Applied Research in Computer Science (MSc) Hof University of Applied Sciences

Digitalisation is not just about converting analogue information to a digital format, but includes changing business models, providing services around products, and open innovation. In a world where fast time to market is increasingly important, corporations are well advised to listen to their customers for suggestions for improvement or new products and work closely together with universities and research labs to incorporate the latest technologies for fulfilling their customers’ needs. If you want to become part of this effort and help to bring results from basic research into practice while gaining professional experience, then this Master's programme is right for you.

Playing with the latest technologies

Within the Institute of Information Systems, we are working with the latest technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence, cyber-physical systems, smart data and data analytics, virtual and augmented reality, autonomous cars, and digital mobility as well as digital healthcare and the Internet of Things. We bring these technologies together by creating applications that really help people, are easy to use, and respect users’ privacy requirements. We are dealing with recent trends like usability, speech recognition, and natural language processing as well as listening to the challenges that the industry is facing. Bringing together users' needs and technological possibilities is at the heart of our mission.

What does Hof University offer?

Being part of our multi-disciplinary team of experts with backgrounds in computer science, electrical engineering, business information systems, information science, and business law will enrich your career. You can combine the best of multiple worlds by gaining a Master’s degree, having fun with the latest technologies, and learning about scientific research methods and a structured approach to problem solving while experiencing the working situation in our partner corporations. Talented people with good ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit will get direct support from our digital start-up centre Einstein1 in order to build their own company right away. Graduates with excellent grades will get an opportunity to proceed with PhD studies.

How does it work?

The study programme consists of work in research projects of the research groups at the Institute of Information Systems (iisys), special lectures in research methodology as well as lectures in computer science subjects, organisation science and business law. There will be a good mixture of practical work like programming and training of social skills (in meetings and by giving presentations) as well as conceptual work like creating architecture models, doing criteria-based comparisons or literature reviews to find suitable algorithms, and research approaches.

Obligatory modules

• New Technologies in Computer Science
• Design Science Approaches in Computer Science Research
• Behavioural Approaches in Computer Science Research
• Designing and Developing Business Models
• Project seminar
• Research project

Electives (choose two):

• Security of Information Systems
• Data Engineering and Analysis Methods
• Mixed Media (AR, VR, MR)
• IoT Architectures
• Security research seminar
• Information Structuring and Visualisation

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, media informatics, mobile computing or business information systems, or comparable study programmes (Please note: electrical engineering is NOT in compliance with the requirements.)
• Above average grades in object-oriented programming, software engineering, computer networks and databases
• Written application that includes your Bachelor's thesis, a certification about an internship or practical work of at least 18 weeks, and a two-page literature review about a scientific topic of one of the iisys research groups
• Oral exam with questions and discussion of a case study presented by you (can be done via video chat)

Please check our website for further information on the admission requirements and the list of our research topics for project work.

Administrative fee of approx. 150 EUR per semester

The cost of living in the city of Hof is moderate compared to both other European countries and bigger cities in Germany. On average, living expenses for a student range between 800 and 1,000 EUR per month in total.

The following is an approximate cost calculation of expenditures per month:

• accommodation: 350 to 550 EUR
• mandatory health insurance: about 120 EUR
• food and personal expenditures: at least 350 EUR

The Career Service team at Hof University offers you a wide range of career preparation and orientation services, including workshops, company excursions, and job fairs. We will prepare you for the German labour market by providing you with specific information, counselling, and qualifications. Thus, you will be able to start your individual career as an intern and as a graduate.

The Housing Office supports international students in finding appropriate accommodation.

Rent for a single student room is approx. 350 to 550 EUR. Rent for a private one-room apartment for one tenant or for a couple is more than 550 EUR. We also have a limited number of double rooms for friends that cost about 250 to 320 EUR per person. Beside the rent, there are additional costs for water, energy, broadcast fee, and Internet.

For a full overview of the practical issues related to living in Hof and our support services for international students, please have a look at the website of our Welcome Service and Housing Office.