Computer Science for Industry and Business (MSc COSIB) University of Konstanz

AWW - Akademie für Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung (Academy for Academic Continuing Education)

German language skills are not an admission requirement, but a solid basic knowledge is recommended referring to the compulsory internship (mostly) in a German-speaking company.

We therefore recommend that you have already acquired basic German language skills at a completed level A2/starting B1.

Incentives for learning and intensifying German are integrated into the curriculum.

The one-year continuing education Master's programme in Computer Science for Industry and Business (MSc COSIB) focuses on a compact further qualification in computer science and combines this with a clear career-oriented practical component that is integrated into the Master's curriculum.

Main target group

It is aimed at all prospective students who have preferably a first academic degree (at least 240 ECTS / four-year degree) in a STEM subject and who, after a professional work period of at least one year, are looking for a compact professional reorientation or deepening of subject skills in the field of computer science.

Content focus

Students develop an in-depth understanding of the basic principles of computer science, including the theoretical and practical aspects of algorithms, data structures and programming languages. They learn how to design, analyse and implement efficient algorithms.

In the programme, students can set their own specialisations depending on their previous knowledge and individual interests, and to choose from various profiling specialist modules.

Profile Data Science

Our Department of Computer Science offers a Data Science profile as a specialisation option. In the Data Science profile students acquire comprehensive knowledge in the analysis, processing and visualisation of data, particularly in the context of big data and machine learning. They learn how to process data according to requirements, apply various statistical methods for data analysis and select and implement suitable data visualisation methods. They are familiar with various machine learning approaches and can evaluate and use them accordingly.

Career orientation and internship period

The MSc COSIB programme has a strongly practice-oriented component that prepares students for the IT labour market in Germany. In addition to an integrated eight-week compulsory internship and the opportunity to write their Master's thesis in a company, students are provided in their two semesters with numerous curricular and extracurricular career services for a subject-related career orientation and integration.

Cooperation partner

The MSc COSIB is part of the DAAD Campus Initiative and was developed in collaboration with the AWW - Academy for Scientific Continuing Education. The Academy for Scientific Continuing Education is the continuing education brand of the University of Konstanz. In addition, the Department of Computer Science collaborates with the local IT competence network cyberLAGO.

Application deadline winter semester

• 30 April for applicants who require a visa to study in Germany
• 30 June for applicants who do not require a visa to study in Germany

Application deadline summer semester

• 15 January for all applicants

Students enrolled in the in MSc COSIB at the University of Konstanz pay tuition fees of 2,650 EUR per semester. Based on the standard duration of two semesters, this results in a total amount of 5,300 EUR. Additional administrative fees are also required.

With its academic content and practical focus on the German IT labour market, the MSc COSIB differs greatly from standard Master's programmes at other German universities and also stands out from various, sometimes quite fragmented and expensive online certificate programmes.

Graduates of the MSc COSIB receive a regular and nationally and internationally recognised Master's degree from a German university of excellence upon successful completion of the programme.

Programme structure

In two semesters, students of the MSc COSIB complete 60 ECTS credits:

First semester (30-33 ECTS):

• introductory modules in computer science (0-12 ECTS) and specialising in-depth modules (18-30 ECTS)
• KEY-module on labour market orientation/integration (0-3 ECTS)

Second semester (27-30 ECTS)

• module on professional or research practice (8 ECTS)
• KEY-module on labour market orientation/integration (3-6 ECTS)
• thesis and colloquium (16 ECTS)

The MSc COSIB provides a structure in terms of subject-oriented content, but still allows students a great deal of freedom to individually shape their studies.

The clearly modularised structure of all our degree programmes and the specialising in-depth courses even in the Bachelor's programme are unique features of our Department of Computer and Information Science and a core element of our study culture.

Students of the MSc COSIB have the opportunity to specialise in Data Science, which can be studied in both the summer and winter semesters.

Further information about the structure of the programme can be found on this website.

• Teaching in English
• International academic staff members and supervisors 

The MSc COSIB was designed as a strong career-oriented degree programme for the training of IT specialists.

