- Up to 1,500 EUR/semTuition
- Winter and summerIntake
- EnglishLanguage
- 4 semestersDuration
- 15 MarNext deadline
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- 5,000+ students guided
- 4.9 on Google (opens Google reviews in a new tab)
About the programme
The Master of Science in Data and Computer Science at Heidelberg University is a four-semester programme taught in English, with a start in the winter or summer semester and a part-time option. It focuses on planning, modelling, designing and implementing complex software and hardware systems and processes, building on what students learned in a computer science bachelor's. You choose a specialism, such as information systems engineering or computing engineering. A large share of the programme is electives, in areas including image processing, computer graphics and visualisation, database systems, optimisation, parallel and distributed systems, software engineering and scientific computing. You also pick an application area, such as mathematics, economics, computational linguistics, physics, medical informatics, earth sciences or psychology, and finish with a master's thesis.
Fields of study
How to apply
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Requirements
What you need to apply for DATA AND COMPUTER SCIENCE at Heidelberg University
English language
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proof of knowledge of the English language at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) has to be proven. Typically, this can be done by either
School reports showing that English has been taken as a school subject continuously in the last four school semesters up to graduation and has been assessed with an average of at least 9.5 grade points or comparable
Certificate of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total of at least 90 points in Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing
https://www.informatik.uni-heidelberg.de/studium-und-lehr... (opens in a new tab)
https://www.informatik.uni-heidelberg.de/studium/master/d... (opens in a new tab)
German language
Academic requirements
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The general university entrance qualification, a relevant subject-related university entrance qualification, a
foreign university entrance qualification or one from the responsible state
Position recognized as equivalent to university entrance qualification and
2. A degree in a bachelor's degree acquired with above-average success
specializing in computer science or mathematics, natural or engineering sciences
a domestic or foreign university for which a standard period of study of at least
three academic years, or a degree recognized as equivalent. Of the
Degree must have a computer science component of at least 24 credit points
include. The IT knowledge acquired in this process must be selected from the
Basic informatic compulsory modules or compulsory modules of the bachelor's program.
https://backend-484.uni-heidelberg.de/sites/default/files... (opens in a new tab)
yes required
Tests and documents
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motivation is a questionnaire
Required
Required -
APS verification
APS checks your degree papers. You need it if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam.
Prerequisites
- The application for admission to the course of studies in the Master’s degree programme in Data and Computer Science must be submitted in the form stipulated by the ZImmO of Heidelberg University.
- (2) The following documents must be enclosed with the application for admission to the course of studies:
- evidence of a Bachelor of Science degree with above-average grades in a degree in one of the departments of computer science, computational linguistics, mathematics, or physics, or in a degree programme with essentially the same content, or a degree recognised as equivalent. At least 50% of the degree programme must be in computer science and the Bachelor’s thesis must be 100% from the degree programme in computer science. Evidence of an above-average Bachelor’s degree is provided with a minimum grade of 2.3,
- Officially certified translations in German or English must be enclosed for certificates from foreign educational institutions. If the university entrance qualification and academic achievements were acquired in a country, in particular in the People’s Republic of China, India, or Vietnam, in which a certificate or an attestation from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) is offered, this must also be submitted,
- if the degree in accordance with paragraph 2 number 1 is not yet available by the end of the application deadline, a provisional certificate from the university on the work completed up to that point,
- evidence of subject-specific knowledge in accordance with § 4 /(2) no. 2 in the form of the transcript of records,
- evidence of sufficient English language proficiency at a minimum level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) if the applicant is not a native speaker of English. The evidence must not be any older than five years at the end of the application phase and can be provided by:
- the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), paper based, with at least 532 out of 677, or with at least 72 out of 120 points, internet based, or
- the International English Language Test System (IELTS Academic) with a score of 5.5 or better, or
- other evidence of at least level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), e.g., by providing evidence of at least level B2 in the school leaving certificate or
- successful completion of a degree programmes taught in English
- a personal statement (self-reflection) in the form of answers to predefined questions. The modalities and questions will be determined by the selection committee and communicated during the application phase,
- a declaration stating whether the applicant for the course of studies has definitively failed an examination required by the examination rules and regulations in the Master’s degree programme in data and computer science or a related Master’s degree programme before, or their entitlement to take the final exams has lapsed for any other reasons, or is currently undergoing an examination procedure in such degree programmes.
