Master of Science in Computer Science University of Freiburg

In the last two decades, smartphones, navigation systems, search engines and data‑streaming have become part of everyday life. The next wave – self‑driving robots, autonomous vehicles, image‑understanding AI and mind‑controlled prostheses – is already on the horizon.

At the University of Freiburg we give you the theoretical foundations and hands‑on experience you need to shape that future.

Why Choose Our International Master’s Programme?

• Maximum flexibility: Choose courses across the whole spectrum of computer science and craft a study plan that matches your interests and career goals.
• World‑class Research: Study in a university ranked among the top 150 worldwide, with access to cutting‑edge labs and industry partners.
• Career‑Ready: Graduates move into PhD programmes, research institutes, or high‑tech companies in Europe, the US, Asia and beyond.

Your Three Pathways to a Master of Science in Computer Science

Open Curriculum: Design a personalised programme by mixing modules from any area of computing: algorithms, data analytics, computer graphics, software & hardware development, machine learning, or bio‑informatics.

Specialisation in Artificial Intelligence: Dive deep into AI, machine learning, deep learning, robotics, computer vision, computer graphics and neuroscience.

Specialisation in Cyber‑Physical Systems: Focus on the design, verification and analysis of hardware and software systems, programming languages, embedded & distributed systems, security, and efficiency.

Our Master’s programme is built around maximum flexibility and personalised learning. You shape your own academic path, deepen expertise in the IT fields that excite you, and graduate with a unique competence profile that stands out in both academia and industry.

How the programme works

Core modules: Attend lectures, seminars, labs and a study‑project. Gain a solid theoretical and practical foundation in computer science.

Customised Course Selection Area: Choose courses freely – not only within computer science but also in complementary disciplines (e.g. engineering, economics, environmental studies). Gain interdisciplinary skills and a broader perspective that “looks outside the box”.

Master’s Thesis: Conduct original research, normally within an ongoing project of a faculty member. Gain direct experience with cutting‑edge research and a publishable result.

Internships are not mandatory in the curriculum, but students are free to take a leave of absence to complete a placement at a company.

The programme is intended for candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields

• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Informatics
• Mathematics
• Information Technology

with an excellent cumulative GPA / final grade.

Because true mastery of the practical aspects of computer science rests on a solid theoretical foundation, a strong background in theoretical computer science is essential. Applicants should be well versed in topics such as:

• Formal languages and automata theory
• Computability theory
• Graph theory and combinatorial optimisation
• Algorithmic analysis and design

Demonstrated competence in these areas is one of the key admission prerequisites.

190 EUR per semester:

• Administrative fee: 80 EUR
• Contribution to the constituted student body: 7 EUR
• Contribution to the student union: 103 EUR

Participants must ensure that sufficient funding is available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 850 EUR to 1,000 EUR.

Some details:

• Rooms in private accommodation, including extra costs: 350 EUR – 700 EUR
• Rooms in student residences, including extra costs: 250 EUR – 550 EUR
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR per month.
• Health insurance is available for approx. 120 EUR per month.
• Transport: A special student ticket for regional transport costs approx. 96 EUR per semester.

Qualified students can secure research or teaching assistant positions within the Department of Computer Science as well as at the many research institutes located in Freiburg.

Students who earned an excellent undergraduate record (a final grade of 1.5 or better on the German grading scale) are eligible to apply for the Deutschlandstipendium.

https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/during-your-studies/financing-your-studies/deutschlandstipendium/

The university offers the following career services:

• Company visits – on‑site tours and presentations at partner firms
• Employer talks & panels – direct conversations with recruiters and industry experts
• Application advice – personalised help with CVs, cover letters, and interview preparation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable and affordable place to live can take a little while. The University of Freiburg offers all newly enrolled international students the possibility to apply for student housing via the International Office. In addition to these dormitories, which are run by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg (www.swfr.de/en), several independent residence halls are listed on the university website (https://uni-freiburg.de/internationaloffice/housing/). The Studierendenwerk Freiburg and the International Office also offer a list of available private rooms.

The University of Freiburg was founded in 1457 as a classical comprehensive university, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Germany. Awarded for its excellence in both research and teaching, the university also boasts a long history, with numerous Nobel laureates. Brilliant scholars and creative thinking distinguish it today as a modern, top-notch university, well equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. As an organisation with around 24,500 students, 288 degree programmes, and 6,536 employees (2021), the University of Freiburg is committed to family friendliness, equal opportunities, and environmental consciousness in its day-to-day operations. The structure of the university is multifaceted, ranging from 11 academic faculties – from the humanities and the social and natural sciences all the way to engineering – to 19 research centres. This goes to show that we are a dynamic, large-scale institution with a diverse educational offering. As studies, research, and continuing education are all an integral part of this offering, we maintain a close relationship with the city and the region as well as with the international academic community. Bilateral partnerships, research projects, joint study courses and memberships in international networks such as the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and of EUCOR – The European Campus are examples of the university's strong transnational relations. All our students, including those from abroad, can take courses at the Universities of Basel (Switzerland) and Strasbourg (France) without having to enrol. Via EUCOR, The European Campus mobility grant, they also receive allowances for travel expenses to their partner institutions.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in south-western Germany on the edge of the Black Forest. Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Bertold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town – hence its name, which translates to "free town". Freiburg holds a central position in Europe at the border triangle of Switzerland, France, and Germany, and is the city with the most hours of sunshine per year in Germany. It is nestled in one of the oldest cultural landscapes north of the Alps, a location which has had an unmistakable influence on the town. The university plays an essential part in the quality of life in Freiburg; both in the academic sphere and in the perception of the general public, the activities of the university are of central importance. Since its founding, teaching, learning and research have formed an indivisible whole.

With approx. 230,000 inhabitants, Freiburg has a friendly size, offering the safe surroundings of a smaller city whilst at the same time excelling in terms of culture, shopping and infrastructure. Both the inhabitants and the city government of Freiburg attach great importance to ecological values and sustainable development. This "green city" atmosphere influences many aspects of city life – from the numerous cyclists on the streets to cutting-edge solar energy research. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Black Forest and the wine-growing regions of the Rhine Valley, Freiburg is a popular destination for tourism and leisure activities.