MSc Computer Science and Business Studies
Leiden, Netherlands
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Oct 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 23,300 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Apply by 15 October 2026 (non-EU/EEA students) or 15 November 2026 (EU/EEA students).
** Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: EUR 2,771 per year (2027/2028).
Key Summary
About: In the two-year Master’s programme ICT in Business and the Public Sector at Leiden University, you'll blend computer science, information technology, business and organizational skills to tackle digital society and economy challenges. LIACS mixes theoretical, experimental and applied work. Courses use business and ministry cases, Capstone Cases, internships, cross-cultural teamwork and study-abroad. The Faculty of Science supports research and coursework in data science, software engineering and management.
Career Outcomes: You'll be ready for roles in IT management, business or systems analysis, project management and transformation. Employers include industry, government, NGOs. Career opportunities include IT manager, business analyst, project manager roles.
In the master’s specialisation Computer Science and Business Studies (formerly known as the MSc programme: ICT in Business and the Public Sector), you combine high-quality research in Computer Science with training in management and entrepreneurship. You will learn about analytical frameworks and skills for managerial decision making. The emphasis of the Business Studies specialisation is on combining research with the management and application of information technology in an organisational context. You will expand your knowledge of computer science and develop business and organisational skills that are essential to becoming a modern IT professional.
Over the last years, rapid changes in computer science and AI have created major challenges and opportunities for all kinds of organisations, industries, and individuals. To thrive in our modern information society, businesses and governmental organisations alike must combine a solid grasp of the evolving technological possibilities with a deep understanding of how to effectively and responsibly apply these in an organisational context.
What you will learn
After graduating you will have excellent knowledge of information technology in complex organisations combined with a good understanding of management and entrepreneurship and scientific foundations. You will have developed skills and knowledge to contribute to IT strategies in large organisations and become the bridge between the general management and IT departments.
How you will learn
The master’s specialisation Computer Science and Business Studies consists of a combination of computer science and business-oriented courses and several courses at the intersection of the two, as follows:
- A set of core business-oriented computer science courses and computer science electives;
- Business Studies courses including both mandatory core courses and business electives;
- Integration courses with Capstone Cases and the Master's Thesis Research Project with Business Internship.
Career prospects
Many students receive their first job offer during or right after their Master Thesis Research Project and internship. After graduating you can also aim for a career in computer science research.
Job opportunities are excellent and diverse, ranging from consultancy to IT management and from entrepreneurship to PhD research.
Many of our graduates occupy management positions or have project responsibilities in a wide variety of commercial and non-commercial sectors, from software product companies to large multinational corporations. Some students even start their own company. Other alumni work at consultancy agencies or in the public domain as policy-makers, science communicators or teachers. Some of our graduates choose a career in scientific research, as a PhD student at universities, research institutes or R&D-departments of commercial organisations.
The MSc programme ICT in Business and the Public sector (120 EC) offers two specialisations that focus on either ICT and business or ICT and the Public Sector.
The Master of Science in ICT and Business and Public Sector programme offers two specialisations:
ICT in Business: The specialisation ICT in Business aims at providing you with a deeper understanding of the issues, challenges and opportunities engendered by the rapid changes in information and communication technology (ICT) and its applications to businesses over recent years.
ICT in the Public Sector: During the MSc programme ICT in the Public Sector you will focus more on the governmental environment rather than a commercial one, concentrating less on issues that are typical of a commercial nature (such as marketing and finance) but paying attention to issues relevant in the public domain such as politico-administrative relations, European procurement and data-driven policy development.
Courses are given in Leiden and The Hague. We advise students to find housing in Leiden.
Educational methods
- Literature studies
- Individual papers
- Colloquia
- Presentations
- Interactive lectures
- Interactive team work
- Company visits
Study guidance
Because master students are already used to studying, we do expect responsibility for their own learning progress. But when students are facing issues that affect their studies, we are there to help and support. So in case of study delay, personal issues or just regular questions, students can contact the study advisor. Students can also call upon several university services for support.
Our staff is approachable. During the master thesis research project a student is supervised one-on-one. The overall thesis process is monitored in the Master Class.
Specialisations
- ICT in Business (MSc)
- ICT in the Public Sector (MSc)