- Heidelberg University may require that the documents to be enclosed to the application for admission to the course of studies be submitted in the original upon enrolment.
- Degrees obtained in degree programmes at foreign state or state-recognised universities shall be recognised if there is no significant difference in the skills acquired compared to the degrees that are being replaced. The selection committee shall decide on recognition. The recommendations of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder and the agreement within the framework of university partnerships must be observed when recognising foreign educational certificates.
- The application for admission to the course of studies, including the documents required under paragraph 2, must be submitted to Heidelberg University by 15 March of each year for the winter semester and by 15 September of the previous year for the summer semester (cut-off period). The application for admission to the course of studies, including the documents required under paragraph 2, must be submitted to Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg by 15/05/2024 for the winter semester 2024/25.
- a Bachelor of Science degree with above-average grades in one of the departments of computer science, computational linguistics, mathematics, or physics or in a degree programme with essentially the same content for which a standard period of study of at least three years is specified or a degree recognised as equivalent. At least 50% of the degree programme must be in computer science and the Bachelor’s thesis must be 100% from the degree programme in computer science. Evidence of an above-average Bachelor’s degree is provided with a minimum grade of 2.3, 2. subject-specific knowledge of at least 56 CP in computer science and 16 CP in mathematics; the knowledge in computer science must be documented with content from practical computer science, technical computer science, algorithms and data structures, operating systems and networks, software engineering, theoretical computer science, databases, and other in-depth areas of computer science; this knowledge must be accompanied to an appropriate extent by programming knowledge; in addition, mathematics knowledge from the contents of linear algebra, analysis and other in-depth areas of mathematics must be proven, 3. a personal statement (self-reflection) in the form of answers to predefined questions,
Documents checklist
What to prepare for your application to DATA AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
Programme-specific documents
-https://www.informatik.uni-heidelberg.de/c/image/f/defaul... (opens in a new tab)
To apply, applicants for the selected degree program must upload certain documents to the application portal by the deadline.
The following documents must be uploaded to the application portal heiCO:
All acquired college and university certificates including transcripts of records: a transcript of records is an official document from the college/university that lists all academic achievements within a degree program or within a combination of degree programs in full with individual grades and details of the semester or year of study.
In the case of foreign college and university certificates, the attached transcript of records must show the grading system used at the foreign university, as this is required to determine the German equivalence grade. The grading system must indicate both the minimum and maximum grades to be achieved.
If the degree has not been obtained by the end of the application deadline, a provisional transcript of records must be submitted by the university with all the achievements achieved by this deadline. The certificate must state that the course of study will probably be completed by the beginning of the admission semester applied for. If possible, please apply to the Examinations Office responsible for you for proof of the average grade achieved so far for all the work done up to this point in time.
Any further documents and certificates mentioned in your heiCO account.
Further documents
Please refer to the website of the desired degree program as well as the subject-specific admission regulations for detailed information on the subject-specific, additional documents that must be submitted as an upload in the application portal heiCO. If you have any questions, please contact the student advisory service for the relevant Master's degree program.
