Are you passionate about shaping the digital future in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and socially responsible? Do you aspire to create meaningful, innovative digital solutions that can drive real social change? The European Joint Master in Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship (DIGISOC) is an interdisciplinary study program designed to equip you with the comprehensive expertise needed to address pressing global challenges in a rapidly digitalizing world.
Offered as part of the EURIDICE Project, DIGISOC is a collaborative and international initiative grounded in academic excellence and practical relevance. Bringing together the resources and expertise of multiple European universities, the program is designed to train a new generation of highly qualified socio-digital innovators capable of leading and managing digital transformation processes in diverse societal contexts.
The DIGISOC program combines advanced digital competencies with in-depth social innovation knowledge, focusing particularly on three critical sectors of society: Education, Communication, and Culture. Students learn how to develop, prototype, and promote digital solutions that are not only technologically sound but also ethically grounded and socially impactful.
Graduates of the DIGISOC program will be prepared to take on leadership roles in public institutions, private enterprises, and third sector organizations. They will be equipped to make informed, strategic decisions that foster equality, sustainability, and global citizenship in an increasingly interconnected and digitized society.
DIGISOC – SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE DIGITAL SOCIETY
This masters program (co-funded by the European Union) is a joint initiative of the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA, Italy), University of Innsbruck (UIBK, Austria), and Palacky University Olomouc (UPOL, Czechia), within the EURIDICE project.
General information
This page is about the International Joint Master’s Programme “Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship”, in short: DIGISOC. DIGISOC is an interdisciplinary Masters’s Programme which is jointly developed, implemented and conducted by three European Universities:
- Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy (UNINA)
- Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Czech Republic (UPOL)
- University of Innsbruck, Austria (UIBK)
The program consists of 120 ECTS credits, culminating in the writing of a Master’s thesis. It incorporates both compulsory and elective modules, as well as short term mobility phases, (Summer Schools) provisions for individual learning paths, internships and service learning, respecting the needs and interests of a diverse European student body. DIGISOC is taught in English and mostly delivered in an hybrid mode.
Curriculum Focus
The curriculum emphasizes technological expertise and sustainable social innovation, enabling graduates to utilize digital technologies specifically for addressing social challenges
Students will acquire specialized knowledge alongside transversal skills such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for active participation in digital governance and innovation
What makes this master unique?
At DIGISOC students benefit from:
- an excellence-oriented, research-based and highly interdisciplinary teaching programme
- a diverse learning environment, innovative teaching methods, and international mobility
- a joint transnational education, resulting in a joint degree and joint micro-credentials
- a hybrid, seamless, collaborative and challenge-based educational environment
Interdisciplinary Education
Contemporary societies are facing complex social challenges and problems today. Our capacity to find effective solutions depends on the cooperation between disciplines, expertise and institutions. Thanks to a truly interdisciplinary education, which integrates humanities and social sciences with design thinking, engineering, statistics and data science, DIGISOC graduates will be well equipped to play an active role in promoting socio-digital innovations that address digital society’s complex social challenges and problems, bridging knowledge between disciplines and developing competences to take leadership roles in multidisciplinary teams. Students will develop interdisciplinary competences through challenge-based learning experiences, laboratories, internships with cultural and research institutions and companies, or service learning projects.
Summer Schools and International Mobility
International mobility is a key feature of DIGISOC and ITS inter-university hybrid campus. Enrolling at DIGISOC means to attend at least two onsite European Summer Schools during the study length. DIGISOC Summer Schools offer unique opportunities to interact with renowned scholars and professionals in the field of socio-digital innovation, meet teachers and students from other countries and cultures, and develop specialised skills and intercultural and transferable competences.
Moreover, to achieve their educational and training goals, students will have the possibility to customise their study curricula and attend courses at any partnering higher education institution of DIGISOC, including Associated Universities. Students could follow courses in person, online or hybrid, depending on their needs.
The Summer Schools aim to:
- provide a comprehensive, enriching educational experience that prepares students for future challenges and roles in their respective fields.
