You can apply for this master's programme if you hold or will have obtained one of the following degrees from a recognised Swiss university before the start date of your programme at the University of St.Gallen:
A list of the approved, accredited Swiss universities can be found on swissuniversities.
The relevance of your previous major to the subject of Computer Science and the type of your previous higher education institution determine whether your admission is subject to conditions. We differentiate between bachelor's degrees with majors similar and partly similar to the subject of Computer Science.
Degree with a major similar to Computer Science:
80 ECTS credit points in the core subjects:
Fundamentals of athematics (at least 16 ECTS)
Basics of computer science (at least 24 ECTS)
Specialised knowledge of computer science (at least 9 ECTS)
Degree with a major partly similar to Computer Science:
80 ECTS credit points in the core subjects:
Fundamentals of mathematics (no minimum)
Basics of computer science (no minimum)
Specialised knowledge of computer science (no minimum)
If you have any questions on degree recognition or equivalence, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions and Crediting Office for further help.
When you apply, you do not need to prove your knowledge of the language in which the programme is taught. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are suffeciently fluent in the required language to allow you to complete your studies successfully. Recommended level for you to begin your studies is at least C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Applicants with a Swiss university of applied sciences degree in Computer Science (Fachhochschulabschluss in Informatik) or with a Swiss university degree partly similar to Computer Science or a degree from the University of St.Gallen have to pass a written and an oral examination before being admitted.
Test will include:
Fundamentals of computer science at bachelor's level including algorithms and data structures, abstractions and methodology of programming, distributed systems, software systems, statistics.
Examination dates:
For detailed information on the written and oral examination, refer to Admission examination for the M.Sc. Programme in Computer Science.
Applicants with a recognised Swiss university degree deemed similar to Computer Science do not need to take the test.
Upon admission, additional requirements may be imposed. These must be fulfilled before graduation.
Students who do not have any knowledge of German at the start of their studies must complete a German language course (minimum level A1 (GER)) before graduating. During your studies you will be able to have your internationally recognised language certificates credited towards fulfilling this condition. Please find a list of recognised language certificates in the Directives of the Dean of Studies, Annex I, page 46.
All students must provide evidence of sufficient knowledge of accounting to successfully complete their master's degree. Knowledge of accounting acquired during previous studies may be recognised and credited towards fulfilling this condition during the admission process. If you cannot provide proof of sufficiant knowledge of accounting at the time of admission, you will have to take the accountancy exam at the University of St.Gallen.
The degree programme starts in the autumn semester. Please apply online. The application fee is CHF 250.
Application period: 1 October - 30 April
Please have the following information and documents ready to upload:
Only one file can be uploaded per bullet point. You can use online tools such as online2pdf.com to create PDF files or to combine several pages into one PDF file. Make sure the files you send to us are legible so that we can process your application without delay.
Swiss citizens need their Swiss AHV number for the application. If you do not know your insurance number, please order a duplicate of your insurance certificate from the Swiss Central Compensation Office in good time.
The Admissions and Crediting Office checks your personal data and your electronically submitted documents. You will hear from us no later than six weeks following your completion of the online application.
Please log into your user account regularly to check the status of your application. If we need further information or documents, we will inform you directly via your account’s status overview page. Additionally, you will be requested by email to log into your user account.
You will receive the Letter of Admission or the Letter of Rejection in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox). If the decision is positive, your admission letter will inform you regarding your programme-specific additional requirements and, where appropriate, on the conditions of admission (written and oral tests).
Please find the link to your Compass Mailbox in the Online-Application user account, at the top right of your status page. You can access your mailbox using your SWITCH edu-ID log-in data.
Your admission is conditional until you submit all the necessary documents. You may post a certified copy of your degree certificate and a confirmation of exmatriculation to us by no later than the start of the programme (calendar week 38). Please do not send any original copies in the post! (electronic verification options for third parties may be accepted)
If you do not have your degree certificate by the time the degree programme starts, you will have to submit confirmation by the end of calendar week 38 that you graduated from your university. The confirmation of graduation must clearly show that you have all of the course work required for graduation. The confirmation must also indicate when your university is going to issue your final degree certificate. Please note that you must also submit confirmation that you are no longer registered as a student there.
As soon as you have presented all the necessary documents, your admission is unconditional. We will send you a confirmation email.
