The University of Pisa (UNIPI) and Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) have agreed to collaborate on the 120-ECTS Master’s degree programme named “Master Degree in AI and Health” starting from the academic year 2023/2024. This programme is based on the Italian “LM-9 Biotecnologie Mediche, Veterinarie e Farmaceutiche” class of degree and leads to the award of a double-degree. The objective is to enhance students’ competences and provide a high-level of knowledge and methodology to foster the use of AI applications in Health and its new developments. After completing the “AI and Health” Master’s degree program, students get skills in AI methods and tools for Big Data analysis (including data collection, storage and processing) in applied to medical biotechnologies, , and human health.

Final diplomas

Upon successful completion of the double-degree Programme requirements (120 ECTS), two separate diplomas are awarded to the students in accordance with the law enforced in France and Italy:

• The Master's Programme in Health and Biology (“Master Biologie Santé”), specialization AI and biomarkers (“Parcours Intelligence Artificielle et Biomarqueurs”) (120 ECTS) delivered by the Faculty of Medical and Paramedical Sciences of Aix-Marseille Université, and the Diploma Supplement defining more precisely what is taught under the main national course.
• Laurea Magistrale LM-9 in “Biotechnologies and Applied Artificial Intelligence for Health”, delivered by the Department of Biology of the University of Pisa, and the Diploma Supplement, defining more precisely what is taught under the main national course.

These degrees are recognized in Europe as research Master's degrees allowing the student to start a Ph.D. Programme.

EU project: the activities of the double-degree Programme are co-financed by the EU Project "AI and health" (Project Nr. 101083880, Call Advanced Digital Skills: DIGITAL-2021-SKILLS-01-SPECIALISED), which includes complementary co-funding by providing scholarships for student mobility.

Agreement of the Master's Double Degree programme between the University of Pisa and Aix-Maseille University

*** OUTGOING UNIPI students ***

Application procedure a.y. 2025/2026

1. By 20th December 2024 at 18:00 CET, confirm their interest in participating to the double degree program, filling in this webform and uploading the required documentation.
2. Apply for upcoming UNIPI Erasmus Call 2025 (announcement and deadline will be soon provided on this webpage) for a 5-month mobility for study to be carried out at Aix-Marseille University (Erasmus code F MARSEIL84) during the first semester of the second year of the master's degree.
3. By 30th June 2025, fulfill ECTS requirements (see information below) and complete their application for Erasmus Mobility at Aix-Marseille University enclosing all required documents (cv, cover letter, transcript of records, draft study agreement, including a preliminary agreement with Aix-Marseille University teacher to act as a supervisor of their internship scheduled during the second semester of the second year of the master's degree course.
4. Comply with AMU/UNIPI procedure to carry out their internship for thesis at AMU during the second semester of the second year of the master's degree course.

Teaching programme and mobility abroad

Students participating in the double-degree programme will attend their first and second semester in their home university and third and fourth semester in the host institution.

The full curriculum of the Double Degree programme for UNIPI students is available here.

Outgoing students shall fill in the Learning Agreement Before the mobility, through the Erasmus Mobility portal, with courses scheduled during the third semester at AMU and comply with procedures provided on Erasmus+ call.

During their first year of the Master’s degree course, UNIPI students must acquire a minimum of 30 ECTS credits including at least the following mandatory exams: Artificial Intelligence I (6 ECTS), Advanced Biochemistry (6 ECTS), Artificial Intelligence II (6 ECTS), Physio-pathology (6 ECTS). At the time of application for the mobility at Aix-Marseille Université, UNIPI students are also required to enclose a preliminary agreement before establishing the student’s scholarships for work placement at Marseille. This agreement defines the supervisor identity for the internship scheduled in the 4th semester.

Master thesis

During the 4th semester of the Master’s degree programme, UNIPI students carry out their Master’s thesis work (30 ECTS) at AMU under the supervision of an advisor from AMU.

For their master thesis students are also required to comply with the procedure available on this webpage. P.N. When applying for co-supervisor, students must specify that they are students participating in the Double Degree programme Master AI and Health in the framework of the agreement between AMU and UNIPI.

Students have to write the final thesis in english, a copy of the final thesis shall be submitted to UNIPI and AMU.

Students will defend their master’s thesis in front of the Master’s Thesis Examination Board of their home university. When possible, examiners from the partner university of the double- degree as well as examiners from project AI and Health could join the Board. The graduation ceremony calendar will be defined by the Master’s Thesis Examination Board according to the regulations of each university.

*** INCOMING AMU students ***

Application procedure a.y. 2025/2026

AMU Students enrolled in the “Master Biologie Santé”, specialization AI and biomarkers “Parcours Intelligence Artificielle et Biomarqueurs” shall be recognized eligible for the Double Degreee programme "Master’s degree in AI and Health” and nominated for an Erasmus Mobility at UNIPI by Aix-Marseille University.

Nominated students are required to follow the steps below:

1. Register on Alice portal, in order to obtain the UNIPI credentials;
2. Fill in the Learning Agreement Before the Mobility with your selection of courses (see instructions below). The editable version of the Learning Agreement Before the mobility is usually provided by the home institution. Online Learning Agreement (OLA) is also available through the Erasmus Mobility Portal. However, in case of thecnical issues, students are also allowed to use the pdf form shared by email.
3. Send the Learning Agreement Before the Mobility, duly signed by you and the Erasmus Coordinator of your sending institution, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
4. As soon as the learning agreement is returned to you signed by UNIPI, submit your application through the Erasmus Mobility portal by June 30, 2025 enclosing the following documents:

• CV, identity document and photo
• Motivation letter
• Learning Agreement before the mobility signed by all parties (see instructions below)
• Transcript of records: including 60 ECTS acquired during their first year of the Master’s degree course at AMU. Among them, 18 ECTS must correspond to courses taken remotely: Artificial Intelligence I (taken from UNIPI – 6 ECTS), supplementary courses in Computer and programming for data Systems Sciences (taken from Stockholm University – 12 ECTS).  For each of these courses the minimum passing grade is 10/20.

