Are you interested in studying Computer science? You can find here the frequently asked questions and the answers on "Who/How/What".

Application/Enrollment

• Should I apply for the Bachelor's degree or Master's degree programme?
• Do I have to apply or enroll myself? What is actually the difference?
• When do I have to enroll myself for the Bachelor's degree programme?
• How do I enroll myself for the Bachelor's degree programme?
•  What are the requirements for enrollment?
• I have completed my leaving school examination in a foreign country. Can I apply as a normal applicant?

Prerequisites and Aptitude

• Is the study too difficult for me?
• Which are the subjects should I be good in, if I would like to study Computer science?

Studies

• What is the duration of a course of study?
• Which is better: University of applied sciences or University?
• I want to do something with computers. Is computer science at University the right choice for me?
• What do one learn in Computer science at the Uni? Programming?
• I like to play with computers and hence know quite well about computers. How far does it take me in the study of Computer science?
• I have heard that, the Uni is totally different from school. Was does it mean?
• Who can help me with my questions and problems during the study?

Careers in Computer Science

• Where can I seek for employment after studies?
• Do computer scientists only sit in front of the computer whole day?
• How is the employment situation for computer scientists?

Studying and living in Hannover

• Is a course of study in Computer science equivalent to all Universities?
• What does the Leibniz University of Hannover offer?
• What does Hannover offer?
• Where can I stay?
• Can I work as a part-timer?
• What does the study cost me?
• Are there financial aid available?

Answers

Application / Enrollment

• Should I apply for the Bachelor's degree or Master's degree programme?
  If you would like to start your study soon after your school or national/alternative military service, then you have to enroll yourself in a Bachelor's degree programme. Do you already complete a similar study (e.g. Bachelor's degree in Computer science? If it is so, you can apply for the Master degree's programme.
• Do I have apply or enroll myself? What is actually the difference?
  For "admission free" course of study, you just have to enroll yourself for the course of study, as there are sufficiency  for all interested applicants. The Bachelor's degree programme in Computer science is admission free. You can just enroll yourself.
  For "admission restricted" course of study, you must first apply for admission, as such courses of study is restricted.The Master's degree programme is admission restricted (More Information on application for admission to Master's degree programme).
• When do I have to enroll myself for the Bachelor's degree programme?
  The period of application for Bachelor's degree programme begins around May/June until 30. September of the year. The course of study begins in mid October.
• How do I enroll myself for the Bachelor's degree programme?
  You can either  apply directly on-line or you can request for the enrollment forms for the „Bachelor's degree programme“ at Matriculation office and sent the completed forms back by latest 30. September.
  

  Leibniz Universität Hannover
  Immatrikulationsamt
  T +49 511.762 - 2020
  F +49 511.762 - 3145
  i-amtuni-hannover.de
  Welfengarten 1
  D-30167 Hannover

• What are the requirements for enrollment?
  For the Bachelor's degree programme, you must have the leaving school examination certificate.
  The requirements for Master's degree programme is a completion in Bachelor's degree programme.
• I have completed my leaving school examination in a foreign country. Can I apply as a normal applicant?
  If you had obtained your school leaving examination certificate within the EU , the processing of the application will be exactly as it is a German school leaver. Please apply however under Online-enrollment for EU-Citizens.
  If you had obtained your school leaving examination certificate outside of EU, then you have apply with the "Assist" and have to possess a minimum grade.  You can find information here at International Office.

Prerequisites and Aptitude

• Is the study too difficult for me?
  The study can be easy to make it, when one study full-time (40 hours/week, 6 weeks „holidays“/year) and can show an average-good school performance.
  Caution, another reminder: „Full-time study“ does not only mean the attendance of the lectures! Apart from the attendance of lectures, practices, laboratory, seminars, the independent pre-preparation and post-preparation of the study materials is very important in order to pass the examinations. An example: For the preparation of lecture material, one should allocate 1.5 hour per week in a semester with a planning in additional, independent self-learning of 60 hours.
• Which are the subjects should I be good in, if I would like to study Computer science?
  In Mathematics, the science subjects and German.

