“GATE builds a community of thoughtful, responsible, and creative people who use technology to achieve sustainable development. The strength of the programme lies in its practical approach. Students tackle real challenges together with industry representatives and GATE research partners, allowing them to gain valuable experience and confidence in their professional journey,” said Prof. Sylvia Ilieva, Director of the GATE Institute and Head of the master’s programme.

The programme is structured around four main areas, providing systematic knowledge and practical skills for addressing the challenges of modern big data processing. Students will learn the latest approaches in artificial intelligence and work with real-world data – from IoT sensors and text messages to transactions, images, and documents.

The programme includes five core courses covering the full life cycle of big data: Big Data Management and Processing, Big Data Engineering, Data Sharing Approaches, Introduction to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, AI for Big Data Systems.

Graduates of the program will be prepared to work as data analysts and engineers, machine learning and natural language processing specialists, data scientists, and AI experts. The skills they acquire are applicable in healthcare, transportation, the economy, finance, various industries, and urban planning.

With three active cohorts, the “Big Data Technologies” master’s programme has established itself as a leading educational initiative, shaping the next generation of specialists in data and artificial intelligence.

The GATE Institute is among the expert participants in the development of the Code, contributing to two specialised working groups:

• Transparency and Copyright
• Risk Management in Organisations

“The creation of the Code is an important step towards the practical application of ethical and legal principles in technological practice. Our participation in this process is part of our commitment to building an ethical, secure, and responsible AI ecosystem that serves society. For us at GATE, it is also important to create an environment where the policies developed can be tested and refined,” said Ivo Emanuilov, Head of the Experimental Regulation and Digital Policy Laboratory at GATE.

Through its laboratory, the Institute continues to build on this contribution by offering:

• a hybrid approach combining legal, ethical, and technological analysis
• opportunities for prototyping regulatory models
• a controlled environment for testing AI technologies before they enter the market

The laboratory is the first of its kind in Bulgaria and among the few in the EU where policies and technologies come together for real-world validation and improvement.

The program was created in cooperation with the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of Sofia University and has a duration of three semesters. Its main mission is to prepare the new generation of highly qualified specialists who will drive forward the digital transformation in various industries.

Successful graduates of the program can realize themselves in modern and in-demand professions of the present and future – from data analysts and engineers, machine learning and natural language processing specialists, to data scientists and artificial intelligence experts. Their skills are applied in all areas where data is the basis of innovation and sustainable solutions – such as healthcare, transport, economics, finance, various industries, urban planning and more, and more.

In view of the rapidly growing importance of data analytics and management, the demand for specialists in this field is expected to continue to grow.

The Big Data Technologies program combines theoretical training with practical projects, real cases and work in innovative laboratories. Lecturers are leading Bulgarian and international experts, and students have access to a modern data analytics platform, mentorship by industry professionals and participation in practical tasks that reflect the real needs of business and society.

For the most motivated students, the GATE Institute, together with its partners, offers the opportunity for scholarships, including the prestigious Google DeepMind AI Scholarship, provided by the British-American research laboratory Google DeepMind, a global leader in research in the field of artificial intelligence. support for female representatives or with limited financial resources.

“Our mission is to prepare young people capable of using data responsibly and creatively to solve significant challenges in society and business. The program is designed to provide knowledge and real practical skills that will make students confident and sought-after professionals anywhere in the world,” emphasized Prof. Silvia Ilieva, Director of the GATE Institute and Head of the Master’s Program.

The deadline for applying for the Master’s program “Big Data Technologies” is 11.09.2025. More about the terms and conditions can be found here.