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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Computing Science
Header image Computing Science

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 Data Science and Systems Complexity, Intelligent Systems and Visual Computing, 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.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Computing Science
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60364
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • We offer a unique programme within the Netherlands with flexibility to specialize in specific areas of your interest thanks to our set up of course packages within tracks. Our tracks focus on cutting-edge Computing Science subjects such as cybersecurity, VR and AR, and AI engineering.
  • Research-focused: we offer the opportunity to take a research internship to work on exciting projects in a variety of subjects. Computing Science is closely linked with the Bernoulli Institute which offers you a welcoming and vibrant community with an international outlook linking several disciplines.

  • Company-focused: we offer opportunities to work together with leading companies in the software and computer industry.

  • We offer excellent computing facilities as well as advanced visualization facilities such as our Reality Theatre with its 8.5 x 2.8 m screen and our Reality Cube with 2.5 m edges.

  • Over a quarter of the population of Groningen is a student. Groningen offers all the comforts of a big city with the feeling of being in a small village.
  • Our faculty houses 26 Master's degrees and over 100 nationalities. It is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike.
Programme

Curriculum

Two year programme, 120 credits in total (60 ECTS per year). Most courses are 5 ECTS.

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
Intelligent Systems and Visual Computing (track)

The ISVC track focuses on research areas such as image processing and analysis, computer vision, pattern recognition, machine learning and brain-like computing.

But also scientific visualization, information visualization, software visualization, illustrative computer graphics, and innovative interfaces using large displays, with fundamental and practical problems from the life sciences (functional brain imaging, bioinformatics), health care and astronomy. You will participate in the grand challenge of giving computers the abilities to perceive (e.g. see), analyse, learn and enhance human creativity.

Specialized course packages within ISVC:

  • Applied Data Science
  • Machine Learning Theory
  • Visual Computing

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60364-5545

More information about this option

Data Science and Systems Complexity (track)

In the DSSC track there is a strong interaction of computer science with engineering and practical applications sciences, industry and government.

Many of the greatest mathematical and computational challenges faced in almost any science today stem from the combination of large amounts of data and the complexity of the systems under study. You will learn advanced methods of machine learning, pattern recognition, information visualization, and distributed information systems. You will work on developing new methods that help solve these challenges.

The track Data Sciences and Systems Complexity will be renamed to AI Engineering in the academic year 25-26

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60364-5544

More information about this option

Software Engineering and Distributed Systems (track)

The SEDS specialisation focuses on research in the areas of architectural knowledge, architecture reasoning process, technical debt, architecting critical embedded systems and object-oriented design.

As well as all aspects of distributed information systems with particular emphasis on service-oriented computing, pervasive middleware and energy distribution infrastructures. You will contribute to architecting industrial software-intensive systems that meet quality standards by carrying out joint research projects with industrial partners and other research institutes, thus combining academic know-how with industrial practice.

Specialized course packages within:

  • Theoretical Computing Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Large-Scale Software Systems
  • Cybersecurity

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60364-5547

More information about this option

Science Business and Policy (track)

The SBP track focuses on the business and policy side of science.

During this track, you will be offered all the right tools to function as a professional in business or policy organisations, including a six-month internship as a scientific advisor.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60364-5546

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • 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.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Information TechnologyHanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences

Pre-master at previous program with a maximum of 30 EC

Additional requirements:
  • additional subject
More information:

Access to be decided by admissions board

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Computing ScienceUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Computing ScienceAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

You might have to follow additional courses (via a pre-master of maximum 30 ECTS) if you have a Bachelor degree in computing science from a different university. Which modules depends on the courses you already completed in your bachelor.

Access to be decided by admissions board.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

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/en/careers/students-graduates/asml-scholarship/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 studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

A Bachelor's degree in Computing Science. This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The admissions board determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master programme for which you applied.

additional subject

The Admissions Office will advise the Board of Admissions on your application, after which the Board will decide whether you meet the admission requirements in terms of general level of previous education and specific background knowledge.

knowledge minimum

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at: http://www.rug.nl/fwn/fmns-programme/admissions/msc/ for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

language test

MAKE SURE TO VISIT http://www.rug.nl/fwn/fmns-programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements for all the necessary information about required language tests and minimum scores.

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at 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/en/careers/students-graduates/asml-scholarship/netherlands

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme. Applications are evaluated on a continuous basis. You do not have to wait until the application deadline to apply.

If you want to start this Master's programme at another point than September then please 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 during the year.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

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
Research

The Master's programme in Computing Science is closely linked to the Bernoulli Institute. Its mission is to perform outstanding academic research and teaching in Mathematics, Computing Science, and Artificial Intelligence. Within the Master's degree programma of Computing Science you can use excellent computing facilities and conduct research in the following areas:

Computer Architecture , which addresses the areas of computer architecture and micro-architecture, custom computing, non-digital computing, data centric design and other closely related topics;

Distributed Systems , which are becoming the standard way to build information systems, in particular Web Services, Service-Oriented Architectures, eBusiness, and mobile computing;

Fundamental Computing , which aims to contribute to the understanding of the logical and mathematical foundations of computing science and to realize a two-way transfer between this fundamental research and more applied sub-disciplines of computing science;

Intelligent Systems , with projects on machine learning, computational intelligence, computational artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, computer vision, with applications in medicine, health care, finance, law enforcement, robotics, animal breeding, genetics, bioinformatics;

Scientific Visualization and Computer Graphics , in particular 3-D medical imaging, visualising large, multidimensional astronomical data sets, general data visualisation, visualising bioinformatics data (genomics and proteomics);

Software Engineering and Architecture , dealing with the process of creating programs from the requirement analysis all the way to its management, in particular software patterns, explicitly handing variability and managing architectural knowledge;

Data Science and Systems Complexity, with complex systems generating big data, and big data helping to identify, control, and analyse complex systems and apply data science methods in practical problems of companies and governments;

Information Systems, which are the backbone of any enterprise with special focus on cutting-edge concepts, architectures and technologies for EAI, business process management (BPM) and workflows, SOA and REST architectural styles, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, Blockchain platforms, Information Assurance and Security and in the fields of data-driven healthcare, logistics and SCM, advanced biometrics, manufacturing, eScience and scientific computing.

Read more on the website of the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computing Science and Artificial Intelligence.

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Campus TourMore information
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

  • Academic Advisors FSE (For questions regarding the programme)
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl
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Study associations

Cover

Cover is the study association for all students of AI, CS, and CCS here at the UG. We offer fun activities, a room to hang out, and support for you to pass all your upcoming courses.
A study association is an organisation run by a team of students from the respective bachelor’s and master’s degree programme(s). We organise many activities for students, including introductory camps and monthly “borrels” (informal social gatherings with drinks). Our activities follow our 3 main pillars: education, social, and career. Hence, we organise course support lectures, symposia, educational talks, parties, informal gatherings, career day, company visits, company talks, and many more.If you decide to study AI, CS, or CCS, be sure to sign up for Cover at www.svcover.nl/join, so you can attend all our awesome activities even after the Kick-off Week! And, about the Kick-Off Week, we always organise a treasure hunt, a barbecue, a borrel, and an introduction camp that spans an entire weekend for the first years.
https://www.svcover.nl/
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