Programme structure
Old structure for students admitted to this Master's programme in 2018 and 2019.
New programme structure for students attending the Master's programme Autumn 2020.
The Master's programme Informatics: Programming and System Architecture is a two-year full time study consisting of 120 ECTS credits.
The programme has the following structure:
- Courses, 60 or 90 ECTS credits
- Master's thesis, 60 or 30 ECTS credits
The program had three different programme options:
Course of study
Example with long Master's thesis of 60 ECTS credits:
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | Master's thesis | Master's thesis |
| 3. semester | Master's thesis | Master's thesis | Master's course |
| 2. semester | Master's thesis | Master's course | Master's course |
| 1. semester | Master's course | Master's course | Master's course |
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits |
Example with short Master's thesis of 30 ECTS credits:
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | Master's thesis | Master's thesis |
| 3. semester | Master's course | Master's course | Master's course |
| 2. semester | Master's course | Master's course | Master's course |
| 1. semester | Master's course | Master's course | Master's course |
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits |
Courses and Master's thesis
The tables above give examples of courses of study. You can structure the programme differently, for example by starting on your thesis already in the first semester. All courses should normally be completed and passed before the last semester.
Regardless of the choice of programme option, the choice of courses and theme for the Master's thesis is done in consultion with your supervisor during the first semester. There are no mandatory courses, but the different programme options have recommendations of relevant courses. Please see each programme option for more information.
The Master's thesis is an independent research work carried out under supervision. You can choose either a long thesis of 60 ECTS credits, in addition to 60 ECTS credits with courses, or a short Master's thesis of 30 ECTS credits in addition to 90 ECTS credits with courses. At least 30 credits must be from the program structure, lists of recommended courses are found under the programme options. If you choose a long thesis, the work is distributed over several semesters. The submission of the Master's thesis is done on a fixed date in the last semester. If you choose a short Master's thesis the research thesis is placed entirety in the last semester, the theme of the thesis is presented on a given date at the beginning of the semester and the deadline for submission is 17 weeks after this date. The Master's thesis must be presented publicly at the end of the semester. Following the presentation is an oral examination with the sensors and supervisor about the thesis.
You can get guidance from several different research groups offering topics and Master's thesis:
- Distributed multimedia systems
- Information Systems
- Logic and Intelligent Data
- Networks and distributed systems
- Programming and Software Engineering
- Reliable systems
- Cybersecurity
- Wireless Networks and Security
Progression requirements
The standard study time for the master's programme is two years, or four years if you apply for part-time studies. If you spend more time, it's important that you familiarize yourself with the policies for admission and your right to study. Your right to study may be cancelled if you do not register for the first semester of the study programme and you have absence without valid reason for more than one semester.
Recognition of Master's courses from former education
If you are admitted to the Master's programme and you have completed Master's courses outside the University of Oslo, you may apply to have these courses recognised as part of your degree. Please contact the Department of Informatics for more information.
Diploma and degree
This programme leads to the following degree: Master of science in Informatics: Programming and System Architecture
The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.