General Information

The Postgraduate Program (MSc) titled “Data Science” of the Department of Digital Systems at the University of Thessaly operates in accordance with the provisions of Law 4957/2022, as currently in force.

The Program leads to the award of a Master’s Degree (M.Sc.) titled “MSc in Data Science”, upon the full and successful completion of studies in accordance with the curriculum.

Distance Learning

The organization of the educational process of the MSc program may also be carried out using synchronous distance learning methods. Teaching will be conducted entirely remotely, in accordance with the applicable legislation.

The University of Thessaly, for the organization of its Postgraduate Programs (MSc) through distance learning methods, provides a fully developed and ready-to-use integrated tele-education system, both synchronous and asynchronous. For synchronous education, the Office 365 A1 for students/faculty application (licensed system) is used, while for asynchronous education, the eClass system is utilized, which is hosted on the University’s own infrastructure and developed and maintained by the Greek Academic Network (GUnet). The two systems are distinct, and their combined use ensures a comprehensive tele-education environment.

In particular, the MS Teams application, which is part of the synchronous tele-education system, supports teleconferencing and the creation of virtual classrooms. It ensures real-time audio and visual communication through the use of appropriate equipment (computers, cameras, microphones, speakers, headphones, and high-speed networking), allowing instructors and students to communicate both verbally and visually while being in different locations. Additionally, it supports application and document sharing, the use of an electronic whiteboard, and access to chat rooms for communication between instructors and students, as well as among students themselves, facilitating collaboration, exchange of views, and the completion of group assignments.

The eClass tele-education system for asynchronous distance learning is a Learning Management System (LMS), which includes a Learning Content Management System (LCMS) and provides tools for course development and authoring. Through eClass, educational material can be uploaded per course or other educational activity, including notes, presentations, exercises/activities with corresponding feedback, sample solutions, as well as multimedia material (such as recorded lectures, in compliance with personal data protection legislation), simulations, and interactive educational content based on distance learning methodologies. All educational material is provided exclusively for students’ educational use and is protected by intellectual property rights in accordance with current legislation.

The integrated tele-education system environment of the University of Thessaly is available in Greek. However, it is also fully supported in English.

The integrated tele-education system is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities and those with special educational needs.

The teaching staff of the MSc program possess the necessary digital skills and fully meet the requirements of distance education teaching.

Participants – Selection Process – Tuition Fees

Graduates of Higher Education Institutions in Greece or equivalent institutions abroad are eligible for admission to the MSc program. In the case of candidates holding a first-cycle degree from a foreign institution, the Secretariat of the MSc program, in accordance with current legislation, verifies whether the institution of origin is included in the National Registry of Recognized Foreign Institutions and whether its type is listed in the National Registry of Degree Types of Recognized Institutions, both available on the website of DOATAP.

If the degree from a foreign university is included in the DOATAP list under Article 307 of Law 4957/2022, the Secretariat of the MSc program is required to request a Certificate of Place of Study, which is issued and sent by the foreign university.

After the completion of the evaluation process and the validation of the list of successful candidates, the Secretariat informs all applicants.

Successful candidates are required to accept their admission to the program within five (5) calendar days.

Failure to respond within the specified deadline is considered a withdrawal of the application. In case of withdrawals, the Secretariat informs the next candidates in the ranking list.

The maximum number of admitted students per year is set at forty (40) postgraduate students. The minimum number required for the program’s viability is ten (10) students.

For their participation in the MSc program, students are required to pay tuition fees of €2,000 for the entire duration of the program.

Specifically, in the case of full-time study, an amount of €200 is paid upon registration, and the remaining balance is paid in two installments of €900 each, as follows:

1st installment: €900 at the beginning of the winter semester
2nd installment: €900 at the beginning of the spring semester

In the case of part-time study, an amount of €200 is paid upon registration, and the remaining balance is paid in four installments of €450 each, as follows:

1st installment: €450 at the beginning of the winter semester
2nd installment: €450 at the beginning of the spring semester
3rd installment: €450 at the beginning of the winter semester of the following academic year
4th installment: €450 at the beginning of the spring semester of the following academic year

Tuition fees are non-refundable after the commencement of classes in each academic year.

Duration of Studies – Language

The program is offered in both full-time and part-time modes. The duration required for the award of the Master’s Degree (MSc) is defined as three (3) semesters for full-time study and five (5) semesters for part-time study. A total of ninety (90) ECTS credits is required to obtain the MSc degree.

There is the possibility of extending the duration of studies following a justified request by the student and approval by the Assembly. The maximum duration of study is set at twice the minimum duration.

The completion of studies for MSc students cannot exceed the standard duration of studies plus two additional semesters. For serious reasons—health-related, family, or professional—students may request a temporary suspension of their studies for one or two semesters.

The language of instruction and the preparation of the master’s thesis is Greek. However, the thesis may also be written in English.

Curriculum – Examinations

Each academic semester lasts thirteen (13) weeks and includes an equal number of lectures. Courses of the MSc program are conducted remotely via the University’s MS Teams platform.

To facilitate participants, classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon (usually 17:00–21:00), with the possibility of additional adjustments regarding the days (e.g., also Wednesday), if this serves the participants’ needs. Each main teaching day (Tuesday or Thursday) corresponds to two courses of the curriculum.

A total of ninety (90) ECTS credits is required for the award of the Master’s Degree. During the first and second semesters, students are required to attend and successfully pass a total of eight (8) compulsory courses, each worth 7.5 ECTS credits. In the third semester, students must either complete a master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS credits or alternatively attend and successfully pass two (2) courses instead of the thesis, each worth 15 ECTS credits. All courses are taught weekly and include lectures, laboratory exercises, fieldwork, study and analysis of literature, preparation of assignments, seminars, academic writing, and examinations.

During their studies, postgraduate students are required to attend and successfully pass eight (8) postgraduate courses, participate in all educational and research activities, and complete and successfully defend a master’s thesis, or alternatively attend and successfully pass two (2) additional courses in place of the thesis.

The examination period for each semester takes place at the end of the semester, typically in February and June. A resit examination period for all courses is held after the completion of both teaching semesters, on dates announced in due time.