In the second semester, students complete a compulsory internship of at least eight weeks in a company related to their field of study. If students are already employed, the internship can be completed alongside their job in their own company, provided that there is a clear professional relevance to the subject computer science. Otherwise, the department provides contact opportunities with regional companies and organises various information and networking events (alumni talks, matchmaking events, mentoring) to support students in planning their practical period and career orientation.

The Department of Computer Science works closely with the Career Service at the University of Konstanz and the IT-competence network cyberLAGO for this purpose.

Ideally, the compulsory internship will serve as a starting point for entering the IT job market in Germany. If a subject relevance is given and after academic consultation, the final Master's thesis can also be written with company participation.

2,650 EUR

Students enrolled in the in MSc COSIB at the University of Konstanz pay tuition fees of 2,650 EUR per semester. Based on the standard duration of two semesters, this results in a total amount of 5,300 EUR. Additional administrative fees are also required.

Students currently pay the following additional administrative fees: 209 EUR
More information can be found here.

The average monthly living cost in Konstanz is around 800-900 EUR including rent:

• Rent (including utilities): 420-500 EUR
• Food: 194 EUR
• Phone, internet, broadcasting fees: 29 EUR
• Clothing, laundry, personal hygiene: 40 EUR
• Learning materials: 28 EUR
• Medical care, medicine: 97 EUR
• Leisure time, culture and sports: 60 EUR
• Health insurance: 115 EUR
• Total: 983-1,013 EUR

Additional costs per semester:

• Re-registration: 179 EUR
• Bus ticket: 65.30 EUR

Our admission committee decides on the basis of the application documents, using defined mandatory criteria and a points system, on the eligibility for the Master's programme in Computer Science for Industry and Business.

Eligibility is granted if all mandatory criteria are met and at least 20 out of 35 points are achieved in the points system.

In a first formal selection step, mandatory criteria such as a relevant degree, the final grade, proof of relevant prior knowledge in the field of computer science and mathematics, proof of at least one year of relevant professional experience, and sufficient English language skills are evaluated.

If all mandatory criteria are met, points are awarded for the final grade, additional subject-specific knowledge, professional experience, and the study project.

Further information can be found in the admission regulations.

The MSc COSIB is taught in English. Sufficient proof of language proficiency is therefore required. A minimum level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is expected. We accept the following language certificates:

• TOEFL: minimum score: 90 (Institution Code, Name and Type: B226 U Konstanz Dept Comp/Info Sci)
• IELTS (academic test): minimum score: 6
• Cambridge First Certificate in English: minimum grade: C
• Evidence of five years of continuous English classes, level German secondary school up to Abitur (German equivalent to A-level), minimum grade "befriedigend" or better
• Successful completion of a minimum of four subject-related courses held in English in a previous relevant degree programme or exchange programme (ERASMUS, etc.) in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
• Successful completion of a minimum of three subject-related courses in English and the writing of the final thesis in English in a previous relevant degree programme in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
• High school or Bachelor's degree or study exchange certificate (min. one semester) from an English educational institution from one of the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/study/while-you-study/study-portals/

https://www.informatik.uni-konstanz.de/en/service-and-support/it-service-and-support/

Application deadline winter semester

• 30 April for applicants who require a visa to study in Germany
• 30 June for applicants who do not require a visa to study in Germany

Application deadline summer semester

• 15 January for all applicants

In cases of unexpected financial hardship, the university will try to help with emergency financial support. For an overview of financial support options, check our website.

The Lake Constance region is an economically strong region with well-known large companies and medium-sized “hidden champions.” The city of Konstanz also has a thriving start-up culture and, with the cyberLAGO network, a very well-organised industry-specific company network in the field of IT expertise.

More information can be found here.

There are a number of possibilities for accommodation for students: in apartments, flat shares, or residence halls. Check out our website, where we provide an overview of the different options as well as general tips. You can also contact the team of our International Office for advice on housing.

The MSc COSIB curriculum was designed to further qualify in the field of Computer Science. The practical application on the labour market is just as important as the technical (academic) training.

The Department of Computer Science works closely with the Career Service at the University of Konstanz and the IT competence network cyberLAGO.

The University of Konstanz is known for its unique and personal service and support structure (Konstanz brand). International students are supported in all non-academic matters by our degree-seeking team at the International Office. In addition, there are numerous other points of contact at the University of Konstanz in the departments and central facilities. You will never be left alone with your concerns and problems.

