Computer Science University of Bonn

All courses are held in English.

Our Master's programme is a full-time programme taught entirely in English with a research-based profile requiring talent and ambition. The standard period of study is four semesters, including the Master's thesis.
The programme comprises four tracks, each corresponding to one of the four main areas of competence in research at our institute:

• algorithms
• graphics, vision, audio
• information and communication management
• intelligent systems

This programme is a general, theory-focused computer science programme. Our students need to cover three out of the four tracks offered. In the second semester, our students choose an area of focus from the four tracks.
Close cooperation with many internationally renowned research institutions in and near Bonn enables our students to access interesting internal project groups and enlarges the range of fascinating subjects for theses and research work.
Research institutions in and near Bonn:

• Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (B-IT)
• Research Institute for Discrete Mathematics
• Fraunhofer Center Schloss Birlinghoven
• Fraunhofer Center Wachtberg
• Hausdorff Research Institute for Mathematics

• For the winter semester: 1 May for non-EU citizens, 15 September for EU citizens and nationals from countries that are visa-exempted
• For the summer semester: 1 November for non-EU citizens, 15 March for EU citizens and nationals from countries that are visa-exempted

Please verify these dates on our website before applying: https://www.informatik.uni-bonn.de/en/studies/examination-office/deadlines-at-a-glance#AdmissionMaster.

The curriculum of our Master's programme is divided into four sub-curricula, each corresponding to one of the four main areas of competence in research at the Institute for Informatics (algorithms; graphics, vision, audio; information and communication management; intelligent systems).

The standard period of study is four semesters, including the Master's thesis. The programme is taught in the form of modules which consist of teaching units with a duration of one semester. Each module is completed with an exam. Three different types of modules are offered: lectures, seminars, and labs. The basis of evaluation is formed by score points (ECTS points). The Master's programme is successfully completed once 120 ECTS points have been obtained. Of these, 88 ECTS points will be obtained from modules of at least three out of all four tracks, 30 points from the Master's thesis and two points from the seminar accompanying the Master's thesis. After the second semester, our students choose an area of focus from the four tracks. Between 31 and 61 ECTS points must be obtained from this area. Seminars and labs prepare for the Master's thesis and therefore should be taken from the area of focus.

The curriculum includes an internship (lab) in one of the institutes' research groups.

No tuition fees

The University of Bonn is a public university, meaning that it does not charge tuition fees. However, all students must pay the so-called social contribution (semester fee) of about 320 EUR per semester. It includes a student transit pass for public transport and a statutory accident insurance, among other things.

Compared to the rest of Europe, living in Germany is not very expensive. As of January 2025, in order to obtain a visa, you are expected to demonstrate funds of 992 EUR per month. This seems to be a fairly realistic estimate of your actual projected costs. Please have a look at the DAAD website (search for "cost of living") for more details about the cost of living as a student in Germany.

• Bachelor of Science degree in computer science
• Additional qualification requirements for the Bachelor's degree (credits in theoretical computer science, mathematics, programming, etc.)

For detailed information on our application process and required documents, applicants are asked to carefully read the guidelines on our website: https://www.informatik.uni-bonn.de/en/studies/master-programs/master-program-application.

Before applying, prospective students are asked to have a close look at our eligibility criteria!

Submission of a TOEFL or IELTS result is mandatory for all applicants. Applications without either test result will not be considered.

Exempt from this rule are: holders of first degrees earned in Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, English-speaking Canada, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Kiribati, Liberia, Mauritius, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St.Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

Minimum scores for TOEFL/IELTS (results below minimum score will not be accepted):

• TOEFL Internet-based: 18 points in all four test areas
• IELTS: 5.5 in all four test areas

Applicants taking the TOEFL test are asked to use the university's TOEFL code number 4856.

• For the winter semester: 1 May for non-EU citizens, 15 September for EU citizens and nationals from countries that are visa-exempted
• For the summer semester: 1 November for non-EU citizens, 15 March for EU citizens and nationals from countries that are visa-exempted

Please verify these dates on our website before applying: https://www.informatik.uni-bonn.de/en/studies/examination-office/deadlines-at-a-glance#AdmissionMaster.

No

An excellent way for students to fund their studies and gain practical experience at the same time and meet future employers is to take a student job at one of the many information technology companies in the Bonn/Cologne area. An online job board is available from the University of Bonn and the "Studentenwerk Bonn" and "Fachschaft Informatik" (https://www.fachschaft.info/service/jobangebote).

A number of student research assistantships are also available at our institute and at the cooperating research institutions, such as Fraunhofer Schloss Birlinghoven and Wachtberg.

Students of the University of Bonn can apply for a room in a dormitory of the Studierendenwerk Bonn (further information: https://www.studierendenwerk-bonn.de/en/accommodation/).

For more information on housing in Bonn, please visit our website: www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/university-life/living-in-bonn.

The University of Bonn has a central career service, which provides a range of advice and support about choosing a career and applying for jobs. Moreover, international students can join the "iStart" career programme, which teaches participants tangible knowledge and valuable skills that will enable them to write successful applications for jobs in Germany. The programme is geared toward giving students a successful career path both during and after their studies, thus making it easier for them to enter the job market.

The University of Bonn offers a range of different support programmes for international students. The Welcome Days before the start of every semester are an opportunity for new students from abroad to gather information on the most important issues, such as enrolment, registration with the local authorities, and opening a bank account. Getting to know fellow international and German students during recreational activities is another benefit of the Welcome Days.