About the programme

Do you already have an academic bachelor in Computer Science at and would you like to work towards an even deeper scientific understanding and knowledge? Then our master in Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is the programme you’re looking for!

This Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is jointly organised by two departments, the Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Sciences and the Department of Electronics at the Department of Engineering. Together, they employ more than 200 researchers, who cover a wide range of research topics.

Our courses and specialisations are strongly embedded in the ongoing activities of research groups that are each specialised in a particular domain of computer science. The groups publish in international journals and at international conferences, and participate in international research networks and projects. Master students carry out at least half of their studies within one of these groups. By being part of a professional research team, students have the best opportunities to learn and develop scientific skills, and to participate in world-class research. The groups also have experience in developing research trajectories with societal and economic impact. They have implemented an active policy in technology and knowledge transfer, patenting, spin-off creation, industrial collaboration, and innovation.

Industry or Academia?

You will be equipped with exactly those skills that are paramount to a successful career in high-end industry or academia: a sharp, inquisitive mind dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and human accomplishment.

You can even become part of one of the highly professional research teams at VUB with a societal and economic impact. Here you will be able to implement an active policy in technology and knowledge transfer, patenting, spin-off creation, industrial networking and innovation.

Graduation options:

• Artificial Intelligence: The focus is on building intelligent software artefacts. We emphasise the theories of complex dynamic systems and self-organisation, starting from the theory of complex dynamic systems as developed in related fields such as Mathematics, Physics and Biology. In addition to data mining and big data, students will be exposed to current research in the areas of adaptive systems, multi-agent systems, the origins of language, and bio-informatics.
• Multimedia: You will conduct an in-depth exploration of techniques for signal processing and communication of multimedia content. The programme is designed to build thorough technological and scientific knowledge of various multimedia domains, such as digital television, telephony and videophony, computer animation, computer games and the internet. Students will gain experience of complex ICT architectures for the processing, distribution, and consumption of multimedia content.
• Software Languages and Software Engineering: You will conduct an in-depth exploration of techniques for signal processing and communication of multimedia content. The programme is designed to build thorough technological and scientific knowledge of various multimedia domains, such as digital television, telephony and videophony, computer animation, computer games and the internet. Students will gain experience of complex ICT architectures for the processing, distribution, and consumption of multimedia content.
• Data Management and Analytics: This specialisation covers scalable and distributed data management systems, information retrieval and data mining algorithms, as well as information visualisation and human-data interaction techniques. You will study algorithms, techniques, architectures and methods for the management, processing and interaction with both structured and unstructured data. The acquired theoretical knowledge will be applied in the design of applications that extract insights from streams of data such as for instance produced by Internet of Things devices.

Courses included:

• Scientific Integrity
• Actual Trends in Artificial Intelligence
• Methods for Scientific Research
• Software Architectures
• Artificial Intelligence Programming Paradigms
• Computational Game Theory