Programme info

You can choose between three majors:

• Computer Networks
• Data Science
• Software Engineering

The programme focuses on Research and Development. In contrast to the Dutch programme equivalent, there are no majors/minors such as Education or Management.

The two years are built out of 4 blocks:

1. Master thesis "30 credits" (compulsory)
2. Elective courses "30 credits"
3. General competences "30 credits" (compulsory)
4. Two research internships "15 credits each" (compulsory)

Download the programme structure

Diploma requirements

Direct

• academic bachelor of Information Sciences
• academic bachelor of Computer Science
• academic bachelor of Engineering Sciences: Computer Science

After permission from the faculty

• other academic bachelors

Language requirements

The programme is taught in English and an academic level of proficiency in this language is imperative.

Candidates with a bachelor degree from universities outside Flanders are required to demonstrate their English language skills in one of the following ways:

1. By submitting proof that they have studied at least one academic year in an English-language Bachelor's or Master's programme. The Board of Admission may ask additional proof of your proficiency in English.
2. Applicants can also prove their knowledge on the basis of a language certificate showing their TOEFL or IELTS results:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language, organized by ETS): paper-based TOEFL level of minimum 550, or a computer-based TOEFL level of minimum 213, or an internet-based TOEFL level of minimum 79-80. You can find more information on the TOEFL-website
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): a minimum score of at least 6.5, and on each part minimum 6.0. You can find more information on the IELT-website

Candidates with a bachelor degree from a Flemish university are strongly advised to take a test to assure they possess the necessary language skills to successfully complete the programme.

The common theme of the master programme is modelling as applied in all the subdisciplines of computer science. This comprises:

• modelling and simulation of scientific phenomena (e.g. the human genome project, weather prediction)
• interactions between parts of complex machines (e.g. automotive, medical devices)
• understanding the foundations of computer science (e.g. search engines, programming languages, network protocols)

As in all scientific disciplines such models allow us to understand and control our environment, as such allowing us to make predictions about what will happen in critical situations.

The master programme culminates in the master's thesis. The aim of this thesis is for you to show that you are able to (under supervision of a promoter) explore independently a complex subject in a scientific manner and write down the acquired insight into a coherent text.

A computer scientist with academic training should be capable of applying the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme in concrete day-to-day situations. Consequently there is ample room for practical work and - not surprisingly - group work. Former graduates informed us that independence and maturity are strengths of programme.

Besides project work, there is also time for experiments and exercises in the computer lab. We have the necessary technical infrastructure and ensure that it keeps pace with the natural evolution in the field.