Master of Science in Engineering - Software Engineering


The international Master`s program in Software Engineering aims at providing students with advanced software engineering and management skills, as well as specialized skills in two major application domains: enterprise systems and embedded real-time systems. The Master´s program is jointly delivered by the two largest public universities in Estonia - University of Tartu and Tallinn University of Technology. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a joint degree signed by both universities. 

Why choose Estonia for your Master`s?
Teaching staff
General admission requirements
Application process, documents, deadline
Curriculum structure and courses
Language of instruction
Program duration
Tuition fees and scholarships
To get more information

NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD 2008

This Master`s degree program has been
selected by the Estonian Ministry of
Education and Research as one of
the winners of the 2008 national competition
of the most attractive international Master's
programmes in Estonia.

Why choose Estonia for your Master`s?
Estonia is well known for its eagerness in embracing technology driven innovation. It is a pioneer in electronic identity, electronic voting, and vigorous in adopting mobile technology, online banking and electronic government services. Estonia is also home to internationally successful IT innovations as well as a groundswell of IT ventures. The program will expose students to this exciting environment and provide them with skills in innovative and cutting-edge software technology.

Excellent international career prospects
The program will provide the specialized knowledge and professional skills needed in a career path leading to high-end technical roles (e.g. software analyst, architect or research engineer) or managerial roles (e.g. project/team leader or technology officer). Graduates from the program will be well equipped to join the highly dynamic software industry in the Baltics, Northern and Eastern Europe.

Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu The Master´s program at the University of Tartu gave me a head-start in my career as software developer. Well before the end of my studies I had already secured a job that now gives me a lot of professional and personal satisfaction and international experience. My years as a student left such an impression on me that I decided to enroll in PhD program while working.

Vladimir ¦or, PhD Student
Software Architect, Webmedia


Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu The study environment at the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu is very intense and so is the student life. Lecturers are approachable and supportive, and fellow students are keen to share their learning experiences and are excited about their future. Tartu is definitely a great place for studying!

 Eneli Sutt
 Master`s Student

 Teaching staff:
The program will be taught by professors with international experience from the Institute of Computer Science at University of Tartu and the Institute of Informatics at Tallinn University of Technology. Several courses will feature guest lecturers from the industry or foreign institutions. The research component of the program will draw upon the infrastructure and competencies of the Estonian Center of Excellence in Computer Science.

General admission requirements:
  1. Bachelor`s degree (or equivalent) in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Systems or a related field. Applicants with a Bachelor`s degree in Mathematics or Natural Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Business and Economics must have completed at least 24 ECTS in Information Technology, including courses in Programming, Database Technology and Software Engineering.
  2. English language requirements
Application process:
The application process will be managed by the University of Tartu, which is the main coordinating institution. To apply:

Applicants are required to fill in an online application and post the signed application and required documents listed below to the International Student Service:  University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, Tartu 50090, ESTONIA.
Please follow the directions given in the online system.

Documents to be submitted:

  • application;
  • completed and signed application form for file icon recognition of prior learning;
  • copy of the Bachelor`s diploma (or highest study level) and diploma supplement (transcript/mark sheet) in the original language (a copy certified by the educational institution issuing the document or a notarized copy);
  • official translation of the diploma and diploma supplement (transcript/mark sheet) into English, translation certified;
  • certified copy of the upper secondary school certificate with a grade list and official translation of these documents into English. The requirement does not apply to the students who have completed their bachelor’s degree or equivalent in: EU/EEA countries; former Soviet Union countries; USA; Canada; Australia or New-Zealand;
  • official test results of English language proficiency.
  • copy of an identification document.
Applicants will receive confirmation upon receipt of their application and its status. Completed applications will be considered by the Admission Commission and students accepted into the program will be notified of their admission soon after.

Application deadline:
EU applicants - June 1
non-EU applicants - April15

NB! Applicants graduating in 2010 with diplomas issued later than the set deadlines (e.g. in July), please send the application form and the most recent Transcript of Records by the required deadline. Indicate to the International Student Service when your diploma will be issued. For further information contact the International Student Service directly.

Curriculum structure:
Core compulsory module 24 ECTS
Specialization module 24 ECTS
Practice module 18 ECTS
Elective courses 24 ECTS
Master`s thesis 30 ECTS
TOTAL 120 ECTS

Location:
Depending on the choice of specialization students will be based either in Tartu (specialization: Enterprise Software Engineering) or in Tallinn (specialization: Embedded Real-Time Software Engineering) for most of the program`s duration. Elective courses, the Practice module and Master`s thesis can be done at both locations. All students, regardless of specialization, will spend some time during the period of their studies at both partner universities.

By clicking on the links you can read course syllabi and in some case listen to audio recordings of lectures.
Core compulsory module (24 ECTS):
Tartu-based:    Software Economics
                            Systems Modeling
Tallinn-based:     Requirements Engineering
                               Software Quality and Standards

Specialization module (24 ECTS):
Tartu-based:  Enterprise Software Engineering
Enterprise System Integration
Business Process Management
Data Mining
Seminar on Enterprise Software

Tallinn-based: Embedded Real-Time Software Engineering
Foundations of Embedded Real-Time Systems
Real-time Operating Systems and Systems Programming
Real-Time Software Engineering
Formal Methods in Embedded Real-Time Systems Development

Practice module (18 ECTS):
The practice module provides an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge acquired during the program. Students have a choice between:
Option 1: An internship of 2 to 3 months in a software company such as Cybernetica AS, Helmes, Microlink and Webmedia, or in the IT department of a large organization such as Hansapank/ Swedbank and EMT, either in Tallin or in Tartu.
Option 2: A combination of software projects and teaching practice.

Elective courses (24 ECTS):
Tartu-based:    User Interface Design
                            Social Informatics
                            Advanced Algorithmics
                            Estonian for International Students
                            Software Engineering Management
                            Secure Programming Techniques
                            Text Algorithms
                            Software Testing
Tallinn-based:  Agent-Oriented Modeling
                            Hybrid Systems
                            Estonian for International Students
                            Principles of Secure Software Design
                            System Reliability and Fault-Tolerance
                            Schedulability Analysis Using Formal Methods

Language of instruction:
English

Program duration:
2 years; possibility of credit transfer is available to graduates with a 4-year Bachelor`s degree

Tuition fees and scholarships:
The program fee is 3300/year and covers tuition, essential study materials, supervision and advice for thesis preparation. All students admitted in 2010/2011 will  automatically
receive a scholarship covering full tuition for 2 years of the program. Additionally, a stipend of 2550 per year will be granted to some students based on academic merit.

Additional information:
University of Tartu                               www.ut.ee                           
Tallinn University of Technology      www.ip.ttu.ee   
Tartu                                                      www.tartu.ee                                                  
Tallinn                                                   www.tourism.tallinn.ee                                              
Estonia                                                 www.visitestonia.com                                            

Address for inquiries:

Prof. Marlon Dumas, Program Manager
Institute of Computer Science
University of Tartu
J.Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
marlon.dumas@ut.ee

International Student Service
University of Tartu
Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
Telephone +372 737 6109
Fax +372 737 5153
studyinfo@ut.ee