See also the video tutorial for application. Please mind to select the correct academic year before filling in the application form on Erasmus Mobility portal.

Enrollment procedure

After validation of the application by UNIPI, the student wiil receive an email notification regarding the start of enrolment process and further instructions to get the Student Card. See also the video tutorial for enrollment.
Double degree students are waived from UNIPI tuition fees. However, they will be required to pay the Regional tax at the time of enrolment.
At the time of enrolment, students will be also required to provide copy of the bachelor diploma and self-declaration of the high school diploma.

General information for Erasmus Incoming students
Students are responsible to check instructions provided on this link and act accordingly BEFORE, DURING and AT THE END of mobility.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: During their mobility at UNIPI, Double degree students shall use their Double degree student's number (matricola) when subscribing for exams.

Entry requirements and rules for Italy
EU Erasmus incoming students
Non-EU Erasmus incoming students

Teaching programme and mobility abroad

Students participating in the double-degree programme will attend their first and second semester in their home university and third and fourth semester in the host institution.

The full curriculum of the Double Degree programme for AMU students is available here

Further details about syllabi of courses and exams are available on the Course Catalogue. 

Elective classes are held during the third and fourth semester.
Attendance to elective classes is not mandatory except for those classes including lab sessions.
When choosing elective classes, Incoming students are allowed to select:

1. elective classes held during the third and fourth semester of the relevant a.y.
2. other classes offered by any Master’s Degree of Biology and Biotechnology that are not mandatory for their own curriculum, provided that they are taught in English.
3. 2025Z - Focused Lab training in place of one elective class

Please note that all exams must be taken before the end date of mobility (third semester).
Students are recommended to select elective classes scheduled during the third semester because, during the fourth semester, they will be required to carry out thesis activities. 

Job placement activities are usually scheduled during the fourth semester and attendance is not mandatory. Students might be provided with videorecording of seminars.
Please note that final assessment must be taken before the end date of mobility (third semester).

Learning Agreement Before the mobility
Students shall fill in the Learning Agreement Before the mobility with courses scheduled during the third semester at UNIPI.
Contact details of the receiving institution can be found on this link.
For elective classes and job placement activities see instructions mentioned above.
Please note that all exams must be taken before the end date of mobility (third semester).

The editable version of the Learning Agreement Before the mobility is usually provided by the home institution. Online Learning Agreement (OLA) is also available through the Erasmus Mobility Portal. However, in case of thecnical issues, students are also allowed to use the pdf form shared by email and uploaded on the Erasmus Mobility portal.
The Learning Agreement Before the mobility must be signed by all parties before the student’s arrival at the University of Pisa.

Master thesis

During the 4th semester of the Master’s degree programme, AMU students are required to carry out the following activities:

- Master's degree thesis experimental work (21 ECTS) to be held at the laboratories, institutions, companies and structures listed on this link.
- Internship (6 ECTS), consisting in a laboratory activity which is part of the experimental work for the thesis preparation. Further information can be found on this webpage.

Before starting the above-mentioned activities, incoming students shall obtain relevant authorization by the Teaching Unit of the Biology Department following instructions available on this links:

How to apply for internal Master's degree thesis

How to apply for external Master's degree thesis

Students shall also comply with the regulation and deadlines of the host institution regarding application for degree awarding and application for final exam.

Students have to write the final thesis in English, a copy of the final thesis shall be submitted to UNIPI and AMU. Students will defend their master’s thesis in front of the Master’s Thesis Examination Board of their home university. When possible, examiners from the partner university of the double- degree as well as examiners from project AI and Health could join the Board. The graduation ceremony calendar will be defined by the Master’s Thesis Examination Board according to the regulations of each university.

How can students apply for the final exam?

All information is available on this link.

Which components must the written essay consist of?

The written essay must consist of the following components:

• presentation of a biological subject through the analysis of the scientific literature;
• planning of an experimental or theoretical approach for the study of the biological subject;
• execution of the experimental research plan made up to develop the study topic, critical processing of data collection from the scientific literature or other sources and discussion of the results.

Graduation sessions – Department of Biology 

Graduation sessions of the courses held by the Department of Biology and relevant deadlines are available on this link.

How is the final grade calculated? 

The grade is determined by the overall curriculum of studies, the thesis and its discussion, in accordance with the University’s Didactic Regulations and furthergeneral criteria formulated by the Board of the Course.

The vote is expressed on the basis of 110 points. For the attribution of the honors, the unanimous vote of the committee is required. The final grade is then determined by the commission in front of which the candidate discusses the thesis. The maximumgrade is 110/110 with the possible addition of honors. The final graderesults from the sum of the following components:

A) marks average expressed in thirtieths, weighted with the credits, on the profit examinations passed within the Master's Degree Course (75% of the totalweight);
B) average of the grades assigned in thirtieths by each of the 5 to 7 members of Commission (2 to 4 fixed members, the supervisor and the two thesisexaminers) based on the outcome of the test and taking into consideration the supervisor’s and examiners’ assessments (25% of the total weight).

The final grade is defined according to the following formula (A x 3 + B) x 115/120.
The supervisor or the Commission’s president may recommend, after consultation with thesis examiners, awarding the honors in the case the student reaches a final grade of 110 out of 110without rounding up.

In the awarding of the honors it is mandatory that the student has reached a grade of 30 out of30 with honors in at least 2 fundamental exams of the master degree course or that he/she has a curricular average of at least 29 out of 30.