- offer all students an onsite learning environment to interact, exchange and build personal (international) relationships that may lead to sustainable collaborations and friendships across cultural and national boundaries.
- bring together students and faculty from different disciplines and universities, which enhances interdisciplinary learning and the ability to tackle complex problems from various perspectives.
- enrich the educational experience by allowing students to engage deeply with the content.
- encourage the development of various skills, including international teamwork, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, oral and cross-cultural communication, all of which are essential in today’s globalized workplace.
- cover specific topics related to DIGISOC, such as digital communication, philosophical anthropology, and social innovation in education, allowing students to gain specialized knowledge relevant to their fields of study.
Summer School 1 (2025-2026) is scheduled at the beginning of the DIGISOC programme. It will likely be organized by UPOL in Olomouc, and the physical programme will be 1 week, likely in October 2025.
Summer School 2 (2025-2026) More information coming soon
For costs related to the Summer Schools, see Costs
European Joint Master
DIGISOC is a European Joint Master and a pioneering study programme born within the European University AURORA. Its graduates will be jointly awarded the Degree in Digital Society, Social Innovation and Global Citizenship from three European Universities, namely University of Naples Federico II (Italy), University of Innsbruck (Austria) and Palacký University Olomouc (Czech). For all the learning activities, students will also receive joint micro-credentials, including the elective courses attended at Associated Universities.
Collaboratorium and Hybrid Learning
A unique feature of DIGISOC is its Collaboratorium for Blended International Hybrid Learning, a new educational concept which combines onsite in-person interaction and collaboration, scaling possibilities of online teaching and student collaboration. The DIGISOC Collaboratorium is both a learning environment made of interoperable digital solutions and a digital-physical infrastructure and designed to empower students, enhance a smoothless collaboration in groups and create an associated sense of a learning community. The Collaboratorium is also made of a repository of Digital Educational Resources enriching the DIGISOC courses. This will make seamless, hybrid, virtual, collaborative, challenge-based education possible, and underpins the interoperability of the educational systems across the participating HEIs.
Career perspectives
Graduates of this Joint Master in Digital Society, Social Innovation and Global Citizenship acquire a comprehensive set of skills that blend specialized technical knowledge with the ability to think critically and act ethically. This unique combination prepares professionals for a wide range of career paths in consulting, digital innovation and transformation, project and product management, research, as well as academic and leadership roles.
Throughout the program, students learn to:
- Analyze complex social and technological issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, designing socially responsible solutions that are both innovative and sustainable.
- Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, advocating for ethical practices and inclusivity within the broader context of digital citizenship and governance.
- Evaluate the social and environmental impact of digital technologies and cultural innovations, keeping a focus on global challenges, responsible leadership, and sustainability.
The program emphasizes three specific sectors deeply affected by digitalization and the expanding role of data-driven technologies:
- Education
- Social, political, and public communication
- Cultural industry
In these sectors, graduates will be able to:
- Design, prototype, and implement creative, research-based digital solutions tailored to social needs.
- Employ human-centered research methods for user profiling and organizational analysis.
- Develop strategies and policies to improve environmental and social sustainability in socio-digital innovations, ensuring alignment with relevant regulations and best practices.
Building on this foundation, graduates can expect to pursue positions at national and international levels in public, private, and third-sector organizations. Potential career opportunities include:
- Analysis, design, and creation of integrated communication systems and multimedia applications.
- Management and evaluation of sustainable socio-digital innovation projects.
- Consultancy in Digital Innovation Management through research-based design and creative development.
- User Experience research and design, ensuring inclusive and ethical practices.
- Sustainability Management consultancy for digital projects and information systems.
