Contents:
The Lisbon Data Science Starters Academy is an introductory data science course designed to help people become entry-level data scientists.
Batch 10, the 2026/2027 edition, contains 36 Learning Units, six Hackathons and one Capstone project. The Learning Units are SLU01–19, SLU32, SLU64 and BLU01–15. This is the sixth edition held remotely.
The course is run by the Lisbon Data Science Academy.
1. Structure
The course runs from the introductory session on 18 October 2026 through the graduation announcement on 29 June 2027, with Christmas/New Year and spring breaks. Work is completed remotely through GitHub, Slack and the Academy Portal.
1.1 Time commitment
Plan for 10–15 hours per week on average, depending on your experience and working speed. You should be able to dedicate at least 5 hours even during an unusually busy week. Specialization 1 and the Capstone may require more time. Mandatory deadlines determine progression and certificate eligibility, so do not plan on recovering required work after a deadline.
1.2 Introductory session
The two-hour introductory session takes place on 18 October 2026. Attendance is recommended. It covers the course structure, schedule, Code of Conduct, support channels and graduation criteria.
1.3 Bootcamp
The Bootcamp consists of two remote class days, on 25 October and 1 November 2026, with approximately four hours of classes each day. Bootcamp attendance is required for certification.
1.4 Specializations
Specialization 1 contains:
- SLU01–17, which are mandatory;
- SLU18, SLU19, SLU32 and SLU64, which are optional; and
- Hackathon 1, which is required to continue in the Academy.
SLU01–03 are ordinary Specialization 1 units; they are not part of admissions.
Each of Specializations 2–6 contains three BLUs and one Hackathon.
1.5 Learning Units
Learning Units are the backbone of the coursework. A passing score is 16/20.
Small Learning Units (SLUs) are used in Specialization 1. They contain a learning notebook, an examples notebook and a graded exercise notebook. The mandatory SLUs are also supported by the Bootcamp classes.
Big Learning Units (BLUs) are used in Specializations 2–6. They contain up to three learning notebooks and a graded exercise notebook.
You may submit multiple attempts before a deadline. Only deadline-valid submissions count toward progression and certificate eligibility. You may continue using late work for learning, but submitting late does not normally restore eligibility. If a portal incident prevented an on-time submission, staff can review the recorded submission and document an exception.
1.6 Hackathons
Hackathons are day-long team exercises held remotely on selected Sundays. Students apply the preceding specialization’s material to a data science problem and present their solution.
To enter Hackathon 1, you must score at least 16/20 in every mandatory SLU01–17 by the Specialization 1 deadline. If you do not meet this requirement, you cannot participate in Hackathon 1 or later course activities.
Missing a deadline in Specializations 2–6 does not block access to later course activities, but it removes eligibility for the graduation certificate. Hackathon attendance has separate certificate requirements described below.
1.7 Capstone
The Capstone is an individual final project that simulates a real data science project. Students interpret a client brief, analyze data, build and serve a model, and communicate their work in reports. It runs from 3 May to 28 June 2027.
2. Progression and graduation certificate
Specialization 1 controls progression. You must score at least 16/20 in every mandatory SLU01–17 by the deadline to enter Hackathon 1 and continue in the Academy. Hackathon 1 attendance is also required to continue.
To receive a graduation certificate, you must:
- score at least 16/20 in every mandatory Learning Unit by its deadline;
- attend both Bootcamp days;
- attend Hackathons 1 and 6;
- miss no more than one of Hackathons 2–5; and
- complete and pass the Capstone.
SLU18, SLU19, SLU32 and SLU64 are optional and do not affect progression or certificate eligibility. After passing Specialization 1 and attending Hackathon 1, students who later lose certificate eligibility may continue learning and participating in the remaining course activities.
Certificates are normally issued within one month of the end of the Academy.
3. Schedule
This is the schedule for Batch 10, 2026/2027. Deadlines are at the end of the stated day in Europe/Lisbon time unless communicated otherwise.
| Activity | Date/Deadline |
|---|---|
| Signup and registration completion | 24 Sep–15 Oct 2026 |
| Scholarship interviews | 12–16 Oct 2026 |
| Payment | 12–17 Oct 2026 |
| Introductory session | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | 18–24 Oct 2026 |
| Bootcamp classes | 25 Oct and 1 Nov 2026 |
| Specialization 1 | 25 Oct–21 Nov 2026 |
| Hackathon 1 | 22 Nov 2026 |
| Specialization 2 | 23 Nov–19 Dec 2026 |
| Hackathon 2 | 20 Dec 2026 |
| Christmas/New Year break | 21 Dec 2026–4 Jan 2027 |
| Specialization 3 | 5–31 Jan 2027 |
| Hackathon 3 | 1 Feb 2027 |
| Specialization 4 | 2–28 Feb 2027 |
| Hackathon 4 | 1 Mar 2027 |
| Specialization 5 | 2–27 Mar 2027 |
| Hackathon 5 | 28 Mar 2027 |
| Specialization 6 | 29 Mar–24 Apr 2027 |
| Hackathon 6 | 25 Apr 2027 |
| Spring break | 26 Apr–2 May 2027 |
| Capstone | 3 May–28 Jun 2027 |
| Academy graduates announced | 29 Jun 2027 |