Computer Science and Engineering (KAIST) - joint international programme

!The Programme is under reconstruction and does not take in new students presently! - Study Computer Science and Engineering and earn a double degree after one year at DTU and one year at KAIST, a world-leading research-oriented university in Daejeon, heart of Korea’s innovation.

Computer Science and Engineering

The infrastructure of modern society relies heavily on computer science and engineering. Be it software or hardware, computer science and engineering aims at solving technical problems in an efficient and competitive way through the use of information technology, IT.

DTU has a strong and growing IT environment with competences in areas of great importance for the value-growth and productivity of industry, academia, and society. In collaboration with Computer Science at KAIST, a leading research-oriented university in Daejeon, the hub of Korean innovation, the MSc in Computer Science and Engineering programme will train you to become a highly qualified engineer capable of developing complex IT systems, consisting of hardware and/or software, using theoretically and technologically well-founded methods, tools, and techniques.

Studying abroad may give you personal growth, new perspectives on world affairs, an opportunity to create your own international network, a chance to explore other ways to apply technology, and experience a different way of teaching. Combining this into a double degree from two international acclaimed universities, you will gain a unique specialization in computer science and engineering.

Focus

The programme covers safe and secure systems, system integration, distributed and embedded systems, networks, software engineering, algorithms and logic, system-on-chip, and digital systems. The Computer Science and Engineering graduate can use, develop, and produce IT systems at a high technical level which is attractive to companies and organizations.

Dual degree graduates in Computer Science and Engineering can use, develop, and produce IT systems at a high technical level, making them particularly attractive to both Danish and international companies and organizations. Graduates will typically find employment in a wide variety of companies and organizations that work with IT, electronics, and communication.

Graduating from the MSc programme with a high grade point average will qualify you for admission to PhD studies—either as an industrial PhD with concurrent employment in a company, or as a regular PhD student.

Read more about DTU's PhD programmes

!The Programme is under reconstruction and does not take in new students presently!

 

Application deadlines

  • 1st of February - for start in the fall semester 
  • 1st of September - for start in the spring semester* 

*Students who started at DTU on 1 September may send the application form by 10 September.

The KAIST-DTU Double Degree Master's program is only open to students, who have been formally admitted to DTU’s regular MSc programme in Computer Science and Engineering. Therefore, it is not possible to apply for admission directly to the dual degree program. The application form is only accessible with DTU credentials.

How to apply


1) Fill in the application form and submit it.
2) The Office of International Education will forward the application to the Programme Coordinator.
3) The Programme coordinator will consult their counterparts at the partner university and select the most eligible students.
Please note, that the partner university MAY ask for additional documents, before taking a decision.  
4) The Programme coordinator will inform DTU International Affairs Office about their decision.
5) The Office of International Education will inform the students and issue Nomination Letters.

 

Eligibility

  • Motivated and dedicated students
  • Above average GPA
  • Strong English Language skills.

Supporting documents

Please enclose the following documents:

  • Copy of your BSc degree transcript
  • Copy of your most recent MSc transcript
  • Motivational letter
  • Study Plan
  • Research Statement (the student's vision on his/her own research interests and how it complements the research of the KAIST professor, his research group and lab)
  • Copy of your passport

Pre-approval of courses

  • The programme follows a fixed structure. Please consult the Programme structure below.

Periods abroad

Students have the possibility of spending one year at KAIST during 2 different periods as indicated below. However, it is strongly recommended that students – especially international students - spend at least their 1st and even 2nd semester of their master studies at DTU in order to get familiar with the university, study program and fellow students. 

  • Period One: 2nd + 3rd semester
  • Period Two: 3rd + 4th semester

1st semester is always on DTU.

Master thesis must be assessed and accepted by supervisors from both KAIST and DTU and is concluded by an oral presentation (defense).

The programme consists of four components:

  • general competences corresponding to 30 ects (or 9 KAIST credits) 
  • specialization courses corresponding to 30 ects (or 9 KAIST credits) 
  • electives corresponding to at most 30 ects (or 9 KAIST credits) 
  • a master's thesis corresponding to at least 30 ects (or 9 KAIST credits)

General competencies

In the following course lists, courses at KAIST commence with 'C'.

Mandatory course: CC020 Ethics and Safety (0 credits)
Each semester attendance to CS966 Computer Science Research Seminar (0 credits)

One of the following courses:

  • 42490 Technology, Economics, Management and Organization (10 ects)
  • CC512 Introduction to Materials and Engineering (3 credits)
  • CC513 Engineering Economy and Cost Analysis (3 credits)
  • CC530 Entrepreneurship and Business Strategies (3 credits)

Remaining credits must be chosen from the list of general competence courses.

Specialization courses

30 etcs or 9 credits must be chosen from the list of specialization courses.

List of electives

Any BSc/MSc advanced level course from the DTU Study Handbook or any graduate-level course offered at KAIST (400-level or higher) can count as an elective course.

Master's thesis

A master's thesis of 30 ects / 9 credits written in English under the supervision of both home and host supervisors. The supervisor at the institution, where the thesis work is performed, will act as the primary supervisor. Upon approval of both supervisors, the thesis work may be extended to 35 ects / 15 credits.

The subject of the master's thesis as well as the project description must be accepted by host and home supervisors prior to the start of the master's thesis work. The thesis must be assessed by both supervisors, and the work is concluded by an oral defense. The subject of the master's thesis must be approved by the DTU director of studies.

KAIST theses are not graded. At DTU, the thesis is graded, with the grade appearing on the diploma. The grade is determined by the DTU supervisor according to the Danish rules and regulations on examination.

Breath requirement

Sufficient breadth over the entire field of Computer Science must be established by obtaining at least 7,5 ects / 2,25 credits in each of the three areas Theory, Software and Computer Systems chosen from the breadth requirements list.

KAIST uses a credit transfer system similar to the European Credit Transfer System (ects) used at DTU, with 3 KAIST credits equal to 10 ects. Over the four semesters, students must gather 18 KAIST credits and 60 ects, in accordance with the requirements.

In general, credits for the programme requirements can be mixed from DTU or KAIST. The student must choose courses at the host university with a minimum of academic overlap to courses at the home university.

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