Admission procedure

The admission procedure at the department

The admission procedure is based on a points allocation system. An admission commission assesses various criteria and awards points for each. Criteria such as the final grade, subject relevance, motivation and additional subject-related activities such as internships, study abroad or work experience and/or special subject-related commitments such as subject-related MOOCs, etc. are assessed and evaluated.  

The test score from GRE or GMAT (only mandatory for applicants with a university degree not falling under the Lisbon Convention, for more information see below) and the grade are important components, but are set in relation to other admission requirements. For instance, if the majority of required admission requirements match (e.g. outstanding performance, above average grade etc.) and also the subject qualification is given, then an applicant can also compensate for a lower GRE or GMAT result.

The points system however cannot compensate for a lack of subject relevance. In addition, incomplete application documents and invalid certificates, test score sheets etc. will lead to the application being rejected.

Application documents

The following documents are part of your application:

  1. Verifiable copy of your bachelor's degree certificate with an official translation into German or English.
    Students in their final year of study can hand in the degree certificate later.
     
  2. Verifiable copy of your transcript of records showing subjects taken, credits and grades obtained, with an official translation into German or English
    For applicants enrolled at the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Konstanz, an uncertified transcript of records is sufficient.
     
  3. Verifiable written proof of a provisional or final grade.
     
  4. A reference to the grading system of the respective higher education institution if the studies were not completed in Germany.
     
  5. Documentation of English language skills (see  below: admission requirements)
     
  6. Table of equivalence
    Not applicable for applicants with a B.Sc. degree in Computer Science or Information Engineering from the University of Konstanz
    A handwritten completion of the form is not acceptable and may lead to a non-review of the application!
     
  7. Personal statement questionnaire
    A handwritten completion of the form is not acceptable and may lead to a non-review of the application.
     
  8. Full curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
    A handwritten CV is not acceptable and may lead to a non-review of the application.
     
  9. Results of the GRE General Test or GMAT; only applicable for students with a university degree not falling under the Lisbon Convention
     
  10. Applicants from India, China, Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy in Delhi, Beijing, Hanoi etc.

Selection procedure and points allocation

Applicants to the Computer and Information Science master's programme undergo an admission procedure based on a points allocation system. The departmental admission committee decides on the basis of the application documents and the referring points system on the applicant's eligibility for the master's programme in Computer and Information Science.

Admission is granted if the following scores are reached:

  • Applicants with a university degree from one of the signatory countries to the Lisbon Convention are eligible if their application reaches at least 60 points.
  • Applicants with a university degree not falling under the Lisbon Convention are eligible if their application reaches at least 80 points.

The points are allocated as follows:

Grade weighting (0-20 points)

Required is a bachelor's programme of at least three years completed with a grade of at least "satisfactory" (3.0) according to the German grading system or an equivalent degree from a recognized higher education institution. Up to 20 points can be awarded for the grade.

  • grade less or equal 2,0 = 20 points
  • grade greater 2,0 and less or equal 2,5 = 15 points
  • grade greater 2,5 and less or equal 3,0 = 0 points
  • grade greater 3,0 = will not be considered

More information on grade conversion and the German grading system

Subject relevance of the degree (0-40 points)

We recommend to apply with a degree in Computer Science or a very closely related subject from a recognized higher education institution. Up to 40 points are awarded for subject relevance.

For each area a maximum of 10 points can be reached:

  • Computer Science and Programming
  • Systems
  • Mathematics and Theoretical Foundations
  • Other Courses in the area of Computer Science

A lack of subject relevance (less than 20 points) cannot be compensated by high scoring in other admission criteria and will result in the exclusion of the application. The subject relevance is determined with the help of the table of equivalence indicating the equivalence of the applicant’s previous study programme with the Bachelor of Science programme in Computer Science at the University of Konstanz.

(!) The table is not to be filled in by applicants who have a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or Information Engineering from the University of Konstanz.

Motivation (0-10 points)

The motivation is evaluated only based on our standardised questionnaire, which tells us more about your skills and experiences and why you want to study with us. Up to 10 points can be awarded for personal motivation

Bonus points (0-15)

Bonus points are awarded for special qualifications, awards or characteristics of previous studies such as several years of relevant professional experience, conference papers, double degree studies, studies abroad, DAAD scholarship etc. A proof of any additional qualification is required. Up to 15 bonus points can be awarded.

GRE / GMAT (0-20 points)

The  GRE or GMAT is mandatory for applicants with a university degree from a country not falling under the Lisbon Convention. A missing GRE or GMAT test result (if applicable) will lead to an exclusion of the application. Up to 20 points may be awarded.

  • You can see the allocation of points for GRE and GMAT results here.

List of countries that signed the Lisbon Treaty
(as of April 2019; source: European Council, www.coe.int/de/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/165/signatures)

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirghiz, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United States of America, Vatican (Holy See)

English proficiency proof

The English language proficiency proof is not included in the points score, but is obligatory! A missing or invalid proof of English language proficiency will lead to the exclusion of the application. We expect a level of at least high B2 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

We only accept the following language proficiency proofs without any exception:

  • TOEFL: minimum score: 90 (Institution Code, Name and Type: B226 U Konstanz Dept Comp/Info Sci)
  • IELTS (academic test): minimum score: 6
  • Cambridge First Certificate in English: minimum grade: C
  • Evidence of 5 years continuous English classes, level German secondary school up to Abitur (German equivalent to A-level), minimum grade "befriedigend" or better
  • Successful completion of a minimum of four subject-related courses held in English in a previous relevant degree program or exchange program (ERASMUS etc.) in the  European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
  • Successful completion of a minimum of three subject-related courses in English and the writing of the final thesis in English in a previous relevant degree program in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
  • High school or Bachelor degree or study exchange certificate (min. one semester) from an English educational institution from one of the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

University transfer and enrolment into a higher semester

Further rules and alternative application periods apply to applicants already studying a corresponding master's programme and who would like to transfer into our master's programme and then potentially enrol into a higher semester:

More information about the application procedure can be found here.

We also recommend that you contact the master's student advisory service in advance.