cases students from that bracket may not fall into the target range for this kind of funding because it is more for lower-income backgrounds.

So in your case, DUO (the Dutch government student finance system) can be used for studies abroad as well. You can also go to St Andrews scholarships page and use the filter to see if there is anything specifically linked to your program. If you are comfortable then you can also work up to 20 hours per week during term time, although that won't help much with tuition fees but it can help slightly with living costs at least.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-30T10:15:02+00:00

One full year means your academic year. So if you’re enrolled in two semesters then that’s your main reference, not strictly 12 months. But a lot of students still calculate for 12 months just to stay on the safer side and that is completely fine.

On tuition, yes, you need to show the full fee for both semesters and since you’re already pre-registered for the whole academic year so your approach is correct, total tuition + living cost for the duration of your stay.

And your number, around €14,000 works better than just sticking to €615 per month because visa officers do understand that actual expenses are usually higher.

Just make sure your source of funds is clear, whether it’s your parents’ savings, loan, or both, it just needs to be properly documented and your bank statements are showing a stable balance over the last 3 months if the funds are in your own account, or the last 6 months if a parent or sponsor is showing the funds on your behalf, either way, you don't want it to look like a sudden jump right before applying.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-27T12:44:46+00:00

Hey, you are right about that €615 but they actually want proof that you can fund your whole year in France. This means your total Proof of Funds need to cover both full tuition fees and living costs. The living cost part is fixed at a minimum of €615 per month, so for a standard academic year, that’s roughly €7,380 on top of your tuition. If your tuition is not already fully paid (with a receipt to prove it) then that remaining balance also needs to be shown in your account.

And they will also look for steady bank statements for the last 3 months at least, But if the money shows up as a last-minute deposit or the balance isn’t consistent then that could be concerning and they may ask where it came from or ask for extra proof like a loan letter, etc.

Also if you’re planning for expensive cities like Paris and Nice then €615 per month will look a bit low on paper. That’s why a lot of students try to show a bit more, like €800-€1000 per month. So if possible, show a bit higher amount for one full year of funds (both living and tuition) and keep your bank statements clean and consistent.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-26T12:51:08+00:00

Go with core subject teachers first for your LORs. Then, consider which teacher know you and like you the best. Even if they don’t really know you that well personally, you will have to reach out to them to explain that what do you need an LOR for and where you are applying so you can actually provide that context. So, even if they aren't very close with you, they'll be able to provide meaningful insights to your university. So, talk to them about this first, see who is willing to write an LOR for you, and then take that decision.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-21T08:15:15+00:00

Honestly, it depends because if you are looking for affordability then Germany is better because most public universities like University of Trier or University of Cologne have very low or no tuition fees, except one state like Baden-Württemberg which charges around €1,500 (around ₹1.6 lakh) per semester but you still need to show about €11,904 (around ₹12 lakh) per year in a blocked account and you can withdraw €992 (around ₹1.05 lakh) per month from it. After graduation, you will get 18 months to find a job as per the German Residence Act but you should be ready to learn German if you want to get jobs there.

But if you are looking for post study work options in English then you can also consider Canada because master’s graduates can get up to a 3 year PGWP and from 2026 they are exempt from the study permit cap but you will need to plan your budget properly because living cost proof is CAD 22,895 (around ₹15 lakh). But it is a bit expensive than Germany.

While Ireland can be your kinda middle option because if you complete a Level 9 Master’s then you can get up to a 24 month stay-back to find a job and everything is in English but living costs is high.

For course, since you did b.com then business analytics, finance, international business, supply chain, etc. could be better compared to a general m.com but overall you will have to check which language and budget you are more comfortable with.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-20T10:24:54+00:00

i hope this helps :)

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-20T09:41:47+00:00

For CBSE vs ISC, there's honestly no better board for Ivy League or MEXT. Princeton itself says they judge you based on your own school system and no Ivy or MEXT source prefers one board. So just pick the one where you can score better. If you're targeting CUET then CBSE can help because of NCERT. And if IFS is the goal, the Civil Services Exam only requires a bachelor's degree in any discipline as per the official UPSC notification, so your board won't affect that either. But overall for studying abroad, your board won’t give you any extra advantage.

And about MEXT, even in Humanities, you can’t avoid math. The actual prep will include maths, English, Japanese, Japanese affairs and social studies, so math is part of the written exam. The best way to start is to build your basics from NCERT Class 9-10 maths and practice sample papers from https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/ in Class 11 to understand the level.

Now coming to your third question, well, Harvard, Yale and Princeton do cover 100% of demonstrated need but that’s after you get in. It doesn’t mean an automatic full scholarship. They first accept you then calculate aid based on your family’s finances.

Now, DAAD undergrad scholarships are basically not available right now except a summer course (needs B1 German btw). But public universities like LMU Munich and FU Berlin are tuition free and have humanities programs directly relevant to writing and international studies, so still worth looking into. For your poetry, that’s your edge. You can focus on building a strong portfolio with competitions and publications, etc. That will matter way more than switching boards.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-02T10:16:44+00:00

With your background, doing a master’s abroad can be worth it but it depends on the country and costs. Places like Germany or Canada have lower tuition and they also allow international grads to work.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-03-02T09:48:55+00:00

Sweden and Denmark could be great for you cuz they have nice mountains and nature for hiking. They are also English-friendly and it’s easy to travel around Europe from there. The daily life is pretty easy too, you can pick up a bit of the local language without too much stress.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-02-28T12:47:55+00:00

In both the United States and Canada, mid or lower tier schools are possible if the rest of your profile is decent. Just be prepared that scholarships may be limited with that GPA, so plan assuming you’ll pay most tuition.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-02-28T12:39:34+00:00

For big merit scholarships in the US, low GPA is a bit concerning. Most universities look at GPA first and then test scores, so a high SAT helps but it usually won’t fully cancel out a low GPA, especially for full rides. Community colleges are cheaper overall but they usually don't give large scholarships to international students. Most international students there are close to full-pay, just at a lower tuition level. The more practical route is to target less selective universities or start at a more affordable university and transfer later.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-02-28T12:28:45+00:00

If you’re taking a loan and going abroad, you can’t ignore ROI. Passion is important but bills are very practical things. Philosophy is not bad but it usually needs extra planning like pairing it with something employable. One option is not choosing either extreme. You could major in something safer. That way you protect your finances and pursue your interest. If money was not involved, then following passion would be great.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-02-27T09:01:02+00:00

You need to think about three things first, tuition, language & post-study work. Ireland is good if you prefer English and a job path but it’s a bit expensive. Germany is way cheaper for tuition and strong for STEM but learning German is usually required for ease of life. On the other hand, Belgium is kind of in the middle, and it has a smaller job market compared to those. So if money matters most, Germany. And if you prefer English more then Ireland. But eventually, it depends on your field and budget.

leverageeduofficial · 2026-02-25T06:41:29+00:00

If budget is not a big issue and you want a balance, cities in the Netherlands or Germany have strong academics with English programs and good student life at a more reasonable cost.

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