A student looking at a laptop.
A student looking at a laptop.
Applications open to Unite!'s Master’s Programme in Communications and Data Science
A student looking at a laptop.
This master's programme allows you to choose between three European universities, to advance your knowledge in the broad field of computer networks and cybersecurity, and gain professional experience through tailored industry-relevant projects and entrepreneurship training. Application is already open and the deadlines vary from May to June, depending on the University students chose for their first year.
The Master's Programme in Communications and Data Science is a double degree programme offered by the Unite! alliance. It’s a two-year programme carried out jointly with three European universities: Aalto University, Grenoble INP Graduate schools of Engineering and Management at Université Grenoble Alpes, and Técnico Lisboa at Universidade de Lisboa in Portugal. Students start their studies in one of these universities and after one year, they will change their study place. In the first year, all universities have a comparable programme. In the second year, they’ll choose their area of specialisation, which is different in each university.

At Aalto, a student can specialise in Communications, Automation and Machine Learning. At Grenoble, a student can specialise in Communications, Data Science, and Security and at Técnico Lisboa in Communications and Data Science.

Objectives of studies

The expertise gained through the Communications and Data Science Programme features diverse programming skills, good mathematical background, goal-oriented problem solving, as well as efficient project planning and management. 
Students will acquire competences in a range of techniques covering the broad areas of electronics, data science, distributed systems, modelling and analysis of signals and systems, machine learning models, and communication systems. The programme will empower students to solve industry-relevant problems employing cutting-edge tools of artificial intelligence, automation and control theory, data analytics, wireless systems, and signal processing.
Students can collaborate with fellow students from the other universities as well. Great examples are hybrid courses and project courses where students from different universities do a project together.

We talked to the Head of the Master’s Programme, Professor Stephan Sigg from Aalto University.

Head of the Master’s Programme, Professor Stephan Sigg from Aalto University.
Head of the Master’s Programme, Professor Stephan Sigg from Aalto University.


Professor Sigg, why should a student choose the Communications and Data Science programme?
For a student, the programme has lots of personal benefits. It’s a richness to have the opportunity to study in different environments and countries. In this programme, you will enlarge your network and get to know more teachers, students, and systems.


What will they learn during their studies?
The programme is composed of courses in mathematics and programming. The first year’s general studies are mostly related to communication and AI and they are similar in all three universities. Students can also choose many courses freely depending on their interests. In the second year, students will focus more on their area of specialisation, such as communication, AI, automation and cybersecurity.

What kinds of solutions can the students provide for society’s needs after their education?

There are lots of good opportunities for students who graduate from this master’s programme. Companies are interested in people who are open to new things, who challenge themselves, and who don’t only focus on small areas of expertise.

The programme offers a good mix of topics that will be relevant in the near future, and that’s something that makes this programme unique. For example, machine learning, AI, and automation are all hot topics right now. The students have a great opportunity for an international career as well, because their network is bigger, and they might have some extra language competence.
For all of these three universities, students usually don’t experience problems in finding jobs after they’ve graduated.