University of Bergen

What you'll study

The programme builds a broad and flexible advanced curriculum in informatics, typically combining taught courses with a large independent master's project. Core topics include algorithms and data structures, formal methods, and software engineering foundations, while common elective areas include machine learning and data science, distributed and cloud systems, information security, human–computer interaction, and programming languages and compilers.

Students usually take a mixture of compulsory advanced modules and electives to tailor the programme to their interests. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, practical programming assignments, group projects and supervised research work leading to a master's thesis. The thesis component emphasises supervised research, often connected to one of the department's active research groups, and results in an extended piece of independent work.

• Advanced algorithms and complexity
• Machine learning and statistical learning methods
• Data management, databases and big data processing
• Software engineering, testing and DevOps practices
• Information security and privacy
• Human–computer interaction and user-centred design
• Distributed systems, cloud computing and networking
• Research methods and ethics in computing

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree in informatics/computer science or a closely related discipline with solid grounding in programming, mathematics (including discrete mathematics and linear algebra) and at least introductory coursework in algorithms and data structures. Admission is competitive and typically requires documented academic achievement at undergraduate level and transcripts detailing relevant coursework.

International applicants must meet the University's English proficiency requirements; accepted evidence usually includes recognised English tests or prior education in English. Some specialisations may require or recommend specific prerequisites (for example, probability and statistics for data science tracks). Candidates with strong practical experience in software development or research may be considered, but may still need to demonstrate academic readiness for master's-level study.

Career prospects

Graduates from the programme enter a wide range of roles in industry, public sector and academia. Typical career paths include software developer, data scientist or machine learning engineer, systems architect, security analyst, UX researcher/designer, and IT consultant. The programme also prepares students for research careers and PhD study, leveraging the department's research groups and collaborative projects with industry and public institutions.

Employers of graduates include technology companies, startups, research institutes, hospitals and public agencies. The combination of theoretical foundations and practical project experience makes graduates suitable for positions requiring technical leadership, system design and applied research.

Why study at University of Bergen

The Department of Informatics at the University of Bergen is a research-active environment with strengths across core computer science and applied informatics. Studying in Bergen gives access to supervisors working on current topics such as machine learning, data-intensive science, security and interaction design, and opportunities to join interdisciplinary projects in natural sciences, medicine and the social sciences.

Students benefit from close contact with research groups, access to computing resources and collaborations with local and national industry partners. Bergen's position as a regional technology hub and its international academic networks provide good opportunities for internships, collaborative thesis projects and career connections after graduation.