The aim of the Master in Smart and Resilient Cities is to cover the educational needs of the staff of municipalities, prefectures and, more generally, of those active in the ecosystems of smart cities. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s report on ‘Smart Cities and Infrastructure’, which studies future trends up to 2030, one of the five main challenges to be addressed in the implementation of smart city projects is related to gaps in staff knowledge and skills. It is therefore recommended that universities create new curricula or reform existing curricula to promote interdisciplinary learning in order to train smart city staff. In addition, modern needs have highlighted the need for urban resilience, which includes both natural disasters and pressures on the city ecosystem from health crises, etc.

Therefore, this M.Sc., aims to deal with the challenges facing cities and the emerging opportunities, offering students not only an understanding of the problems for their digital transformation, but also the knowledge needed to design solutions, facilitate co-creation with citizens, use technologies and related tools, etc.  Further, the objective is is to prepare students for the design and development of smart cities by providing them with specialised knowledge on:

• the architecture of smart and resilient cities,
• platforms for the development of smart and resilient cities,
• the design requirements of green smart cities,
• the resilience of smart cities,
• designing smart and resilient cities projects using innovative methods,
• integrating the use of new technologies in smart cities,
• the design of business models and financing models, and 
• the processing of smart city and resilient data using modern technological methods.

Overall our aim is to provide high quality education so that graduates of the programme are able to:

• understand the structure, function and architecture of a smart and resilient city,
• understand the design requirements of green and smart cities,
• understand, propose solutions for designing the resilience of a smart city,
• design and implement smart city projects using innovative methods,
• be familiar with smart city development platforms,
• design and implement business models and financing solutions,
• be able to use modern technologies to implement advanced smart city solutions, and 
• be able to collect and analyse smart city data using modern technological methods.

This master leads to the award of a Diploma of Postgraduate Studies (MSc) with the title: “Smart and Resilient Cities” (MSc in Smart and Resilient Cities) , upon full and successful completion of the studies based on the curriculum. The award is awarded by the Department of Business Administration of the University of Thessaly with reference to the other collaborating Departments / Institutions. 

This master is interdisciplinary, and is offered in English in partnership with the Universities:

The Hellenic Open University (Hellenic Open University), School of Sciences & Technology, Programme of Studies in Computer Science

University of Thessaly (UTH), School of Management and Economics, Department of Business Administration (BBA), 

The objectives of the MSc are the following.

Implement security and privacy measures: They will gain expertise in data and citizen security and privacy in smart city environments.

Understand the principles of smart city design and management: students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, technologies and methodologies that support the development of smart cities, including software development, IoT, artificial intelligence and big data analytics.

Students will develop research and analytical skills: They will gain skills in research methodologies and the ability to analyse and interpret data for smart city applications.

Students will improve their technical knowledge: They will understand the technical aspects of smart city infrastructure, including cloud computing, digital twins and smart city platforms.

Students will understand the concepts of smart city governance: they will understand the context of smart cities in the areas of policy development and implementation, governance and project financing, focusing on the development of sustainable and resilient urban environments.

Promoting social innovation and engagement: they will understand strategies for citizen participation and the concept of social innovation in the context of smart cities.

1. Software development and platforms: Students will have the ability to develop innovative software and use smart city platforms for urban management.
2. Application of research methodology: Students will be able to apply appropriate research methodologies to analyze and solve complex problems in smart city environments.
3. Technical skills in IoT and cloud computing: Students will be proficient in the use of IoT and cloud computing technologies to enhance smart city infrastructure.
4. Policy and governance strategies: Students will be able to develop strategies for effective policy making and governance in smart cities, taking into account socio-economic and environmental aspects.
5. Social innovation techniques: Students will be able to apply techniques to promote social innovation and citizen participation in urban development projects.
6. Knowledge of the smart city economy: Students will be able to understand and analyse the economic aspects and financing models of smart cities.
7. AI and Big Data Management application skills: students will be able to use AI and Big Data analytics algorithms to optimise smart city operations and services.
8. Developing the resilience of cities: students will be able to assess and address internal and external influences that affect the resilience of the smart city.
9. Application of digital twins: Students will learn how to apply the knowledge of digital twins to the design and management of urban environments.
10. Green city initiatives: Students will learn how to develop and implement strategies to create green and sustainable smart cities.
11. Security and privacy protocols: Students will be able to design and implement protocols for data security and privacy protection in smart city systems.
12. Database management: students will be able to effectively use DDMA techniques in smart city environments.

The above learning objectives and outcomes are designed to provide a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of the aspects of smart and sustainable city development, preparing students for the various challenges and opportunities in this field.

Applicants need to be:

1. Graduates of Higher Education Institutions

For participation in the MSc programme, certified knowledge of the English language at least at level C1 is required.

2 The maximum number of students admitted to the MSc is set at fifty (50) per year.

3. Excluded from the above limitation are the equal grades during the evaluation and the scholars of (1) Hellenic State Scholarship Foundation and (1) foreign scholarship holder of the Greek state as well as one (1) member from all categories of E.E.P., E.DI.P. and E.T.E.P. unless otherwise decided by the Assembly of the Department.

1 The selection of students is made in accordance with the applicable legislation, the Regulations for Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies of the University of Thessaly and the provisions of these Regulations.

2 Every year the Director of the MSc publishes a notice for the admission of postgraduate students to the MSc in the Press and on the website of the MSc and two (2) months before the deadline for applications.

Candidates’ applications must be accompanied by the supporting documents specified below. Applications not accompanied by the necessary certificates or supporting documents will not be taken into consideration in the selection procedure. The invitation will specify the admission requirements, the categories of graduates and number of candidates, the admission procedure, the selection criteria, etc., the deadlines for submitting applications and the supporting documents required.  

