Computing Science

How can we develop secure and robust software? How can we teach computers to see? How can we make our software easily adaptable to new tasks? How do we improve learning by computers? If these questions fascinate you, you should choose the Master's degree programme in Computing Science at Groningen, which deals with both the theoretical and practical aspects of computing.

If these questions fascinate you, you should choose the Master’s degree programme in Computing Science at Groningen, which deals with both the theoretical and practical aspects of computing.
You will develop and expand your in-depth knowledge within the areas of AI Engineering, Machine Learning and Visual Computing (MLVC), or Software Engineering and Distributed Systems. All our courses offer insightful lectures covering both theory and practice. As well as the acquisition of core computing science skills, the programme also focuses on mathematics and research methodology, while research and presentation skills are developed in student colloquia. Project management and related topics are offered for those aiming to go into business rather than academia. You will make active use of all the skills you acquire in research projects, either within the university or during business and industrial internships.

Because computing science is pivotal in many areas of research, students can easily participate in one of many research collaborations with other fields, such as bioinformatics, medicine and astronomy. In addition, contacts with many businesses facilitate internships in a variety of fields, matching the interests of most students.

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Computing Science

In each track there is a mandatory programme of 50 ECTS consisting of a Student Colloquium (in year 1), Research or In-Company Internship (year 1) and the Master Thesis (year 2). Additionally 40 ECTS of courses need to be selected out of the offered course packages and 30 ECTS are electives chosen form Master level courses.

Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage.

Programme options:
Machine Learning and Visual Computing (MLVC) (track)
AI Engineering (track)
Software Engineering and Distributed Systems (track)
Science Business and Policy (track)

Study abroad is optional

For an average of 20 weeks
Maximum of 60 EC
Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.

Internship: This programme offers you the opportunity to carry out a research project of a variable number of months at a company in the Netherlands or abroad, as part of your thesis. Our choice of industry partners ranges from large multinationals (such as Shell, Philips, Unilever) to dynamic small and medium enterprises in the Groningen area.

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Computing Science

Once you have completed the Master's degree programme in Computing Science, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to future employment. There are almost no areas of business or research that do not require computer scientists, either software engineers and architects, or researchers. Our students usually secure suitable jobs within one month of graduation (or even before they graduate).

After graduating, most of our alumni go to work in software companies (or they found their own) or academia, usually by entering a PhD programme.

Those in industry are generally promoted to managerial roles after a few years and, for example, become project managers. In academia the usual path is from PhD via post-doctoral researcher to university staff member, though quite a few of our successful PhD students have moved on to industry as well. Many MSc and PhD students have gone into the field of medical imaging, either at various universities or in the research labs of large companies. More and more are moving into bioinformatics.

Your future:

• As a data engineer you will turn big data into value in a variety of sectors: banking, insurance, big corporations and small fast-growing start-ups, government
• Data scientists with computer science background is the type of specialist that is most sought after by businesses and government
• As a software architect and designer of cloud systems
• Typically our graduates find excellent jobs within one month and can choose from multiple job offers

Job examples:
Software architect and designer of cloud systems
Designer of advanced, secure distributed information systems
Data engineer and data scientist for a big bank, international company or government
Expert in Medical imaging, Bioinformatics, IT systems for e-health care
Designer of block-chain systems
Researcher aspiring a PhD degree

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Computing Science

A universitary Bachelor's degree in Computing Science. Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

SCHOLARSHIPS

In cooperation with major Dutch companies we welcome students with several scholarships.

ASML Scholarship: ASML is one of the world's leading manufacturers of chip-making equipment. The €5000 p/y scholarship is awarded every year to 25 exceptional students, who additionally will get the chance to become a Technology Ambassador within their scholarship period. More information can be found here: https://www.asml.com/(...)olarship/netherlands

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme. The Board may decide that you have to take supplementary courses or follow a bridging programme before being admitted. For information on a bridging programme (pre-master), please contact the academic advisor.

If you want to start the master at another point than September then please also contact the academic advisor! The programme is generally tailored towards a start in September and a good study planning is needed when starting at any other point of the year.

Application deadlines

Type of student Deadline Start course

Dutch students 01 May 2025 01 September 2025

EU/EEA students 01 May 2025 01 September 2025

non-EU/EEA students 01 May 2025 01 September 2025

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Computing Science - Impressions of your Masters study

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Overview of Masters programmes - University of Groningen

		Applied Mathematics
		Applied Physics
		Artificial Intelligence
		Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences
		Biology
		Biomedical Engineering
		Biomedical Sciences
		Biomolecular Sciences
		Computational Cognitive Science
		Computing Science
		Ecology and Evolution
		Energy and Environmental Sciences
		Industrial Engineering and Management
		Marine Biology
		Mathematics
		MSc Astronomy
		MSc Mechanical Engineering
		Nanoscience
		Physics
		Systems and Control
		Accountancy and Controlling
		Applied Cognitive Neuroscience
		Arts and Culture
		Business Administration
		Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology
		Economic Development and Globalization
		Environmental and Infrastructure Planning
		Ethics of Education: Philosophy, History and Law
		Global Criminal Law
		History
		Human Movement Sciences
		Human Resource Management
		International Business and Management
		International Relations
		Literary Studies
		Marketing
		Media Studies
		Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment
		Philosophy, Politics and Economics
		Philosophy, Science and Humanities
		Population Studies
		Religion and Cultural Heritage
		Religion, Conflict and Globalisation
		Sport Sciences
		Sustainable Entrepreneurship
		Theory and History of Psychology
		Tourism Geography and Planning
		Voice Technology

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Student of Computing Science:

'During my first year I got a job with Manter, a machinery automation company. I was involved in testing new applications. This helped me get a better grasp of the subject matter and gave me plenty of practical experience and self-assurance, resulting in a job as a project leader as soon as I completed my studies.

The projects I work on involve new software systems. Some days I’ll be training end-users, others I’ll design new features, while other days will be all meetings or we’ll spend the whole day testing and fixing bugs.

If I had to choose today, I would do Computing Science again. The demand for software developers continues to grow. I’d also choose to study in Groningen again. My friends studied in other cities, but we all agree: Groningen is the number 1 student city!’

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