Department of Computer Science

Fachbereich Informatik

One of Germany's first CS departments (est. 1972), offering Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programmes with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and networked systems.

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Facts about the faculty

University	Technische Universität Darmstadt
Programmes	1 programme · 1 master's
Language of programmes	English — 1 programme
Campus	Campus Stadt
Application	master's until 15.07
City	Darmstadt
Website	https://www.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/fb20/index.de.jsp

What the faculty's programmes require

The university-wide requirements are complemented by the faculty's own — they are missed most often, because the university page does not list them.

English C1

For 1 English-taught programme; the accepted tests (IELTS, TOEFL) are on the programme page.

For a master's — a related bachelor's

The committee checks your ECTS credits in the subject areas (listed for 1 master's programme).

About the faculty

The Department of Computer Science (Fachbereich Informatik, FB20) at TU Darmstadt is one of the first computer science departments in Germany, tracing its roots to the winter semester of 1971/72. With three flagship research priorities — artificial intelligence, cybersecurity & privacy, and complex networked systems — the department shapes the "Information + Intelligence" research profile of TU Darmstadt. Students choose from seven degree programmes, spanning foundational and applied computer science, and graduate into one of Germany's most dynamic IT ecosystems: the Rhein-Main region, anchored by Darmstadt's status as a designated Digitalstadt (Digital City).

Computer Science Programs at TU Darmstadt

The department has offered a dedicated computer science degree since winter semester 1971/72 and today provides seven programmes across all levels:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — taught in German
Master of Science in Computer Science — taught in English
Master of Computer Science — specialised English-taught master's track
PhD / Doctoral research — embedded in research groups and affiliated institutes

The curriculum is research-oriented, blending theoretical foundations with practical applications across AI, security, and systems. The B.Sc. is the entry point for German-language study, while the M.Sc. programmes are fully English-taught, making them accessible to international applicants without German language skills.

Why Study Computer Science at TU Darmstadt?

TU Darmstadt is a member of TU9 — Germany's alliance of the nine leading technical universities — and the Department of Computer Science is a cornerstone of that reputation. Key reasons to choose this department:

Pioneer status: one of the first CS departments in Germany, established in 1972, with over 50 years of curriculum refinement
English-taught Master's: both M.Sc. programmes are delivered in English, no German required for postgraduate study
Dual non-university research access: students work alongside scientists at the DFKI lab at TU Darmstadt, Fraunhofer IGD, and Fraunhofer SIT — rare direct integration of Fraunhofer institutes into academic training
National AI hub: the department co-anchors hessian.ai (Hessian Centre for Artificial Intelligence) and the ATHENE National Research Centre for Applied Cybersecurity
Digitalstadt Darmstadt: the city itself is Germany's first officially designated Digital City, creating a live urban laboratory and startup ecosystem on the doorstep

Research Areas in Computer Science

The department organises its research around three strategic pillars: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity & privacy, and complex networked systems. Researchers participate in a dense network of internal and external institutes:

DFKI — German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, TU Darmstadt laboratory
hessian.ai — Hessian Centre for Artificial Intelligence
ATHENE — National Research Centre for Applied Cybersecurity
Fraunhofer IGD — Institute for Computer Graphics Research
Fraunhofer SIT — Institute for Secure Information Technology
Centre for Cognitive Science (CogSci) — interdisciplinary mind and computation research
Centre for Computational Engineering — simulation and modelling at scale

This constellation gives doctoral and master's students access to publicly funded applied research at national scale, alongside academic basic research.

Computer Science for International Students

International applicants are well catered for at the graduate level. The Master of Science in Computer Science and the Master of Computer Science are both English-taught, with no German language requirement for admission to these programmes.

Applicants typically need a Bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related field. The department's membership in Informatics Europe and engagement with the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI) and VDE ITG reflects its integration into pan-European academic networks, supporting Erasmus+ mobility opportunities. The Rhein-Main region's strong international tech industry also means that English is widely used in professional and academic settings in Darmstadt.

Studying Computer Science on Darmstadt's Stadtmitte Campus

The Department of Computer Science is located at TU Darmstadt's Stadtmitte (city-centre) campus in Darmstadt, Hesse, roughly 30 minutes by direct train from Frankfurt am Main and its international airport (Frankfurt Airport, FRA) — one of Europe's busiest hubs.

Darmstadt holds the distinction of being Germany's first officially designated Digitalstadt, meaning smart-city infrastructure and tech-sector partnerships are embedded in the city's fabric. The campus environment includes specialised CS laboratories, research centres co-located with Fraunhofer institutes, and direct access to the startup and innovation ecosystem of the broader Rhein-Main region.

Career Paths for Computer Science Graduates

Graduates of the department are described by the faculty itself as "highly sought-after in industry and research" for their combination of theoretical depth and practical skills. The Rhein-Main region — home to major employers in software, fintech, automotive IT, cybersecurity, and logistics technology — provides an immediate job market. Typical career destinations include:

Cybersecurity roles in firms and government agencies (supported by proximity to ATHENE and Fraunhofer SIT)
AI and machine learning engineering in tech companies and research labs (leveraging hessian.ai and DFKI connections)
Computer graphics and visualisation in media, automotive HMI, and simulation industries (Fraunhofer IGD pipeline)
Academic research and PhD continuation within TU Darmstadt or partner institutions
Technology startups in Darmstadt's growing Digital City ecosystem

The department explicitly frames its mission as training "the next generation of IT innovators" driving digital transformation.

Programmes of the faculty

Where the faculty's students study

Classes take place at Campus Stadt — when choosing housing, go by this campus, not by the university's main address.

Questions about admission to the faculty

Where do the faculty's students study?

Classes of Department of Computer Science take place at: Campus Stadt. Look for housing near the campus, not near the university's main address.

In which language are the programmes taught?

English — 1 programme.

When do I need to apply?

Master's until 15.07. Deadlines differ between programmes — check the programme page.

Do I apply to the faculty or to a programme?

To a programme: requirements, language and deadline are set per programme, and the faculty's admission committee assesses the application.

Will you get in with your grades at this faculty?

We will convert your certificate to the German scale and compare it with the committee's requirements, including subject requirements.

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