Would you like to study at one of the best research universities in Germany? Then the University of Konstanz is the right place for you. We offer you excellent study conditions in a beautiful location between Lake Constance and the Alps. For us, excellence in studies and teaching also means cultivating close cooperation. We encourage our students to take part in discussions and get involved in research from the start.

Our university is currently home to some 11,000 students enrolled in around 120 different degree programmes in the fields of mathematics and natural sciences, humanities, politics, law, and economics. With students from more than 90 countries around the world, we are proud to call our university an international community.
The University of Konstanz is a campus-based university: you will get to know other students quickly, come into contact with other departments and feel at home right away. Our university has an open-door policy: professors are very accessible and happy to help you with any questions or issues you might have.

We will give you a very warm welcome and support you in every stage of your stay. We have an excellent supervision ratio and top advisory services. You will learn in small groups and work across disciplines. We promote innovative teaching methods and strategies such as transfer formats or virtual classrooms and support lecturers in further developing their teaching. Our Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) complements all study programmes by teaching the fundamentals of computer science and data processing methods, along with their legal foundations. Additionally, it provides reflection on their relevance for society.

In Konstanz, you will find optimal conditions for research, studying, and teaching.

The University of Konstanz has set the following five research priorities:

• Human | Data | Society
• Collective Behaviour
• Cultural Dynamics and Social Transformation
• Molecular Principles of Life
• Inequality and Conflict

We want to give you the best possible opportunities to develop personally and professionally. You will have many opportunities to put your own ideas into action – whether you conduct research or start a spin-off. The idea behind our "creative.together" concept as a University of Excellence is that close communication and a strong sense of community enhance the creative potential of our university members at all levels. We bring together our different backgrounds and disciplines to create something truly extraordinary. At the same time, you will enjoy an extraordinarily beautiful environment with a historical city, lake, and nearby mountains as well as excellent sports facilities.

Find out more about our university and student life in Konstanz on our website.

Konstanz is situated in south-west Germany in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, and it shares its border with the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen. It is beautifully located on the shores of the Rhine River and Lake Constance, central Europe's second-largest lake, where the borders of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland converge. The lively university city, with about 86,000 inhabitants, among them more than 15,000 students, is the economic and cultural centre of the Lake Constance region. Take a stroll through the shopping mall and the historical centre, with its department stores and small specialist shops. Take a break in one of the many cafés, restaurants, ice cream parlours, pubs, and wine bars. Konstanz is not only a popular tourist destination but also an attractive business location (light industry, commerce, high technology). It is a very safe place to live, and it offers a high quality of life, with its excellent infrastructure and its diverse range of cultural and recreational facilities. Konstanz has a long and rich historical tradition. The first settlements were erected in Konstanz Bay in 2000 BC, and the city was given its name "Constantia" by the Romans in the fourth century AD. Konstanz has a well-preserved medieval town and numerous historical buildings from the Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque periods.

Konstanz has the perfect location for all kinds of outdoor leisure activities. The region has an excellent network of routes for walking, cycling, and in-line skating tours. The beaches are a major attraction for relaxing in the sun and swimming in the lake or the Rhine. The lake offers various water sports, such as sailing, canoeing, and diving, and the nearby Alps provide year-round enjoyment for skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and climbers. Konstanz is the home of the oldest running theatre in Germany and of the famous Southwest German Philharmonic Orchestra. There are several museums, art galleries, and art centres offering a broad spectrum of events: art and documentary exhibitions and concerts in all genres of music. Konstanz is also an ideal starting point for excursions to many attractions in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. On the city's doorstep are the famous gardens of Mainau Island and the Island of Reichenau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take boat trips to beautiful towns around the lake, such as Meersburg, Überlingen, and Lindau. The lakeside town of Friedrichshafen is the home of the Zeppelin, and the Austrian city of Bregenz is renowned for its summer festivals, featuring spectacular opera and musical performances on a floating stage in the lake. A boat trip along one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhine takes you to the magnificent Rhine Falls at the Swiss town of Schaffhausen. From Konstanz, you can easily reach major cities, such as Zurich, Basel, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Munich, and Milan.