Overview This English-taught Master of Science program prepares you to design, analyse and build large-scale, networked software systems that must be dependable, secure and maintainable. It focuses on modern software-engineering challenges arising in mobile, distributed and interconnected environments, and teaches current methods and tools for architecture, development and verification of complex systems.
What you will study Core modules provide advanced foundations in software and data engineering, operating-systems engineering, and data-and-systems engineering, together with up-to-date networked, distributed and mobile technologies, privacy and security, and techniques for analysing and verifying software. The curriculum also explores many application areas — from IT management, energy-efficient and smart systems to human–computer interaction, cognitive systems, AI, computing for the cultural sciences and social networks — so you gain both theoretical depth and domain insight.
Specialisation, practice and career prospects You can personalise your degree through numerous elective modules and by choosing one of four focal areas: distributed and mobile systems; software analysis and verification; service-oriented architecture; or communication systems and protocols. The program emphasizes hands-on projects (individual or team-based), offers opportunities to study abroad and to take an international internship, and helps you build subject-specific English skills. Graduates are prepared for roles as sought-after software experts in industry or as researchers in international labs and universities.
Key facts and options
Program overview The Master’s curriculum builds on a completed 180‑ECTS bachelor’s degree in Software Systems Science or a closely related discipline (for example informatics, computer science, software engineering or computer engineering). The master’s itself comprises 120 ECTS and is taken over at least four semesters, and when combined with the prior bachelor’s meets the 300‑ECTS threshold required under the Bologna framework for access to third‑cycle (doctoral) studies.
Key modules and learning outcomes The programme is organised into five thematic module groups that together develop advanced technical knowledge and practical skills in modern software systems. Core advanced modules cover foundations of computer science, communication systems and computer networks, mobile systems, privacy and security, software technology and programming languages, operating systems engineering and AI systems engineering—while allowing room for elective specialisation. Through elective domain modules students may explore applied areas such as data analytics, energy‑efficient systems, smart environments, HCI, information visualisation and social networks.
Hands‑on learning is emphasised: a seminar requires independent literature research, an oral presentation and a short scientific essay, and a project offers experience working individually or in teams on applied problems. There is also a substantial international component (optional semester abroad and/or internship) to gain global experience. The programme concludes with an independently researched master’s thesis (30 ECTS) supervised by faculty. Collectively, these elements train you to design, analyse and implement complex software systems, communicate scientific results, work collaboratively, and prepare for either advanced research or specialised professional roles.
Structure and requirements (concise)
This Master's programme requires a completed undergraduate degree in Software Systems Science or a very closely related subject. Admissions expect a three-year (180 ECTS) Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) with a strong final grade. If your Bachelor's is in a related field rather than exactly Software Systems Science, the university checks the detailed course content to ensure sufficient coverage of core computer science and software-engineering topics.
For related degrees, a minimum of 115 ECTS worth of modules in computer science and software engineering must be documented, and your Bachelor's thesis should be in computer science, software engineering, or applied computer science. Applicants who earned their qualifying degree outside the Lisbon Recognition Convention area and whose final mark converts to worse than 1.5 on the German scale must additionally submit one of the specified standardized test scores.
Key admission requirements (concise)
Tip for international applicants: have detailed transcripts and course descriptions available (showing ECTS or credit hours and the topic of your Bachelor’s thesis) to demonstrate how your prior study maps to the subject-area ECTS requirements. If you are unsure how your grade converts to the German scale or whether your curriculum meets the module breakdown, contact the programme's admissions office for guidance.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 January 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 January 2027
Graduates are prepared for technical and research-focused roles that require advanced expertise in networked and distributed software systems. Typical career paths include positions as software architects, systems engineers, security and verification specialists, cloud and mobile systems developers, and technical leads in industry. The programme’s emphasis on formal methods, verification and secure system design is particularly relevant for sectors that demand high dependability, such as automotive, healthcare, finance, telecommunications and critical infrastructure.
For those aiming at research, the Master’s thesis and the total of 300 ECTS (with the prior Bachelor) meet common prerequisites for admission to doctoral programmes. The international study and internship options also position graduates well for roles in multinational companies and research labs.
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