Master of Computer Science:

Computer Networks, Data Science and

Artificial Intelligence, or Software Engineering

2024-2025

Learn how to
create the future of
Computer Networks,
Data Science and
Artificial Intelligence, or
Software Engineering
Table of contents

In brief 04

In detail 05

Programme structure 07

Job opportunities 09

Why choose UAntwerp 11

Testimonial 12

Admission criteria 13

Application procedure 14

ECTS credits 15
 4

During your Master’s programme you will learn from professors

who actively push the boundaries of Computer Science.
They not only teach you about the state-of-the-art in various
exciting topics such as formal verification, 5G networks, or
reinforcement learning, but they also actively involve you in
research.

In brief
During your study in our research-intensive programme,
you will get first-hand research and development
experience in a challenging, creative, dynamic and
multi-disciplinary environment. During research projects
and your thesis, you can actively contribute to research.
This prepares you equally well for a career in academia
(through a subsequent PhD) as for one in industry, in
Belgium or anywhere in the world.

Our programme is built on recommendations from

professional societies such as the ACM, IEEE and SIAM.
It adds a unique twist thanks to the expertise of our
professors, who are world leaders in their research fields.
 5

In detail
This 120 ECTS credits programme has three majors:
Computer Networks, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence,
and Software Engineering. You choose your major when
applying for admission to the programme.
The programme focuses on research and development.

The two years are made up of four blocks:

1 Compulsory core courses

2 Elective courses (can be outside your major)

3 Two compulsory research projects

4 Compulsory Master’s thesis

The Master’s programme culminates in the Master’s thesis.

The aim of this thesis is for you to show that you are able to
independently explore (under supervision of a promoter) a
complex subject in a scientific manner and write down the
acquired insights in a coherent scientific text.

Practice in your programme

A computer scientist with academic training should be
capable of applying the knowledge and skills acquired
throughout the programme to concrete problems.
Consequently there is ample room for practical work and - not
surprisingly - group work. Independence and maturity are
strengths of our programme.
 6

After obtaining the degree you will be able to:

Apply new scientific and technological developments

in Computer Science to various domains

Make original contributions to the further

development of the discipline (when required)
 7

Programme structure
Curriculum
Compulsory courses

For major Computer Networks ECTS credits 36

Advanced wireless and 5G Networks 6

Data Mining 6
Future Internet 6
Introduction to Performance Modelling 6
Modelling of Software-intensive Systems 6
Reinforcement Learning 6

For major Data Science and

Artificial Intelligence ECTS credits 30

Database systems 6
Data Mining 6
Intormation Retrieval 6
Modelling of Software-intensive Systems 6
Reinforcement Learning 6

For major Software Engineering ECTS credits 30

Data Mining 6
Modelling of Software-intensive Systems 6
Model-driven Engineering 6
Reinforcement Learning 6
Software Reengineering 6
 8

Master’s thesis ECTS credits 30

Same for 3 majors
(Supervisor or co-supervisor is associated with the
specific major)

Research Skills Development ECTS credits 18

Same for 3 majors

Research project 1 18

Elective courses
36 ECTS credits for Computer Networks, and 42 ECTS credits
for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Sofware
Engineering to be chosen from the major specific list of
electives (Please consult the course catalogue on
www.uantwerpen.be/computer-science)

Total ECTS credits 120

 9

Job opportunities
The choice is yours ...

With a degree in Computer Science a multitude of job

opportunities and interesting career perspectives await
you. It will be much less a matter of whether you will find a
job, but more of which job you will choose that most closely
matches your interests.

All major challenges in science and technology in the

current century are multidisciplinary in nature: i.e. several
disciplines must come together to create a context for
radically new solutions. Computer scientists play a pivotal
role: they collect and organise information (data and
models) to ensure that the numerous software systems,
networks, algorithms can inter-operate seamlessly. For
instance at the CERN lab, computer scientists mediate
between physicists and engineers. Similarly, in the human
genome project, computer scientists ensure that doctors and
biochemists can exchange the complex information encoded
in DNA. The modern economy with its emphasis on global
competition and sustainable development poses interesting
challenges for computer scientists. New industrial systems, My colleagues
implementation and optimisation of specialised software and in the company
systems, networks with higher performance and security, where I work now
faster computation: these all present exciting opportunities find it fantastic
for graduates. that I’ve learned
so much during
my Master’s
programme that
is directly usable
in industry.

Sara, Albania
 10

Career opportunities
Just a sample of career opportunities.

In a company you can work as a technology consultant,

software designer, system developer, software
architect, software analyst, project leader or industrial
researcher.

Many computer scientists end up in the Research and

Development departments of industrial organisations
(both large and small) to address technological
challenges of all kinds.

Your background allows you to deal with fast changing

environments. This is a prerequisite for project
management positions.

A scientific career in academia where you think about

deep problems of Computer Science. Together with
other scientists and companies you work in European or
international projects in a variety of disciplines.

There are a number of application areas with great economic

significance and technological value where computer
scientists can make a difference: optimal sustainable
designs, high performance computing, biotechnology,
wireless communication, smart cities, harbours, factories,
self-healing materials, etc.

