FAQ about Application and Admission - Master Computer Science

It is determined based on content and methodology. Regarding content: 

The BSc in CS at Uni Kassel covers four areas with mandatory and additional elective courses:

• Practical Computer Science: programming, algorithms and data structures, software engineering, databases, etc. (36-54 credit points)
• Technical Computer Science: digital technology, computer architecture, operating systems, networks, etc. (28-46 credit points)
• Theoretical Computer Science: mathematical logic, formal languages, computability, complexity, etc. (16-28 credit points)
• Mathematics: linear algebra, calculus, probability theory, discrete mathematics, etc. (21-33 credit points) Your curriculum should cover these areas with a comparable amount of credit points. If your curriculum deviates from this up to 30 credit points, then this can be balanced out with additional qualification modules. Not all topics are available as qualification modules. For example, if you did not cover fundamentals like programming, linear algebra, calculus, etc. then your degree will not be regarded as equivalent.

Regarding methodology: The Master in CS at Uni Kassel is a research-oriented study programme. The focus on some Bachelor programmes can be too applied and not foundational enough to make you qualify for this Master programme. 

We expect you to have demonstrated the ability to work scientifically through the preparation of an individual Bachelor thesis. Missing competencies in this area cannot be compensated for through additional qualification modules.

There is a form called “Sonderbogen” which you can find on the website for applying to the program that is mandatory to fill in. In this form you list the modules you have taken so that equivalence based on the criteria laid out above can be checked. 

It is also very helpful to provide a dissertation-style document like a thesis or project report, as well as the syllabus or module handbook or your study programme. If you cannot upload them to uni-assist then please provide download links in the “Sonderbogen”.

It is important to fill in this form rightfully. 

Do not list content that has not been covered in your courses; give the content that has actually been covered when you took the courses. This should match the entries in the corresponding syllabus. Make sure that the credit points are given accurately for all modules / courses, including projects, etc. 

Only list modules that appear in your transcript of records. Regardless of how you fill it in, you are responsible for its content and should check carefully that it adheres to the requirements.

The form is self-explanatory. It shows which area typical modules should be assigned to. Some modules could be assigned to two areas, for instance “web engineering” may be practical or technical, “compiler design” may be practical or theoretical. List those that are given as examples in the corresponding area. List others where they fit best according to your judgement. List each module in one area only.

No. We only check completed applications that are officially submitted through uni-assist or the eCampus.

Please make sure that your application is complete and satisfactory for yourself before you submit it. 

We cannot accept requests for re-submission of entire applications or single documents. In this case, you need to re-apply for the following semester.

There is no single factor that determines the distinction between a scientific thesis and an application-oriented project report. We do not regard any project report as equivalent to a Bachelor’s thesis.

There are distinguishing features of a thesis like 

• a clearly formulated research question, 
• a coherent essay-like style of writing, 
• a scientific bibliography. 

A project report, on the other hand, is 

• a textual record of an engineering process like the development of an app. 
• It often consists of large numbers of screenshots, 
• has a more bullet-point-oriented style and 
• does not reference scientific work but technical tools or perhaps text books on basic and general topics. 

A scientific thesis module will also give your individual curriculum the direction of a specialisation and should be credited with significantly more points than standard courses.

Your application has been denied based on a thorough review of the documents you submitted. You may appeal this decision; however, your appeal must provide valid grounds for a reconsideration. It is not sufficient to simply request a re-examination of the application, as there is no reason to believe that a second review would lead to a different outcome.

To be admitted, your bachelor’s degree must be equivalent as defined above. If it is not equivalent, equivalence may be established in some cases through qualifying modules—however, this is not possible in every case. For applicants, the scope of such qualifying modules is limited to a maximum of 30 credit points.

The admissions committee decides whether equivalence can be established through qualifying modules. This decision is not based on the total number of credit points. Even if your degree comprises 180 ECTS credits (or an equivalent number), the coursework you have completed may differ significantly from that of the Bachelor’s program in Computer Science at the University of Kassel in terms of content or scope. In such cases, the committee assesses whether missing content can be compensated for through qualification modules in specific areas (such as theoretical computer science), thereby establishing the equivalence of the degree as a whole.

Unlikely. Due to a very high number of applications that we receive, your enquiries are likely to take a few weeks to be processed. 

Applications and appeals are processed in first-come-first-serve order. Please refrain from inquiring about the status of your application or appeal, as it only slows down the entire process and does not speed up the answering of your specific request. You will receive an answer as soon as your appeal has been processed.

The most common reason for rejection is the lack of visible scientific and foundational orientation in the applicants’ programmes. Germany has a two-tier system: 

• programmes at traditional universities typically are focused on foundations and a scientific education; 
• programmes at colleges (“Universities of Applied Sciences”) are more application-focused. 

If your Bachelor’s degree falls into the latter category then your application may have a higher chance at such an institution. However, we cannot advise on the application and selection process at institutions other than the University of Kassel itself.

Unfortunately, the Faculty for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science does not have the resources to provide any services in these regards. The “Studierendenwerk” and / or the “International office” may be able to assist.

Helpful links:

Planning and starting a study visit

Living costs (provided on our visa homepage)

The study office at the Faculty for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science can issue such a statement. 

You can delay your official start until 

• October 31st for winter terms and 
• April 30th for summer terms. 

Note that term starts roughly in the mid of these months, so a delay of approx. 2 weeks is seen as manageable to still follow the courses in that semester. Otherwise, we strongly advise you to postpone your start to the following semester.

Semester and course times at the University of Kassel 

No. You need to have passed them before you can register the intent to do a Master’s thesis. However, it is strongly advisable to complete your qualification modules as early as possible in your studies since these are supposed to provide you with competencies that are necessary for the ability to (better) follow regular courses.

No. The simplest way is - if you accept the offer for a place in the Master’s programme - to apply for recognition of competencies (“Anerkennung”). 

If you can prove that you have already demonstrated the competencies that a particular module provides - for example, it may have accidentally been overlooked in the evaluation of your application - then this can be formally recognised, and the module will count as passed. This applies to qualification modules as well. 

However, you can only apply for recognition once you have enrolled regularly as a student. The study office can guide you through the process.