Computational and Data Science
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
The Computational and Data Science degree program combines the strengths of computational science and data science and offers an interdisciplinary profile from mathematics, computer science and a natural science, engineering or economics. While data science focuses on recognizing patterns and developing models by analyzing data, computational science uses existing models to simulate data and make predictions. The combination of these approaches makes it possible to effectively combine data-driven and model-based methods and develop innovative solutions for complex problems in science, industry and business.
During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.
The bachelor's degree program is divided into a compulsory area, which equips you with methods that you can use to classify and solve application problems from the natural sciences, engineering and economics, and a compulsory elective area.
In the compulsory elective area, you take the subject Sciences, Engineering, Economics ("SEE subject") with a scope of 32-35 LP and a Specialization with a scope of 21-28 LP.
Key Program Features
- • with its combination of computational science and data acience
- the bachelor's degree program is unique in the German university landscape. • you will take many modules together with students from the bachelor's degree programs in Mathematics and Informatics or the degree program from which your chosen profile originates. This guarantees a high level of academic quality. • the choice of profiles and specializations allows you to design your studies very individually and focus on mathematics
- informatics or an applied subject. • being based at the KIT Department of Mathematics ensures a sound mathematical education. with its combination of computational science and data acience
- the bachelor's degree program is unique in the German university landscape. you will take many modules together with students from the bachelor's degree programs in Mathematics and Informatics or the degree program from which your chosen profile originates. This guarantees a high level of academic quality. the choice of profiles and specializations allows you to design your studies very individually and focus on mathematics
- informatics or an applied subject. being based at the KIT Department of Mathematics ensures a sound mathematical education.
Career Opportunities
The Computational and Data Science degree program opens up exciting career prospects in a data-driven world. You can work in various industries: where large amounts of data are collected and analyzed, where complex relationships with many unknown factors are modeled, where processes and products are developed and optimized - you will be in demand everywhere. Thanks to your sound mathematical training, you will also find a solution to complex problems in your day-to-day work.
Big data and artificial intelligence are conquering all industries, products and areas: from the insurance industry to autonomous vehicles or resilient power grids to climate and weather forecasts and much more. As a data scientist, data analyst, AI specialist or machine learning engineer, you analyze large amounts of data, program software and gain valuable insights from data simulations.
The demand for specialists in this field is constantly growing, offering you attractive salaries and a wide range of development opportunities. You will also have the chance to work on innovative projects that shape the future. Interdisciplinary teams value your expertise and you can actively contribute to decision-making in companies. With the right skills and a passion for modeling and big data, you are ideally equipped for a successful career in computational and data science.
Of course, you can also pursue a doctorate at KIT after your master's degree.
Program Curriculum
During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.
The bachelor's degree program is divided into a compulsory area, which equips you with methods that you can use to classify and solve application problems from the natural sciences, engineering and economics, and a compulsory elective area.
The compulsory section includes the following subjects:
• Mathematical Foundation (32-36 LP) from the fields of analysis and linear algebra provide you with a sound and important basic mathematical knowledge.
• Mathematics for Computational and Data Science (33 CP) provides you with knowledge of applied mathematics, e.g. stochastics and numerics.
• Computer Science (33 CP) contains the fundamentals of computer science that are important to you, in particular algorithms, software technology and the fundamentals of artificial intelligence.
• In two one-week Hackathons (4 CP), you will immerse yourself in real issues from science and industry. Together with your fellow students, you will work in a team to develop innovative solutions to the challenges posed. The focus is not only on creativity and specialist knowledge, but also on team spirit and the ability to present results convincingly.
• Interdisciplinary Qualifications (6 CP) round off your qualification profile according to your wishes. Be it language courses, presentation techniques or a course on work-life balance. The KIT has a lot to offer you, you decide.
In the compulsory elective area, you take the subject Sciences, Engineering, Economics ("SEE subject") with a scope of 32-35 LP and a Specialization with a scope of 21-28 LP.
• In the SEE subject, you choose one of eight profiles. Each profile represents an application discipline. You will learn the basics of this discipline so that you understand the problems and issues of this subject in order to solve them quantitatively using your methodological knowledge of mathematics and computer science. The following profiles are available:Business and EconomicsComputational ChemistryComputational Earth System SciencesComputational Mechanics and ThermodynamicsComputational PhysicsElectrical Engineering and Information TechnologyProcess EngineeringRobotics and Autonomous Systems
• In the Specialization, you can choose between three subject areas:Specialization Mathematics for Computational and Data ScienceSpeciali
Admission Requirements
For the bachelor's degree program in Computational and Data Science, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.
In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact
• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
No tuition fees (German public university — see fee_details)
Semester contribution ~€235 covers public transport (KVV) and student union services.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
No tuition fees at KIT (German public university). Semester contribution of approx. €235 covers public transport and student services. Funding available via DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, Baden-Württemberg Stipendium, and KIT internal scholarships.
About Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe, Germany
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Germany's leading public research universities and among Europe's most prestigious institutions for science, engineering, and technology....
University Profile- Application Deadline EU/German nationals: September 15 | Non-EU nationals: July 15
- Language German
- Duration 6 semesters
- Credits 180 ECTS