Orientation year
After completing your studies you can choose to look
for work opportunities in Belgium. You can apply for an
orientation year and extend your stay in Belgium by 12
months. Guidance and administrative assistance with this
process is available through the university.
 11

Why choose UAntwerp

Our university is located in the city of Antwerp, in the heart
of Belgium and Europe. The port of Antwerp is one of the
biggest in the world. Antwerp is not just an ancient medieval
and baroque city, full of history. It is also a bustling metrop-
olis with a vibrant social scene, impressive architecture and
cultural contrasts. Over 170 nationalities live here, more than
in New York! This cosmopolitan vibe is also reflected at the
University of Antwerp.

First-rate research and education make the University of

Antwerp a wonderful place to study and to work. We foster the
nexus between research and education. Internationalisation
is key to our mission. It is no coincidence that the University of
Antwerp is a partner in a highly promising European University
Network, the Young Universities for the Future of Europe
www.YUFE.eu.

As home away from home to over 20,000 students, the

University of Antwerp prides itself on operating on a human
scale. Our faculty and staff will welcome you into top-notch
infrastructure on one of our four campuses. While you’re here
you are also invited to enjoy our vibrant cultural programme,
sports facilities and many student services.

The University
of Antwerp
scores
extremely
well in Young
University
Rankings
 12

Testimonial
Education at UAntwerp
Professors here are incredible. They do a lot of research and
they are very involved in what they do. As for the programme
I really like it because it’s a research programme. This means
students have to develop all the contents, it is not just
about studying the material given for the exam. It is a lot of
work but it is definitely worth it. Another thing that I like is
that we have two research internships during the master’s
programme, and in this way I get in contact with people
who do research and create the science, which is a great
opportunity for me. An interesting thing is that the PhD
students at the University of Antwerp can help us if we need
academic assistance. They create the assignments we have to
do so their support is really helpful, since they are experts in
the topic.

Why the University of Antwerp?

The University of Antwerp is among the top 200 universities
in the engineering field so I checked its education offer.
I found the content of the Master of Computer Science
interesting and I really liked it. Also, it is a full two-year
Master’s programme and that’s what I was looking for. So
basically I chose the University of Antwerp because of the
ranking, the programme content and also because of the
relatively easy application procedure.

About the University of Antwerp

What I like the most here is the high level of education. Of
course this means I have to work a lot but at the same time it
is a great opportunity to develop myself.

Geraldo, Ecuador
 13

Admission criteria
You have direct access to the programme with an

academic Bachelor of Information Sciences

academic Bachelor of Computer Science

academic Bachelor of Engineering Sciences:

Computer Science

With another Bachelor you need to have permission from the

faculty.

Since the programme is taught in English, candidates with

a prior degree issued outside Belgium, the Netherlands or
Luxembourg are required to demonstrate their proficiency in
English. They can do so in two ways:
The professors
Either by submitting a language certificate showing and assistants
their TOEFL, IELTS or ITACE results (the level required are always happy
can be checked on www.uantwerpen.be/admission) to re-explain any
topic and they
Or by submitting proof they have studied at least try their best to
one academic year (or 60 ECTS credits) in an English- make sure that
language Bachelor’s or Master’s programme. we understood
everything which
Please note that the Board of Admission may still ask for makes keeping
additional proof of proficiency in English. up with the
challenging level
of education
a much easier
process.

Elias, Lebanon
 14

Application procedure
Candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a
higher education institution in Belgium, the Netherlands
or Luxembourg can enrol directly. Candidates who do not
fulfil this condition or who need a visa must submit an online
application through the online application tool Mobility
Online. Applications for the academic year 2024-2025 can be
started in Mobility Online from 9 November 2023 onwards.

Application deadlines
To submit an application through Mobility Online

For non-EEA * nationals and for students who need

a visa: before 1 March 2024

For EEA nationals: before 1 June 2024

Enrolment deadline
4 October 2024
Enrolments start on 1 July 2024.

* EEA = European The academic year 2024-2025 starts on

Economic Area Monday 23 September 2024.
Member states:
Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France,
Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxemburg,
Malta, the Netherlands,
Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania,
Slovenia, Slovakia,
Spain and Sweden
 15

ECTS credits
The University of Antwerp applies the ‘European Credit
Transfer and Accumulation System’ (ECTS) in all its degree
programmes.

A full-time one-year study programme amounts to 60 ECTS

credits (30 ECTS credits per semester), which implies a
student workload of about 1500 to 1800 hours. One ECTS
credit stands for 25 to 30 hours of work including contact
hours, preparatory work, study and assessment.
Quick facts Contact
Level Master of Computer Science:
Master Computer Networks, Data Science and
Artificial Intelligence, or Software Engineering
Language
English Student administration
T: +32 3 265 37 48
Credits [email protected]
120 ECTS credits
Academic advice
Number of years Prof. Toon Calders
2

Tuition fee per year * International Students Office

EUR 1092.10 for EEA nationals [email protected]
EUR 5800 for non-EEA nationals T: +32 3 265 31 89
www.uantwerp.be
Campus
Campus Middelheim

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This brochure was published in September 2023.

* subject to yearly revision
As all information is subject to change,
please check our website for the latest updates.