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Opens 15 November for applicants from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, and 16 January for applicants from within the EU/EEA/Switzerland.
About the programme
Quantum Information Science is an interdisciplinary education combining computer science, mathematics, and physics. It provides you with a comprehensive theoretical, technological, and experimental curriculum. You can choose to specialise in theoretical directions within computer science, mathematics, or physics, or you can choose more technological or experimental specialisations.
Admission and application
To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed a qualifying bachelor’s degree or a similar Danish or international degree programme which is assessed to be relevant. Apply for admission via the application portal.
Below, you can read more about admission requirements and which documents to upload in the application portal.
Academic admission requirements
Here you'll find the different academic requirements depending on which qualifying degree you hold.
You meet all academic requirements if you hold one of the degrees listed below. Learn about when and how to apply. Note, however, that you still need to document that you meet the programme's language requirements.
From University of Copenhagen
- Mathematics (matematik)
- Physics (fysik)
- Computer Science (datalogi)
- Machine Learning
- Data Science (machine learning og datavidenskab)
From University of Southern Denmark
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science
From Aarhus University
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science
From Aalborg University
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science
From Technical University of Denmark
- Cyber Technology
- Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence and Data
- Mathematics and Technology
- Software Technology
From IT University of Copenhagen
- Data Science
If you have a Bachelor’s degree other than those listed above, you must submit additional documentation along with your application so we can evaluate whether or not you meet the admission requirements. Learn about when and how to apply.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree, Professional Bachelor's degree or equivalent from Danish or international universities you are qualified for admission if your programme includes the following:
- A minimum of 120 ECTS credits within mathematics, physics and/or computer science.
We may also admit applicants who, after an individual academic assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required above.
Qualifying degree and other courses/projects
When we assess whether you meet the admission requirements for the Master's degree program, Danish legislation only allows us to assess your Bachelor's degree. Consequently, you cannot study supplementary courses between Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in order to meet the admission requirements.
If you have passed courses/projects before you complete the qualifying Bachelor's degree, these can be included in the assessment, even though they are not part of the Bachelor's degree program.
- It applies to courses/projects you have taken as single subjects and courses/projects you have taken as part of another study program.
- A maximum of 30 ECTS credits of these courses/projects may be included.
International Bachelor’s degree
You can only get an answer to whether or not your degree meets the admission requirement by applying for admission to the MSc Programme. Only the admission committee can evaluate whether you are qualified or not and they only do this once they have received your application.
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
You are entitled to 1 pre-assessment for 1 study programme, where, based on an assessment of the documentation you have submitted, we will inform you whether you meet the admission requirements.
This is a service offered by SCIENCE, but it is not a service you have to make use of in order for you to apply for admission.
Language requirements
Unless you have a legal right of admission to the programme you are applying for, you are required to document proficiency in English.
Application deadlines
Study start in September
1 March at 23:59
Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 16 January. You will receive a reply by 10 June.
15 January at 23:59
Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 November. You will receive a reply by 1 May.
How to apply
Choose the category below that fits you and read more about how to apply for admission. You will also find information about application deadlines and documentation on the websites.
Citizen in Denmark, EU EEA og Switzerland
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
International bachelor’s degree
Citizen in a country outside EU, EEA or Switzerland
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
International bachelor’s degree
Prioritisation of applicants
If the number of qualified applicants to the programme exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be prioritised according to the following criteria:
- Total number of ECTS credits within the relevant academic fields mathematics, physics and computer science
- Grades in courses within the relevant academic fields mathematics, physics and computer science
Limitation on second degrees
If you have already completed a Master's degree, please check out the rules concerning a second degree.
| Admission statistics Quantum Information Science 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Admitted | 33 |
| Admission distribution (legal right/other) | 0% / 100% |
| Applicants | 151 |
| Age average | 24 |
| Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) | 73% / 27% |
| Nationality (dk/international) | 27% / 73% |
| Available spots | No |
Programme structure
The MSc in Quantum Information Science is a two-year programme offered jointly between University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Teaching will be both lectures, theoretical exercises, experimental lab work, and live programming of quantum computers.
