Saarbrücken Graduate School of Computer Science Saarland University

The Saarbrücken Graduate School of Computer Science seeks to provide an ideal environment for pursuing graduate studies in advanced computer science. We offer a stimulating, top-notch international teaching and research environment covering almost all areas of computer science.
Computer science established itself early on as a prominent field of research at Saarland University and is now the core around which internationally renowned state-of-the-art research institutes in informatics are gathered:

• Saarland University
• Max Planck Institute for Informatics
• Max Planck Institute for Software Systems
• CISPA – Helmholtz Center for Information Security
• German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)
• Center for Bioinformatics (CBI)

All of these institutes are active partners in the graduate school.
In addition, there is a long-standing collaboration between related research units and departments on campus, such as computational linguistics, cognitive sciences, business information systems, computer science and law, and bioinformatics, providing a rich selection of courses and countless research opportunities.
The Saarbrücken Graduate School of Computer Science incorporates the co-located International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS-TRUST) for students at Saarland University. The graduate school is home to over 540 doctoral candidates in Saarbrücken, including about 70 candidates in the preparatory phase (see academic programme below).

The graduate school's academic programme includes a tailored preparatory phase with a very broad selection of course offerings and the opportunity to get acquainted with various research areas. Early entry is possible for talented candidates starting with an excellent Bachelor's degree. Upon successful completion of the preparatory phase, students go on to the main research and dissertation phase. Each student also has the possibility to submit a Master's thesis in order to obtain a Master's degree on the way if this is desired.
The preparatory phase of our programme is compatible with our Master's programme. Graduate school students have additional breadth requirements as well as special research immersion labs to find their way into future research groups early on.

The academic programme of the graduate school consists of a preparatory phase of coursework depending on each candidate's entrance qualifications, followed by a qualifying exam, before entering the research and dissertation phase. During the preparatory phase, part-time studies are possible. All graduate students benefit from excellent supervision by a dynamic team of faculty members throughout all phases of the programme.
Students may transition from the preparatory phase to the dissertation phase after successful completion of the qualifying exam. It is not necessary to obtain a Master's degree first.
A Master's degree will only be granted if all Master's regulations are fulfilled during the preparatory phase. This includes a Master's thesis.
The Saarbrücken university campus offers a uniquely rich environment for research in computer science. More than 800 researchers covering almost all areas of computer science work at several co-located research institutes, among them two Max Planck Institutes and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence. The academic and research training of young researchers is of great importance to all. The graduate school provides the common basis for doctoral training.
The structured programme allows for early entry into doctoral studies, in keeping with international practice. During the preparatory phase, graduate students attend an extensive range of courses and participate in research projects, allowing them to explore the full breadth of computer science while delving more deeply into special topics according to their own interests. For their dissertation theses, over 540 doctoral candidates pursue their research in internationally recognised research groups on topics as diverse as computer science has to offer. Particular emphasis is placed on common responsibility for all doctoral students.

Application deadlines are currently twice a year at the end of April and end of October for the following semester.
You may submit your complete application materials any time before the next deadline. Evaluation takes place in selection rounds after the deadline.
If you need an early decision for planning purposes, you may submit for the deadline a year before your desired starting semester (please specify).

A very strong Bachelor's degree or a top Master's in computer science or a related field is required. A CV, copies of all diplomas and transcripts, and a convincing statement of purpose must be submitted. Two letters of reference must be submitted directly by the referees.
Please note that this is a highly competitive programme. Only applicants who rank amongst the top students of their cohort are likely to succeed.

Currently approx. 395 EUR per semester including many student benefits and free public transportation in all of Germany

More information: https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/study/organisation/fees/semester-fee.html

Approx. 1,000 EUR per month taking advantage of all student benefits
The cost of living in Saarbrücken is moderate by German standards.

The Welcome Center at Saarland University provides information on working and living in Saarbrücken. For more information, please visit their website: https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/global/welcome-center/living-working.html.

Jobs as tutors and research assistants are available in the department and cooperating institutes each semester. Openings will be posted on bulletin boards and on respective websites.

Full scholarship funding in the preparatory phase (992 EUR per month) or more if a student research assistantship can be offered from the beginning (up to an additional 550 EUR per month).

Alongside the personal assistance offered by the graduate school structures and those of the participating institutes, the university's Welcome Center and International Office also help students find accommodation. Rooms and apartments are relatively affordable and reasonably easy to find. The cost of living in Saarbrücken is moderate by German standards.

Saarland University, founded in 1948, is a mid-sized campus university offering an extensive range of taught courses and internationally networked state-of-the-art research.
International students receive excellent supervision and can enjoy a comprehensive range of sport and leisure activities while studying at Saarland University.

Saarbrücken is the capital of Saarland with a population of around 180,000. City life with that special Saarbrücken flair can be found on both sides of the Saar. An important element in Saarbrücken's diverse cultural life is the Saarland State Theatre Company, which performs at a number of different venues throughout the city. Student nightlife is predominantly centred in the cafés, bars and clubs of Saarbrücken's Nauwieser Viertel district.