Computer Science (Informatik), M.Sc.
Master's in Computer Science (Informatik) at Technische Universität Berlin, Germany — a research-oriented, English-taught program within one of Germany's prominent engineering and computing faculties, covering theoretical foundations, systems engineering, and data-intensive applications. The curriculum is organized around a formal Tracks system with certified specializations including Data and Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Cognitive Systems, and Media, allowing students to combine focused depth with interdisciplinary breadth.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Required English | B2 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester, summer semester |
| Application | uni-assist (VPD) + the university, winter semester until 31.08, summer semester until 28.02 |
| Admission | Aptitude assessment: the university evaluates how well your previous education fits the programme |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €379.06 per semester |
| Campus | TU Berlin Campus |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
Admission goes through an aptitude assessment: the university checks how well the subjects, credits and grades of your previous education fit the programme. There is no fixed cut-off — the assessment is comparative.
- ✓Those with a strong undergraduate foundation in computer science who want to move beyond application-level work and engage seriously with theoretical and systems-level problems.
- ✓Those drawn to research-oriented study — who find satisfaction in formulating and investigating open-ended technical questions rather than following prescribed solution paths.
- ✓Those who want to specialise with depth rather than breadth, and appreciate a curriculum that lets them concentrate their electives around a coherent theme.
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- ✓Those comfortable working in an English-language academic environment and engaging with international peers and faculty.
- ✓Those who see their future in research institutions, PhD programs, or technically demanding roles in industry where graduate-level expertise in a specific computer science domain is expected.
- ✓Those who thrive in environments with a significant degree of self-direction — where shaping one's own study trajectory through elective choices and thesis topic selection is expected rather than exceptional.
- —Berlin cost of living: Berlin is among the more expensive German cities for students, particularly regarding housing. Accommodation costs have risen substantially in recent years and finding affordable student housing in central locations requires advance planning.
- —Research-oriented workload: The program is explicitly research-focused and the thesis phase carries significant weight. Students who prefer structured, coursework-heavy programs may find the open-ended nature of research modules and thesis work demanding to self-manage.
- —Language of instruction: The program is fully English-taught, which is an advantage for international applicants but means there is no German-language fallback. Students planning to integrate into the Berlin job market during or after studies may want to consider investing in parallel German language learning.
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- —Open admission with qualification check: Admission is not purely competitive by grade — it includes verification that the prior degree meets the subject-area credit requirements. Applicants whose bachelor's degree is in a closely related but not strictly computer science field should assess their transcript carefully against the stated requirements before applying.
- —Optional internship: Practical internship experience is possible but not embedded as a compulsory semester. Students aiming for industry roles may need to proactively seek out internship opportunities outside the formal curriculum.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →About the programme
The Master's program in Computer Science (Informatik) at Technische Universität Berlin is a research-oriented program designed for graduates who want to deepen their technical expertise and engage with open questions at the frontier of the discipline. Taught entirely in English, the program is hosted within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, one of Germany's leading engineering and computing faculties.
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The curriculum is structured around a combination of core compulsory modules and a wide range of elective courses, enabling students to build substantial depth in a chosen specialisation while retaining exposure to the broader field. The program explicitly supports interdisciplinary inquiry — students can engage with topics spanning theoretical computer science, engineering-focused systems design, human-machine interaction, and data-intensive applications, depending on their chosen direction.
A distinctive feature of the program is its Tracks system, which allows students to pursue a formally certified specialisation in one of six thematic areas: Data and Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Fundamentals of Computer Science, Cognitive Systems, Media Technology and Human-Machine Interaction, or Distributed Systems and Networks. Completing a track results in a recognised certificate of specialisation alongside the master's degree.
The program culminates in a master's thesis, which constitutes a significant portion of the total workload. Students typically conduct their thesis research in close collaboration with one of the faculty's research groups, and in many cases with external partners from industry or other research institutions. This embedded research experience is central to the program's identity.
Berlin's position as a major European technology hub adds a practical dimension to the academic environment — the city hosts a dense ecosystem of startups, established technology companies, and research institutes that frequently collaborate with TU Berlin.
What you study
Program Structure Overview
The program spans four semesters and totals 120 ECTS. It combines compulsory core modules, elective specialisation modules aligned with the chosen track, a research project component, and a concluding master's thesis. The Tracks system structures the elective portion: students who complete the requirements of a given track receive a certified specialisation alongside their degree.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Graduates of this program are equipped for technically demanding roles across a wide range of sectors. Typical employment areas include software and systems development, data engineering and analytics, embedded and real-time systems, human-computer interaction design, network infrastructure and distributed computing, and applied research in both industry and academia.
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Berlin's concentration of technology companies, startups, and research institutions — including campuses of major international tech firms — provides a particularly broad local employment context. Graduates with a specialisation in cognitive systems or media technology may also find pathways into research-adjacent roles in media, automotive, robotics, or healthcare technology sectors.
For those inclined toward academic careers, the research orientation of the program and the thesis experience provide a natural foundation for doctoral study, either at TU Berlin or at other research universities.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Berlin), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €379.06 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | Applicants must hold a first university degree (typically a bachelor's) that qualifies them for professional work in computer science or a closely related field. |
|---|---|
| Language | English B2 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | uni-assist (VPD) + the university, winter semester until 31.08, summer semester until 28.02 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application uni-assist (VPD) + the university until 28.02uni-assist checks documents for 4–6 weeks — send them well before the deadline.
- 4Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
If your level is not enough yet
The two most common stoppers are a language level below the requirement and a certificate without direct admission. Both can be solved, but they take months — plan them now, not after a rejection.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 28.02.2027 (137 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.