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Transform the digital future

Computer Science (joint degree VU/UvA)

Toekomst
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Modern society depends on technology that is secure, scalable, efficient and sustainable. This programme equips you with the knowledge and skills to design, build and improve the digital solutions that define our future.

Computer Science powers virtually every aspect of modern life. In this programme, you learn to understand, design and improve the digital systems that shape our world. Combining strong theoretical foundations with hands-on experience, you gain the expertise to create computing systems that are reliable, scalable, secure and sustainable. 

You study the discipline across its full breadth. Explore how algorithms and computation define what computers can achieve, develop large-scale software systems, design distributed computing and data infrastructures, and optimise computing systems for performance, security, concurrency and energy efficiency. 

Courses are taught entirely in English and take place at both locations of VU and UvA. 
The start date of this programme is September 1st. 
For a detailed overview of courses visit the study guide. 

VU Online Master's Event

Thursday 26 November 2026

More information about the event

Specialisations

In this two-year Master's programme, you choose one of the 4 specialisations below. Your curriculum includes 4 specialisation courses, 1 Research Methods course, 5 constrained-choice courses and 5 electives. The constrained-choice courses broaden your expertise across other areas of Computer Science and its societal context, while the electives allow you to tailor the programme to your own interests and ambitions.  

In the second year, you write your Master’s thesis. Depending on your project, you may collaborate with research institutes, companies or public organisations.

Summary

Master the principles behind modern computing

In the specialisation Foundations of Computing & Concurrency, you explore the theoretical principles that underpin modern computing systems. As software and distributed systems become increasingly complex, formal reasoning and mathematical models play a vital role in ensuring they remain reliable, secure and efficient.

You learn how to formally model, analyse and verify computing systems, providing a solid foundation for designing reliable algorithms and software systems. Courses cover topics such as formal methods, logic, algorithms, computational complexity, distributed computing and the foundations of security. By combining rigorous mathematical thinking with practical applications, you develop the analytical skills needed to solve complex computing challenges and prepare for advanced technical roles or research.

Specialisation-specific courses

  • Term Rewriting Systems
  • Logical Verification
  • Distributed Algorithms
  • Foundations of Cryptography
  • Advanced Algorithms 
  • Information Theoretic Learning
  • Advanced Logic
  • Advanced Topics in Algorithms

Summary

Build the foundations of modern computing

In the specialisation Computer Systems & Infrastructure, you learn how to design, analyse and optimise modern computer systems. These are the core components of all distributed data and information processing systems, including artificial intelligence, that our society depends on. From cloud platforms and AI to embedded systems in healthcare, robotics and smart infrastructure, you explore the computing systems that power today’s connected world.

You study modern computer architectures, distributed systems, networking and systems infrastructure, while addressing challenges such as scalability, energy efficiency, reliability, security and privacy. By combining theory with practical experience, you develop the expertise to build the computing infrastructure behind tomorrow’s digital technologies.

Specialisation-specific courses

  • Programming Large-scale Parallel Systems
  • Distributed Systems
  • Parallel Programming Practical
  • Reliable Computing
  • Multi-core Processor Systems
  • Accelerator-Centric Computing Ecosystem
  • Energy-efficient Edge Computing

Summary

Design and operate large-scale data systems

In the specialisation Big Data Engineering, you learn how to design, build and operate the large-scale data infrastructures that power today’s digital world. As organisations increasingly rely on vast amounts of data to drive analytics, machine learning and online services, you develop the expertise to create scalable, reliable and high-performance data systems that transform raw data into valuable insights.

You work with distributed systems, cloud and edge computing, data storage and retrieval, data mining, and high-performance data pipelines. By combining strong theoretical foundations with hands-on experience, you develop the expertise to design and engineer the technical backbone of modern data-driven technologies.

Specialisation-specific courses

  • Data Systems Architecture
  • Big Data at the Edge
  • High-Performance Computing & Big Data
  • Data Preparations
  • Data Mining Techniques
  • Web Services and Cloud-based Systems
  • Data Protection Technologies
  • Digital Twin Engineering

Summary

Develop future-proof software systems

In the specialisation Software Engineering & Green IT, you learn how to design, build and evolve high-quality software systems that remain reliable, adaptable and sustainable over time. As software becomes increasingly central to society, you develop the expertise to create systems that are both technically robust and environmentally responsible.

