Master’s Program
Digital Methods
in the Humanities
in the Humanities
About the Program
Digital Methods in the Humanities (Digital Humanities, DH) is a Master’s program at ITMO University. We educate researchers and developers of digital initiatives who can critically and practically engage with contemporary transformations. This perspective enables them to understand theories and methods of digital research and apply them to real projects and products. Students als learn how to make visualizations, bots, websites, databases and develop project strategies.
Our program is driven by collaborations with cultural institutions in St. Petersburg and beyond. Students also conduct research in order to analyze and interpret digital transformations using Digital Humanities and Internet Studies.
Our program is driven by collaborations with cultural institutions in St. Petersburg and beyond. Students also conduct research in order to analyze and interpret digital transformations using Digital Humanities and Internet Studies.
What is the Digital Humanities MA program?
We live in a long-lasting situaion of automatisation and technological transformation. You can write code with AI tools, generate visuals on command, set up bots, and transform texts into movies and vice versa.
Digital AI and other technological entities can be percived as just tools, but they can be also studied themselves. Why do humanities and social scholars pay attention at them?
Digital AI and other technological entities can be percived as just tools, but they can be also studied themselves. Why do humanities and social scholars pay attention at them?
There are two challenges:
Our program addresses these challenges. We teach students to understand how technologies work, what their implications are, and how to act based on that understanding.
- If we don’t understand how these tools work, they seem to be a kind of magic. That limits our ability to use tools for own good.
- It becomes difficult to define what is a good quality in project if we neglect the cultural means of technology and technological means of culture.
Our program addresses these challenges. We teach students to understand how technologies work, what their implications are, and how to act based on that understanding.
How to Apply
DH Project Competition
This exam works for those who have projects or research in the field of digital humanities or internet studies. Please, make sure to include links to them in your application.
If you don’t yet have completed projects, you can instead submit a proposal describing the projects or research you wish to pursue during the program.
As part of the competition, we may invite you for an online interview. This does not indicate a problem with your application, but it is a part of the exam.
Submit your application as a PDF via the applicant portal at abit.itmo.ru no later than 23:59 on June 7.
Evaluation criteria can be found [here].
If you don’t yet have completed projects, you can instead submit a proposal describing the projects or research you wish to pursue during the program.
As part of the competition, we may invite you for an online interview. This does not indicate a problem with your application, but it is a part of the exam.
Submit your application as a PDF via the applicant portal at abit.itmo.ru no later than 23:59 on June 7.
Evaluation criteria can be found [here].
Entrance Exams
Applicants choose one research project and one practical project to present, following the competition guidelines. During the interview, the committee may ask clarifying questions about your texts and project details.
Exam Dates:
July 21, 2025 – 11:00
July 24, 2025 – 11:00
July 28, 2025 – 11:00
July 31, 2025 – 11:00
August 6, 2025 – 11:00
August 12, 2025 – 11:00
August 15, 2025 – 11:00
August 18, 2025 – 11:00
August 29, 2025 – 11:00
Exam Dates:
July 21, 2025 – 11:00
July 24, 2025 – 11:00
July 28, 2025 – 11:00
July 31, 2025 – 11:00
August 6, 2025 – 11:00
August 12, 2025 – 11:00
August 15, 2025 – 11:00
August 18, 2025 – 11:00
August 29, 2025 – 11:00
Portfolio Competition
We assess academic and research achievements, as well as the applicant's motivation for joining the program.
Submission periods:
Stage 1: March 1 – June 1, 2025
Stage 2: June 20 – August 5, 2025
Evaluation criteria are available [here] (our track: interdisciplinary).
Don’t be intimidated by the "creative portfolio" criterion. You can receive full points even without completed projects—just describe your project concept in detail.
Guidelines for writing the motivation letter are available [here] (in Russian).
We may also invite you for an online interview to clarify questions about your portfolio.
Instructions for submitting your portfolio can be found [here].
Submission periods:
Stage 1: March 1 – June 1, 2025
Stage 2: June 20 – August 5, 2025
Evaluation criteria are available [here] (our track: interdisciplinary).
Don’t be intimidated by the "creative portfolio" criterion. You can receive full points even without completed projects—just describe your project concept in detail.
Guidelines for writing the motivation letter are available [here] (in Russian).
We may also invite you for an online interview to clarify questions about your portfolio.
Instructions for submitting your portfolio can be found [here].
Career Paths
Graduates become curators, producers, and managers of digital projects. They work in museums, libraries, research departments, and tech companies. Some pursue academic careers, education, archive, NGO, or join teams developing digital products.
Curriculum
The 2025/26 program includes three core modules: Text, Code, Design; Digital Tools and Metaphors; Methods and Canons: Introduction to the Humanities Sciences.
FAQ
Curriculum: Projects, Practice, and Thesis
How do I know this program is right for me?
If you enjoy critically combining different types of knowledge and skills (from cultural history to data visualization) and applying them to real-world research and projects.
What does the learning process look like?
Classes are held on evenings and some mornings, including Saturdays. We use hybrid formats (online + offline). Attendance is important for your experience.
Students complete hands-on project work throughout the program, mainly in teams, organized as "guilds". You can switch guilds each semester.