Upon study start, you will be offered a mentor to guide you through the programme. Among other things the mentor can assist you, when you need to choose your courses and the field you want to specialise in.
During the first semester (block 1 and 2) you will follow courses at UCPH. During the second semester (block 3 and 4) you follow courses at DTU. In the second year of the programme you can choose courses at either university.
Courses
There are three compulsory courses. These will introduce you to the field of quantum information science and quantum computing, as well as to various quantum information technologies and their practical applications:
- Introduction to Quantum Information Science (UCPH)
- Introduction to Quantum Computing (UCPH)
- Quantum Information Technology (DTU)
In addition, you can choose between a range of restricted elective courses within Quantum Information Theory (UCPH), Physical Implementation of Quantum Information Processing (UCPH), Experimental Techniques in Quantum Technology (DTU), Quantum Compilers (DTU), and Quantum Algorithms and Machine Learning (DTU).
You can also select between a wide range of elective courses which specialise within aspects of computer science, mathematics or physics.
Do a Project in Practice or Study Abroad
You can use some of your elective courses to do a Project in Practice in collaboration with a company or an organisation. You can also choose to study abroad as part of your programme. Read more here:
Master’s Thesis
You finish the programme by doing a thesis which can be either theoretical – with a focus on computer science, mathematics, and/or physics – or experimental. The thesis can be either 30 or 45 ECTS. You can only do a thesis worth 45 ECTS at University of Copenhagen.
Programme Overview
The programme can be structured in two ways, depending on the size of your thesis:
Course table, Thesis 30 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 20 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 40 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Thesis: 30 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Quantum Computing (UCPH) | Restricted elective course | Quantum Information Technology (DTU) | |
| Restricted elective course | |||
| Restricted elective course | |||
| Introduction to Quantum Information Science (UCPH) | Restricted elective course | Elective course | |
Year 2
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elective course | Elective course | Thesis | |
| Elective course | Elective course | ||
Course table, Thesis 45 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 20 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 25 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Thesis: 45 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Quantum Computing (UCPH) | Restricted elective course | Quantum Information Technology (DTU) | |
| Restricted elective course | |||
| Restricted elective course | |||
| Introduction to Quantum Information Science (UCPH) | Restricted elective course | Elective course | |
Year 2
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elective course | Thesis | ||
| Elective course | |||
Restricted Elective Courses
Choose your restricted elective courses from the lists below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
7.5 ECTS are to be covered as restricted elective courses from the following list:
10 ECTS are to be covered as further restricted elective courses from the following list:
- Experimental Techniques in Quantum Technology (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Quantum Algorithms and Machine Learning (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Quantum Compilers (DTU) (5 ECTS)
Between 7.5 and 22.5 ECTS are to be covered as further restricted elective courses from the lists above and from the following list:
- Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures
- Advanced Quantum Mechanics*
- Advanced Quantum Mechanics (DTU) (10 ECTS)*
- Analysis in Quantum Information Theory
- Condensed Matter Experiments
- Condensed Matter Theory 1
- Electronic Structure Methods in Material Physics, Chemistry and Biology (DTU) (10 ECTS)
- Experimental Techniques in Quantum Technology (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Functional Analysis
- Graph Theory (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Machine Learning A
- Machine Learning B
- Network Security (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Physical Implementation of Quantum Information Processing
- Quantum Algorithms and Machine Learning (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Quantum Compilers (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Quantum Information Theory
- Quantum Optics (DTU) (10 ECTS)
- Quantum Photonic Communication (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Quantum Error Correction
- Scientific Computing in Quantum Information Science (DTU) (5 ECTS)
- Project in Practice (15 ECTS)
*Only one of the courses can be included in the programme.
Curriculum
Learn more about the programme in the:
Curriculum for MSc in Quantum Information ScienceShared section of the curriculum
Please note: The programme curriculum is for the current academic year. A revised curriculum for the coming academic year will follow.
