M.Sc. Communication Systems and Networks

University degree

Successful applicants hold a university degree in a suitable scientific or technological field with a minimum of 210 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). The minimum required grade is 2.3 (German grading system) or equivalent. The first-cycle degree is to provide the technical and specialist knowledge required to pursue the Master's program.

A degree program is deemed suitable if it includes modules from the fields of mathematics, physics, electrical engineering and computer science worth at least 110 credits.

If applicants do not meet all requirements stated above, they can only be admitted under the condition that they make up for missing prerequisites before registering for the Master's thesis. To do so, they are required to take certain courses at Bachelor's level. This is usually the case if an applicant has an undergraduate degree worth less than 210 credits or if less than 110 credits were obtained in a suitable field.

Nature and scope of these conditions are individually determined by the Examination Board based on the courses taken in the first-cycle program. Admission to the Master's program will be denied if the applicant has obtained less than 80 credits in the core fields stated above or if he/she fails to meet the requirements regarding the minimum required grade.

Applicants participate in a selection procedure. The supporting documents submitted with the application are reviewed and evaluated based on the following criteria:

a) Subjects covered during pervious university education and their relevance for the Master's program

b) Previous grades and coursework

c) Academic and professional career so far

d) If applicable: Professional experience and its relevance for the Master's program

e) Personal motivation to enroll in the Master's program

Exceptions

Applicants who have not yet graduated from a suitable undergraduate program may be admitted and enrolled if they can prove at the time of application that they

- are less than 30 credits away from graduating, i.e. if they have accumulated at least 150 out of 180 credits in a 6-semester program or 179 out of 210 credits in a 7-semester program. If applicants have accumulated less than the above stated number of credits, the examination board will decide on a case by case basis. Additionally:

- a current grade average of 2.3 or better

In such cases, applicants are required to submit proof of their graduation with a final grade of 2.3 or better by the end of the re-registration period for the 2nd semester. Failing to do so will result in their removal from the register of students.

Please note: Should a candidate meet these criteria only after the application deadline has passed, their application cannot be considered.English language proficiency

Applicants need to submit evidence of their English language proficiency by submitting one of the following documents:

- TOEFL paper-based (550 points)

- TOEFL computer-based (213 points)

- TOEFL internet-based (80 points)

- IELTS (6.0)

- Annotation in the Abitur certificate confirming English language proficiency on at least B2 level of the Commen European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Or an equivalent qualification:

- prior enrollment of at least one year in a university program with English as language of instruction

- prior schooling of at least one year with English as language of instruction

- completion of a suitable degree program which includes courses in "Technical English" worth at least 3 credits. This specifically includes the degree programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering at TH Köln.

- Native speaker of English

Students need to provide evidence of their English-language proficiency by the time of application for the Master's program.

Another requirement is the submission of a compelling motivational letter.