International Master’s program at the University of Bremen

Come to the University of Bremen to study Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems!

Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems (AIIS)

Why AIIS

The international Master’s program AIIS offers students a broad variety of research-based courses in a vibrant interdisciplinary environment benefitting from renowned researchers in the field of AI, Cognitive Systems, and robotics. Students will have access to the unique laboratories, equipment, and computing resources for their courses, projects, and theses. Many research groups offer part-time jobs as research or teaching assistant.

AIIS students receive comprehensive training in theoretical, practical, and applied AI while specializing in “Cognition-Enabled Robotics” and “Machine Learning & Cognitive Systems”, choosing one of the two as major and the other as minor. Other features of AIIS are the Guided Research Model – an independent student research project with individual supervision by a professor – and the Bremen Concept and Bremen model concept. While the latter is a project study in larger teams, the former is an independent research project with individual supervision by a professor.

© Patrick Pollmeier / Universität Bremen
What awaits you

AIIS is a four-term program comprising 120 credit points (CP). Courses will be taught in English and international students are very welcome.

AIIS is anchored in the faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science and part of the high-profile area “Minds, Media, Machines” of the University of Bremen allowing students a broad range of study courses and insights into related research fields.

© Patrick Pollmeier / Universität Bremen
How to apply

Applicants for the AIIS Master’s program are expected to meet the following prerequisites:

  • a Bachelor’s degree with at least 180 CP in a relevant field, e.g. Computer Science, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Business Informatics, Systems Engineering,
  • proof of at least 90 CP in the field of Computer Science (especially in the sub-areas Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Software Design, Theoretical Computer Science, Programming and/or project work) that were completed in the preliminary studies,
  • English: B2 at time of application; CEFR C1 level or equivalent at time of enrollment.

Submission of an application is possible from the start of February to March 15th of each year. Places are limited and will be granted to only the best applicants. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Courses will start mid-October of each academic year, and follow the German academic year with a winter term (courses mid October – beginning February) and a summer term (courses mid April – mid July). With the term breaks lasting several weeks, there is plenty of time to benefit from the AIIS network for internships, student jobs, or other professional development.

AIIS at a glance

International Master’s program at the University of Bremen
  • Application Period: February 01 – March 15 of each academic year
  • Standard Duration of Studies: 4 terms (fulltime)
  • Credit Points: 120 CP
  • Course Language: English
© Matej Meza / Universität Bremen

Contact details

Universität Bremen
High Profile Area Minds, Media, Machines
Enrique-Schmidt-Str. 5, 28359 Bremen

Prof. Dr-Ing. Tanja Schultz
aiis-info@uni-bremen.de

Contact point and study advice:
szi@uni-bremen.de

Further Information:

Flyer Master Program AIIS
Module Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Bremen

Bremen is a very welcoming city of ~ 570.000 residence, located in north-west Germany close to the North Sea coast: www.bremen.eu . It is host of the premier international AI-conference IJCAI-2026: www.ijcai.org/. Bremen is home of the ambitious, agile, and creative University of Bremen: www.uni-bremen.de. The University of Bremen has a strong international reputation for its research in the field of computer science, AI-enabled robotics, and Cognitive Systems. It offers a broad range of intramural student activities, such as

Incoming international students will be supported by the Welcome Center. As a student at the University of Bremen, you will have free access to public transport in the state of Bremen and neighboring Lower Saxony as part of your tuition fee (~ 344 € per semester).

© Universität Bremen
Job Profile of AIIS Graduates

AIIS is designed to prepare students for research and development positions in academia or industry in the fast-growing field of AI such as scientist, research engineer, data scientist, or AI consultant. Throughout their studies, AIIS students will have the opportunity to connect with top-notch researchers of the University of Bremen, as well as with leaders of technology companies in and around Bremen, e.g. through internships and Master’s projects.

AIIS: A more Detailed Look!

AIIS: 1st Semester

  • Modeling intelligent systems as “rational agents”
  • Problem solving through search, logic-based representation and reasoning systems
  • Probabilistic problem solving: Bayes nets (inference and learning), Markov Decision
  • Problem solving with the help of machine learning
  • Generative/discriminative models, regression, features, evaluation
  • Fundamentals of statistics, mathematics, neural networks, transformers
  • End-to-end systems, optimization, explainable AI
  • Responsible use of computational resources and computational complexity of machine learning methods and deep neural networks
  • Sensors, actuators and hardware infrastructure of technical cognitive systems
  • Control of technical cognitive systems: forward and inverse kinematics, dynamics
  • Basics of probabilistic state estimation: Bayesian filters, data association, learning, HMMs
  • Applications: localization, environment mapping, object tracking
  • Programming methods for technical cognitive systems
  • Modeling intelligent systems as “rational agents”
  • Problem solving through search, logic-based representation and reasoning systems
  • Probabilistic problem solving: Bayes nets (inference and learning), Markov Decision
  • Problem solving with the help of machine learning
  • As preparation for the projects from the 2nd semester onwards, this module aims to develop the necessary skills to successfully carry out such projects.
  • In the form of lectures (guest lectures), seminar papers or small group work
  • Knowledge through to scientifically sound project work and professional practice

     
The following topics are covered in particular:

  • Scientific practice (including research funding, applications)
  • Methodological aspects: Statistical procedures, visualization, experiments
  • Philosophy of science (e.g. Kuhn, Popper, Descartes)
  • Scientific culture and research ethics
  • Interdisciplinary work and the wide-ranging applications of computer science
  • Project management: time and resource management
  • Project management: motivation and leadership
  • Applications and CVs (including foreign applications)
  • Moderationstechniken und Entscheidungsfindung

Major / Minor

MCLS & CER

Students in AIIS specialize in “Machine Learning & Cognitive Systems” (MLCS) and “Cognition-Enabled Robotics” (CER), choosing one as major and the other as
minor.

