Master in Digital Humanities

Digital Humanities pairs a rigorous technical education with a deeper understanding of user experience, cultural and social contexts, and real-world application of AI and digital tools.

Our society is shaped with data primarily produced, consumed, and curated by people – from cultural and social media to historical and urban data. As data proliferate and play an ever-growing role in our lives, a human-centric and interdisciplinary approach to technology is the most powerful method we have for fostering creativity, asking relevant questions and ultimately making the best possible decisions for our future. The Digital Humanities Master program combines a strong interdisciplinary foundation with flexibility through electives, while small to mid-size classes and team projects allow for close interaction among students and professors.

Graduates gain the analytical and technical skills needed to excel in critical positions across sectors, including: private industry, academic research, culture and creative sectors and industries (CCSI), civil society, start-ups, NGOs, humanitarian sector and more. 

Program structure

The program consists of two main components: the Master’s cycle (90 ECTS), followed by a Master’s project (30 ECTS), totaling 120 ECTS.

Notes:
  • Master’s cycle (90 ECTS): This includes at least 3 semesters of coursework (typically 30 ECTS per semester) with a maximum duration of 6 semesters. All semesters in the Master’s cycle must be completed at EPFL.
    • Up to 15 ECTS from unlisted courses, that is, courses not included in the digital humanities study plan, may be used to partially fulfill the Group 2 requirement.
  • Internship requirement: A mandatory industry internship must be completed, either as an 8-week summer internship or as a 6-month internship during a full semester. The internship may also be combined with the Master’s project at the end of the Master’s cycle.
  • Master’s project (30 ECTS) for a duration of 18 weeks (including 1 week of vacation) if completed at EPFL, or 26 weeks (including 1 week of vacation) if completed in industry or at another university in Switzerland or abroad. If the project is carried out at EPFL or another university, students must have completed and validated either an 8-week or 6-month internship in industry beforehand.

Modifications to the study plan which will apply exclusively to students beginning the program in or after the Fall 2026 semester. Students who enrolled before Fall 2026 must follow the study plan that was in effect at the time of their admission. Group and credit changes do not apply retroactively:

  • Study plan for students starting in Fall 2026
    • Study plan DH 26-27 (link to be added June 2026)
  • Study plans for students who started before Fall 2026

What has changed?

  • Following the closure of the EPFL College of Humanities at the end of 2025, the Digital Humanities Master is now under the purview of the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC).  As such, the study plan for future students has been updated to ensure alignment with other IC Masters.
  • Core Blocks now a Core Group
    • Previous: Block 1: “Computer Science” and Block 2: “Digital Humanities”
    • New: “Core Courses” Group
  • New “Projects & SHS” Block
    • Previous: SHS courses located in Block 2: “Digital Humanities” and Semester Project in “Options” Group
      New: “Projects and SHS” Block, containing SHS courses and Semester Project
  • Mandatory Semester Project
    • Previous: 12 credits optional
      • Located in “Options” Group
      • Possibility to do a second project for zero credits (outside of study plan)
    • New: 12 credits mandatory
      • Located in “Projects and SHS” Block
      • Possibility to do a second Semester Project for 8 credits (“Options” Group)

Key points

Current students can also download this study guide for easy reference about their studies.

Key points for your Digital Humanities Master studies_2026Download (PDF, 831 KB)

Useful links