Computer science in Germany | Computer science universities in Germany

There are many places where you can study IT and computer sciences. But when choosing the right study abroad destination for that specific subject, you must pick up the most innovative and technologically advanced one. And Germany checks all the boxes, add to that the increasing number of university programs that would be perfect for you to head start your future career in tech. Here’s everything to know when it comes to studying computer science in Germany.

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Is Germany good for Computer Science?

Germany has been for a long time an active contributor to science and technology advancement in Europe and in the world. And in the last decades, the country has embraced digitization in almost all of its industry and public services. This has caused the demand for computer science and IT experts to skyrocket throughout the country.

Companies, not just tech companies, do everything to stay up to date on market trends. And they are up to hire the best IT engineers, while being ready to put the price for that! All of this contribute to make the study of computer science in Germany a pathway to a very lucrative career perspective.

Among the other reasons to choose Germany for your computer science studies, there are:

The top-notch education you’d receive at German universities which gives priority to professional training. Besides, you get access to some of the best research facilities in Europe and in the world.
The heavy investment that companies make in research and development make it easy for newly graduates to easily and quickly land a job in the country after their studies.
Universities in Germany have many study programs in English for most computer science specializations.
The affordable tuition fees and living costs in Germany making it accessible for international students to enjoy the quality education at German institutions.
Companies in Germany offer a generous salary for their computer engineers.

Scope of computer science study in Germany

Small and medium-sized businesses have fueled the expansion of the IT market in Germany. As a matter of fact they are the largest users of IT solutions in the country. This has helped them maintain their relevancy on emerging technology and the efficiency of their business operations.

Following are the most popular computer science specializations you can study in Germany:

Cloud computing studies train students to develop skills that will help them develop and create cloud-based solutions tailored to the needs of today’s businesses. This is a discipline which professionals are highly demanded in Germany, and elsewhere.
Cybersecurity: which trains students to help others navigate digitalized environments safely. Graduates in this subject can work in various industries, from finance to law enforcement, healthcare, transportation, etc.
Computer networking which deals with the connection and data exchanging and resource sharing between computing devices.
Health informatics which mainly deals the application of digital innovations in health science. Graduates in this discipline will have a promising career where they’ll improve the healthcare system and patients’ lives.
Data science, an emerging discipline which increases in popularity in Germany. Students will get a training that combines math, statistics, data analytics and data management.
Machine learning which instructs students on the basics of artificial intelligence. Moreover, they’ll study machine learning algorithms and building a recommendation system.
Software engineering is a growing discipline in Germany, which handles everything related to building, designing, maintaining and testing computer software among other subjects.

How many years is computer science in Germany?

In Germany, you can get a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s in the field of computer science. Usually, it takes between 3 and 4 years of full-time study to complete an undergraduate degree. During this period, students learn the basics of computer operation and organization, programming languages, hardware, software, computer networks and so on.

Following the bachelor’s, students follow up with a master’s program in their field of interest. Usually, it takes between 1 and 2 years of full-time study to earn a master’s in Germany in the field of computer science.

How much does a Computer Science degree cost in Germany?

As it applies to most public universities in Germany, undergraduate programs in computer science are free of charge. There is an exception though, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, where universities – even public ones – charge around €3,000 per year for tuition. Outside this state, public universities only charge up to €250 per semester for administrative fees. On the other hand, private universities in Germany can charge tuition fees that can reach €20,000 per year.

Get more details on the tuition fees and study costs in Germany.

Is Computer Science taught in English in Germany?

Computer sciences in Germany are taught either in English, in German or in both languages. So, make sure to have the required level whether the program is fully in English or in German.

Moreover, like many subjects at German universities, there are many computer science specialties you can study in English, mostly at the master’s level. But that doesn’t mean there are no bachelor’s programs you can pursue in the language of Shakespeare.

On the other hand, if you plan to work in Germany after graduation, speaking German remains an advantage. In fact, many companies require a good level of proficiency in the German language.

However, you can still land a tech job in Germany while speaking English only, mostly at big corporations or start-ups.

Best computer science universities in Germany for international students

Here are a few German universities that offer top-quality Computer Science and IT programs:

IU International University of Applied Sciences

This university of applied sciences came into existence in 1998 and has since grown to become Germany’s biggest university. And for good reasons, since the institution has successfully adapted to IT’s constant evolution and has remained at the forefront of online learning for more than a decade now.

And that’s how this university stands out: the flexibility. The institution makes it possible for students to study 100% online or on-campus at one of its 4 campuses. There is also the possibility to study full-time or part-time depending on what suits best the student’s schedule and study goals.

You can study some online bachelors related to IT and computer sciences in English at IU International University of Applied Sciences. Moreover, the institution features 10 Data & IT master’s programs ranging from DevOps and Cloud Computing, to Business & IT, to Artificial Intelligence and also Cybersecurity.

Read more on the university’s website.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

This German public university has a few computer science programs, including one master’s in Information Systems Engineering and Management. This master program aims to answer the market’s increasing need for highly qualified IT and computer scientists, who therefore are able to advance businesses’ digitization while assuming leadership functions.

The program focuses on essential subjects such as artificial intelligence & machine learning, artificial intelligence as a service, blockchain technology, cloud computing, IT security & privacy.

Learn more by visiting the website of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

RWTH Aachen University

This university, at its business schools, offers 2 masters of science degrees related to the field of IT and computer sciences. You can earn either a M.Sc. Management & Engineering in Technology, Innovation, Marketing & Entrepreneurship or a M.Sc. Data Analytics and Decision Science.

The first one is a program which combines management and technology which was designed to respond to the changing in the business world due to digitalization. The advantage of this program is that it is flexible, offering 4 formats of learning: full-time, part-time, on-campus and distance learning.

The second program, Data analytics and decision science intends to reconcile machine learning and deep learning techniques using mathematical optimization, heuristic algorithms and simulation techniques. The aim is always to develop skills that are highly in demand in a globalized and digitized economy.

Learn more by visiting the website of RWTH Aachen University.

University of Cologne

The university, at its Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering Science has a master’s program in computer science, offering 2 specializations of choice. The first one is Software engineering which focuses on development of software systems, and is taught in German. The other specialization is Information systems, that is a program offered in English. It focuses more on corporate IT and its applications.

Moreover, this course has 2 modules of focus. First, students will learn the development and implementation of an IT infrastructure for the purposes of corporate management. Then follows the interdepartmental use of this IT infrastructure, as well as its use for the corporate IT architecture as a whole.

Learn more on the website of the university.

Technical University of Munich

The Technical University of Munich has a computational science and engineering program which provides students with the opportunity to be part of the Bavarian Graduate School of Computational Engineering (BCGE) elite program. Moreover, this master’s degree is taught in English and lasts for 4 semesters. Courses cover most of the topics in IT and computer science: numerical analysis, mathematical modeling, computer architecture…