Please find detailed information on the next steps before the start of your studies, including advice on accommodation, insurance and visas, under Starting your studies.
If you have one of the following degrees from a recognised higher education institution, or you complete one before the degree programme starts, then you can apply for the master's programme:
Your degree programme will be recognised if, among others, the following criteria are fulfilled:
Whether your admission is subject to conditions, depends on how relevant the major of your previous degree is to Computer Science and on the type of higher education institution at which you studied. We differentiate between bachelor's degrees with majors similar and partly similar to Computer Science.
Degree with a major similar to Computer Science:
80 ECTS credit points in the core subjects:
Fundamentals of mathematics (at least 16 ECTS)
Basics of computer science (at least 24 ECTS)
Specialised knowledge of computer science (at least 9 ECTS)
Degree with a major partly similar to Computer Science:
80 ECTS credit points in the core subjects:
Fundamentals of mathematics (no minimum)
Basics of computer science (no minimum)
Specialised knowledge of computer science (no minimum)
If you have any questions on degree recognition or equivalence, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions and Crediting Office for further help.
When you apply, you do not need to prove your knowledge of the language in which the programme is taught. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are suffeciently fluent in the required language to allow you to complete your studies successfully. Recommended level for you to begin your studies is at least C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The number of university places for foreign applicants is limited by law. As the number of applications is higher than the number of places available, foreign applicants are admitted via a selection process. (Citizens of Switzerland or Liechtenstein, applicants with a Swiss permanent residence permit C, and applicants with a Swiss school leaving certificate or a Swiss university degree can apply directly for enrolment in the master's degree programme, provided that they fulfil the formal admission regulations.)
The Admission Committee conducts four admission rounds between October and April. All complete applications that have been submitted on time are assessed and a decision is made on the admission.
First admission round: 1 October–30 November / Decision: by 31 December
Second admission round: 1 December–31 January / Decision: by 28 February
Third admission round: 1 February–31 March / Decision: by 30 April
Fourth admission round: 1 April–30 April / Decision: by 31 May
Applicants with a university of applied sciences degree in Computer Science (Fachhochschulabschluss in Informatik) or with a university degree deemed partly similar to Computer Science have to pass a written and an oral examination to be admitted.
Test includes:
Fundamentals of computer science at bachelor's level including algorithms and data structures, abstractions and methodology of programming, distributed systems, software systems, and statistics.
Examination dates:
For detailed information on the written and oral examination, refer to Admission Examination for the M.Sc. Programme in Computer Science.
Applicants with a recognised university degree deemed similar to Computer Science do not need to take the test.
Upon admission, additional requirements may be imposed. These must be fulfilled before graduation.
Students who do not have any knowledge of German at the start of their studies must complete a German language course (minimum level A1 (GER)) before graduating. During your studies you will be able to have your internationally recognised language certificates credited towards fulfilling this condition. Please find a list of recognised language certificates in the Directives of the Dean of Studies, Annex I, page 46.
All students must provide evidence of sufficient knowledge of accounting to successfully complete their master's degree. Knowledge of accounting acquired during previous studies may be recognised and credited towards fulfilling this condition during the admission process. If you cannot provide proof of sufficiant knowledge of accounting at the time of admission, you will have to take the accountancy exam at the University of St.Gallen.
The degree programme starts in the autumn semester. Please apply online. The application fee is CHF 250.
Application period: 1 October - 30 April
Please have the following information and documents ready to upload:
If any of the documents are not issued in German, French, Italian or English, you must also submit a certified translation of the document in German or English. Please observe our guidelines regarding documents to be submitted and translations in the Directive on the Implementing provisions of the admission regulations.
Only one file can be uploaded per bullet point. You can use online tools such as online2pdf.com to create PDF files or to combine several pages into one PDF file. Make sure the files you send to us are legible so that we can process your application without delay.
Swiss citizens need to supply their Swiss social insurance number (AHV number) for the application. If you do not know your national insurance number, please order a duplicate of your insurance certificate from the Swiss Central Compensation Office in good time.
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The Admissions and Crediting Office checks your personal data and your electronically submitted documents. If your application is complete and fulfils the formal admission requirements, it is forwarded to the Admissions Committee.
Please log into your user account regularly to check the status of your application. If we need further information or documents, we will inform you directly via your account’s status overview page.
