Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence University of Regensburg

The study programme can be completed entirely in English.

Developing AI systems while keeping humans in mind – that is the core topic of human-centred artificial intelligence. Such applications range from search engines and the automatic recognition of hate comments using natural language processing to personalised dialogue systems. Your studies in the MSc Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence will prepare you to develop, implement, and test solutions for human-centred AI. We provide you with the necessary advanced technical know-how in the field of computer science and data science as well as the necessary knowledge in the field of human-computer interaction and psychology.

The degree programme is divided into 14 compulsory modules (including the Master's thesis) with a total of 120 CP. Within many of the compulsory modules, you have thematic options and can organise your studies according to your interests.

Not to be missed: the Core

In addition to an introductory module that gives you an overview of the entire field of human-centred AI, you will complete four core modules during your studies. In AI Ethics, you will discuss ethical dilemmas in AI systems. In Technologies for Human-Centred AI 1 and 2, you will develop solutions for (AI) systems by applying human-centred design principles, e.g. in the field of natural language processing, recommender systems, and information retrieval. And in the Free Elective module, you can deepen your knowledge of topics or gain insights into new topics and trends – also in the fields of Computer Science and Data Science.

What you want: the Specialisation

We provide you with a framework of topics and you can choose which topics interest you the most. This is the core idea of our specialisation area, in which you complete seven modules and within the modules you can choose between different courses and projects from Information Science, Computer Science, Data Science, and Psychology, among others. The seven modules include Explainable AI, Generative AI, Information Behaviour, Deep Reinforcement Learning, Current Topics in Human-Centred AI, Empirical Human-Centred AI, and Computational Human-Centred AI.

What you can: the (Final) Project

Towards the end of your studies, you can apply all your knowledge and skills in a project seminar by planning and implementing a project in the field of human-centred AI independently and as part of a team. If you wish, this project can culminate in your Master's thesis.

The lecture period generally runs from mid-October to the beginning of February in the winter semester and from mid-April to the end of July in the summer semester. The exact lecture times at the University of Regensburg can be found here: https://www.uni-regensburg.de/studium/semesterkalender/index.html.

The degree programme is designed as a face-to-face course, and certain courses are also offered online.

1 June

Non-EU applicants are strongly advised to apply by 1 May at the latest in order to be able to apply for a visa as soon as possible if they are admitted.

Our courses

You will mainly attend lectures with accompanying classes, seminars, and project seminars. In lectures with accompanying classes, you will be taught knowledge and methods that you can apply yourself in class, through which you will acquire subject-specific skills through your own application. Exercises are usually offered as coursework, which may be compulsory or optional. The examination usually consists of a written or oral examination in which the acquired knowledge and the ability to apply methods are tested. Seminars pursue the primary goal of enabling you to independently explore a topic related to a specific aspect of human-centred AI, to grasp the state of research on a current topic and to design, prepare and critically evaluate scientific presentations and texts. In these cases, a presentation on a selected topic is therefore planned as coursework, while the examination consists of a written paper. (Project) seminars and group projects are offered, in which students (usually in teams) gain experience in research practice and independently carry out a research project in preparation for the final thesis. This research project includes a presentation of the planned project as coursework, and a project paper or its documentation is usually required as an examination.

Our programme

Studying for a Master's degree in Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence at the University of Regensburg means that you will become an expert in a highly interdisciplinary field. The main foci of the programme – natural language engineering, information behaviour, and user-centred perspectives on information retrieval and recommender systems – are perfectly aligned with our research expertise.  However, the programme is designed to offer students the flexibility to shape the focus of their studies according to their personal interests, allowing them to benefit from the diverse expertise in the Faculty of Informatics and Data Science and other faculties.

All courses and modules of the degree programme are taught in English.

No tuition fees

Student service fee: approx. 200 EUR per semester (includes a public transport ticket valid for the entire semester)

You will need a minimum of about 1,000 EUR per month (including rent, food, clothing, insurance, books, and study materials).

If you want to study in the MSc Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence programme at the University of Regensburg, you should have the following:

• a Bachelor's degree with a final grade of 2.5 or better (or at least 138 CP [credit points] in your current Bachelor's degree with a provisional final grade of 2.5 or better) – It is not primarily important in which subject you have completed your Bachelor's degree, but above all that you fulfil the subject requirements listed below.

• successfully completed credits in the field of Information Science, i.e. in the field of natural language processing and information retrieval with at least 18 CP, in the field of empirical and statistical research with at least 12 CP, and in the field of programming with 12 CP

• further courses in the field of Information Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or its application fields (12 CP are required), such as competencies in task models, machine learning methods, and linear algebra

• English language proficiency of at least level B2(CEFR) The language level must be proven by a certified language test; if the final thesis (Bachelor's thesis) was written in English, this will be accepted as proof.

If you did not obtain your university entrance qualification and/or your qualification for postgraduate studies (usually a Bachelor's degree) in Germany, you must apply for a preliminary documentation (VPD) from uni-assist, in addition to the University of Regensburg application.

If you have not completed your undergraduate degree in a signatory country of the Lisbon Recognition Convention, you must also prove your academic knowledge by passing the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.

Further details on the requirements as well as further information on the admission procedure, deadlines, and necessary documents will be available on our website: www.uni-regensburg.de/informatics-data-science/faculty/study-at-fids/prospective-students/new-masters-degree-programs-at-fids/index.html.

English language proficiency of at least level B2 (CEFR)
The language level must be proven by a certified language test. If the final thesis (Bachelor's thesis) was written in English, this is also considered to be proof of adequate English language skills. If the language of instruction during your studies was English, you will still need to provide proof of language proficiency (language test certificate or thesis). Only applicants with English as their first language are exempt from providing proof of English language skills. In this case, it is sufficient to upload a copy of your passport.

No knowledge of German is required, but it is recommended that students acquire knowledge of German during their studies.

1 June

Non-EU applicants are strongly advised to apply by 1 May at the latest in order to be able to apply for a visa as soon as possible if they are admitted.

Students from non-EU countries can apply for the study grant for international students in financial need at the University of Regensburg. Also see: https://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/incomings/pursuing-a-degree-program/founding/index.html.

Students from EU member states and Switzerland do not need a work permit. Students from non-EU states who are registered at a German university are allowed to work 140 days per year.
Please note that almost all employers require good German language skills.

The International Office will try to assist students in finding a room in a student dormitory or on the private market. The price for a room in a student dormitory ranges from approx. 300 EUR to 450 EUR per month.
For more information about student housing, please contact international.accommodation@ur.de.

The Marketing and Career Service of the University of Regensburg supports all students in their professional orientation during their studies (https://www.uni-regensburg.de/wirtschaftswissenschaften/service/marketing-career/startseite/index.html).

Students can contact the Central Student Advisory Service of the University of Regensburg, the Student Advisory Service of the individual subjects of the Faculty of Informatics and Data Science and the course coordination of the Informatics and Data Science courses at the Faculty of Informatics and Data Science. For international students, the International Office also offers a point of contact for all questions relating to studying. In addition, the University of Regensburg has a wide range of other advice centres for special concerns and life situations (including learning advice and family service, an overview of which can be found at https://www.uni-regensburg.de/studies/home/index.html).