Studies

• What is the duration of a course of study?
  Minimum duration for Bachelor's degree programme: 3 years, and to complete Master's degree programme would be another 2 years.
• Which is better: University of applied sciences or University?
  It cannot be answered completely. It depends on individual's interest. Here are some distinctive features:
  At the University of applied science, one is eligible to study Computer science with a specialized leaving school examination certificate, while one can study with a general leaving school examination certificate at the University The University of applied science prepares one for real working life later. The University prepares one for the practice and all around scientific working life. It means, the topics tend to be more in-depth and theoretical. At the University, the extent of concentration in research is higher, professional inquisitiveness and ability to learn independently is expected.
• I want to do something with computer. Is Computer science at University the right choice for me?
  Counter question: What do you want to do with Computer? Installation of Application programs, using and dismantling of hardware is only within a boundary. The main study contents are about the fundamental principles, concepts and methods of Computer science.
• What do one learn in Computer science at the Uni? Programming?
  Programming is only one part of the study  in computer. Computer science has to do with information and its automatic processing. It is a principle-oriented knowledge, which has its roots in Mathematics, Physic and Electrical engineering.  Firstly, it will lay a solid foundation on the essential knowledge on the fundamentals in Mathematics and Electrical engineering. Upon that, the fundamental principles, concepts and methods in Computer science will be taught. In advanced study, you can specialize in Computer science based on your personal interest. The minor subjects are the supplementary subjects, which tailor to the needs at work later as well as general fundamental courses, which gives a brief view of the study. (See Lecture List)
• I like to play with computers and hence know quite well about computers. How far does it take me in the study of Computer science?
  No, unfortunately not really. But, the interest and inquisitiveness in how hard- and software function, are anyway helpful in studies.
• I have heard that, the Uni is totally different from school. What does it mean?
  In advanced study, a high level of independence is expected. On the whole, the ability to be independent and disciplined in study is important.
• Who can help me with my questions and problems during the study?
  Your first place to go is Frau Vais in Dean of Admissions. She will then arrange you to the right contact person.
  For the Contact Persons for Special Questions, you can find them on this page. Apart from that, you can contact
  the Council of Computer Science, which is the student representatives at the Faculty.
  Or you can surf at Forum of Computer Science. Many questions have already been answered there.

Careers in Computer Science

• Where can I seek for employment after studies?
  As computer system is nowadays being employed in all industries and sectors, the computer scientists can practically work in all industries. It offers one the possibility to specialize in his/her interest. Typical jobs are in research and development departments of big-sized companies, where the computer scientists lead the development of software and hardware or software and hardware projects. But, computer scientists can be employed as project manager, developer, quality assurance representatives and in many different jobs in middle-sized or small-sized companies. The job outline is of a wide variety.
• Do computer scientists only sit in front of the computer whole day?
  Computer scientists do not work only with computers. Their job usually require lot of liaising and working together with other specialists and coordination with the clients and customers. Good communication skills are hence at a good advantage. Computer scientists are often responsible in managing the entire project. This means, the planning of the personnel, time and cost and completion of a product of a good quality within a deadline.
• How is the employment situation for computer scientists?
  After the "Hype“ and the slump at the end of 90s, the job market became more stable. Some figures:  In 2006, the unemployment rate for IT-experts (including computer scientists) 2.5 percent, which includes university graduates on the average of 3.8 percent and the total population of Germany 11.5 percent. (Source)

Studying and Living in Hannover

• Is a course of study in Computer science equivalent to all Universities?
  The fundamental subjects are usually uniform. Every university has however, its individual emphasis and has a different design in its course structures. Due to its past as a technological University, the topics on computer engineering is of a considerable importance to Leibniz University of Hannover. Apart from that, there is a wide variety of elective courses in minor subjects (e.g. Business administration, Mechatronics) which one can choose from. This provides the students an interesting specialization possibilities.
• What does the Leibniz University of Hannover offer?
  At the new Faculty of Leibniz University of Hannover, there are more than 22000 students being enrolled. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is located in heart of Nordstadt. It provides lecture rooms with Multimedia facilities and two computer rooms. The computer science students have a self-administrated computer room, which is a so-called "working room". Students of the University can attend the courses and activities at the University's sports centre and language courses at the language centre "Fachsprachenzentrums". The  student welfare organization operated the university canteen as well as the cafes which one can be well taken care during the day. Students who are enrolled at the University receive a semester ticket which one can use the local public transport and travel on ticket for free.
• What does Hannover offer?
  Hannover, the state capital of Lower Saxony, is a big city and thanks to its good infrastructure and network, it is fast to access everywhere by local transport or bicycle.  Students who like to live in the lively parts of the town such as  Linden, Calenberger Neustadt, der Nord- und Oststadt where there are reasonable priced apartments, cafes, night life and clubs with music for everyone's preference. The greens in Herrenhäuser Gärten, the city forest Eilenriede or the Maschsee are spots for relaxation. As it is has a central location, it is fast to reach Nord- and Ostsee, the Harz or cities like Berlin and Hamburg.
  Apart from that, the local authority offers the students the card „Hausmarke“(House brand) which one can get many privileges and discounts in Hannover with the use of such cards.
• Where can I stay?
  One can find apartments and apartment-sharing rooms in the local newspapers Local Press or from the news board in the Uni-buildings. The Student Welfare Organization offers hostels for students.
• Can I work as a part-timer?
  There are job opportunities to work as undergraduate assistant at a Uni-Institute. Other interesting job opportunities can be found at large-scale trade fairs in Hannover as well as the regional industries (e.g. VW, Continental). Please take note that study at the University is a full-time study (40 hours/week, 6 weeks holidays/year). It is obvious that it is not possible to complete your studies, if you work too much.
• What does the study cost me?
  Presently, the tuition fee cost 774,06€ per semester (including miscellaneous cost). The miscellaneous cost includes the cost for the semester ticket for the use of the local transports in Hannover.
• Are there financial aid available?
  Yes, and you have the right for it. A complete study increases the chance considerably of having a stable and well-paid job.
  Don't be afraid to take up a Bafög or a study credit. You can find information at  Student Welfare Organization.
  Perhaps it is even feasible to get a Scholarship , that can support your tuition fees and even partly for a better  performance.