Non-German or stateless applicants without a German University entrance qualification must also submit the following documents:
For German-language degree programs, proof of German language proficiency at the level of the German Language Test for University Entrance Level 2 (DSH 2) must be submitted at the time of enrollment (does NOT apply to applicants with a German university entrance qualification) Please note: For some German-language Master's degree programs, a special language level must be uploaded at the time of application. For further information, please refer to the following website
Language requirements for international students
This proof is not required for English-language Master's degree programs:
Master's Programmes taught in english
Applicants with certificates from Vietnam and the PR China and India: original of the APS certificate from the responisve Academic Evaluation Centre
Please note: In case of admission, applicants must submit their university entrance qualification at the latest when they enrol at Heidelberg University. We recommend that you also submit these documents with your application for the Master's programme. The proof of the university entrance qualification includes the following documents:
School leaving certificate entitling the holder to pursue higher education in the country of origin (e.g. Abitur, high school diploma, Baccalaureate, etc.), including the corresponding lists of individual grades
Where applicable: If applicants have completed a preparatory course in Germany, including an assessment test to determine the eligibility of foreign applicants for study at institutions of higher education in Germany, transcript of the applicant’s diploma/certificate must be submitted, including an overview of the individual grades achieved.
If applicable: certificates or transcripts of university entrance examinations passed abroad, including the corresponding list of individual grades and - if available - the notification of admission from the foreign university.
Any further documents and certificates mentioned in your heiCO account.
Important note: educational certificates and documents
Grade Certificates
Grade certificates and Transcripts of Records must be uploaded with the corresponding sworn translation into German or English, if necessary.
In case of admission, applicants must submit officially-certified copies of their certificates and translations in order to be enrolled at Heidelberg University.
Hardship application
In the case of consecutive Master's courses with restricted admissions, the University of Heidelberg reserves up to five percent of places for cases of exceptional hardship. Before you enclose this special application form with your application, please read the information carefully, as applications for hardship cases are only approved in special exceptional situations, which are listed there as examples.
Hardship applications
Selection according to location in the public interest
One per cent of the places are reserved for consecutive Master's programmes with restricted admission for selection according to location in the public interest. Applicants are considered who belong to a group of persons determined by the university's statutes to be considered or sponsored in the public interest and who are bound to the place of study due to justified circumstances, in particular applicants who belong to an Olympic, perspective, supplementary or team sports squad or junior squad one of the German Olympic Sports Confederation formed at federal level. Please submit this application informally with the relevant proofs.
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This programme applies directly to the university. Submit your documents through the correct channel before the deadline.
Open application portal (opens in a new tab)Apostille and notarization
Requirements vary by nationality and issuing country. Many German universities require certified translations and, in some cases, document apostilles. Verify current requirements directly with the admissions office, or use our document services for guided preparation.
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View document bundleHow to apply
Step-by-step guide to applying for DATA AND COMPUTER SCIENCE at Heidelberg University
Application procedure
heiCO
Selection process
no information
Application quick facts
Apply via
Direct to university
APS
Required for Application
APS checks your degree papers. You need it if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam.
Application fee
0 EUR
Complexity
MediumAddress
Heidelberg University
Grabengasse 1
69117 Heidelberg
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Costs
Tuition
Up to 1,500 EUR
per semester
Semester contribution
N/A
per semester
Application fee
0 EUR
per application
Estimated year-1 total cost
11,904 – 14,902 EUR
Includes tuition, semester contribution, and estimated living costs. Range accounts for lifestyle differences.
This programme has restricted admission (NC). Admission is competitive and based on academic performance.
Additional fee information
International students from non-EU (European Union) and non-EEA (European Economic Area - Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway) countries with a foreign university entrance qualification will be required to pay a tuition fee of EUR 1500 per semester.
Plan your total budget for Germany
Use the MS in Germany cost calculator to estimate living expenses, insurance, and your full year-one spend.
Open cost calculatorAdmission outcomes
Community-reported data from MS in Germany students (2018-2025)
Acceptance rate
9%
3 accepted out of 34 total applications
Grade distributionGerman scale (1.0 = best, 4.0 = passing)
Based on 34 applications from MS in Germany students 2018-2025.
Based on 34 applications from MS in Germany students 2018-2025.
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