  • 2nd Semester: Choose one MLCS course and one CER course.
  • 3rd Semester: The specialization chosen for the 3rd- semester course becomes the Major.
  • If the 3rd-semester choice is MLCS → MLCS Major + CER Minor
  • If the 3rd-semester choice is CER → CER Major + MLCS Minor

Select your AIIS Major and Minor!

Machine Learning and Cognitive Systems (MLCS) Major

Topics and Course Offerings in MCLS

This list is updated regularly!

Join the Bremen Big Data Challenge!

© CSL, University of Bremen

Research in AIIS

03-INF-MA-AI-R-PJ - Master Project

The Guided Research Module gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience in independent scientific research. In close coordination with a supervisor, students develop a research question, investigate it systematically, and work towards producing a scientific paper with the potential for publication.

1. Choose a Topic
Select a Guided Research topic from the topics offered by the AIIS research groups.

2. Start Your Research
After allocation, get in touch with your assigned supervisor to discuss the topic, refine the research question, and formally begin the module.

3. Complete the Module
Conduct the research independently and prepare the scientific paper. The module must be completed within a maximum of three months from the date of confirmation.

Please Note

The topic list and allocation information may change regularly. Please refer to the latest topic list and instructions when choosing your topic; if your assigned supervisor becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, you may approach another available supervisor, provided the topic has not already been allocated.

The Master Seminar allows students to explore a given topic in depth through scientific literature, discuss their findings, and present their knowledge. Worth 3 CP, it develops skills in research, presentation, discussion, and academic work.

The offerings may vary from semester to semester. Current Master Seminars can be found in Stud.IP under Master courses.

1. Choose a Seminar
Review the available Master Seminar topics and select one that matches your interests.

2. Study the Topic

Students work with the literature provided for the seminar, identify additional relevant papers, and build their knowledge of the topic.

3. Present and Discuss
Students present their findings and communicate their understanding of the topic while discussing it with the professor and other participants.

The Guided Research Module gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience in independent scientific research. In close coordination with a supervisor, students develop a research question, investigate it systematically, and work towards producing a scientific paper with the potential for publication.

1. Choose a Topic
Select a Guided Research topic from the topics offered by the AIIS research groups.

2. Start Your Research
After allocation, get in touch with your assigned supervisor to discuss the topic, refine the research question, and formally begin the module.

3. Complete the Module
Conduct the research independently and prepare the scientific paper. The module must be completed within a maximum of three months from the date of confirmation.

Please Note

The topic list and allocation information may change regularly. Please refer to the latest topic list and instructions when choosing your topic; if your assigned supervisor becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, you may approach another available supervisor, provided the topic has not already been allocated.

03-INF-MA-AI-S-FC - Free Choice

Free Choice is worth 9 CP and allows students to choose courses that complement their AIIS studies. You can combine courses with different CP values, and there is no fixed number of courses required, as long as you pass assessments totalling 9 CP.Eligible courses include:

  • Additional Computer Science courses
  • Courses from General Studies / Fachergänzende Studien
  • Eligible courses outside Computer Science
What to Consider
  • Courses with substantial content overlap with other completed modules cannot be credited.
  • Courses intended exclusively for Bachelor’s students cannot be selected.
  • Free Choice is normally recorded as passed/ungraded. Eligible graded courses may contribute to the final degree grade upon request, in accordance with the examination regulations.
Before Choosing

Check the current course catalogue and module information. If you are unsure about a course’s eligibility, clarify it with the relevant lecturer, module coordinator, or PABO before registering.

The Master’s Thesis allows students to conduct independent research on a topic related to their interests. The thesis, including the colloquium, is worth 30 CP.

Requirements

  • At least 60 CP must be completed before thesis registration. The thesis has an official processing period of 24 calendar weeks (168 days) and is written in English, unless German is approved.
  • The written thesis contributes 67% and the colloquium (defense) 33% to the thesis module grade.
Finding a Thesis Topic
  • Students can explore available topics offered by AIIS research groups or supervisors. A topic may also emerge from a Master Project, Guided Research, or previous coursework.
  • External or industry-related topics are possible with an appropriate University of Bremen supervisor, although they are not generally recommended.
How to Proceed

Explore research areas → Contact potential supervisor → Discuss the topic and supervision → Agree on the topic → Register the thesis

Understanding the 24-Week Processing Period

  • The 24-week period is the official time allowed to complete and submit the written thesis. It equals 168 calendar days, or roughly five and a half months.
  • The period begins after the thesis registration application has been checked and approved and the Examination Office has issued the admission notice with the submission deadline. Discussing a topic or finding a supervisor does not start the processing period.
  • The period covers the complete thesis process, including literature review, research design, implementation or experiments, analysis, writing, revision, and submission. Weekends and semester breaks are included.
  • An extension of up to eight weeks may be approved by the AIIS Examination Board following a justified application. Extensions are not automatic. A separate procedure applies in cases of illness and requires medical documentation to be submitted to the Examination Office.

 

Start early: Contact research groups and potential supervisors in advance, as supervision depends on availability and capacity.

For detailed regulations, see AIIS Examination Regulations, §6 and AIIS Illness