KTH Royal Institute of Technology
MSc Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering COSSE
Stockholm, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 36,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA/Swiss | €5,200 - for EU/EEA/Swiss
Key Summary
The master's programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering (COSSE) focuses on the multidisciplinary field of Computational Science and Engineering, an enabling technology for scientific discovery and engineering design. It involves mathematical modelling, numerical analysis, computer science, high-performance computing and visualisation. The programme is highly research-oriented, and two-thirds of graduates go on to PhD studies at leading universities worldwide.
Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering at KTH, TU Berlin and TU Delft
The master's programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering (COSSE) is a programme within the multidisciplinary field of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE), which is an enabling technology for scientific discovery and engineering design. CSE involves mathematical modelling, numerical analysis, computer science, high-performance computing and visualisation. The remarkable development of large-scale computing in recent decades has turned CSE into the "third pillar" of science, complementing theory and experiment.
The programme is a two-year programme that includes compulsory mobility for students. It is given jointly by KTH, the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) in Germany and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands. Most commonly, you study your first year at TU Berlin and your second year at KTH or TU Delft. In rare cases, students can be allowed to reverse the order of universities or combine KTH and TU Delft. Students who have completed their bachelor’s degree at one of the three universities are more likely to be allowed to do so. The programme is provided as a track in the master's programme in Applied and Computational Mathematics at KTH, as a track in the master's programme in Applied Mathematics at TU Delft and as a track in the master's programme in Scientific Computing at TU Berlin.
The programme includes three semesters of courses followed by a fourth research semester spent on a master's degree project under the supervision of both universities attended. The students receive two degrees from both the first and second-year universities.
Workshop
After the beginning of the second semester, students, scholars and teachers of all partner universities will meet for a joint workshop to advise students on their elective courses, including possible topics for their master's degree project. The workshop will include joint research and cultural activities and provide contacts to research departments in academia and industry. In addition, there is a digital workshop with guest lecturers to give you better insights into your future career prospects and opportunities to network with other students.
Degree Project
The master's degree project comprises 30 ECTS credits and is carried out in the second half of the second year of the programme. The project work may be performed in a research group at the institute or as a project in an industry or consultancy company. The programme maintains a contact network spanning a large number of companies, in order to provide relevant degree projects for the students.
Examples of company collaborations include, for example, COMSOL, Shell, Klarna, LKAB, Ericsson, Deepwater Energy BV, Sellpy, Electronic Arts, and Tetrahedron B.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science from KTH and an equivalent degree from the attended, respectively. At KTH, the programme is given mainly on its Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences (at KTH).
The courses in the programme cover topics such as computational fluid dynamics, numerical linear algebra, high-performance computing, data assimilation, optimal control, control theory, numerical analysis, biocomputing, bioinformatics, and machine learning.
The master's programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering (COSSE) is a two-year programme including compulsory mobility for the students. The programme includes three semesters of courses followed by the fourth research semester spent on the master's degree project (30 ECTS) under the supervision of both degree-awarding universities. The joint supervision of the degree project work includes the possibility that the topic is chosen according to specialisations offered by the degree-awarding universities individually.
The students enter one of the universities and continue the second year at one of the other universities in another country. As a general rule, students will be admitted to TU Berlin for the first year for coursework amounting to at least 60 ECTS credits. Upon request, students may enter KTH or TU Delft for their first year of studies (coursework amounting to at least 60 ECTS) if approved by PAG and endorsed by the said university. Admission for the second year can, in this case, be either TU Berlin or KTH/TU Delft, as approved by PAG and endorsed by the university responsible for admitting the student to the second year.
The second-year university offers coursework (at least 30 ECTS credits) and supervision of the master's degree project (30 ECTS credits).
This includes a choice of specialisation at the chosen university:
- KTH: Biocomputing, bioinformatics, machine learning, computational fluid dynamics, numerical linear algebra, computational physics, numerical analysis;
- TU Delft: computational fluid dynamics, numerical linear algebra, high-performance computing, data assimilation
- TU Berlin: Optimal Control, Control Theory, Numerical Linear Algebra, Numerical Analysis
The specialisations offered reflect some of the research areas of each institution and their spearhead competencies. A student can choose a specialisation different from the proposals above if the PAG agrees. The programme consists of core courses, preparatory courses, and elective courses. Additionally, extracurricular courses can be taken.
Joint Workshop
Every year, the master's programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering (COSSE) organises a joint workshop at TU Berlin where students and teachers of the COSSE programme meet. Invited guests are graduates and scientists working in academia and industry. The workshop includes scientific and cultural activities and is an excellent networking opportunity.
