IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca

IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca (Italian: Scuola IMT Alti Studi Lucca) is a prestigious public graduate school and research institution located in the historic city of Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. Established in 2005, it is part of Italy’s elite network of “Schools of Excellence,” operating under a special statute recognized by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR). IMT Lucca is dedicated to advanced interdisciplinary education and research, focusing on the analysis and management of complex systems across various scientific, technological, economic, and cultural domains. Its mission is to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and train international professional elites capable of addressing the challenges of modern research and society.

The institution operates with significant autonomy in academic and administrative matters, allowing for a flexible and dynamic approach to teaching and research. The campus is situated within the historic city walls of Lucca, offering students a stimulating environment for intellectual and cultural growth. Instruction is primarily in English, attracting students and researchers from around the world.

IMT Lucca’s educational offerings are exclusively at the graduate and postgraduate levels. The core of its programs is its PhD/Doctoral programs, designed to train researchers in the analysis and management of complex systems. These doctoral programs are organized into two main tracks: Cognitive and Cultural Systems, which includes the Analysis and Management of Cultural Heritage (AMCH) and Cognitive, Computational, and Social Neurosciences (CCSN), and Systems Science, which includes Analysis and Management of Complex Systems (AMCS) and Data Science and Statistical Learning (DSSL). Admission is highly selective and international, with scholarships that often include housing and canteen services.

The school also offers two-year Master’s degree programs (120 ECTS) in collaboration with other prestigious institutions. Examples include the Master’s in Bionic Engineering (with the University of Pisa and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna) and the Master’s in Data Science and Statistical Learning (in collaboration with the Florence Center for Data Science, University of Florence). These programs provide advanced training in technology, management, and institutional innovation, preparing students for careers in research or further doctoral study.

In addition, IMT Lucca offers Level I and Level II University Master’s courses, which are specialized postgraduate programs with strong professional orientation, sometimes in partnership with Italian or foreign universities or external public and private organizations. Beyond degree programs, the school organizes executive, seasonal, and short courses, summer/winter schools, and other advanced training opportunities designed for professionals and researchers seeking high-level specialization in interdisciplinary fields.

IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca does not offer undergraduate (Bachelor’s/first-cycle) programs. Its focus remains on cultivating highly qualified professionals and researchers at the Master’s and Doctoral levels, emphasizing excellence in research, innovation, and interdisciplinary education.