Computer Science

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

Educational organisation

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 are 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 only be taken from the area of focus.

Internships

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

Forms of assessment

• Written and oral exams
• presentations (seminar paper)
• Master's thesis

Course objectives

The programme is designed to provide our students with the required expert knowledge, skills and methods as well as interdisciplinary key qualifications, taking into account requirements and changes in the professional world. It enables them to work scientifically, to classify and utilise scientific findings in a critical manner, and to act responsibly.

Language requirements

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: nationals and/or first degree holders (earned IN the respective country) from 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. Applicants from these countries do not have to submit language certificates.
Minimum scores for TOEFL/IELTS (results below minimum score will not be accepted):

• TOEFL paper-based: 550 points
• TOEFL internet-based: 80 points
• IELTS: 6.0

Applicants taking the TOEFL test are asked to use the university's TOEFL Code Number 4856.

Academic requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in computer science
• Mandatory documents (in English):
  • Bachelor's degree plus up-to-date transcript of records
  • TOEFL or IELTS result
  • statement of purpose
  • curriculum vitae
  • name/address of two referees

For detailed information on our application requirements, applicants are asked to carefully read the guidelines on our website:
https://www.informatik.uni-bonn.de/en/for-students/master-of-science-in-computer-science/application
Before applying, prospective students are asked to have a close look at our eligibility criteria:
https://www.informatik.uni-bonn.de/en/for-students/master-of-science-in-computer-science/am-i-eligible

Enrolment fees

Approx. 285 EUR (may vary from semester to semester)
Included is a public transport ticket for the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

Between 600-1,000 EUR per month, depending on the student's standard of living

Job opportunities

An excellent way for students to fund their studies and at the same time gain practical experience 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 (http://www.hrz.uni-bonn.de/x-tra/stellenangebote) as well as Studentenwerk Bonn (http://www.studentenwerk-bonn.de/job-boerse/) 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.

Accommodation

Around forty student residences in and around Bonn offer low-priced rooms and apartments. Private accommodation is generally more expensive.
Information on student residences run by the Studentenwerk Bonn:
http://www.studentenwerk-bonn.de
Online portal for private accommodation in and around Bonn:
http://www.zimmerfrei-bonn.de/wohnborse/suche/
Online portal for private shared apartments:
http://www.wg-gesucht.de/en/