Year 1
TU Berlin
| Course | Credits | State |
|---|---|---|
| 20085 Scientific Computing | 10 | C |
| 20835 Numerical Linear Algebra | 10 | C |
| 20166 Numerical Mathematics II for Eng. | 10 | C |
| 20098 Project Numerical Analysis | 6 | E |
| 20089 Numerical Mathematics II | 10 | E |
| 20063 Differential Algebraic Equations | 10 | E |
| 20156 Control Theory | 10 | E |
| 20080 Model Reduction | 10 | E |
| 20372 Mathematical Visualisation I | 10 | E |
| 20382 Nonlinear Optimisation | 10 | E |
| 20427 Variational Methods and Optimal Control | 10 | E |
| 20826 Advanced Topics of Numerical Linear Algebra | 5 | E |
| 20825 Advanced Topics of Numerical Linear Algebra | 10 | E |
| 20152 Mathematical Seminar | 6 | E |
| 40550 Machine Learning I | 9 | E |
| 40551 Machine Learning II | 9 | E |
| 40548 Machine Intelligence I | 6 | E |
| 40549 Machine Intelligence II | 6 | E |
State. C – compulsory (mandatory), P – preparatory, E – elective
If the first year is taken at KTH, then the compulsory course “SF2524 Matrix Computations” is credited as “20835 Numerical Linear Algebra” at TUB, and the compulsory course "SF2521 Numerical Solution of Differential Equations" is credited as "20166 Numerical Mathematics II for Eng." at TUB. If no course equivalent to "20085 Scientific Computing" is completed in the first year at KTH, then this course needs to be completed in the second year at TUB.
If the first year is taken at TUD, then the mandatory course "Wi4201 Scientific Computing" is credited as "20085 Scientific Computing" at TUB. If no courses equivalent to "20835 Numerical Linear Algebra" or "20166 Numerical Mathematics II for Eng." are completed in the first year at TUD, then these courses need to be completed in the second year at TUB.
KTH
| Course | Credits | State |
|---|---|---|
| AK2030 Theory and Methodology of Science | 4.5 | C |
| SA2001 Sustainable development and research methodology in mathematics | 3 | C |
| SF2940 Probability Theory | 7.5 | C |
| SF2561 Finite Element Method | 7.5 | C |
| SF2524 Matrix Computations | 7.5 | C |
| SF2521 Numerical Solution of Differential Equations | 7.5 | C |
| SF2527 Numerical Methods for Differential Equations I | 7.5 | C |
| SF2568 Parallel Computations | 7.5 | C |
| SF2822 Applied Nonlinear Optimisation | 7.5 | E |
| SF2525 Comp Meth for Stoch Diff Equations | 7.5 | E |
| SF2525 Numerical Methods for Stochastic Differential Equations and Machine Learning | 7.5 | E |
| SF2956 Topological data analysis | 7.5 | E |
| DD2257 Visualization | 7.5 | E |
TU Delft
| Course | Credits | State |
|---|---|---|
| TPM005A Scientific Writing for Mathematics | 3 | C |
| WM1028AM Ethics for Applied Mathematics | 3 | C |
| Wi4201 Scientific Computing | 8 | C |
| Wi4204 Advanced Modelling | 6 | C |
| Wi5205 Applied Finite Elements | 6 | C |
| WI4475 Data Assimilation | 6 | C |
| Wi4019 Non-linear Differential Equations | 6 | E |
| WI4226 Advanced Systems Theory | 6 | E |
| WI4207 Continuous Optimisation | 6 | E |
| WI4209 Systems and Control | 6 | E |
| WI4221 Control of Discrete-Time Stochastic Systems | 6 | E |
| WI4450 Special Topics in Computational Science and Engineering | 6 | E |
| WI4635 Linear Algebra and Optimisation for Machine Learning | 6 | E |
| Wi4260TU Scientific Programming for Engineers | 3 | E |
| Wi4011 Computational Fluid Dynamics | 6 | E |
| In4049TU Intro to High-Performance Computing | 6 | E |
| WI4212 Advanced Numerical Methods | 6 | E |
| WI4771TU OOP with C++ | 3 | E |
A maximum of 3 ECTS credits can be used for language courses (from a restricted list).
Year 2
The second-year universities offer many possibilities for specialisation in different topics of CSE. The mandatory master's degree project (30 ECTS credits) can be carried out at host departments, other departments at host universities, or companies. The following list provides an overview of elective courses. You can choose according to your interest, prerequisites, and the subject of the degree project. The list is not exhaustive. Moreover, not all courses may be given every year.
