Computer Science University of Regensburg

The study programme can be completed entirely in English. In the compulsory elective area, a few courses are also offered in German.

We colourise computer science! Because computer science is one thing above all: highly versatile. For us, core computer science is just as much a part of it as the many different fields of application in which your skills are needed!

In the Master's degree programme in computer science, you can deepen or expand your knowledge of advanced topics in core computer science and – if you wish – specialise in specific application areas.

The programme is divided into:

•  a compulsory area (including Master's thesis) (min. 60 ECTS [European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System])
•  the compulsory elective area "Core Computer Science" (at least 18 ECTS)
•  the compulsory elective area "Specialisation" (at least 42 ECTS)

Not to be missed: the compulsory area

Advanced knowledge of software engineering and algorithms is essential for us when studying computer science. You will acquire this knowledge in two lectures of the same name with associated labs (6 ECTS each). An elective module allows you to complete courses in computer and data science according to your own interests (12 ECTS). The compulsory area is completed by a seminar on current topics in computer science (6 ECTS) and the Master's thesis module (30 ECTS).

It all comes down to the core: the Core Computer Science elective area

You must choose three modules (at least 18 ECTS) from 20 scheduled modules in the areas of theoretical computer science, computer engineering, practical computer science and applied computer science. Examples of modules are "Topics in Theoretical Computer Science", "Modern Machine Learning", "Advanced Explainable AI", "Embedded Systems", "Advanced Data Engineering", "Digital Image Processing – AI-based Approaches", "Post-Quantum Cryptography", etc.

Whatever you want: the Specialisation elective area

You can (but do not have to) specialise in one of four specialisations as part of your studies by completing modules amounting to at least 42 ECTS from one specialisation (following specified regulations). You can choose between the specialisations:

•     Core Computer Science
•     Bioinformatics
•     Human-Centred Computing
•     Information Systems

In all specialisations, there is a compulsory elective area, so that you can also choose modules within a specialisation according to your interests. If you complete your Master's thesis project as part of your specialisation, we will highlight your specialisation on your Master's certificate. The choice of a specialisation is mandatory.

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/studies/semester-calendar/index.html.

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

1 June for the following winter semester, 1 December for the following summer semester

Non-EU applicants are strongly advised to apply for the winter semester by 1 May at the latest and for the summer semester by 1 November 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 labs, seminars, and project seminars or internships. In lectures with accompanying labs, you will be taught knowledge and methods that you can apply yourself in the labs, through which you will acquire subject-specific skills through your own application. In the labs, 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 enable you to independently explore a scientific field of computer science, to grasp the state of research on a current topic and to design, and to 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. In all specialisations of the MSc Computer Science, (project) seminars and practicums are offered in which students (in teams) gain experience in applied research and independently carry out a research project in preparation for the final thesis. This research project includes a presentation of the planned project, and a project paper or its documentation is usually required as an examination.

Our programme

Studying for a Master's degree in Computer Science at our university means that you will become an expert in one of the key disciplines of our time: computer science and its diverse fields of application. You can choose between specialising in different application subjects. For a successful degree, you have to complete a total of 120 ECTS through:

• the compulsory area of at least 60 ECTS (including the Master's thesis): the compulsory area includes the modules "Advanced Algorithms", "Advanced Software Engineering", "Free Elective", "Current Topics in Computer Science" and the Master's thesis
• the compulsory elective area "Core Computer Science" of at least 18 ECTS: in the compulsory elective area, a total of 20 modules of 6 ECTS each are offered, nine of which are modules from the field of theoretical computer science, three from the field of computer engineering and eight from the field of practical & applied computer science
• the compulsory elective area "Specialisation" of at least 42 ECTS: You can find the details under "Description/Content" in the "Overview" tab.

In the first three semesters of your studies, you will complete courses from the compulsory area, the compulsory elective area "Core Computer Science" and the compulsory elective area "Specialisation". In the fourth semester, you can devote yourself entirely to the Master's thesis (see the PDF below).

The degree programme can be completed entirely 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 the MSc Computer Science at the University of Regensburg, you should have:

• a Bachelor's degree with a final grade of 2.5 or better (or at least 138 ECTS in your current Bachelor's degree with a provisional final grade of 2.5 or better)
  If you have not already studied computer science or data science in your Bachelor's degree, but are burning with interest in computer science, you can be admitted if you fulfil the other requirements.
• completed credits from the field of computer science amounting to 60 ECTS and from the field of mathematics amounting to 18 ECTS
  (With a total of 60 ECTS from computer science and mathematics, you can be conditionally admitted.)
• proof of English at level B2 CEFR or a Bachelor's thesis written in English
  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.
• 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 regarding the requirements as well as further information on the admission procedure, deadlines and necessary documents are available on our website.

Adequate English language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are required. Applicants must provide proof of this by means of a language test, such as the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) (at least 79 points) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (at least 6.5 points) or equivalent proof; if the final thesis (Bachelor's thesis) was written in English, this is also a 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 a knowledge of German during their studies.

1 June for the following winter semester, 1 December for the following summer semester

Non-EU applicants are strongly advised to apply for the winter semester by 1 May at the latest and for the summer semester by 1 November 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 degree programme coordination of 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, family service). An overview can be found at https://www.uni-regensburg.de/studies/home/index.html.