Study Masters in Computer Science in Germany

Masters in Computer Science in Germany for International Students 

Every year the program, the Masters in Computer Science in Germany attracts a lot of international students. The demand for graduates with a Master’s in computer science has surged due to the rapid advancements in technology worldwide. Germany’s reputation for its computer science programs makes it an excellent place to pursue a postgraduate degree in computer science.  

There are 940 postgraduate courses in computer science study programs to choose from. 217 of these are in English whereas 723 are in German. The degree is offered as a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree. Most international students are interested in English-taught courses. We will thus, discuss only English-taught Masters in Computer Science in Germany offered by top universities in Germany. 

Besides the excellent quality of education, extensive research and developments in the engineering and technology field take place in Germany. This opens up immense employment opportunities for postgraduates in computer science. 

Overview of Masters in Computer Science in Germany

Typical curriculum of Masters in Computer Science in Germany 

Expanding on the knowledge gained in a bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree offers comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in the computer science discipline. The four-semester-long Masters in Computer Science in Germany consists of 

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Projects 
• Exams and exercises
• Master’s thesis

These seminars, projects, and thesis help students deepen their understanding of current research fields in computer science. 

The overall curriculum of Masters in Computer Science in Germany is divided into two types of subjects: compulsory and elective subjects. Compulsory subjects are decided by the university. Whereas you can select elective subjects from a variety of academic disciplines. They consist of subjects like software engineering, intelligence engineering, mathematics, etc. Students can choose subjects based on their choices. You can also finish elective courses in subjects other than your major, like socially significant topics. To enable specialized professional profiling and deepening, several German institutions integrate a number of modules from many subject areas.

The Masters in Computer Science in Germany is practice and research-oriented. It imparts skills for solving computer science-related problems and their applications and thus is in demand in the international market.

Best German universities for Masters in Computer Science

Here is a list of some of the best German universities offering computer science master’s in English. 

Fees 

The majority of public universities don’t charge tuition for Masters in Computer Science in Germany. However, there are some universities that levy tuition fees, but they rarely exceed 3,000 Euros per year. Also, private universities charge lower tuition for the degree in comparison to other postgraduate degrees.

Despite not having a tuition fee, public universities still levy semester contributions. It can range from 200 to 600 Euros per year.  Student representatives decide the amount. It covers the following costs:

• Over 50% of the semester fee is used to finance student transportation passes 
• About one-third of the funds go to the Studierendenwerk, which handles student housing, the canteen, and the administration 
• The remaining amount goes to the General Students’ Committee, student union, university sports, and social services

Some universities slash their semester fees during the winter semester due to 9-Euro Ticket. It is a government scheme where a student can travel for 9 Euros per month on public transport across Germany (June to August). Scholarships are another way for students to save money. For master’s programs, applicants may be eligible for government scholarships like 

• DAAD or Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst scholarship
• Deutschlandstipendium
• Erasmus scholarships

To gather information about university-specific scholarships for Masters in Computer Science in Germany, click this link.

Cost of living in Germany for international students 

Alongside the fee, living expenses must also be accounted for in student finances. If you budget well in advance you can manage your expenses well and won’t struggle financially. Here is a list of expenses you will encounter as an international student living in Germany. 

So, students need around 850 Euros per month or 10,200 Euros a year to cover their living expenses in Germany. 

Admission requirements for Masters in Computer Science in Germany

To get into a German university for your postgraduate degree in computer science, you need a bachelor’s degree. This first degree needs to be in the field of computer science, software engineering or any other degree closely related degree. Each university has certain credit point requirements which should be met to consider your bachelor’s degree for admissions. In general, you need to produce the following documents at the time of application

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade of “Good” i.e., 2.5 GPA (on a scale of 5)
• English language skills
• German language skills (few public universities ask for it)
• Passport
• Motivational letter 

English language proficiency can be proved with IELTS 6.5-7.0, TOEFL 80-95, Duolingo Certificate 95, PTE Academic 58, etc. The admission process is quite simple and involves filling out an online application form. However, students should make sure they have all the required paperwork on hand. Because incomplete applications are frequently rejected by German universities. Interested students can apply via the university website or Gyanberry.

Career scope after a German Master in Computer Science

Our lives are being progressively impacted by digitization nowadays, from work to daily activities. Future generations will be even more deeply influenced by rapid breakthroughs in digitalization. The Master’s degree in Computer Science offers students all the skills to professionally contribute to these advancements. 

You have two options after postgraduation: you can pursue a doctorate or go right into the job. Many students prefer going for a job. Only a few percent who are interested in research and academia pursue a doctoral degree. A computer scientist can work in a variety of industries and in specialty areas with a master’s degree. From big IT companies to small and medium-sized ones, they’re employed in all considering the diversity of the field. Graduates with entrepreneurial skills can even start their own IT company. Germany has one of the most active startup ecosystems in Europe. Universities also have their own start-up officers who can provide you with support, networking, and assistance.

You can work in the IT system development or production fields, designing user interfaces or operating systems. You can be employed by retail businesses performing system programming or managing data. The options are plenty. A Master’s in Computer Science can get you employed for the following roles in computer science and IT sector:

• Computer scientist
• Software developer
• Information security manager
• Computer systems analyst
• Web developer
• App developer 
• Teacher/lecturer at universities, research institutions, etc.