Master of Science in Computing Science
Utrecht, Netherlands
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 23,765 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2024-2025: € 2,530
Key Summary
Do you wonder how you can optimise the performance of the electricity network? How you can use hospital data to improve patient care? Or how you can develop correct and efficient software? During our two-year Research Master’s programme in Computing Science, you will learn the advanced methods that help solve these questions.
Dive into the Fundamentals of Computing Science
In the Computing Science Master’s programme, you will dive into the depths of fundamental computing science. You learn to master advanced methods for the design of efficient algorithms, provably correct software, and accurate decision-making systems. By studying the underlying concepts of these methods, you understand their theoretical and practical limitations. This will allow you to create digital innovations that solve all sorts of problems and improve our society.
Connect your Studies to Current Research and Practice
During your studies in the Computing Science Master’s programme, you will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of a broad range of topics and research areas in algorithms, operations research, and programming technologies. Our teachers are active and leading researchers in their fields and connect you with the latest scientific developments and insights. Depending on your chosen track and elective courses, you will be able to study state-of-the-art techniques and methods from research fields such as NP-complete graph problems, network analysis and dynamics, type systems, software verification, machine scheduling, and simulation of energy and mobility systems. By discussing and presenting current research papers, you gain a critical perspective on existing methods and techniques. You apply your knowledge and critical perspective in class projects, our student colloquium, and finally your Master’s thesis.
Compulsory Courses
- Algorithms for decision support
- Concepts of programming language design
- Scientific methods for COSC
Elective Courses
Primary electives:
These are programme-related electives. You must select 3 courses out of the option list specific to your chosen track.
Algorithm Design and Analysis track
- Advanced algorithms
- Geometric algorithms
- Network science
- Optimization for sustainability
- Scheduling and timetabling
Operations Research track
- Advanced algorithms
- Statistical Learning and Stochastic Processes
- Evolutionary Computing
- Optimization for sustainability
- Scheduling and timetabling
Programming Technology track
- Advanced functional programming
- Language based security
- Probabilistic reasoning
- Program semantics and verification
Secondary electives
These electives can be chosen more liberally from other tracks in the programme, or even from other masters like Data Science or Game and Media Technology. You have room for 4 courses or you can also use this elective space to do a profile.
Profile (optional)
In order to expand the thematic range of your Master's programme, you can also choose to do a profile in your (elective) course part. A profile is a coherent set of courses of 30 EC on a single theme that is usually not a standard part of the programme. Within this Master's you can choose from the following profiles:
- Communication Profile
- Complex systems profile
- Da Vinci Programme
- Educational Profile
- Science based Entrepreneurship Profile
Academic careers
Graduates qualify for PhD studies in their thematic focus areas and in a broad range of other sub-areas of computer science. At virtually all universities and research institutes (and also in our Graduate School of Natural Sciences), PhD positions are often bound to externally funded research projects. The large number of chairs in the joined program provides more continuous opportunities for PhD positions.
Non-academic careers
Graduates qualify for professional careers in the software and IT industry, in companies, and in either profit or non-profit organisations that require complex information and software systems for their operations. Our graduates are in high demand and find jobs in a great variety of industries and companies, such as KLM and NS.
- Our mandatory courses give you a common foundation in all the topics covered by the programme, while our three tracks and a broad selection of elective courses allow you to specialise and deepen your knowledge. This will make you future-proof as a professional, researcher, or entrepreneur in the rapidly evolving field of computing science.
- The Department of Information and Computing Sciences of Utrecht University holds a leading role in the Netherlands for research and teaching.
- This Master’s programme offers in-depth theoretical foundations in the field. These foundations will provide you with an understanding of the fundamentals of software and algorithm development for years to come.