Learning Outcomes
Subject related
The Joint Master DIGISOC has three learning objectives:
1. Enabling students to develop an advanced knowledge in:
- theories on digital society, with a specific focus on information, culture, communication and education
- global citizenship for sustainable development in the digital age
- social innovation as a set of theories and methods to address pressing unmet societal needs through the value-oriented design, development and management of innovative socio-digital practices
2. Strengthen students’ attitude towards scientific knowledge and research, involving them in a highly innovative, hybrid, laboratory-oriented learning environment (the Collaboratorium) and in a specialized interdisciplinary education in design approaches and methodologies
3. Allow students to develop professional competences in:
the ability to apply digital design and communication skills in public, private and third sector organizations for the production of digitally-based multimedia communication prototypes and the related social, cultural, political and promotional content.
the application of a theoretically-informed and critical multidisciplinary approach to the design, prototyping, implementation and promotion/dissemination of original, innovative and sustainable socio-digital solutions, content and approaches consistent with the peculiarities of three sectors of society that deal with digitalization and the impacts of information and communication technologies (ICTs): cultural industry, public, social and political communication and education, both at the national and international level;
Transversal Learning Outcomes
They will also learn to communicate findings effectively (oral communication) to various stakeholders and engage meaningfully in discussions around digital governance, innovation, and global citizenship. To achieve this, transversal learning outcomes are is broken down into tangible learning outcomes with the help of LOUIS (Learning Outcomes in Universities for Impact on Society) and their acquisition is measured by BEVI, The Beliefs, Events and Values Inventory.
Curriculum and Study Guide
Year 1
- 5 Compulsory Modules totalling 52 ECTS:
- Joint Summer School I
- Theorizing Digital Society
- Global Citizenship and Sustainable Futures for the Digital Age
- Digital Technologies for Social Innovation
- Design for Social Innovation
- Compulsory Module, Summer School II (totalling 8 ECTS), to be chosen from the following:
- Social Digital Innovation for Education
- Digital Communication Foundations
- Philosophical Anthropology and Digital Humanism – Foundations
Year 2
- 1 Specializing Module, (totalling 20 ECTS), to be chosen from the following:
- Culture and Digital Humanism
- Public Pedagogy for Digital Citizenship
- Digital Communication
- Elective modules (10 ECTS credits) to be chosen preferably from a portfolio of courses offered by the Associated Universities
- International Service Learning or Internship (Social Innovation Project) (10 ECTS)
- Master’s thesis and Defense of the thesis (20 ECTS)
Costs
Students will have to pay an enrollment fee of €2000 per year. Additionally a regional fee may apply, based on the main university of the student:
- UNINA: More information coming soon
- UIBK: contribution to the Austrian Students’ Union (approx €25 per semester)
- UPOL: environmental fee, more information coming soon
Besides these educational fees, students will have to provide for their own subsistence (housing, food, insurance, etc)
The intention is that students will be able to get some reimbursement for the travel costs related to the Summer Schools. More information coming soon
Scholarships
More information coming soon
Practical information
Location of lectures
For UPOL, all classes will take place at the Faculty of Law (website, GMaps)
For UIBK, the exact location of classes is not yet known
Visa for non-EU students
Non-EU students will need to obtain a valid visa. Note that each EU country has specific requirements. You should apply for a visa in the country of your ‘Home University’.
Information about visa from UPOL
Information about visa from UIBK
Information about visa from UNINA
Accomodation
UPOL has dormitories, more information here
Information about accomodation from UIBK
Accomodation information for UNINA
Locations & Study Format
Students are enrolled at all partner universities but primarily take courses at their chosen home university. They also benefit from hybrid and online modules and can complete coursework across institutions.
How to apply
The Joint Master Study Program DIGISOC is open to well-motivated and qualified candidates, holding a Bachelor Degree in diverse fields.
To apply for enrollment into the DIGISOC master, you will have to fill and send in relevant information through the DIGISOC Application System. This system is currently under development by UNINA.
For study year 2025-2026, there will be a maximum of 90 students admitted to DIGISOC, evenly divided over the 3 universities. (30 each)
During the application procedure, you will be asked to indicate your location preference (‘Home University’, where you will attend courses). Students will be allocated to one of the universities based on their preferences. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that you will be placed in your most preferred location.
