The Master’s program of Computer Science is offered in the German or English language. For both alternatives, you have to submit proof of your language proficiency. The recognized language certificates are stated below.
If you wish to participate in the English study program, one of the recognized proficiency certificates is required even if the language of instruction at your previous university was English. In your application please clearly state whether you are applying for the English or the German alternative.
You fulfill the German language prerequisites if you can submit one of the following certificates:
- DSH certificate issued by a German university or preparatory/foundation course (Studienkolleg) - minimum result DSH 2
- “TestDaF” certificate passed with level 4 in all four exam sections
- “Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe II” issued by the “Kultusministerkonferenz” (DSD II)
- “Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP)”, which can be taken at Goethe Institutes in Germany or abroad, or at other institutes recognized by the Goethe Institute.
- Internediate or Advanced (Kleines oder Großes) “Deutsches Sprachdiplom“ awarded by the Goethe Institute.
If you have not yet acquired the necessary German language proficiency, you can apply for a place in a study preparation German language course. For more detailed information on the preparatory German language course, please see: http://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/studium/international-office/deutschkurse/
Please note: As the German Master’s program in Computer Science includes several modules in the English language, you also have to prove English language skills corresponding to 5 years of secondary school English, e.g. by submitting a TOEFL certificate with a minimum result of at least 500 (paper and pencil) / 61 (ibt), Cambridge First Certificate or similar.
For the English language alternative, the following certificates are accepted:
- A Bachelor’s degree gained in Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand or the USA
- A German Bachelor’s degree obtained in a study program that has been accredited as an English language program
- TOEFL certificate with a minimum result of 550 (pencil and paper) or 79 (internet)
- Cambridge ESOL certificate (CPE, CAE with grade B, FCE with grade A).
- IELTS 6.5 (minimum)
In general, if you hold a Bachelor’s degree from a university that is recognized in Germany, you are qualified to study at a German university. However, we need to see your documents before we can definitely confirm this. Whether your Bachelor’s degree is equivalent to a German Bachelor, so that you can enter directly into the Master’s program, will be assessed by the examination board of the respective faculty after application or, if you plan to study in German and enroll for the language course, before the final language examination. For this reason, please make sure that your application contains your complete academic documents including a transcript of records of all study years. Students from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh need at least 4 years of study to apply.
The application deadline for both degree programs and preparatory German language courses is March 15 of the current year for the winter semester and September 15 of the preceding year for the summer semester. With this timing we intend to give you a three-month period after admission to apply for visa and organize your transition properly. Please note that you have to inscribe here in Paderborn on October 1, latest, for the winter semester and on April 1, latest, for the summer semester. As an exception we allow registration here in Paderborn for the upcoming winter semester 12/13 until October 31. However, please note that processing might take a few weeks after your application has arrived. Tuition fees for degree students are about 200 Euro per semester, which includes the student union fees and the semester ticket. The preparatory language course (if you are interested in the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang, DSH, to study in Germany) starts in April and October and costs 780 Euro per semester (exception: C1 course) plus the above-mentioned semester fee of about 200 Euro.
The application for the Masters Program in Computer Science can be performed only via the Uni-Assist web page, which allows you to submit your application electronically. Please go to the Uni-Assist online portal for applicants, and look up the University of Paderborn in the list "Universities (Master)" under the heading "Northrhine-Westphalia". From there you will receive all information you need to register for our Computer Science programs. Before registering, please check whether you meet the admission requirements listed above.
More information about filling out the application form please see:
http://www.uni-paderborn.de/studium/international-office/austauschstudierende-incoming/
Detailed information by the Department of Computer Science is provided here:
Detailed information can also be obtained from the "Fachschaft", including a link to the brochure about the Master’s program in Computer Science from students for students (in English):
http://fsmi.uni-paderborn.de/infos-fuer/master-students/master-orientation/
For further questions, please contact the International Office at the University of Paderborn.
International Office
University of Paderborn
Warburger Straße 100
D-33098 Paderborn
http://www.upb.de/international