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Software Engineering, Joint Master's, 2 years

This is a joint degree program together with the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, that will give a solid scientific background and practical skills in software engineering.
  • TuitionNone
  • Years2 Years
  • Intake32
  • Grade requirementsMinimum C
  • Language
  • ECTS120
  • StartAutumn and Spring

Main content

Software engineering is using ideas and techniques from computer science to solve problems and challenges we face in the world today. Software engineers tackle areas like: 

  • Optimal performance in cloud computing  
  • How to process scientific imaging data (for example from medical or geological instruments) in real time 
  • The ways that programming languages have evolved over time 
  • How to optimally engineer digital resources like multi-layer maps for best performance 
  • Visualisation of multidimensional data to make it easier to work with and understand 
  • Developing secure computing systems that are also ethical 

The master’s degree is offered together with the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL).  

Career 

With a degree in software engineering, your job prospects are nearly limitless. All sectors are increasingly reliant on people with programming skills, so what you do with your new education is very much up to you. 

Graduates of this programme find jobs in Norway and abroad, in public and private sectors. They become consultants, join research institutes, work for the Norwegian state, or develop products in the commercial sector. Some graduates go on to PhDs, often building on their master’s project work.  

Employers see software engineering graduates as dedicated, skilled, and well-prepared for the work of solving interesting challenges. 

Structure 

The programme covers two academic years (four semesters) and usually starts in the autumn, though you may be able to start in spring.  

The degree is worth 120 ECTS: Courses worth a total of 60 ECTS, and a master’s project, worth 60 ECTS. 

Suggested study plan: 

Semester 1:  

  • INF234 Algorithms (10 ECTS) 
  • DAT250 Advanced Software Technologies - taught at HVL (10 ECTS) 
  • Elective course (10 ECTS) 

Semester 2:  

  • INF222 Programming Languages (10 ECTS)    
  • DAT251 Modern Software Development Methods - taught at HVL (10 ECTS) 
  • Elective course (10 ECTS) 

Semester 3:

  • Thesis  

Semester 4:

  • Thesis 

Electives must be chosen in cooperation with your supervisor. Alternatives could be INF210, INF223, INF225, INF226, INF329 or UiB mathematics courses, or DAT252, DAT259 or other HVL courses. 

Academic life 

You will find the Department of Informatics to be friendly and welcoming, with an international body of students and staff. As a master’s student, you will get your own desk in the department.  

The Master’s in Software Engineering is taught as a combination of PC-labs, seminar groups, and lectures. The courses are usually based around lectures and groups, around 6 hours per week. While only lab attendance is mandatory, we recommend that you attend all learning activities to get the most out of your study programme. The course is usually taught in English, unless all students speak Norwegian to a suitable level. 

During your first semester you will find your project supervisor, and meet your research group. The second year of your course will be spent planning, conducting and writing up your master’s project. 

What will I learn? 

You will finish the study programme with a broad knowledge of contemporary software engineering practice, as well as specialization within your master’s thesis topic. You will have: 

  • The ability to design, build, and test fairly large information systems 
  • An appreciation for the theoretical, practical and ethical issues in software engineering and scientific research  
  • An ability to apply your knowledge in different domains (for example civil engineering or medical imaging) 
  • The capacity to innovate and push the field of software engineering forward 

Full list of learning outcomes.

Study abroad 

You can spend one semester as an exchange student at one of our partner universities.  

Admission Requirements

The master's programme builds on a bachelor's degree from the Department of Informatics, or a bachelor's degree including at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer Science.  

Bachelor's degrees from UiB that qualify: 

  • Bachelor's degree from Department of Informatics, UiB (BAMN-BINFBAMN-DSIKBAMN-DTEKBAMN-DVIT, BATF-IMØ, BAMN-INF)  
  • Bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Technology (IKT) with at least 15 ECTS (at least two courses for at least 7,5 ECTS each) of elective Mathematics  
  • Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science with specialization in Informatics
  • Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence (BASV-AIKI) qualifies, if you have at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer Science. Out of these 80 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must be in Informatics/Computer science, and at least 15 ECTS must be in Mathematics. One course in Statistics can count towards Mathematics. MNF130 and equivalent counts as Informatics. INF-courses and INFO-courses with credit reduction towards INF-courses count as informatics.

Bachelor's degrees that qualify 

  • Bachelor's degree in Computing from HVL (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences) 
  • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from HVL  
  • Bachelor's degree in Cyber-Physical Network Technology (previously "Communication Systems") from HVL  

Other bachelor degrees might qualify if you have at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer Science. Out of these 80 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must be in Informatics/Computer science, and at least 15 ECTS (at least two courses with 7,5 ECTS each) must be in Mathematics. If both INF100 and INF109 are part of the Bachelor's degree, the applicant will only get credit for INF100. One course in Statistics can count towards Mathematics. MNF130 and equivalent counts as Informatics.

For international self-financing applicants: 

The master's programme is not available for international applicants residing outside of the Nordic countries, the European Union/EEA and Switzerland.

You also need to document: 

How to apply

Follow these links to find the general entry requirements and guidelines on how to apply:

You will also have to meet the programme specific entry requirements.

The programme has main admission in fall and supplementary admission in spring (application deadline 1 November), if not all spots have been filled in the fall admission.