Courses of the Department of Computer Science are held completely in English. Some supplementary modules (not mandatory) of other departments might be held in German.
Participants can choose to write their Master's thesis in either language (German or English).
For international applicants applying from abroad who need a visa:
30 April for the following winter semester
31 October for the following summer semester
Others:
15 January for the following summer semester
15 July for the following winter semester
The Master's programme in Computer Science improves students' competencies in planning, designing and creating information systems and/or embedded software systems ultimately leading to a professional qualification.
During the first three semesters, students choose lectures, a project (lab) and a seminar in one self-selected area of specialisation, other areas in computer science, and a supplementary subject.
The following specialisations are offered:
The supplementary subjects comprise about 25% of the course of studies. In the fourth semester, every student has to write a Master's thesis.
The Department of Computer Sciences at RPTU offers a unique research environment within the university and the associated, internationally renowned institutes (Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental SW Engineering, German Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Max Planck Institute for Software Systems). The institutes offer lectures, projects, Master's theses, and student assistant jobs.
International teams of professors, postgraduates and students collaborate on various fields of research covering a broad range, with particular strengths in:
Some of our research groups are among the best in the world.
Apart from the regulations regarding required credit points in different categories, students are free to choose courses according to their preferences.
There is no given timetable of modules. An adviser helps to develop an individual study plan. The supplementary modules can individually be chosen by the student among all departments of the university.
Enrolment fee: approx. 260 EUR per semester, includes e.g. free transport in the area around Kaiserslautern (up to 100 km), more than 50 free university sports courses, and more
Assessment fee: 60 EUR single payment for verification of foreign certificates (You will get an invoice after submitting your application.)
Recommended: German Language & Orientation Course for international Master's students: 800 EUR single payment
High standard of living at low cost
Monthly costs: in total approx. 800 EUR to cover all personal expenses, e.g. accommodation: approx. 350 EUR; health insurance: approx. 110 EUR; food: approx. 300 EUR
Cost of living – a snapshot of regional prices:
At the beginning of your studies, no knowledge of German is required. However, you are obliged to attend basic German courses at the Technische Universität Kaiserslautern which form an integral part of your programme. After two semesters, you have to pass the DSI examination (DSI stands for "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für Studierende in internationalen Studiengängen und Doktoranden": language exam for international students at the Technische Universität Kaiserslautern), in order to continue your studies. This exam requires basic German knowledge at A1 level.
A good knowledge of English is required for admission to the programme of study. You must prove your English language skills for the Master's programme as follows:
TOEFL Test: 550 points (paper-based) / 213 points (computer-based) / 79 points (internet-based) and/or IELTS: 6.0 points, or equivalent (e.g., prior studies in English)
For international applicants applying from abroad who need a visa:
30 April for the following winter semester
31 October for the following summer semester
Others:
15 January for the following summer semester
15 July for the following winter semester
RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau
Department of International Affairs (RefIntA)
Gottlieb-Daimler-Str. 47
67663 Kaiserslautern
Germany
Student assistant jobs are available on a competitive basis at the university, the partner institutes of the Science & Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern (including DFKI, Max Planck, Fraunhofer, etc.) or at nearby industry companies (John Deere, Daimler, BASF etc.) Excellent students have good chances of finding jobs in research projects, but these are not usually granted in advance.
The majority of our students live in residence halls located on or close to campus. Unlike in other countries, German dormitories are not owned or operated by the university but by external institutions. The "Studierendenwerk" operates several large halls of residence in Kaiserslautern. Students submit housing applications directly to the Studierendenwerk; typically, there is a waiting period for rooms. For international Master's or PhD students, the Department of International Affairs aims at arranging accommodation in these residence halls or in private accommodation within its pre-arrival service. The halls of residence have modern single, double or shared apartments with kitchenette, bathroom/WC, and modern facilities as well as internet access.
Since accommodation is not automatically guaranteed with admission, a request for accommodation to ISGS (RefIntA) is advisable.
https://rptu.de/international/master/prospective-students/travel-accommodation/accommodation/
Each student is supported by a mentor who is a professor of the department.
RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau is a technology-oriented university and offers over 110 courses of study in the following 16 departments:
By virtue of its internationally renowned faculties as well as its compact size and locations, RPTU attracts a large number of talented students from all over the world. Our extraordinarily high ratio of postgraduate and doctoral students underlines the university's focus on research, Master's studies, and doctoral research training.
With a current enrolment of approx. 20,000 students (share of international students: approx. 23%), the university is a manageable size and therefore ensures excellent guidance and close contact with professors. Thus, the university offers an outstanding support ratio of students per lecturer, e.g. three students per lecturer in the Department of Physics (national average: 12).
The Department of International Affairs has profound experience with international students and supports them in every phase of their studies or research. Besides effective pre-arrival communication, administrative support, and social services, the Department of International Affairs (RefIntA) offers professional training for PhD students and postgraduates as well as qualified career counselling. The task of helping students "feel at home" and "not get lost" is of major importance in RefIntA team's efforts.
Kaiserlautern - proud history and bright future
Already Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa was convinced of the advantages of the Kaiserslautern region when he chose to build his imperial palace in this location in the 12th century. Based on those historical roots, the city has developed into a cosmopolitan cluster of science and technology. K-town is considered a prime location by many national and international companies. The list of enterprises operating out of the Kaiserslautern PRE-Park is extensive and encompasses the automobile and technology industries. These companies, including Accenture and John Deere, are located in an area of over 100,000 square metres, offering companies plenty of room to grow and collaborate. As a centre of innovation, the futuristic PRE UNI-Park, a technology site with modern architecture, constitutes the core of the Science Alliance. This consortium of numerous high-profile science institutions such as the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering, the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics, and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems forms a highly specialised multidisciplinary network that provides innovative solutions based on the latest technologies and newest methods to students, scientists, and partners from industry. The topographic convergence of technology and nature makes the city both a vibrant urban centre and a natural oasis. Blessed with favourable surroundings, getting in touch with nature is particularly easy in Kaiserslautern, where Germany's largest interlinked woodlands are right at your doorstep. The forest of Rhineland-Palatinate is criss-crossed by a network of about 7,500 miles of well-marked hiking trails and is known for its mountain bike park. UNESCO has recognised the exceptional value of the nature reserve and in 1992 designated it one of the 15 German biosphere reserves.
There is no such thing as being a foreigner here - Kaiserslautern is home to people from over 140 nations who contribute to a diverse and vibrant city life. Most of the 100,000 inhabitants speak English, making it easy to quickly feel at ease. The Kaiserslautern region offers superb public transport. Trains run hourly every day, and fast intercity trains at the ICE train station in Kaiserslautern offer quick and comfortable connections to Europe's big cities, airports, and business centres. Kaiserslautern is centrally located within the European Union, between the River Rhine in the east and France in the west. Only two hours by train from both Frankfurt and Stuttgart, Kaiserslautern offers excellent travel connections. The people of Kaiserslautern have a zest for life; they are urban, friendly, and open-minded, and they also appreciate the importance of their regional roots. In the old part of the city, with its variety of restaurants, cafés, and original pubs, you will meet the dyed-in-the-wool "Pfälzer" (natives of Rhineland-Palatinate) who are cosmopolitan while at the same time still proud of their regional specialities. Many visitors from all over the world feel welcome and at home here.
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