You combine modern software engineering practices with topics such as software architecture, correctness, performance, maintainability and energy efficiency. By integrating technical excellence with a forward-looking approach to sustainability, you develop the expertise to build software systems that remain reliable, adaptable and sustainable throughout their lifecycle.

Specialisation-specific courses

  • Digitalisation and Sustainability
  • Green Lab
  • Service Oriented Design
  • Digital Architecture
  • Fundamentals of Adaptive Software
  • Software Language Engineering
  • Software Testing
  • Project Systems Testing 

  • Foundations of Computing and Concurrency

    Summary

    Master the principles behind modern computing

    In the specialisation Foundations of Computing & Concurrency, you explore the theoretical principles that underpin modern computing systems. As software and distributed systems become increasingly complex, formal reasoning and mathematical models play a vital role in ensuring they remain reliable, secure and efficient.

    You learn how to formally model, analyse and verify computing systems, providing a solid foundation for designing reliable algorithms and software systems. Courses cover topics such as formal methods, logic, algorithms, computational complexity, distributed computing and the foundations of security. By combining rigorous mathematical thinking with practical applications, you develop the analytical skills needed to solve complex computing challenges and prepare for advanced technical roles or research.

    Specialisation-specific courses

    • Term Rewriting Systems
    • Logical Verification
    • Distributed Algorithms
    • Foundations of Cryptography
    • Advanced Algorithms 
    • Information Theoretic Learning
    • Advanced Logic
    • Advanced Topics in Algorithms

  • Computer Systems and Infrastructure

    Summary

    Build the foundations of modern computing

    In the specialisation Computer Systems & Infrastructure, you learn how to design, analyse and optimise modern computer systems. These are the core components of all distributed data and information processing systems, including artificial intelligence, that our society depends on. From cloud platforms and AI to embedded systems in healthcare, robotics and smart infrastructure, you explore the computing systems that power today’s connected world.

    You study modern computer architectures, distributed systems, networking and systems infrastructure, while addressing challenges such as scalability, energy efficiency, reliability, security and privacy. By combining theory with practical experience, you develop the expertise to build the computing infrastructure behind tomorrow’s digital technologies.

    Specialisation-specific courses

    • Programming Large-scale Parallel Systems
    • Distributed Systems
    • Parallel Programming Practical
    • Reliable Computing
    • Multi-core Processor Systems
    • Accelerator-Centric Computing Ecosystem
    • Energy-efficient Edge Computing

  • Big Data Engineering

    Summary

    Design and operate large-scale data systems

    In the specialisation Big Data Engineering, you learn how to design, build and operate the large-scale data infrastructures that power today’s digital world. As organisations increasingly rely on vast amounts of data to drive analytics, machine learning and online services, you develop the expertise to create scalable, reliable and high-performance data systems that transform raw data into valuable insights.

    You work with distributed systems, cloud and edge computing, data storage and retrieval, data mining, and high-performance data pipelines. By combining strong theoretical foundations with hands-on experience, you develop the expertise to design and engineer the technical backbone of modern data-driven technologies.

    Specialisation-specific courses

    • Data Systems Architecture
    • Big Data at the Edge
    • High-Performance Computing & Big Data
    • Data Preparations
    • Data Mining Techniques
    • Web Services and Cloud-based Systems
    • Data Protection Technologies
    • Digital Twin Engineering

  • Software Engineering and Green IT

    Summary

    Develop future-proof software systems

    In the specialisation Software Engineering & Green IT, you learn how to design, build and evolve high-quality software systems that remain reliable, adaptable and sustainable over time. As software becomes increasingly central to society, you develop the expertise to create systems that are both technically robust and environmentally responsible.

    You combine modern software engineering practices with topics such as software architecture, correctness, performance, maintainability and energy efficiency. By integrating technical excellence with a forward-looking approach to sustainability, you develop the expertise to build software systems that remain reliable, adaptable and sustainable throughout their lifecycle.

    Specialisation-specific courses

    • Digitalisation and Sustainability
    • Green Lab
    • Service Oriented Design
    • Digital Architecture
    • Fundamentals of Adaptive Software
    • Software Language Engineering
    • Software Testing
    • Project Systems Testing 

Your future in Computer Science

On completing this Master’s programme, you can choose from a variety of careers, ranging from software development to system design, at organisations spanning from local companies up to the large multinationals. As a graduate in Computer Science, you can also launch your own startup and monetise your product idea or continue your academic career and apply for a PhD position.

Explore the future prospects
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