They include:
KTH
| Course | Credits | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| AK2030 Theory and Methodology of Science | 4.5 | C |
| SA2001 Sustainable development and research methodology in mathematics | 3 | C |
| SF2566 Advanced Individual Course in Sc Comp | 6 | P1+P2 |
| SF2567 Project course in Scientific Computing | 7.5 | P1+P2 |
| SF2565 Program construction in C++ for Sc Comp | 7.5 | P1+P2 |
| DD2421 Machine Learning | 7.5 | P1 |
| DD2434 Machine Learning (Adv Course) | 7.5 | P2 |
| SF2935 Modern Methods of Statistical Learning | 7.5 | P2 |
| DD2435 Mathematical Modelling of Biological Systems | 9 | P1+P2 |
| SK2532 Biomedicine for engineers | 7.5 | P1 |
| BB2441 Bioinformatics and Biostatistics | 7.5 | P1 |
| BB2280 Molecular Modelling | 7.5 | P2 |
| SF2832 Mathematical Systems Theory | 7.5 | P2 |
| SF2863 Systems Engineering | 7.5 | P2 |
| SF2866 Applied Systems Engineering | 7.5 | P1 |
| SF2942 Portfolio Theory and Risk Management | 7.5 | P1 |
| SF2980 Risk Management | 7.5 | P1 |
| SF2956 Topological data analysis | 7.5 | P1 |
The courses AK2030/SA2001 are compulsory if no equivalent courses are taken in the first year of university.
TU Delft
| Course | Credits | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| IN4049TU Introduction to High Performance Computing | 6 | |
| WI4011 Computational Fluid Dynamics | 6 | |
| Wi4260TU Scientific Programming | 3 | |
| WI4450 Special Topics in CSE | 6 | |
| WI4212 Advanced Numerical Methods | 6 | |
| WI4771TU OOP with C++ | 3 | |
| WI4154 Computational Finance | 6 |
Second year at TUB may have mandatory courses depending on first year studies.
Extracurricular courses
These are courses offered which are of a general nature. Examples of them are language courses. Please observe that not all of the courses will give credits to be accounted for in the final degree. Such courses can be taken both in the first and second years. It is advisable that individual study plans are agreed upon. It must be ensured that the individual study plan fulfils the examination requirements of both the first and the second year universities.
Students in the master's programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering will become very familiar with the tools of CSE, which include:
- mathematical modelling techniques,
- simulation techniques (discretisations, algorithms, data structures, software in CSE),
- and analysis techniques (data mining, data management, visualisation).
The students will become experts in the generic tools as applied to one of the specialisations offered by the universities.
Upon graduation, the students will have acquired:
- familiarity with selected scientific and engineering application areas and their mathematical models.
- a knowledge base and skills ranging from formulating mathematical models to constructing software for high-performance computer architectures.
- effective communication skills for interacting with written and oral presentations with the professional community, as well as management and society at large.
- a degree of independent and critical appraisal of the capability and limitations of, and results produced by, computational modelling.
KTH Scholarships
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two-year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals
The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals covers the tuition fee for a master's programme and also includes living costs. It is open to students from 33 countries with previous work and leadership experience. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM
The SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM covers the tuition fee of a selection of master's programmes at KTH and also includes living costs. It is open to female students from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations, providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
- MESCYT for students from the Dominican Republic
- ANII for students from Uruguay
Scholarship portals
- IEFA database: The IEFA database offers a comprehensive scholarship search, grant listing, and international student loan programmes.
- Studyportals: The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarships and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
- Scholars4dev: Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
- WeMakeScholars: WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also list more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations, and the government. Bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrollment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students, as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
As to career opportunities, a degree from the master's programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering opens several opportunities:
- to join the international research community by continuing PhD studies in the CSE and science/engineering fields where simulation and high-performance computing are applied: fluid dynamics, electromagnetics, molecular physics, quantum chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, structural mechanics, biocomputing, and many more.
- to gain employment in "end-user" high-tech industry and "provider companies", using and developing tools for advanced computer simulation in, for example, the pharmaceutical, automotive, materials, aeronautics, power generation, and microelectronics industries.
- to start new innovative companies which are based on CSE expertise.
The programme is highly research-oriented. So far, roughly two-thirds of the graduates have continued with a PhD position at the consortium partners KTH, TU Berlin, and TU Delft, as well as other leading international universities, for example, MIT (USA), Oxford University (UK), Purdue University (USA), Uppsala University (Sweden), ETH (Switzerland), Karolinska Institute (Sweden), University Melbourne (Australia), INRIA (France), Simon Fraser University (Canada), UPC Barcelona (Spain), NTU Singapore, and many others.
The graduates of this programme are also in high demand in the labour market. Graduates work in large and smaller companies such as Ericsson (Sweden), IBM Peking (China), BASF (Germany), Tata Steel (The Netherlands), DeCode genetics (Iceland), Sabic (India), AT Kearney (The Netherlands), HERE (Germany), TNO (The Netherlands) and many others.