Master's Degree Programme
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September |
Whether your interest is in complex algorithms, machine learning, IT and cyber security, logic and semantics, pervasive computing, or something completely different within the field of computer science, this programme will allow you to specialise in areas of your choice. For more information regarding research in computer science at Aarhus University, visit www.cs.au.dk/research.
The Master's programme in Computer Science is dedicated to the highest-quality teaching in an informal learning environment. Our high-profile international teaching staff expect students to take an active part in the teaching, and staff-student consultation is always encouraged. The teaching is a mix of lectures and classes, with preparatory work in study groups. The Master's programme is taught in English, but classes have a mix of Danish and international students.
For those interested in studying computer science at Aarhus University find more information below or at www.cs.au.dk/international.
We expect applicants to have a Bachelor's degree giving a thorough background in basic computer science. This should include computation theory (formal languages and compilation, mathematical logic and undecidability, design and analysis of algorithms, and data structures), programming (object-oriented programming, functional programming, software architecture, and interaction design), and systems (computer architecture, operating systems, distributed systems, security, databases). For students who meet these requirements, our Master's programme offers several specialisations, such as cryptology, algorithmics, programming languages, HCI, and ubiquitous computing and interaction.
All applicants’ BSc degree will be assessed, and the course basis for admission must reflect contemporary theory and practice. In the assessment of applicants, emphasis is placed on:
A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Aarhus University, University of Southern Denmark or University of Copenhagen gives access to the Master’s degree program in Computer Science at Aarhus University.
Other degrees, which, according to the university's assessment, in level, extent and content correspond to the above-mentioned degrees, may give admission to the Master's degree programme.
There may be requirements for the composition of the study program in connection with possible admission.
Download appendix for your application
If you apply for admission with an international Bachelor's degree, you must fill in this appendix and upload it in the application portal. The appendix serves to help the Admission Board assess your Bachelor’s degree in regard to the admission requirements.
Language Requirements
Since English is the language of instruction in all subjects, all applicants are required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency.
Read how to document your language qualifications
Documentation
Please see the general admission requirements
Legal right of admission
Students with a Bachelor's degree programme in Computer Science at Aarhus University have the right to be admitted to the Master's degree programme in Computer Science on the condition that application is made for admission to the Master’s degree programme no later than three years after completion of the Bachelor’s degree programme. The legal right of admission requires receipt of the application by Aarhus University within the appropriate period of time.
As the Master’s programme only admits a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme.
Allocation of student places is based on an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assess applicants on the basis of the following criteria:
Academic background
* Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of Computer Science, Mathematics, Probability Theory and Statistics.
Please note that grades obtained after the time of application cannot be included in the assessment of grade level.
The admissions committee assess each applicant on the basis of the information provided in diplomas, transcripts, and course descriptions.
The master’s programme runs over two years with four semesters. Three semesters are dedicated to specialisations or electives. The last semester is for your master’s thesis, which some choose to write in collaboration with a company. Once enrolled, our study programme manager will help you comprise your master’s programme based on your interests.
Currently, Aarhus University offers the following specialisations in Computer Science:
The teaching style is a mix of lectures and classes all taught in English, with preparatory work in study groups. If you have questions or need help with an assignment, you can meet with the professor or the teaching assistants assigned to the course. The workload is estimated at 45 hours per week – including classes, assignments, and group work. Still, most of our students find time for a student job. For more info on student jobs, check the career section below.
The Department of Computer Science has many spaces for getting together with fellow students outside class, which form an excellent basis for both study-related and social activities. The department and our student associations organise a variety of events and tech talks in collaboration with local and international companies. There is also a popular Friday bar, and students organise the annual hackathon AUHack.
The Department of Computer Science is located in the IT City Katrinebjerg, where Aarhus University has consolidated all its IT degree programmes and research. As the largest IT education centre in Denmark, with approximately 2,500 students and more than 200 researchers, IT City Katrinebjerg is an exciting study environment. This multidisciplinary hub, unique to Aarhus University, provides great opportunities in IT for students, researchers, and businesses to work and interact together.
The IT city Katrinebjerg is close to the unique main campus of Aarhus University. The campus is located near the city centre, and student accommodation is readily available as long as you apply on time. There are a range of activities, ranging from running to regatta on the lake, as well as guest lectures, film screenings, and university events taking place throughout the year. To ensure student well-being, counselling services are available for students, to offer support and guidance during their time at Aarhus University.
Want to know more about student life in Aarhus? Ask all your questions about courses, workload, student jobs and much more via Unibuddy. Our friendly student ambassadors are here to answer your questions. Find an ambassador from your home country or the subject you want to study.
As the second-largest city in Denmark, Aarhus is a young and dynamic place with plenty of opportunities. The 40,000 students at the university make up almost 20% of the city's population, which leaves its mark on city life. An attractive feature of Aarhus is that there are beaches and woods a short bike-ride away, as well as cultural events taking place throughout the year, including the Aarhus Festival in September. The theatres in the city and the ARoS international art museum offer many cultural events throughout the year.
-experienced, photographed and filmed by the students themselves.
With thousands of pictures #AUInternational, #AarhusUni gives insight into the everyday life as a student at AU; the parties, procrastination, exams and all the other ways you’ll spend your time at university.
You may also want to follow the Department of Computer Science on Facebook or Instagram.
The photos belong to the users, shared with #AUInternational and #AarhusUni.
The chart shows the five most common types of work for graduates 1-2 years after finishing their degree. The data is derived from a survey made by Epinion for the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Aarhus University in 2020.
Computer scientists continue to be in great demand all over the world, and this is also the case in Denmark. Computer science graduates from Aarhus University have an excellent reputation and are in very high demand for exciting and well-paid jobs in and around Aarhus or abroad. Recent graduates have been recruited by leading IT companies in areas such as software development, consultancy work, project management, and research.
Moreover, many Aarhus-based IT companies are on the lookout for student employees for part-time jobs. The department has a close collaboration with the industry network Destination AARhus, who helps international IT talents find student- or full-time jobs. The department also has an online ‘jobwall’, and every year we host a career fair (“Kdag”), where students get a unique opportunity to meet more than 50 IT companies.
If you are interested in staying in academia, the department also has a very popular PhD programme. It is possible to apply for admission during your master studies. The PhD programme is open for admission four times a year. All PhD positions at the department are fully funded.
Harshit Mahapatra from India completed his master in Computer Science at Aarhus University in 2020.
He decided to stay in Aarhus and now works at the Alexandra institute. Read more about his experience.
Many of our students are interested in innovation and starting up new companies. At the Department of Computer Science, one of our goals is to support entrepreneurial activities of our students and recent graduates. Therefore, we have created an experimental innovation lab and incubator environment called HatchIt Lab.
In HatchIT Lab, you can develop a start-up idea in a business-oriented incubation and innovation environment. The lab is located close to the IT research and educational facilities at Aarhus University. Hereby, HatchIT Lab contributes to collaboration between students, researchers, and companies. As an open innovation environment, HatchIT Lab supports the sharing of knowledge and experiences between students, entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, and well-established companies.
