The program builds on skills in basic programming and database systems acquired through a bachelor’s degree (see admission requirements). It will provide you with a deeper and more detailed understanding on computer systems, software architecture and programming. Your master thesis towards the end of the program will allow you to develop a broader skillset within your chosen area of specialization.

The program consists of three mandatory courses in computer science with a total of 30 ECTS credits, and 30 ECTS credits of elective courses. The elective courses may be within topics such as economics, management, psychology and entrepreneurship, as well as computer science. The program concludes with a master thesis that should in most cases be carried out in close cooperation with a company or a research project.

This master’s program in Computer Science is unique in its very experimental approach with a lot of practical programming exercises and laboratory work. The computer science courses are taught by active researchers and professors and are directly connected to the on-going research projects carried out by the academic staff at the department.

Knowledge

The candidate has…

• a broad solid foundation in computer science

• considerable depth of understanding of a selected area of specialization

• a deep understanding on state of the art distributed and parallel software architectures

• a solid knowledge about risks and threats in computer systems and their related security measures

• a solid understanding of system and application development relevant to the chosen specialty

Skills

The candidate can…

• work independently on a significant non-trivial problem over a longer time-period

• analyze a problem and plan how to work towards a solution

• plan, organize and execute the work required to solve the problem. Adapt to changes and limitations.

• demonstrate the feasibility of the solution by implementing key parts

• collect and analyze relevant metrics characterizing the problem and the solution

• write a well-structured and clearly formulated report describing the thesis work and reflecting on its results

General competence

The candidate …

• has an interest for the continued development of computer science as a dynamic field under the influences of advances in the discipline, changes in technology, and in application areas, business models, and businesses.

• can communicate effectively, orally and in writing, within the field, and with the public as well as experts in other fields

• can pursue life-long learning and development

• is aware of relevant social and ethical issues and apply this awareness to their professional conduct

Admission to the Master’s programme in Computer Science requires a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in Computer Science of minimum 80 ECTS.

Applicants must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (2,5) in the ECTS scale, see the UiT webpage for International admissions for more information on how the point average is calculated.

Applicants with education from non-Nordic countries must document English language proficiency. You will find more information on English language requirements on the UiT webpage for International admissions.

Planned number of admissions fall 2025 (all applicants): 16 places

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is April 15th for admission to the autumn semester
• Online application, study code 4029.
• Her finner du all informasjon knyttet til søking og opptak.

Applicants within EU/EEA/Switzerland (except the Nordic countries):

• The application deadline for applicants within EU / EEA / Switzerland is March 1st for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application, study code 7107.
• You will find more information about international admission here.

The program is not available to applicants from outside the Nordic countries and the EU / EEA / Switzerland (Non EU / EEA applicants).

This program has a highly experimental and practical approach. All academic staff teaching our courses are active researchers within the various research groups at the Department of Computer Science, and thus courses will be based on and related to the ongoing research activities at the department.

Most courses are intensive and project oriented. During lectures, theoretical aspects of computer science will be presented and examined. In colloquiums, students are expected to take active part in discussions, presenting their own thoughts and solutions. Each course requires that compulsory assignments be approved for access to the exam (both individual and group assignments depending on the course). Evaluations may consist of both oral presentations and written reports depending on the specific course and nature of the assignment. The compulsory assignments are intended promote practical skills in designing, building, and maintaining computer systems. We expect our students to take an active part in their education by being present, engaged, and critical. We also see it as important that our students engage in and contribute to the social learning environment on campus and emphasize the importance of cooperative learning.

As a student, you will be able to involve yourself with industry partners of your choice as well as the department's research and research groups through electing special curriculums, and in finding and writing your master thesis.

This will challenge student to learn about companies and research groups, getting in touch, and finding potential projects and supervisors.

Master theses in collaboration with external partners is encouraged and the department will assist in finding internal supervisors. You will receive more information about this once you have been accepted to the program.

The program is intensive, and students must expect to spend more than 40 h/week including lectures, colloquiums, computer laboratory work, and self-study. Completion of the program requires motivation and targeted work effort by dedicated students.

The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

The Master's thesis may be written in either English or a Scandinavian language.

Upon successful completion of the degree, and satisfactory grades, students may be qualified for admission to a PhD program in Science.

Exchange stays at other educational institutions in Norway or abroad can by agreement be included in the program, see Student mobility at UiT

The Department of Computer Science has subject-specific exchange agreements (Erasmus +) with several universities in Europe where the agreements with the Technical University of Munich, Germany and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands are recommended. An overview of the department’s exchange agreements can be found at the tab Destinations for studies abroad (below).

Students can carry out an exchange stay in the second semester (spring) of the program.

Students wishing to carry out an exchange stay as part of their study program must contact the department administration in good time before leaving, ideally as soon as they are accepted for the master’s program (application deadlines is the 1st of September for exchange in the spring semester).

The courses scheduled for completion during the exchange period must be pre-approved in consultation with the department. The department will in each case assess how and to what extent external courses can replace mandatory subjects in the student's education plan at UiT.

The pre-approved courses will be included as part of the study at UiT. If the student do not complete the pre-approved courses during the exchange it may delay their study progression.