The Committee evaluates each application within three admission rounds. The selection process is concluded by the end of April at the latest. For a detailed description of the selection process, refer to admission of foreign applicants to the master's level.
You will receive the Letter of Admission or the Letter of Rejection in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox). If the Admissions Committee takes a positive decision, you will receive the Letter of Admission along with details on your programme-specific additional requirements and, where appropriate, with information on the conditions of admission (written and oral tests) in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox).
Please find the link to your Compass Mailbox in the Online Application user account, at the top right of your status page. You can access your mailbox using your Online-Application log-in data.
Without condition of admission (written and oral examination):
Along with the Letter of Admission you will also receive the invoice for the first semester fee and a form to confirm your place on your chosen programme. Your place will be confirmed as soon as we receive your completed confirmation form, and the semester fee invoice amount is credited to our account on time. Within about two weeks after payment, a confirmation of enrolment will be available in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox).
With condition of admission (written and oral examination):
Along with the Letter of Admission you will also receive a form to confirm your place on your chosen programme. Your place will be confirmed as soon as we receive your completed confirmation form and as soon as you will have passed the written and oral examination. You will receive the invoice for the first semester fee in July. Within about two weeks after payment, a confirmation of enrolment will be available in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox).
Your admission is conditional until you submit certified copies of the following degree documents:
(electronic verification options for third parties may be accepted):
Send a certified copy of your degree certificate and final academic transcript by postal mail to the Admissions and Crediting Office of the University of St.Gallen by no later than the start of your study programme (calendar week 38). Should you not be able to submit the certified copies of your degree documents in time, you will not be able to start your studies.
Do not send any original documents in the post! A copy is considered to be officially certified if the content of the copy is identical to the original documents and if the home university or an official body confirms this by means of a stamp and signature. Authenticated copies of the documents pass into the possession of the University of St.Gallen; they will not be returned.
If any of the documents are not issued in German, French, Italian or English, you must also submit a certified translation of the document in German or English. Please note our guidelines regarding documents to be submitted in the Directive on the implementing provisions of the admission regulations.
As soon as you have submitted all the necessary documents, your admission is unconditional. We will send you a confirmation email.
Please find detailed information on the next steps before the start of your studies, including advice on accommodation, insurance and visas, under Starting your studies.
The Admissions and Crediting Office checks your personal data and your electronically submitted documents. You will hear from us no later than six weeks following your completion of the online application.
Please log into your user account regularly to check the status of your application. If we need further information or documents, we will inform you directly via your account’s status overview page. Additionally, you will be requested by email to log into your user account.
You will receive the Letter of Admission or the Letter of Rejection in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox). If the decision is positive, your admission letter will inform you regarding your programme-specific additional requirements and, where appropriate, on the conditions of admission (written and oral tests).
Please find the link to your Compass Mailbox in the Online-Application user account, at the top right of your status page. You can access your mailbox using your SWITCH edu-ID log-in data.
Your admission is conditional until you submit certified copies of the following degree documents:
(electronic verification options for third parties may be accepted):
Send a certified copy of your degree certificate and final academic transcript by postal mail to the Admissions and Crediting Office of the University of St.Gallen by no later than the start of your study programme (calendar week 38). Should you not be able to submit the certified copies of your degree documents in time, you will not be able to start your studies.
Do not send any original documents in the post! A copy is considered to be officially certified if the content of the copy is identical to the original documents and if the home university or an official body confirms this by means of a stamp and signature. Authenticated copies of the documents pass into the possession of the University of St.Gallen; they will not be returned.
If any of the documents are not issued in German, French, Italian or English, you must also submit a certified translation of the document in German or English. Please note our guidelines regarding documents to be submitted in the Directive on the implementing provisions of the admission regulations.
As soon as you have submitted all the necessary documents, your admission is unconditional. We will send you a confirmation email.
Please find detailed information on the next steps before the start of your studies, including advice on accommodation, insurance and visas, under Starting your studies.
Admissions and Crediting Office
University of St.Gallen
Dufourstrasse 50
CH-9000 St. Gallen
admissions@unisg.ch
+41 71 224 39 31
Tue.-Thu. 10:00 am - 11:30 am
At the office (02-U154)
Tue.-Thu. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
by appointment only