Work-integrated Master’s degree programme (4 years)
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September (See if this programme also offers a January/February start for international applicants). Programme type: Flexible work-integrated Master’s degree programme (4 years) |
The work-integrated master’s programme in Computer Science at Aarhus University is designed for IT professionals who want to continue their education while remaining in employment. The programme allows you to combine academic studies with professional practice, enabling you to apply the latest research-based knowledge directly in your workplace.
You complete the same 120 ECTS credits and obtain the same academic title and competencies as graduates of the two-year full-time master’s programme in Computer Science. However, the programme is structured as a part-time degree and typically completed over four years, making it possible to balance work and study.
The flexible structure of the programme allows you to tailor your degree to your interests and professional needs. You can choose courses within four main specialisations:
Choosing a specialisation is optional. You may also design your own academic profile by combining courses across different specialisations or by including relevant courses from other departments.
Throughout the programme, you will be able to integrate your studies with your professional work, strengthening the link between theory and practice. At the same time, you gain access to the same strong research environment and high academic standards that characterise the full-time master’s programme in Computer Science at Aarhus University.
The programme has a standard duration of four years. Applicants must be employed in a relevant field during their studies. Specific requirements regarding employment and admission are described under Admission requirements.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the work-integrated Master's degree programme in Computer Science. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below these sections, you can learn more about the employment requirement and the English language requirement. You can also find out which ranking criteria we use to assess your application when prioritizing among the submitted applications.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
Programming You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in programming. The following subject areas are typically considered, but other relevant courses within programming may also be included:
| 20 |
Computer Systems You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in computer systems. The following subject areas are typically considered, but other relevant courses within computer systems may also be included:
| 20 |
Theoretical Computer Science and/or Human-Computer Interaction You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in Theoretical Computer Science and/or Human-Computer interaction. The following subject areas are typically considered, but other relevant courses within Theoretical Computer Science may also be included:
| 20 |
| Basic subjects in Mathematics, Probability Theory and Statistics You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in foundational mathematical subjects, probability theory, and statistics. | 20 |
| Total | 80 |
We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission.
There are no bachelor's programmes that grant a legal right to admission to this programme.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this work-integrated Master's degree programme in Computer Science:
If you hold a Bachelor’s degree from a non-Danish university, you must complete the appendix below and upload it to the application portal. The appendix helps the academic assessors with the assessment of your application.
Download appendix
When applying for a work-integrated Master’s degree programme, you must meet the requirement of being in relevant employment.
“Relevant employment” means that you work at least 25 hours per week in a public or private company, or as an entrepreneur, and that your work tasks are professionally related to both your qualifying education and the education you are applying for.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's English language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
All Master’s degree programmes at Aarhus University have limited intake. This means that you are not guaranteed admission even if you meet the entry requirements. When we prioritize among applicants, we assess your application based on a set of fixed ranking criteria, which you can see below.
If you have a legal right of admission, you are guaranteed a place in the programme and do not need to consider the ranking criteria.
Ranking criteria:
Grades from the qualifying degree
Grades achieved in relevant subject fields:
Computer Science
Mathematics
Probability Theory
Statistics
Relevant subject fields (measured in ECTS). In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
Computer Science
Mathematics
Probability Theory
Statistics
In criterion three, the score is based on the proportion of subjects on the bachelor’s degree diploma that fall within the relevant subject fields. In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the assessment.
Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
From the summer admission of 2027, the specific admission requirements will be as follows:
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
Programming You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in programming. The following subject areas are typically considered, but other relevant courses within programming may also be included:
| 20 |
Computer Systems You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in computer systems. The following subject areas are typically considered, but other relevant courses within computer systems may also be included:
| 20 |
Theoretical Computer Science and/or Human-Computer Interaction You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in Theoretical Computer Science and/or Human-Computer interaction. The following subject areas are typically considered, but other relevant courses within Theoretical Computer Science may also be included:
| 20 |
| Basic subjects in Mathematics, Probability Theory and Statistics You must have at least 20 ECTS credits in foundational mathematical subjects, like calculus/analysis, (linear) algebra, discrete math/graph theory, or probability theory and statistics. | 20 |
| Total | 80 |
From the summer admission of 2027, the ranking criteria will be as follows:
All Master’s degree programmes at Aarhus University have limited intake. This means that you are not guaranteed admission even if you meet the entry requirements. When we prioritize among applicants, we assess your application based on a set of fixed ranking criteria, which you can see below.