Video: Jan, Celia and Daniel talk about the study programme in Quantum Information Science
Video: Heads of Studies at KU and DTU, teachers and QIS-students talk about Quantum Information Science
Career opportunities
Quantum Information Science is a growing, interdisciplinary field with the potential to shape the future of computing and communication. This study programme is the first of its kind in Denmark, and only a few universities worldwide offer similar programmes.
Quantum Information Science gives you a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical quantum information. You will get the chance to explore the academic and commercial perspectives of the field at the very highest level.
With a degree in Quantum Information Science you will have a range of career and employment opportunities. You may be working on creating the quantum computers of the future, or you may work on developing the software and algorithms which are special to quantum computers, quantum computations or quantum communication. This can be both from a more applied perspective or more research-oriented.
Competence Description
As a graduate in Quantum Information Science, you will have the competencies to:
- master elements of multiple disciplines, in particular mathematics, physics, and computer science to develop quantum information solutions
- apply scientific theory and methodology in the context of quantum information science
- conduct hands-on experiments with building blocks of quantum information processing
- collaborate professionally with others, both by playing an active role within research teams, as well as in the industry by working closely with fellow students.
Employment
There is a growing demand, both in Denmark and internationally, for the unique skills and competencies you have acquired. You may find work:
- in the IT industry, developing new quantum algorithms to optimize complex calculations
- in tech companies, developing systems and components for quantum information processing
- as a consultant in companies and industries, for instance in connection with the development and implementation of quantum simulations
- within the pharmaceutical industry e.g., to simulate experiments when developing medicines
- in telecommunications and banking where you can contribute to secure encryption and communications
- establishing start-up companies within quantum information technology
- as a researcher within quantum information science at universities or companies.
Student life
High quality education in English, a flexible study structure, excellent facilities, an international study environment, attractive and green campus areas, and the opportunity to experience life in Copenhagen, the cool capital of Denmark. These are some of the qualities about studying at Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) at University of Copenhagen that you can expect.
Throughout the year, various social activities are arranged for all SCIENCE students and for international students specifically. These activities include:
- Introduction Days for new students
- A welcome programme for international students
- International dinners, courses, and lectures
- Sports activities such as fun runs or bicycle races
- Career workshops
Students live in residence halls outside campus or share a flat in the Copenhagen area. You will find that the relatively small size of Copenhagen makes it easy to get around, even by bike.
Where Will I be Studying?
The Quantum Information Science programme is primarily based at North Campus.
The University’s North Campus is centrally located. It is home to scientific, pharmaceutical and health science research, and neighbour to the Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Metropolitan University College, and Fælledparken.
Many exciting building activities are going on at the campus areas at the moment, including the construction of a new Natural History Museum and the Niels Bohr Building. Furthermore, North Campus is part of a coherent district of science, health and interdisciplinarity – Innovation District Copenhagen – which is being developed these years.
You can read more about campus life at the university here:
Here you will find some useful links and videos about student life and housing in Copenhagen, and the welcome programme for international students at Faculty of Science.
- Information about living in Copenhagen – plus practical information on housing, civil registration number, residence permit and more
- General information on student life and studying at University of Copenhagen
- Housing Foundation Copenhagen is an independent entity which assists international students and researchers at University of Copenhagen in finding accommodation. Visit Housing Foundation Copenhagen here
Video: Study Science at University of Copenhagen
Meet Elizabeth and Alex who study at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. See what it is like to live and study in Denmark.
Video: SCIENCE Welcome Programme
The SCIENCE Welcome Programme is a great way for international students to be introduced to the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen.
Contact student guidance
Contact SCIENCE Student Service
Do you have questions about the programme structure, study or career opportunities, admission requirements or application procedure, please feel free to contact SCIENCE Student Services.
Contact SCIENCE Student ServicesLocation
- Faculty of Science, North Campus, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 København Ø.
