Artificial Intelligence Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg

If you want to understand and design the algorithms that underlie artificial intelligence, the international Artificial Intelligence MSc programme is the right place for you. This programme is focused on mastering fundamental research knowledge and techniques which will allow you to learn to develop future AI methods.

Through a combination of current knowledge and modern methods from computer science, psychology, and mathematics, you will be able to research and design complex artificial intelligence procedures. Such methods are, for example, Deep Learning, Support Vector Machines, Markov Random Fields, Wavelets, Bayesian Networks, optimal reasoning, knowledge representation, pattern recognition, multi-scale representation, programme verification, or constraint-based programming. You learn to conceptualise AI methods, to test their special properties, to validate them, to develop them further and to implement them in a targeted manner.

This degree programme places a core focus on understanding and explaining the mathematical and algorithmic models that underlie artificial intelligence; therefore, it demands a solid background on theoretical computer science. Furthermore, the behaviour of AI procedure should be predictable and describable. The degree programme puts emphasise on students learning to understand how the system will react in unexpected circumstances but also encourage trusting the system. Of course, you will also learn to asses and critically question the limits and implications of applying artificial intelligence to socially relevant problems.

An increasing number of companies and research institutions are ensuring their future development by looking for specialists with innovative and creative design skills in the field of artificial intelligence. Many of our cooperation partners, such as the Lausitz Center for Artificial Intelligence (LZKI), the Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics (IHP), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Fraunhofer Institutes, or Rolls Royce offer opportunities to work on research projects during your studies or to write your Master's thesis there.

If you are more interested in building and further developing complex hardware- or software-based systems of AI, we recommend the Master's programme Artificial Intelligence Engineering (taught in German).

The courses in the international degree programme Artificial Intelligence, MSc are taught in English.

The Master's programme consists of four semesters with 30 credit points each. The core of the curriculum is in three blocks of mandatory elective courses:

• Advanced Methods
• Knowledge Acquisition, Representation, and Processing
• Learning and Reasoning

At least six credit points need to be taken in each of the three blocks. At least eight credits worth of seminars or laboratories need to be taken. In addition to the coursework in the three mandatory elective blocks, one course in general studies must be taken and a Master's thesis needs to be completed. Finally, each student must do an internship, which offers students the opportunity to implement the subject-related and methodical knowledge gained through their courses in an industrial environment. It serves to link practical experience with research and teaching.

The mandatory elective blocks contain modules that can be used by students whose previous degree is from a programme close to the AI, in order to shore up essential knowledge in AI that their previous degree may not have contained. Of these modules, a maximum of 18 credit points can be used for the Master's programme. Modules that have been used by the student as part of their Bachelor's degree programme cannot be used again as part of the Master's programme.

The programme includes a mandatory internship.

Admission requirements include a first qualifying degree (at least a Bachelor's degree) or a qualification equivalent to this in a programme closely related to Computer Sciences, such as Artificial Intelligence or Mathematics with a focus on Computer Sciences. The theoretical, applied, and technical Computer Science and Mathematics degree programmes should be comparable to the Bachelor's programme in Artificial Intelligence offered at BTU.

Apart from a few degree programmes, education offered at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is without tuition fees. However, the university does charge a semester fee each semester (currently: winter semester 2026/27: 391.80 EUR). This covers costs for student services organisation, the Student Council as well as the semester ticket.

Studies abroad often have different types of expenses from the ones you know from your home country. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses. Accommodation and other essential living expenses will amount to around 780 to 1,000 EUR per month. Of course, this amount depends entirely on individual lifestyle. The following list gives you an idea of some fixed and variable costs that you should take into account for your stay in Germany.

Monthly costs:

• rent (including utilities): 250 to 450 EUR
• groceries: approx. 160 to 180 EUR
• health insurance, medical fees, medication: approx. 145 EUR
• miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 170 to 220 EUR

Total: 780 to 1,000 EUR

The so-called "Deutschlandticket" included in the semester ticket allows you to travel using all local public means of transportation throughout Germany.