The bachelor degrees that are accepted are in one of the following fields of the European ISCED-F 2013 classification or a qualification obtained abroad and recognized as equivalent:
- 011 Education
- · 018 Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving education
- · 021 Arts
- · 022 Humanities (except languages)
- · 023 Languages
- · 028 Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving arts and humanities
- · 031 Social and behavioral sciences
- · 032 Journalism and information
- · 038 Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving social sciences, journalism and information
- · 041 Business and administration
- · 042 Law
- · 048 Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving business, administration and law
- · 052 Environment
- · 054 Mathematics and statistics
- · 061 Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
- · 068 Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving Information and Communication Technologies
- · 0714 Electronics and automation
- · 073 Architecture and construction
- · 092 Welfare
- · 098 Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving health and welfare
- · 101 Personal services
- · 1022 Occupational health and safety
- · 108 Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving services
Note that other study programs may also qualify for admission/enrollment in DIGISOC.
Candidates who don’t hold yet a Bachelor Degree can apply to DIGISOC on the condition to obtain it by the 31st July before the start of the academic year they are enrolling for. After meeting this condition, the candidates can be enrolled.
The application process is facilitated by UNINA. Please contact euridice@unina.it for any questions.
Required documents
In order to be admitted to the DIGISOC master, you will have to provide the following documents:
- Photo (passport style, color, min 200x200px resolution)
- Passport or Identity card (scanned, front and back sides)
- Official document that proves the place where you live. The exact name of this document depends on the country of residence; For Italians: Residence Certificate provided by municipality, for Austrians: Meldezettel
- Academic Degree certificate/diploma (scans of all obtained academic degrees, including supplements if available)
- or in case you have not yet finished your Bachelor degree: a “Self-declaration of degree completion by 30th July 2025” (template to be provided); You will have to provide your official degree by 30th July 2025 at the latest.
- English language certificate provided by an accreditated organization, B2 level or higher. (for Non-EU students: this certificate will need to be legalized in by an Italian embassy) See this page for details
- CV in Europass format
- Motivation letter
- (optional) Special needs or disabilities certificate (signed by doctor, only in case of disability for which accommodations are needed)
- A Declaration of value of the degree (DOV) or comparability and authenticity certificate issued by CIMEA (for Non EU students only, allowed to be provided after selection test)
Application timeline
| Date/Period | Description | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| ? April, 2025 | Official DIGISOC website launched | link |
| ? April – June 20, 2025 | DIGISOC application period | Applicants upload personal data/documents |
| 2 July, 2025 | Mandatory selection test for all applicants | It will be possible to test the connection to the test system beforehand |
| 7 July, 2025 | Selection decision communicated to applicants | After successful selection, admission remains conditional to the timely completion of the enrollment procedure. If you are not selected, you will be placed on the reserve list. |
| TBD | Notification of placement location | Accepted applicants will be informed about at which university they have been placed |
| 31 July 2025 | Deadline for enrollment documents | In order to be admitted to the master, all required documents (including Bachelor degree certificate) will have to be provided before this date. |
| 1 September, 2025 | Deadline for fee payment | In order to be admitted to the master, all applicable fees will have to be paid before this date. |
| TBD | Reserve list notification (2nd round of enrollment) | Applicants on the reserve list will be contacted in case of open slots |
| 20 October, 2025 | Deadline for completion of 2nd round of enrollment | [Only for 2nd round / reserve list applicants] In order to be admitted to the master, all required documents and fees will have to be provided and paid before this date. |
| TBD | Start of DIGISOC study programme |
Admission procedure
Fairness and equal opportunities of access for all qualified candidates will be ensured through a selection procedure based on an online supervised test. The test will be online. A selection committee will review the results of the test to determine the eligibility of applicants.
More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
Contact & Further Information
For detailed admission guidelines and inquiries: Email: euridice@unina.it