Data Science University of Regensburg

Data scientist, AI expert, data engineer, data analyst – the Master’s programme in Data Science at the University of Regensburg prepares you for all of these roles. You will also be qualified to work in a wide range of application domains, including biomedical research, the technology sector, business, and other future‑oriented fields. The MSc in Data Science equips you to develop innovative solutions to complex problems and to work confidently in interdisciplinary environments. During your studies, you will deepen your knowledge in advanced topics of statistics and machine learning and specialise in selected areas of application.

The programme is structured into three components:

• Compulsory area (including Master’s thesis) – minimum 66 ECTS
• Compulsory elective area “Machine Learning and Statistics” – minimum 12 ECTS
• Compulsory elective area “Specialisation” – minimum 42 ECTS

Compulsory Area: Building a Strong Foundation
A solid understanding of current developments in deep learning and reinforcement learning is essential in modern data science. You will acquire this knowledge at the beginning of your studies in the module Modern Machine Learning with an accompanying lab (6 ECTS). Two Free Elective modules allow you to choose courses from computer science, data science, or other disciplines according to your interests (12 ECTS each). The compulsory area also includes a seminar on current topics in data science (6 ECTS) and the Master’s thesis (30 ECTS).

Machine Learning and Statistics: The Core of the Programme
In this compulsory elective area, you select modules worth at least 12 ECTS from a catalogue of 11 advanced courses covering central topics in data science and machine learning. Examples include Statistical Machine Learning, Advanced Statistics I and II, Advanced Explainable AI, Advanced Data Engineering, and Digital Image Processing – AI‑based Approaches.

Specialisation Area: Tailoring Your Profile
You choose one of four specialisations and complete at least 42 ECTS within that track (according to defined regulations). The available specialisations are:

• Machine Learning and Statistics
• Computational Life Sciences
• Human‑Centred Data Science
• Information Systems

Each specialisation includes its own compulsory elective structure, allowing you to select modules that match your academic interests. Choosing one specialisation is mandatory. If you write your Master’s thesis on a topic from that specialisation, the specialisation will be listed on your Master’s certificate.

Our Courses
You will take part in lectures with accompanying labs, seminars, project seminars, and "practicums". In lecture‑lab formats, you acquire theoretical knowledge in the lecture and apply it independently in the lab sessions. Labs usually include exercises as coursework, which may be mandatory or optional. Examinations typically consist of written or oral exams that assess both conceptual understanding and methodological skills.

Seminars enable you to explore a scientific topic in data science independently, understand the current state of research, and prepare and present scientific work. Coursework usually includes a presentation, while the examination consists of a written paper.

Across all specialisations, project seminars and practicums offer hands‑on research experience. Students—often working in teams—conduct an independent research project as preparation for the Master’s thesis. Coursework includes a project presentation, and the examination usually consists of a project report or documentation.

If you want to study the MSc Data Science at the University of Regensburg, you should have:

• A Bachelor's degree with a final grade of 2.5 or better (or at least 138 ECTS in your current Bachelor's degree with a provisional final grade of 2.5 or better)
  If you have not already studied data science or computer science in your Bachelor's degree, but are burning with interest in data science, you can be admitted if you fulfil the other requirements.
• Completed credits from the field of data science amounting to 30 ECTS and from the field of mathematics amounting to 18 ECTS 
  (With a total of 30 ECTS from data science and mathematics, you can be conditionally admitted.)
• Proof of English at level B2 CEFR or a Bachelor's thesis written in English
  If the language of instruction during your studies was English, you will still need to provide proof of language proficiency (language test certificate or thesis). Only applicants with English as their first language are exempt from providing proof of English language skills. In this case, it is sufficient to upload a copy of your passport.
• If you are pursuing or have completed your first university degree (Bachelor’s) outside of Germany, you must submit a preliminary documentation (VPD) from uni-assist (processing time: up to six weeks) as part of your application on the UR Campus Portal.
• If you are pursuing or have completed your first university degree (Bachelor’s) in a country that is not a signatory state to the so-called Lisbon Recognition Convention, you must also prove your academic knowledge by passing the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.

Further details on the requirements as well as further information on the admission procedure, deadlines and necessary documents are available on our website.

Student service fee: approx. 200 EUR per semester (includes a public transport ticket valid for the entire semester)

You will need a minimum of about 1,000 EUR per month (including rent, food, clothing, insurance, books, and study materials).

Students from EU member states and Switzerland do not need a work permit. Students from non-EU states who are registered at a German university are allowed to work 140 days per year.
Please note that almost all employers require good German language skills.

Students from non-EU countries can apply for the study grant for international students in financial need at the University of Regensburg. Please see: Funding - University of Regensburg.

The Marketing and Career Service of the University of Regensburg supports all students in their professional orientation during their studies: Marketing & Career Service - University of Regensburg.

The International Office will try to assist students in finding a room in a student dormitory. The price for a room in a student dormitory ranges from approx. 300 EUR to 450 EUR per month.
For more information about student housing, please contact international.accommodation@ur.de.