If you have a legal right of admission, you are guaranteed a place in the programme and do not need to consider the ranking criteria.
Ranking criteria:
You must complete at least 30 ECTS per year. Each 10 ECTs course requires your active participation on site 2-5 hours/week. Our teaching is a mix of lectures and classes where you must present and discuss research and work in study groups.
When you have enrolled you will receive advice on how to set up a study programme that suits your work schedule as much as possible.
You must choose between...
One of the four specialisations (60 ECTS):
Or combine at least two of our course packages (2 x 30 ECTS) within:
You may combine with 5 ECTS vocational project in your company or any of the electives.
The total programme consists of 90 ECTS courses, as well as a thesis with a scope of 30 ECTS. It is also possible to complete the thesis in half a year instead of a full year, and complete it in 3.5 years.
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 academic regulations provide detailed information about the content of each course. You can also find an overview of the structure of the degree programme and the requirements you must meet as a student – including examination types and assessment criteria.
The Department of Computer Science is located in the IT City Katrinebjerg, where Aarhus University has consolidated all its IT programmes and research.
As the largest IT education center in Denmark, with more than 3.000 students and 200 researchers, IT City Katrinebjerg is an exciting study environment near Aarhus city center.
As a work-integrated master’s student, your everyday life will differ from that of full-time students, but you are still part of the same academic community. You will attend the same courses, collaborate with peers on projects, and have access to study facilities and events at the Department of Computer Science.
Because you combine study with employment, your learning environment extends beyond the university. Your workplace becomes a natural part of your education, where you can test theories, methods, and tools in practice. This dual setting creates a unique study life where you both grow academically and professionally.
You may also participate in department activities such as guest lectures, hackathons, and career events, connecting you with researchers, students, and companies in the thriving IT ecosystem around Aarhus University.
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 beaches and woods are just a short bike-ride away, as well as many cultural events taking place throughout the year, including the Aarhus Festival in September. The theatres in the city and the ARoS art museum offer many events that enable you to experience the Danish culture.
- experienced, photographed and filmed by the students themselves.
With thousands of pictures #yourniversity 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.
The photos belong to the users, shared with #Yourniversity, #AarhusUni and course-specific AU-hashtags.
Or follow the everyday life at the Department of Computer Science:
Only IT professionals such as software engineer, systems architect, product developers, UX designers, cybersecurity specialists, and AI consultants are eligeble to the programme.
Companies across Denmark and beyond search for graduates from Aarhus University’s computer science programmes. By choosing the work-integrated Master’s, you accelerate your career while studying: you gain advanced theoretical knowledge, apply it immediately in your job, and position yourself for senior roles and you grow your network among other IT professionals.
Many graduates move into leadership roles, bridging technical expertise with innovation and business development. At cs.au.dk/career you can read more about some of our graduates and their exciting jobs.
If you are about to enter the job market in Denmark or to a career as IT professional please contact our partners Tech Hub Aarhus and Erhverv Aarhus. These business associations will guide you to local IT companies and networks.
With a letter of preliminary acceptance into the programme international students may receive feedback on your resume and application, coffee meetings with companies, and partial grant to visit the department and talk with companies.
You can also explore vacancies via our online jobwall (CS Jobwall), where business club members regularly post job opportunities.
Computer scientist with a Bachelor's degree in this area may expect an average income per month of € 3.500 (app. € 2.300 after tax) for 25 hours/week depending on your academic merits, language skills, and level of work experience.
It specialists may choose to be represented by labour unions PROSA or IDA in contract negotiations. They keep updated statistics on salaries here.
