University of Oldenburg - Department of Computing Science

The Department of Computing Science at the University of Oldenburg meanwhile looks back on more than 35 years of education in all areas of computer and computing science. Oldenburg's internationally renowned energy research - not only in the field of energy informatics - has a history of more than 30 years, which is characterized by an interdisciplinary exchange with other university locations in Lower Saxony, Germany, and abroad and various scientific centers. The work in the subject area of "Intelligent Energy Systems" at the University of Oldenburg is among the top group. This is reflected, for example, in the management of large interdisciplinary joint research projects, the management of the specialist group "Energy Informatics" of the Gesellschaft für Informatik (German Informatics Society) or the founding from the German side of the DACH+ leading conference "Energy Informatics". Energy informatics in Oldenburg is currently the largest national research group in this field with international networking, for example through the associated partnership in the Joint Programme "Smart Grids" of the European Energy Research Alliance or the ACM Special Emerging Interest Group on Energy Systems and Informatics "ACM SIGEIG-Energy" established in 2018. The university is located in Oldenburg, a city in Lower Saxony that, despite its current rapid growth, has retained a livable small-town charm with a rich range of leisure and cultural activities. The small large city with more than 170,000 inhabitants is located in northwest Germany between the North Sea, Hamburg, and the Dutch border. The North Sea shapes the climate: in summer it is not too hot, and in winter not too cold. At the University of Oldenburg, there are various opportunities for international and German students to network with each other. You can either participate in events or get involved.

Advantages of studying at the Department of Computer Science

Creative research environment

Our degree programs emphasize a solid basic education in computer science and offer insights into basic research as well as the diverse applications of computer science in teaching. To this end, the department cooperates closely with other subjects at the university, for example, medicine and psychology, as well as economics and social sciences in particular. The Department of Computer Science actively promotes the early and successful involvement of students in existing research, which is impressively confirmed by numerous publications and presentations by students at relevant conferences and trade fairs, some of which have been awarded prizes. Students appreciate this way of research-oriented teaching, which familiarises students with research issues already during their studies.

Study - closely networked

Individuality and manageability are two important aspects of studying. The teachers in Oldenburg maintain very close and good contact with their students. In computer science, students work together with the lecturers through courses, practicals, seminars, and theses. Many of our students are also involved in current problems and supervisory activities as tutors and student assistants. The department openly meets the many requirements of a dynamic university location and the new demands made by our students.

Innovative environment

Oldenburg's nationally and internationally visible computer science has stimulated an outstanding IT landscape in its vicinity with a focus on the future fields of mobility, energy, health, and the environment and sustainability. In addition to numerous IT companies, this includes in particular the affiliated OFFIS Institute for Computer Science, one of the most important non-university computer science research institutions in Germany, and the newly established branch of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence. In the research laboratories for networked energy systems, maritime systems, assisted and automated driving, future care and health systems as well as for smart city structures, which are jointly operated by the university and the OFFIS Institute for Computer Science, we work together on innovative solutions for socially relevant issues of the future. Through cooperation with numerous regional and supra-regional companies and public institutions, students can already apply the skills they have learned during their studies. The University of Oldenburg is a cosmopolitan place where people from over 110 countries study, teach, and research.

1. A successful Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree in computer science, business informatics, engineering, electrical engineering, or a suitable previous information technology degree program with a predominantly technical and informatics component or in a comparable other degree program comprising at least 180 credit points at a German higher education institution or at a higher education institution belonging to one of the Bologna signatory states.
2. Demonstrated knowledge in
   • Object-oriented modeling and programming (>= 5 CP)
   • Information processing (>=5 CP)
   • Mathematics, especially linear algebra, and analysis (>= 10 CP)
3. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2 or applicants are native speakers or they have a university entrance qualification or a university degree obtained in English (within the last two years)

If you are from a country that is not a member of the European Union, you need a residence permit to study in Germany, even if you did not need a visa to enter the country.

To obtain or renew your residence permit, you need to make an appointment with the Hochschulservice (City of Oldenburg's Foreign Residents' Office). Please arrange your appointment well in advance (two months prior to expiration/ within 90 days after your arrival in Germany).

For your appointment you will need to bring the following documents:

1. A current confirmation of your health insurance. If you are enrolled in the public health insurance system, contact your provider and let them issue a letter to you that states that you are currently a member there; the health insurance card is not enough. If you have private health insurance, you need to extend your insurance so that it covers the entire period for which you want to have a residence permit. Then you need to show proof of this to the Hochschulservi ce (Foreign Residents' Office).
2. A proof of funding for your studies (copy of the document), e.g. a letter from your bank that confirms you have a locked bank account with a restriction ("Sperrvermerk") covering over EUR 11,208 per year (12 x EUR 934 per month), a formal obligation letter or a scholarship confirmation. If you can prove that the rental and incidental rental costs of your accommodation are lower than EUR 360, the amount of the funding proof will be reduced.
3. Your national passport.
4. A current confirmation of enrolment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung)
5. A fee of around EUR 100 (for the first residence permit) or up to EUR 93 or 98 (for each renewal). If you finance your stay with a scholarship, the Hochschulservice will check whether a fee exemption can be applied.
6. A biometric passport photograph

The Hochschulservice (Foreign Residents' Office) is situated in the New Town Hall building at Pferdemarkt 14 (rooms A018/ A019).