Double degree Passau | Faculty of Mathematics and Physics

Watch: Programme Overview

Motivation & Overview

The Joint Master’s Double‑Degree Study Program in Computer Science – Software & Data Engineering lets you benefit from the strengths of Charles University and the University of Passau. The alternating study pattern ensures diverse academic experience, access to complementary expertise, and an internationally recognised double degree.

Master of Science in Computer Science — University of Passau
Magistr (Mgr.) in Computer Science – Software and Data Engineering — Charles University

The programme focuses on software engineering, web & data technologies, and large‑scale data processing. You will learn to design and implement reliable, scalable, and intelligent software systems while gaining hands‑on experience in both academic and applied research contexts. The programme is primarily taught in English to strengthen your communication skills for the international job market and to prepare you for careers in multinational companies or further PhD studies abroad.

About the University of Passau & Programme Goals

About the University of Passau

The University of Passau, located in Bavaria at the confluence of three rivers – the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz, is a modern German university with a strong international orientation. Founded in 1978, it has grown into one of Germany’s most respected smaller universities, combining academic excellence with vibrant student life. Charles University and the University of Passau have cooperated since the 1980s and reaffirmed their partnership in February 2025 by the agreement on the joint study programme.

Programme goals

Provide in‑depth theoretical foundations in algorithms, software architectures, and data systems.
Develop practical competencies in software development, distributed/cloud solutions, and Big Data analytics.
Foster international and intercultural experience by studying at two partner institutions.
Prepare graduates for careers in R&D, data engineering, or for further PhD studies.

Course catalog

Course catalogue of the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Passau

Short recap

Study pattern

Year 1: Charles University (home)
Year 2: University of Passau (host)
Programme taught primarily in English

Focus areas

Software engineering, architectures & verification
Web & data technologies, distributed/cloud systems
Large‑scale data processing & AI engineering

Degrees awarded

Master of Science in Computer Science — University of Passau
Magistr (Mgr.) in Computer Science – Software and Data Engineering — Charles University

Why Charles University & University of Passau

Charles University

Strong foundations in algorithms, software architectures, and data systems — with hands-on projects bridging academia and industry.

Expertise highlights (Cuni)

Theoretical Computer Science & Algorithms — complexity, data structures, automata, logic, cryptography
Software & Systems Engineering — dependable systems, compiler design, system programming, verification
Data Science, AI & Language Technologies — machine learning, computational linguistics, natural language processing, data mining
Graphics & Visualization — computer graphics, vision, visual computing

University of Passau

Excellence in Programming Methods & Software Systems, Information & Communication Systems, security, and data science on a compact, international campus by the Danube.

Expertise highlights (Passau)

Software Systems Engineering — analysis, compilers, programming languages, architecture, verification
Information & Communication Systems — databases, multimedia, distributed systems, privacy, AI engineering
Security & Dependability
AI & Data Science — deep learning, computational linguistics, IoT, scaling databases

How to apply

Eligibility & timing

Start in the Standard study plan at Charles University (Plan S). During the first year of your studies, you may apply to transfer to the Double-degree study plan (Plan D). For details, see the Karolinka.

Application documents (in English)

Motivation letter
Curriculum vitae
Transcript of records from Bachelor’s studies in computer science, IT, software engineering, or a related field
Transcript of records from Master’s studies (at least one completed semester)
Proof of English language proficiency at minimum level B2 (CEFR) — e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent

Note: Language proficiency may also be demonstrated during the interview with the selection committee.

Submission & deadline

Send applications by March 1 to:

joint-degree-passau@matfyz.cuni.cz

Selection process

A joint selection committee (both partner universities) evaluates applications and invites selected candidates to an interview.

Assessment weighting

Motivation letter — 20%
Academic transcripts — 40%
Interview — 40%

Up to five students (unless both partners agree otherwise) are accepted each year. The transfer is approved by the Vice-Dean for Study Affairs.

Student registration

Accepted students receive instructions for registration at the University of Passau. The partners exchange relevant student data according to data protection regulations.

Upon registration at Passau, students receive the CampusCard (student ID card) after enrolment and payment of the registration fee.

Fees

Tuition fees are paid only if you are originally enrolled in a fee-based programme. Other students are exempt. A standard registration fee may apply.

Study plan & ECTS requirements

Passau module groups

Courses are organised into module groups; the joint programme relates to two of them:

ProgSoft — programming paradigms, compilers, program analysis, software engineering, architectures, verification
InfKomm — databases, distributed systems, multimedia, cloud/IoT data processing, privacy & security, data science

Selected courses from the Charles University standard study plan are also assigned to these groups to simplify the ECTS checks described below.

Checks at Passau

≥ 40 ECTS in ProgSoft and ≥ 30 ECTS outside ProgSoft (excl. thesis), or
≥ 40 ECTS in InfKomm and ≥ 30 ECTS outside InfKomm (excl. thesis)

Check at Charles University

≥ 50 ECTS from compulsory elective courses (i.e., ProgSoft + InfKomm)

A detailed course mapping will be available soon.

Common rules

Minimum 120 ECTS in total
At least 45 ECTS to advance to Year 2
At least 30 ECTS from each partner (excluding thesis)

Project, Diploma Thesis & Final Examination

The rules are adjusted to ensure that students satisfy the academic requirements of both partner universities and to take into account their expected place of study.

Project

You may choose the one‑semester International Research Project (or any existing equivalent project type).

Diploma thesis

Select your thesis topic (preferably at the host university). The thesis is written in English and is carried out under the joint supervision of a supervisor and a consultant from both partner universities.

State final examination

Held before a committee proposed jointly by the partners and approved under the regulations of both universities. The examination consists of a thesis defence followed by an oral examination; both parts must be passed, and the oral part takes place immediately after a successful defence. The oral exam is an expert discussion on topics closely related to the thesis.

Practical information — studies

Registration process

Follow the registration procedures of the university where you study in the given year. After nomination to Passau, you will receive instructions on how to complete host‑university registration and semester formalities.

Student ID card

You will receive/activate a student ID at each university. The ID provides access to facilities and services (libraries, refectory payment, printers, etc.).

Stud.IP access

At Passau, modules and materials are managed via Stud.IP.

Stud.IP guide →

Courses & enrolment

Course enrolment and schedules follow the rules of the university you attend in the given year. Use the course mapping document above for guidance when choosing modules across partners.

Practical information — financial support

Erasmus+ funding & priority

Double‑degree students are eligible for Erasmus+ mobility funding under the CU↔Passau agreement and receive priority in the selection process.

Practical information — living in Passau

Location & campus

Maps, directions and campus locations can be found via the official campus map.

Maps & directions →

Visa & residence

Requirements depend on nationality. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa or residence permit to study or live in Germany (a valid passport or national ID card is sufficient). Non‑EU students may need to apply for a student visa before entering Germany and later register for a residence permit.

Immigration formalities →

Academic calendar

Calendars at CU and Passau differ. Always follow the rules of the university you attend in a given academic year.

Passau calendar →

Costs, housing & dining

Costs & funding
Dormitory places are reserved for double‑degree students
Refectory & cafeterias

Students can dine in the university refectory (Mensa) and several cafeterias across campus with affordable meals, snacks, and drinks; menus and opening hours are available via the refectory website.

Contacts

Charles University

Doc. RNDr. Irena Holubová, Ph.D.
irena.holubova@matfyz.cuni.cz

University of Passau

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Scherzinger
stefanie.scherzinger@uni-passau.de