This integrated MSc combines mathematics and computer science into a single, research-oriented master’s degree. It is designed for topics that demand strong abilities in both disciplines and allows you to specialise in areas located at the intersection of mathematics and computer science. Several faculty members hold joint appointments across the two departments, reflecting the programme’s interdisciplinary structure. Saarbrücken was among the first locations in Germany to offer such an integrated master’s and maintains a strong international research reputation in both fields.
The campus hosts major research centres — including the Max Planck Institutes for Computer Science and Software Systems, the German Center for Artificial Intelligence, and CISPA — creating an active, international research environment that benefits students. The programme’s research scope is broad, covering theoretical and applied directions, and is particularly suitable for students aiming for research careers or advanced work that blends mathematical and computational approaches.
This program offers a flexible, interdisciplinary study plan that combines mathematics and computer science. Students are required to complete 30 ECTS from taught courses — drawn from both core lectures and advanced lectures across the two disciplines — plus a single seminar worth 7 ECTS. Course selection is open, allowing each student to build a course package that matches their interests and prior background.
The curriculum is designed to let you either broaden your expertise across both fields or concentrate deeply on a particular area. Core lectures provide the foundational theories and methods, while advanced lectures enable in-depth study of specialized topics. The seminar component trains you in scholarly practice: critical literature review, oral presentation, and written reporting on a focused topic.
Learning outcomes include strengthened theoretical and computational skills; the ability to design and pursue a personalized specialization; enhanced problem-solving and analytical thinking across mathematics and computer science; and improved research communication skills useful for both academic and industry pathways. The program’s flexibility makes it suitable for students aiming for doctoral studies or professional roles that require interdisciplinary competence.
Requirements (concise)
You should hold a Bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science or a closely related subject. Degrees that combine one of these disciplines with a minor in the other (for example mathematics with a computer science minor, or vice versa) can also be considered, but eligibility will depend on the specific content and extent of the minor.
In some cases the faculty can offer a preliminary (conditional) admission. This means you may be asked to complete certain missing Bachelor's‑level courses before or during the Master's programme. The examination board reviews each application and is responsible for the final admission decision and for specifying any additional requirements.
Admission requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
15 May 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 November 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 May 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 November 2026
Graduates are prepared for research-oriented careers in academia and at research institutes, or for technical and development roles in industry that require strong mathematical foundations and advanced computational skills. Typical areas of employment include artificial intelligence and machine learning, cryptography and security, computational biology, scientific computing, quantitative finance, data science, and software research.
The programme's close links to MPI, DFKI, CISPA and local research centres also create opportunities for research collaborations, internships and a smooth transition into PhD programmes. University-affiliated graduate schools may offer preparatory funding and structured doctoral pathways for qualified graduates.
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