What projects will I work on?
You can collaborate with partner institutions (Pushkin House, Yandex, etc.) or propose your own project—which you will then lead.
How does academic supervision work?
The first year includes a project and research seminar to apply course knowledge. In summer, you choose a topic, supervisor, and consultants. The thesis is developed during the second year.
What are the thesis formats?
We have two options: a research project or a practical project. Both require a written component and additional work (research, development, design, etc.). The thesis is defended in June.
Why are the course names so complex?
We try to avoid vague terms (not extremely successful, however). For instance, "digital project" could mean anything from a Telegram post to a national e-service infrastructure.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, but it requires careful time management. A full-time job throughout the year may not be compatible with the program.
If you enjoy critically combining different types of knowledge and skills (from cultural history to data visualization) and applying them to real-world research and projects.
What does the learning process look like?
Classes are held on evenings and some mornings, including Saturdays. We use hybrid formats (online + offline). Attendance is important for your experience.
Students complete hands-on project work throughout the program, mainly in teams, organized as "guilds". You can switch guilds each semester.
What projects will I work on?
You can collaborate with partner institutions (Pushkin House, Yandex, etc.) or propose your own project—which you will then lead.
How does academic supervision work?
The first year includes a project and research seminar to apply course knowledge. In summer, you choose a topic, supervisor, and consultants. The thesis is developed during the second year.
What are the thesis formats?
We have two options: a research project or a practical project. Both require a written component and additional work (research, development, design, etc.). The thesis is defended in June.
Why are the course names so complex?
We try to avoid vague terms (not extremely successful, however). For instance, "digital project" could mean anything from a Telegram post to a national e-service infrastructure.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, but it requires careful time management. A full-time job throughout the year may not be compatible with the program.
Background and Skills
What skills will I gain?
You’ll learn how digitalization and culture intersect. You’ll explore how museums work, how interfaces shape experiences, how to plan technical workflows, and how to research and collaborate in teams.
Will I become a programmer?
No, but you’ll become a professional user and educated manager. You’ll be able to draft technical tasks, understand project architecture, and work effectively with developers.
I have a humanities background. Will I manage programming courses?
Yes. Most students come from humanities and successfully complete technical modules.
I don’t have a humanities background. Can I apply?
Yes. The entrance exam will help you gauge your readiness. Some courses require contextual knowledge, but we support you with background materials. Be ready to read, write, and discuss texts.
You’ll learn how digitalization and culture intersect. You’ll explore how museums work, how interfaces shape experiences, how to plan technical workflows, and how to research and collaborate in teams.
Will I become a programmer?
No, but you’ll become a professional user and educated manager. You’ll be able to draft technical tasks, understand project architecture, and work effectively with developers.
I have a humanities background. Will I manage programming courses?
Yes. Most students come from humanities and successfully complete technical modules.
I don’t have a humanities background. Can I apply?
Yes. The entrance exam will help you gauge your readiness. Some courses require contextual knowledge, but we support you with background materials. Be ready to read, write, and discuss texts.
Opportunities After Graduation
Where can I work?
— In cultural institutions (museums, theaters, archives) on digital and infrastructure projects.
— In educational or social organizations working at the intersection of culture and technology.
— In IT or media companies developing tools for culture. You can provide expertise, manage projects, or work in editorial/design/UX roles.
— In universities or research centers, conducting studies and developing your own projects.
Can I pursue an academic career?
Yes. You’ll need to apply for a PhD program afterward. We have one in Philosophy and Anthropology.
What kinds of events do students take part in?
Our students join conferences, seminars, and reading groups. Stay updated via our Telegram channel.
Are there opportunities for international exchange?
Yes. Each semester, students participate in exchange programs. From 2020 to 2025, they have been studing in Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Norway, and Romania. More info is on the ITMO website.
— In cultural institutions (museums, theaters, archives) on digital and infrastructure projects.
— In educational or social organizations working at the intersection of culture and technology.
— In IT or media companies developing tools for culture. You can provide expertise, manage projects, or work in editorial/design/UX roles.
— In universities or research centers, conducting studies and developing your own projects.
Can I pursue an academic career?
Yes. You’ll need to apply for a PhD program afterward. We have one in Philosophy and Anthropology.
What kinds of events do students take part in?
Our students join conferences, seminars, and reading groups. Stay updated via our Telegram channel.
Are there opportunities for international exchange?
Yes. Each semester, students participate in exchange programs. From 2020 to 2025, they have been studing in Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Norway, and Romania. More info is on the ITMO website.
Tuition and Scholarships
Is there a scholarship?
Details are available [here].
How many state-funded places are available?
45
Is paid study an option?
Yes, there are 5 tuition-based spots.
Details are available [here].
How many state-funded places are available?
45
Is paid study an option?
Yes, there are 5 tuition-based spots.
More questions? Email program coordinator Alexandra Savchenko at savchenkoa@itmo.ru. We look forward to hearing from you!
Если не нашли ваш вопрос по поводу поступления, пишите координатору программы Александре Савченко на почту savchenkoa@itmo.ru. До встреч!
Saint-Petersburg
Birzhevaya Lane 16, room. 201
Birzhevaya Lane 16, room. 201
