Master of Science in Software Engineering

Overview

This international Master's programme offers a rigorous grounding in contemporary software engineering methods together with focused training in selected application areas. You will learn how to design, develop and maintain complex software systems, with particular attention to modern information systems, cyber‑physical systems and artificial intelligence applications. The curriculum balances up‑to‑date theoretical foundations with applied coursework to build both expertise and practical capability.

The course structure emphasizes a scientific approach to software engineering while incorporating hands‑on components so you gain experience executing and managing real development tasks. Graduates will be prepared for technical roles in industry as well as for further research, equipped to tackle challenges across diverse domains where sophisticated software systems are required.

Taught in English, the programme is suited to international students aiming to deepen their software engineering competencies and work on interdisciplinary systems that integrate software with hardware and AI technologies.

Requirements (concise)

• Motivation to work on complex software systems across application domains
• Readiness to study both theoretical foundations and practical implementation
• Interest in modern information systems, cyber‑physical systems, and AI
• Proficiency in English for academic study and collaboration

Overview

This two-year (four-semester) Master’s programme awards 120 CP and combines a strong methodological core with applied modules and a research-focused thesis. The curriculum is split roughly into a methodological core (65%), an application area (10%) and the Master’s thesis (25%). The final semester is dedicated to a 30 CP Master’s thesis. The programme intake has two tracks (winter and summer) with the same overall structure but a different ordering of core modules.

Throughout the programme you progress from foundational and methodological coursework (requirements engineering, model-based methods, software architecture, programming languages and advanced web development) to hands-on labs, group and integrated research projects, and a seminar. This mix is designed to develop both practical engineering skills (tools labs, development projects, web and language labs) and academic research competence (research methods, integrated project and the thesis).

Curriculum — winter intake

• Semester 1
  • Software Engineering Lecture (6 CP)
  • Requirements Engineering (6 CP)
  • Programming Languages (3 CP)
  • Advanced Web Development (6 CP)
  • Research Methods (3 CP)
  • one methodological specialisation module (6 CP)
• Semester 2
  • Model-Based Software Engineering (6 CP)
  • Software Architecture (6 CP)
  • Software Engineering Tools Lab (6 CP)
  • one methodological specialisation module (6 CP)
  • one application module (6 CP)
• Semester 3
  • Group development project (6 CP)
  • Seminar (4 CP)
  • Integrated research project (8 CP)
  • one methodological specialisation module (6 CP)
  • one application module (6 CP)
• Semester 4
  • Master’s thesis (30 CP)

Curriculum — summer intake

• Semester 1
  • Model-Based Software Engineering (6 CP)
  • Software Architecture (6 CP)
  • Software Engineering Tools Lab (6 CP)
  • one methodological specialisation module (6 CP)
  • one application module (6 CP)
• Semester 2
  • Software Engineering Lecture (6 CP)
  • Requirements Engineering for Quality (6 CP)
  • Programming Languages Lab (3 CP)
  • Advanced Web Development (6 CP)
  • Research Methods (3 CP)
  • one methodological specialisation module (6 CP)
• Semester 3
  • Group development project (6 CP)
  • Seminar (4 CP)
  • Integrated research project (8 CP)
  • one methodological specialisation module (6 CP)
  • one application module (6 CP)
• Semester 4
  • Master’s thesis (30 CP)

Key modules (highlights)

• Software Engineering Lecture and Model-Based Software Engineering — core theoretical foundations
• Requirements Engineering / Requirements Engineering for Quality — elicitation and specification of software needs
• Software Architecture — design of software systems at the architectural level
• Software Engineering Tools Lab and Programming Languages / Lab — practical toolchains and language-specific engineering
• Advanced Web Development — modern web technologies and full-stack considerations
• Group development project, Integrated research project, Seminar — team-based engineering, applied research and scientific communication
• Master’s thesis (30 CP) — independent research or advanced development culminating in a written thesis

Learning outcomes

• Acquire advanced methodological knowledge across software engineering, including model-based techniques and architectural design
• Develop practical engineering competence with tools, languages, web technologies and laboratory work
• Gain experience in collaborative software development and in planning and executing integrated research projects
• Learn research methods and scientific communication necessary to carry out the Master’s thesis and to pursue further research or technical leadership roles

More information

• Available methodological specialisations and application modules are listed at: https://sse.uni-hildesheim.de/en/teaching/software-engineering-master/

The programme prepares graduates for professional roles in software engineering, such as software developer/engineer, systems architect, software tools specialist, or project lead in industry. The mix of hands-on labs, group development projects and architecture training gives students the practical experience employers seek for developing and maintaining complex software systems.

Graduates who wish to continue in academia or R&D are also well prepared: the curriculum’s research methods, integrated research project and thesis provide a solid foundation for doctoral studies or research positions focusing on topics like AI-enabled systems, cyber-physical systems, formal methods and advanced software architecture.