Master's Programme in Computing Science 120 credits

Image: Mattias Pettersson

About the programme

Do you want to expand your knowledge in problem solving and programming? The Master’s programme in Computing Science is directed towards students who want to achieve further understanding of the field and develop a scientific attitude characterized by logical reasoning and critical analysis. Following your degree you can enter PhD studies or development work in computing science in a company.

Your teachers are scientists

Broad job opportunities

While studying

Necessary qualifications for being able to follow the programme are theoretical knowledge and practical skills regarding algorithmic problem solving, including well-developed programming skills. In particular, you must be able to program in programming languages such as C, Java, and Python and, if necessary, quickly become acquainted with further programming languages. You must also be familiar with the basics of discrete mathematics and fundamental concepts from the theory of computation such as automata, formal languages, computability, and computational complexity.

Thesis completes your studies

During the first semester of the programme you will take three courses of which two are mandatory: Artificial Intelligence – Methods and Applications and Efficient Algorithms. The remaining course is Database System Principles. It is not mandatory, but is pre-selected and highly recommended. Towards the end of the programme, after taking a number of elective courses, you will take the course Student Conference in Computing Science that gives a hands-on introduction to scientific writing. This course will prepare you for your master thesis comprising 30 ECTS credits, which completes your studies.

Software development

The programme courses consist of lectures, seminars, group work and tutorials in conjunction with different types of assignments and laboratory work. These assignments are usually mandatory and often consist of software development of some kind. Count on a 40-hour work week even if there are fewer hours scheduled. You are expected to organize your work by yourself in a way that suits you and your studies. Your teachers are also scientists in the fields in which they teach. All teaching is in English.

Read more about the programme at The Department of Computing Science.

Courses within the programme

Year 1

Efficient Algorithms
Database System Principles
Artificial Intelligence – Methods and Applications
Eligible courses

Year 2

Eligible courses
Student Conference in Computing Science
Degree Project: Master of Science (two years) in Computing Science

Show programme syllabus

Future and career opportunities

The scientific way of thinking that characterises the programme yields a solid foundation for future PhD studies, but also enables you to work independently with specialised positions in industry. You may find your future workplace at a university or private research institute or with companies such as Ericsson, Facebook, Volvo, Tieto or an overwhelming number of smaller IT-related companies.

Common job titles

Researcher
Project leader in the IT-business
Systems developer
Algorithm designer
Data consultant

Continue with PhD studies

Following your degree you can apply for positions as a PhD student in Computer Science or related areas all around the world. You can also work in the industry, where highly educated computer scientists are highly sought-after, or in the public sector.

Programme director

Lili Jiang

Associate professor

+46 90 786 58 27

Apply

Autumn 2025
- Master's Programme in Computing Science
  
  International admissions round
  
  HT25 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2025
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-M5024
  
  Eligibility
  A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in Computer Science which include a thesis of at least 15 ECTS, and a minimum of 22,5 ECTS in Mathematics including a course that conveys basic knowledge regarding formal logic. b) Good theoretical and practical knowledge and skills regarding algorithms and data structures, programming in different programming languages such as Java, C++ and Python. Courses on the theoretical foundations of Computer Science comprising at least 7,5 ECTS . Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  Degree
  
  After completing the programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website).
  In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Teknologie masterexamen.
  The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Computing Science) with the specialisation Computer Science.
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 January 2025. The application period is closed.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
  
  Total fee: SEK 304,600
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Master's Programme in Computing Science
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  HT25 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2025
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-P5024
  
  Eligibility
  A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in Computer Science which include a thesis of at least 15 ECTS, and a minimum of 22,5 ECTS in Mathematics including a course that conveys basic knowledge regarding formal logic. b) Good theoretical and practical knowledge and skills regarding algorithms and data structures, programming in different programming languages such as Java, C++ and Python. Courses on the theoretical foundations of Computer Science comprising at least 7,5 ECTS . Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  Degree
  
  After completing the programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website).
  In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Teknologie masterexamen.
  The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Computing Science) with the specialisation Computer Science.
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 April 2025. The application period is closed. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
  
  Total fee: SEK 304,600
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
Autumn 2026
- Master's Programme in Computing Science
  
  International admissions round
  
  HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Apply
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2026
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-M5024
  
  Eligibility
  
  A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in Computer Science which include a thesis of at least 15 ECTS, and a minimum of 22,5 ECTS in Mathematics including a course that conveys basic knowledge regarding formal logic. b) Good theoretical and practical knowledge and skills regarding algorithms and data structures, programming in different programming languages such as Java, C++ and Python. Courses on the theoretical foundations of Computer Science comprising at least 7,5 ECTS . Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  Degree
  
  After completing the programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website).
  In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Teknologie masterexamen.
  The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Computing Science) with the specialisation Computer Science.
  
  Application
  Online applications are now open. Application deadline is 15 January 2026.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
  
  Total fee: SEK 304,600
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Master's Programme in Computing Science
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Application opens 16 March 2026
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2026
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-P5024
  
  Eligibility
  
  A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in Computer Science which include a thesis of at least 15 ECTS, and a minimum of 22,5 ECTS in Mathematics including a course that conveys basic knowledge regarding formal logic. b) Good theoretical and practical knowledge and skills regarding algorithms and data structures, programming in different programming languages such as Java, C++ and Python. Courses on the theoretical foundations of Computer Science comprising at least 7,5 ECTS . Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  Degree
  
  After completing the programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website).
  In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Teknologie masterexamen.
  The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Computing Science) with the specialisation Computer Science.
  
  Application
  The online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
  
  Total fee: SEK 304,600
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

Apply online via universityadmissions.se
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results.
 
Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

More about application and admission

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I am eligible for the programme?

You need a Bachelor's degree and must fulfil the specific requirements, which are listed together with the rest of the application information. In particular, good theoretical knowledge and practical skills in programming and software engineering on the one hand, and courses that cover the basics of discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science on the other hand.

How do I apply?

Open an account on universityadmissions.se and follow the instructions given there.

Do I have to pay tuition fees?

Generally, if you are a non-EU citizen and you do not hold a Swedish residence permit for purposes other than studies, you will have to pay tuition fees.

Will I be granted a scholarship?

Once you have been offered a seat on the programme, you can apply for a scholarship, but there are many more applicants than available scholarships, so you need good arguments (such as excellent grades).

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