There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, it is not always easy to find a part-time job and you will need at least basic German skills for many of the available jobs. Students from non-European countries are allowed to work either 120 whole days or 240 half days annually. The 120-day rule is not affected by mandatory internships or student assistance jobs at university. Students from EU member countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can work without restrictions during their studies in Germany.

Studying at BTU is mostly free of (tuition) fees. Because of this, there are only limited scholarship opportunities for international students. The International Relations Office is nonetheless pleased to be able to award a limited number of scholarships to international students already enrolled at BTU. You can find more information on BTU scholarship opportunities on our websites.

The BTU Career Center offers extensive support to international students and graduates, ensuring that students experience a smooth transition into the job market. We help students on their journey to a successful career path by offering seminars, workshops and career advisory services to ensure that students succeed in their job application processes and land great positions.

Our offers include:

• BTU Job Market: online job board for students
• BTU Campus-X-Change and BTU Matching Day: annual job fair and online recruiting event to connect students with employers
• FIT@BTU: a DAAD-funded project that helps students make the transition to a successful career
• Start up your Career in Brandenburg: a project co-financed by the EU and Brandenburg, with the aim of preparing international students for the Brandenburg job market

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a university with three locations where numerous student dormitories are provided. Students can choose between different room types. The room capacities in our dormitories are limited, thus we recommend to apply as early as you receive your admission letter for an apartment in the dormitories.

In Germany, it is also very common for students to live alone or with friends. If three or more people share an apartment together, this is called a "WG" in German ("Wohngemeinschaft", which means a shared flat). A comprehensive list on student accommodation and housing options at BTU's three locations can be found on our websites, as well as a video about how students live in both Cottbus and Senftenberg.

Located on three campuses and with over 70 study programmes, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a broad spectrum of market-oriented programmes as well as traditional degree programmes.

From the natural sciences and engineering to economics, cultural studies, and even health sciences, BTU offers a wide range of courses. Our 21 study programmes taught exclusively in English are very popular among both German and international students from all over the world.

BTU is partnered with over 220 universities throughout the world, which provides students with a multitude of excellent opportunities to spend part of their time studying or conducting research abroad. Furthermore, in cooperation with our international partner universities, BTU offers a wide range of double degree and joint degree programmes.

Cottbus is located in the northeast of Germany, between the country’s capital, Berlin (100 km), and Dresden (120 km). With a population of approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the second largest city after Potsdam in the federal state of Brandenburg. The Polish border is only approx. 30 km away. The location of Cottbus offers a convenient starting point for trips into the picturesque region of Lower Lusatia. The landscape of Lower Lusatia is characterised by the Spreewald with its small canals and waterways as well as by the Slavonic minority called Sorbs or Wends. Their language, similar to Polish, is still used and spoken in Lower Lusatia. For this reason, many of the road signs and informational boards in Cottbus and the surrounding region are written in both Sorbian and German. 

Cottbus gained importance as a trade centre in the 12th century. Parts of the original city wall from the 14th century as well as the beautiful townhouses around the old market square are proof of the city’s early splendour. Additionally, the city is characterised by buildings from the "Wilhelminian" times of rapid industrial growth in Germany, which occurred towards the end of the 19th century. The city that first rose to prominence with its cloth and linen weaving industry soon evolved into a growing centre of brown coal mining. Today, Cottbus is in the midst of a structural transformation. BTU supports this development with its engagement in the Lausitz Science Park megaproject, which aims to build an appealing innovation landscape.

Senftenberg is the centre of the Lusatia Lake District. Former excavation and mining pits have been flooded in order to create the largest artificial lake system in Europe, with a total of 23 large lakes. The water sports area "Senftenberger See", with its water surface of 1,300 hectares, offers exceptional sailing and surfing opportunities, and it is suitable for all kinds of water sports. Senftenberg has thus become a tourist attraction within the region.