Program Overview
The German-language master's degree program in Informatics is characterized by the fact that there are no compulsory courses, but rather a great deal of freedom of choice for the entire program. You can design your studies flexibly and individually - with a clear focus on research-oriented teaching. The standard period of study is 4 semesters and you earn 120 ECTS credits.
You can choose from a wide range of modules in each subject. You can find out what these are in the module handbook.
Within the subject structure shown, you must fulfill a few framework conditions in addition to the intended subject sizes:
At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that enables you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 60 CP. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department. The master's thesis also includes a presentation of your results.
Key Program Features
- • program content can be chosen almost freely from a wide range of research-oriented courses • variable subject sizes allow individual concentration on specializations or broad-based studies • supplementary modules from other degree programs as a basis for professional application • master's thesis possible at another department or in cooperation with companies • certificates from 9 different study profiles possible in addition to the master's degree • various double degrees with universities abroad program content can be chosen almost freely from a wide range of research-oriented courses variable subject sizes allow individual concentration on specializations or broad-based studies supplementary modules from other degree programs as a basis for professional application master's thesis possible at another department or in cooperation with companies certificates from 9 different study profiles possible in addition to the master's degree various double degrees with universities abroad
Career Opportunities
After completing a master's degree in Informatics, you will be able to work flexibly on the job market. During your master's studies, you will acquire strong analytical skills and a highly structured approach to complex issues. The knowledge you acquire during your studies will provide you with a broad foundation for working in a wide range of specialist areas and sectors - in industry as well as in the service sector. You will also be in demand in (interdisciplinary) research or on the management floors of national and international companies with your master's degree or doctorate. By acquiring knowledge in one of the nine master's profiles on offer, you can underline your specialization and thus become even more attractive to companies in the high-tech sector. You will have top-class expertise in highly topical subjects such as autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, robotics, IT security, big data and much more. Last but not least, you can start your own business with a creative business idea. KIT will support you in this.
Program Curriculum
• Elective Studies (6-49 CP): here you can take any elective modules. They do not have to be from a common subject area. The Elective Studies therefore offer you the opportunity to focus on specialization subjects or to broaden your specialist knowledge. The scope of the Elective Studies depends on how large you want your Area of Specialization, your Minor Studies and the Interdisciplinary Qualifications to be.
• 2 Areas of Specialization (min. 15 CP each, max. 73 CP together): with their variable sizes, the Areas of Specialization offer you the opportunity to focus your studies strongly on one subject area or to acquire in-depth knowledge from two areas of computer science. You can choose from the following Areas of Specialization:
Theoretical Foundations
Algorithm Engineering
Cryptography and Security
Parallel Computing
Software Engineering and Compiler Construction
Design of Embedded Systems and Computer Architecture
Telematics
Databases and Information Systems
Computer Graphics and Geometry Processing
Robotics and Automation
Anthropomatics and Cognitive Systems
System Architecture
• Minor Studies (9-18 CP): the Minor Studies offer you the opportunity to get to know one of the many application areas of computer science. This is an important basis for your professional qualification. At KIT, this means that you can take modules from another degree program at KIT. There is also a cooperation with the Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG). Thanks to the variable subject size, you can decide how high the proportion of the Minor Studies should be in your overall qualification.
The following supplementary subjects are available:
Law
Mathematics
Theoretical Physics
Experimental Physics
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
Biology
Sociology
Media Art (at the HfG)
Business Economics
Economics
Operations Research
Fundamentals of Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering
Mathematics for Data Intensive Computing
Business Economics for Data Intensive Computing
Automation and Energy Grids
Social Aspects
Philosophy
Meteorology
Biologically Inspired Robotics
• Interdisciplinary Qualifications (2-6 CP): it is also important to us that you do not only develop your professional skills in the master's program, but we also offer you the opportunity to round off your qualification profile with a wide selection of interdisciplinary courses, for example language courses, dealing with social issues or simply rhetoric courses and work-life balance techniques. Here too, you decide how many of these you would like to take. You can also take more of these courses at any time, but they will no longer count towards your master's degree.
• Master's thesis (30 CP)
• Theoretical Foundations
• Algorithm Engineering
• Cryptography and Security
• Parallel Computing
• Software Engineering and Compiler Construction
• Design of Embedded Systems and Computer Architecture
• Telematics
• Databases and Information Systems
• Computer Graphics and Geometry Processing
Admission Requirements
The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Informatics are based on the current admission regulations:
• bachelor's degree
a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Informatics (or a degree course with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The course must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements
you must provide evidence of the following achievements in your bachelor's degree or as part of other degree programs:
theoretical computer science: 15 credit points
practical computer science: 30 credit points
computer engineering: 8 credit points
mathematics: 25 credit points
• theoretical computer science: 15 credit points
• practical computer science: 30 credit points
• computer engineering: 8 credit points
• mathematics: 25 credit points
If you do not meet the above requirements, you can still be enrolled on the master's degree program in Informatics, provided you successfully take part in an aptitude interview. The proven knowledge and achievements must not fall below the following requirements in three of the four areas mentioned:
• theoretical computer science: 15 credit points
• practical computer science: 20 credit points
• computer engineering: 6 credit points
• mathematics: 20 credit points
The aptitude interview can be conducted online (Zoom) in exceptional cases and within the scope of the available slots.
If you have any questions about making up credits to meet the requirements for admission, please contact the Student Advisory Services (ZSB) at KIT. Among other things, the ZSB provides comprehensive information on this topic during its regular online session Für den Master ans KIT?, particularly regarding the preparation courses for master’s studies at KIT, and also offers individual counseling.
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: July 15 | Non-EU nationals: July 15
- Language German
- Duration 4 semesters
- Credits 120 ECTS