3 Candidate students must submit the following documents in English to the Secretariat of the MSc (electronically):   

• A photocopy of their identity card. 
• A complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae, including information on the candidate’s studies, scientific and professional activity.   
• Copies of diplomas and certificates (or Diploma Supplements) or a solemn declaration that they are expected to complete their graduation 10 days before the start of the courses of the MSc.   
• A certificate, certifying level of knowledge of the English language at least C1 level 
• Copies of foreign language certificates of at least B2 level in order to assess the application. 
• Evidence of professional, educational experience and scientific activity in general (if available). 
• Two letters of recommendation from University professors or Researchers of recognized Research Centres in Greece or abroad or from the Head of his/her Department if he/she is an employee and if available.  

4 In the case of candidates who hold a undergraduate degree from a foreign country, the Secretariat of the MSc in accordance with the provisions of the legislation, checks whether the institution of origin belongs to the National Register of Recognized Institutions of Foreign Countries and whether the type of degree belongs to the National Register of Types of Degrees of Recognized Institutions posted on the website of the D.O.A.T.A.P. 

If the degree from a foreign university is included in the D.O.A.T.A.P. list, the Secretariat of the program must request a Certificate of Location of Studies, which is issued and sent by the foreign university. Applications in which the Greek territory is confirmed as the place of study are excluded, unless the part of the studies that took place in the Greek territory is located in a public university. 5 The evaluation of candidates and the selection of admission is based on the overall score (on a scale of 1 – 100) on the following criteria: 

NO	SELECTION CRITERIA	MARK
1	Degree/diploma marks	20%
2	Level of knowledge of the English language  at least C1 level	15%
3	Publications in scientific journals, Presentations at scientific conferences (optional)	15%
4	Relevant professional experience (optional)	15%
5	Letters of recommendation (optional)	10%
6	Interview	25%
	TOTAL	100%

The weightings of the above-mentioned criteria for the evaluation of candidates may be varied by a decision of the selection board, which will be taken before the announcement of the call for applications and will be included in the new version of the notice. 

The selection board will invite to an interview those candidates who meet the formal and substantive requirements within a period of time to be determined by the notice. 

The selection process of the candidates is carried out by the a appointed committee of the program, which proceeds:  

• checking and evaluating all the supporting documents submitted, 
• the verification of the relevance of the degree to the subject matter of the MSc, 
• the language proficiency, 
• inviting and interviewing all candidates, 
• drawing up an alphabetical list of candidates, 
• drawing up an alphabetical list of the marks obtained by each candidate, 
• drawing up the reserve list, in descending order, on the basis of the number of points obtained by each candidate and the list of successful candidates. 

6 Successful applicants are invited to accept within 5 days (calendar days) to join the program.  

Failure by a selected candidate to respond in time within the deadline set will be tantamount to withdrawal of his/her candidature. If there are resignations, the Secretariat shall inform the candidates who are next in the order of preference from the relevant list. Successful candidates will be required to pay at the time of registration for the first semester and to send proof of payment. The following is the registration at the MSc Secretariat. 

7 The registration of successful candidates who have a degree from a foreign institution is completed only upon presentation of a certified copy of their degree (by any legal means).

1 The duration of study in this master is defined as three (3) semesters of full-time study, of which the last semester is allocated for the preparation of the thesis.

2 There is the possibility of extending the period of study for up to two (2) academic semesters, following a reasoned request by the student and approval by the Assembly. For the full-time programme, the minimum duration for the award of the MSc is set at three (3) academic semesters and the maximum at five (5) academic semesters. Thus, the maximum time allowed for the completion of studies is set at five (5) academic semesters.

3 Students who have not exceeded the maximum limit of attendance, after a reasoned request, may interrupt their studies for a period not exceeding two consecutive semesters. Suspension of studies shall be granted for serious professional, family, personal or health reasons. 

 During the period of suspension, the student’s student status is revoked and all his/her rights are suspended. Student status is automatically restored after the end of the suspension. The period of suspension shall not count towards the maximum period of study.  

4 The option of part-time study is given to working postgraduate students if they can prove that they work at least 20 hours per week as evidenced by a relevant employment contract or employer’s certificate. Part-time attendance is also provided for non-working students who are unable to meet the requirements of full-time attendance in case of professional, family, personal or health reasons, etc.

Part-time attendance is approved by the PPC after the application of the student concerned which is submitted at the beginning of the academic semester/year and is accompanied by a relevant employment contract or employer’s certificate.

The duration of part-time study may not exceed twice the normal duration of the programme.

1. Modern distance learning.

The organisation of the educational process of the MSc may also be carried out using modern distance learning methods. The organisation of courses and other educational activities using distance education methods refers to courses and educational activities which, by their nature, can be supported by the use of distance education methods and do not involve practical, laboratory or clinical training of the students, which require the participation of the students in physical presence.

The support of the teaching staff and students on issues related to the e-learning system is provided at the first level (Department) by the Head of Department and at the second level (Institution) by the Digital Governance Unit of the University of Thessaly.

2. Asynchronous distance learning.

The educational process may be carried out using asynchronous distance learning methods, which do not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the credit hours of the MSc.

The University of Thessaly has an electronic platform on which educational material can be posted per course (notes, presentations, exercises).

The online platform is also accessible to people with disabilities.

Applications are made every June and classes start in October. Please keep an eye on the announcements on our website for the relevant call for expressions of interest

Initially, the application is made electronically, by filling in the relevant form. Then, in case of acceptance, all supporting documents are sent to the MSc Secretariat within the prescribed deadline.

The tuition fees for attending the MSc are 5000 euros and are paid in installments in 5 equal installments during the MSc.