Aimed particularly at students and graduates in the Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences, as well as professionals in the cultural sector who are interested in integrating digital approaches and AI into their research or professional practice.
No previous programming experience is required; the course starts from scratch in terms of computing, with ongoing support and exercises tailored to students with a background in the humanities.
A 30 ECTS University Extension Diploma, delivered online, with synchronous sessions in the afternoons, making it easier to combine with other studies or work commitments.
The course will run from 10 October 2026 to 10 June 2027. The total course fee is 550 euros and can be paid in two instalments.
Between 32 and 40 places, allowing for close monitoring of students’ progress and their projects. Don’t wait any longer – book your place!
Upon completing this course, you will be able to understand the fundamentals of digital methodologies applied to research in the humanities and to contextualise them within the current transformation of the cultural field. You will develop practical skills using tools and languages such as Python, geographic information systems, network analysis techniques, photogrammetry, immersive narratives and natural language processing methods, always drawing on real-world examples and case studies.
You will learn to work with different types of cultural data (text, images, metadata, spatial data), to structure and analyse them critically, and to assess the possibilities and limitations of computational methodologies in relation to research questions in the humanities. Furthermore, you will develop an interdisciplinary perspective that links the humanities with computer science, mathematics, statistics and information science, and you will be equipped with guidelines for conceptualising and designing your own research project based on digital approaches.
In recent years, the field of the humanities has undergone a profound transformation with the integration of digital and computational technologies into research, teaching and cultural management. However, most humanities degree programmes do not systematically include training in these methodologies, creating a gap between traditional practices and the new possibilities for analysis and knowledge creation.
This course addresses this need by offering a structured introduction to the most widely used digital methods in the Humanities today, designed specifically for those with no prior technical training. It provides skills that are valuable both in the academic sphere (research projects, undergraduate dissertations, postgraduate dissertations, theses) and in the professional sphere, particularly in cultural institutions, archives, libraries, museums, publishing houses and digital heritage projects, where the ability to manage, analyse and interpret large volumes of cultural data, as well as the innovative and creative use of artificial intelligence, is increasingly valued.
The programme has not been designed as a mere series of courses on tools, but rather as a pathway aimed at understanding how to develop a humanistic or cultural project based on computational and digital methods. Its main distinguishing feature is the integration of technical decisions into the entire intellectual and methodological process: from the formulation of new research questions to the identification and structuring of data, the reasoned selection of methods, the design of analytical strategies and the critical interpretation of results. The course culminates in a module dedicated to designing a student’s own digital project, from defining the problem to articulating its objectives, sources, data, methods and analysis strategies.
This guidance may be particularly useful for students who are starting to consider their Final-year undergraduate projects, final-year master’s projects or doctoral theses, as well as for researchers and professionals who wish to develop competitive projects, teaching innovation initiatives or proposals relating to cultural management, mediation and dissemination.
Credits successfully completed on this institution-specific qualification may be recognised for academic credit towards official university qualifications, in accordance with Article 10 of Royal Decree 822/2021 of 28 September. Recognition must be applied for at the host university, which will decide in accordance with its own regulations on the recognition and transfer of credits, and requires a close correspondence between the competences accredited in the institution’s own degree and those of the corresponding official degree. Generally speaking, the number of credits that can be recognised may not exceed 15 % of the total credits in the curriculum.
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Below are the most frequently asked questions about the University Extension Diploma in Digital Methodologies and Computational Approaches to Research in the Humanities, delivered by the Telefónica-UMA Chair. If you still have any queries after reading this, please do not hesitate to contact us: we’ll be delighted to help you.
Who is this course aimed at?
The diploma is specifically aimed at students and graduates in the Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences, as well as professionals in the cultural sector who are interested in integrating digital approaches and artificial intelligence into their research or professional practice. It is also a highly useful course for those who are beginning to plan their final-year undergraduate dissertation, master’s thesis or doctoral thesis with a digital and/or AI focus.
Do I need any prior knowledge of programming or IT?
No. The course starts from scratch when it comes to the technical aspects, with ongoing support and exercises tailored to those with a background in the humanities. It has been designed specifically for people with no prior technical training.
What exactly am I going to learn?
You will acquire practical skills in tools and languages such as Python, geographic information systems (GIS), network analysis, photogrammetry, immersive narratives, natural language processing (NLP) and applied artificial intelligence. You will learn to work with different types of cultural data (text, images, metadata, spatial data), to analyse them critically and to design your own digital research or management project.
Is it a theoretical or practical course?
This is a highly practical course that combines theoretical foundations, training in tools and practical exercises based on real-world data and cultural issues. Each thematic module incorporates both aspects.
How does it differ from other digital humanities courses?
The programme is not merely a series of courses on tools: it is a pathway designed to foster understanding how to develop a humanistic or cultural project based on computational methods. It integrates technical decisions into the entire intellectual process, from the formulation of questions to the critical interpretation of results, and culminates in the design of your own digital project.
What is the course format?
The diploma course is taught entirely online, with synchronous sessions in the afternoon to make it easier to fit in with other studies or work commitments.
Are synchronous sessions compulsory?
No. During each weekly block, two synchronous sessions are scheduled in the afternoon, but attendance is not compulsory. All sessions are recorded and uploaded to the virtual campus so that they are available to those who are unable to join live.
How is the course structured?
The course is organised into weekly modules, each corresponding to one of the ten topics in the syllabus. At the start of each module, all the materials and associated assignments are published on the online learning platform, so that each student can organise their study time according to their availability.
How do the tutorials work?
Academic tutorials are arranged on an ad hoc basis with each lecturer, depending on each student’s needs. You can request them to clarify any doubts, ask questions or receive guidance on assignments.
Which platform is used?
The course is delivered via the University of Málaga’s online learning platform, where you will find the course materials, assignments, recordings of the sessions and channels for communicating with the teaching staff.
Can I fit this in alongside my work or my studies?
Yes. The course has been specifically designed to be compatible with professional or academic commitments. The synchronous sessions take place in the afternoons and can be watched on demand; the course materials are available from the start of each module; and there are generous deadlines for assignments.
Are there any periods when there are no lessons?
Yes. The timetable takes into account the usual breaks during the academic year (Christmas, Easter), which allows for extra time to complete tasks if needed.
What happens if I can’t keep up one particular week?
No problem: the deadlines for assignments are set well beyond the weekly time slot allocated to each topic, precisely to allow extra time for those who need it. Furthermore, all materials remain available on the virtual campus throughout the course.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is linked to the tasks in each thematic block, with set but flexible deadlines. There are no traditional exams: students are assessed on the practical work they have completed throughout the course.
What percentage of assignments must be submitted in order to obtain the certificate?
You must have completed 80% of the tasks assigned.
What qualification do you receive?
On completion, participants will be awarded a University Extension Diploma worth 30 ECTS credits, issued by the University of Málaga.
Are the credits recognised towards other university degrees?
Yes. Credits successfully completed may be recognised for academic purposes towards official university degrees, in accordance with Article 10 of Royal Decree 822/2021. Recognition must be applied for at the host university, which will decide in accordance with its own regulations. Generally speaking, the number of credits that can be recognised may not exceed 15 % of the total credits in the host study programme.
When does the course take place?
From 10 October 2026 to 10 June 2027.
How much is the enrolment fee?
The enrolment fee totals 550 euros.
Is it possible to pay in instalments?
Yes, the payment can be split into two instalments.
How many places are available?
Between 32 and 40 places, which allows for close monitoring of the students’ progress and their projects.
Last updated: August 2026
