Artificial Intelligence (AI), MSc FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

The Master's programme in AI at FAU is designed to give graduates a solid understanding of artificial intelligence that is broad in application, intersecting with other disciplines, and is deep and well-founded in the academic methodologies of the field. The degree programme offers a broad variety of topics and specialisations, and a wide range of applications and research groups. The Department of Computer Science provides broad opportunities for “hands-on” project work and practical sessions. In contrast to data science-oriented programmes, the AI programme focuses on the constructive modelling and implementation of algorithms, data structures, neural networks and their respective applications. The programme takes a minimum of four semesters. The main purpose of the last semester is the preparation of the Master’s thesis. The thesis is intended to introduce students to research work at the university.

Admission

The central qualification factor for admission to the Master’s programme in AI is a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Applications based on degrees from related fields may also be successful if they fit the academic profile of the programme. All applicants are required to attend an online admissions test and pass it with at least a good result in order to guarantee familiarity with the material necessary to successfully participate in the Master’s-level courses of this programme. The application for the Master's programme is usually only possible for the winter term. Detailed information for the application is given under the application link.

The Master's programme in AI encompasses 120 ECTS over the course of 4 semesters, resulting in a workload of 30 ECTS per semester. This section will provide information on the programme structure.

Electives (50 ECTS): The elective courses in this Master’s programme introduce students to academic research around artificial intelligence and its methodologies. The electives are centred around the three central pillars of the AI Master’s programme:

1. Symbolic AI
2. Subsymbolic AI
3. AI Systems and Applications

Students are required to complete a minimum of 10 ECTS per pillar.

Projects (10 + 10 ECTS): The two required 10 ECTS projects are intended to hone students’ technical knowledge, research merit and self-organisation skills. They will typically be completed at a lab related to artificial intelligence and will require the students to independently tackle a more complex problem or question. Both projects have to be associated with one of the central pillars discussed above and cannot both be associated with the same pillar.

Seminar (5 ECTS): The seminar will allow students to connect with a topic complex of their choice, interact with academic information and present their findings to a relevant audience.

Minor (15 ECTS): For the minor students will choose 15 ECTS credits worth of courses that have a practical or topical connection to artificial intelligence. The goal is to work on connecting the gained knowledge to a broad array of subjects that interface with artificial intelligence.

Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS): The Master’s thesis consists of a written part (27 ECTS) which has to be completed in English within the course of six months and an oral presentation (3 ECTS). The topic of the thesis must be related to subjects taught in the programme. The Master’s thesis can be registered once the student has successfully collected 60 ECTS credits.

For further information on the structure of the Master's programme in AI, please see the study regulations and the standard study progression.

Application documents

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letter of Motivation
• Secondary school leaving certificate (high school certificate)
• University entrance exam (if applicable, e.g. Iran)
• University certificates
• the international transcript of records (grades sheet) of the attended courses
• the university’s module descriptions of the required courses (see below)
• A TOEFL or IELTS score report OR other comparable proof of B2 English language skills (MOI of Bachelor's degree accepted).
• APS certificate (required for India, Vietnam and China)
• A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a comparable international standardised graduate admissions test, such as a Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is required for non-EU applicants. More specifically, this regulation refers to international applicants whose nationality is not that of a signatory state to the Lisbon Convention.

All applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Completion of an excellent Bachelor's degree or a corresponding qualification in computer science, in a related scientific or technical field, or in mathematics
• Completion of a Bachelor’s thesis or an equivalent achievement amounting to 12 ECTS
• Proficiency and experience in both using and programming computers is required. Besides familiarity with the basic concepts of computers and computer science, we expect that you have solid programming experience.
• A well-rounded education in mathematics
• In particular, for an external Bachelor’s programme to be considered equivalent to the qualifying standards, it should include at least:
  • Courses on programming and algorithmics amounting to ≥ 20 ECTS
  • Theoretical CS and logic amounting to ≥ 15 ECTS
  • Databases and conceptual modelling amounting to ≥ 5 ECTS
  • Mathematics of CS (analysis, linear algebra, stochastics) amounting to ≥ 20 ECTS and
  • Software engineering amounting to ≥ 10 ECTS

FAU does charge tuition fees for students from non-EU states. Using the fee finder, you can quickly check whether you are required to pay tuition fees. Irrespective of tuition fees, all students are required to pay a semester contribution of 82 EUR per semester. As of winter semester 2026/27, FAU will be charging a processing fee of 100 EUR per application for applicants from non-EU states. 

According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, around 63 percent of all "first-time students" have a regular job — and not just during the holidays. On average, they work around eight hours a week for an average wage of 13 to 16 EUR per hour. Students can have a "600 EUR job" or work as a student trainee in a company or as a student assistant in the university — both during and outside the lecture period. Information on the legal conditions relating to part-time jobs for students is available in the brochure "Jobben" (part-time jobs) published by the German National Association for Student Affairs. FAU’s job portal is also updated regularly with new advertisements for part-time jobs.

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

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