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Master
Computer Science (joint degree UvA/VU)

Study programme

The Computer Science programme is a joint degree between VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The curriculum takes place partly at the VU and partly at UvA. You have the opportunity to choose from a range of tracks according to your interest.

  • Big Data Engineering
  • Foundations of Computing and Concurrency
  • Computer Systems and Infrastructure
  • Systems for Large-Scale Applications
  • Software Engineering and Green IT
UvA Course Catalogue - Computer Science

Big Data Engineering

In the internet era, data plays centre stage. We all continuously communicate via social networks, we expect all information to be accessible online continuously, and the world economies thrive on data processing services where revenue is created by generating insights from raw data. These developments are enabled by a global data processing infrastructure, connecting the whole range from small company computer clusters to data centers run by the world-leading IT giants.

In the Big Data Engineering track you study the technology from which these infrastructures are built, allowing you to design and operate solutions for processing, analysing and managing large quantities of data. This track is part of the joint Master in Computer Science, in which renowned researchers from both VU and UvA contribute their varied expertise in one of the strongest Computer Science programmes available in Europe.

Contact track coordinator Sebastian Schelter Read more

Foundations of Computing and Concurrency

This track aims at Computer Science students with a general interest in Computing and Concurrency and the application of formal methods for system design. Computing is a fundamental phenomenon in computer science and we provide courses addressing this field in a wide range: from distributed algorithms to protocol validation, and from term rewriting to logical verification.

In order to enhance background knowledge and to support the further study of foundational questions some general courses in logic and mathematics are provided as well. Concurrency naturally occurs in the specification of distributed systems, and their analysis, verification and implementation require a systematic approach, aided by formal methods.

Contact track coordinator Femke van Raamsdonk Read more

Software Engineering and Green IT

Software engineering applies a systematic and quantifiable approach to the development, execution and maintenance of complex software. Green IT is the study and practice of environmentally sustainable computing. The combination of Software Engineering and Green IT in one track provides the students with the instruments necessary to gain a holistic understanding of large-scale and complex software systems, to manage their evolution, assess their quality and environmental impact, quantify their value and sustainability potential, and organise their development in different local and distributed contexts.

Software engineering and Green IT is a broad and comprehensive field, in which engineering plays an important role, next to social, economic and environmental aspects. The field continually evolves, as the types of systems and the world at large do change as well. The field is being influenced by practices and development paradigms such as outsourcing, global software development, service orientation, smart and pervasive computing, and energy-aware software engineering.

Contact track coordinator Ivano Malavolta Read more

International track: Global Software Engineering European Master

The Global Software Engineering European Master (GSEEM) is an international double degree Master’s programme for students in Computer Science, specialising in Software Engineering. The GSEEM focuses on domains that are strategically important for software-intensive products and services, helping you develop the skills needed to work in companies active in global software engineering. You’ll spend one academic year at the VU Amsterdam and one academic year at the University of L’Aquila in Italy.

Each partner university awards a double degree to all students who are regularly enrolled and have obtained at least 60 ECTS in Master’s modules at both universities (including 30 ECTS for the Master’s thesis in the second year). In addition, students visiting VU Amsterdam must be regularly enrolled at the moment the degree is granted. The degree granted by VU Amsterdam is the Master’s in Computer Science specialising in Software Engineering and Green IT.

International track: Software Engineers for Green Deal

The Software Engineers for Green Deal (SE4GD) is an International Master’s programme for students in Computer Science, specializing in Software Engineering. The SE4GD aims at educating software engineers with a sustainability mindset to improve the well-being of people through software solutions. Admitted students spend one semester at each host university (respectively, semester 1 at University of L’Aquila in Italy, semester 2 at Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland, and semester 3 at VU Amsterdam. Finally, semester 4 is dedicated to the Master's project which can be carried out at one of the host universities or one of the SE4GD associated partners.

Each host university awards a triple degree to all students who are regularly enrolled and have successfully completed the study programme which entails at least 30 ECTS in Master’s courses at each host university and a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis. In addition, students visiting VU Amsterdam must be regularly enrolled at the moment the degree is granted. The degree granted by VU Amsterdam is the Master’s in Computer Science specializing in Software Engineering and Green IT.