Bachelor Technical Computer Science

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Use your fascination for computers and technology to impact business and society.

Are you fascinated by computers, the science behind them, and what you can do with them? Do you enjoy programming, or are you eager to get started with it? Would you like to study computer science, while also gaining expertise in other essential fields, such as electrical engineering or business information technology? Do you see yourself working at a software company or continuing with a master? If so, our three-year, English-taught Bachelor’s in Technical Computer Science (TCS) is the right choice for you.

A day in the life of a Technical Computer Science student

Wondering what it's like to study Technical Computer Science? Heleen gives you a glimpse into her student life.

Why study Technical Computer Science?

  • In this Bachelor's, you will combine in-depth computer science with broad technical insights. You will soon understand the devices, services and processes that people, companies and organisations need to exchange, process and store information. This programme covers topics like Cyber Security, Data Science, and AI. This involves a lot of programming as well, so the better you are at mathematics, the more successful you will be in your studies.

    In essence, you will learn to think like a computer scientist, distinguishing clearly and sharply what goes well and what goes wrong, and what can be improved between all the separate links a computer system is made of. At the same time, you will become an engineer, capable of applying the basic computer knowledge you acquire in virtually every area of life: from transport to business, from politics to leisure.

  • In the Bachelor’s in Technical Computer Science, you engage with the entire spectrum of AI technologies: from basic AI literacy and prompt engineering to the deep mathematical foundations behind advanced AI techniques. You will work with machine learning models, intelligent algorithms, data-driven architectures, as well as cybersecurity, gaining the skills to develop self-learning intelligent systems and design robust, secure applications with AI components.

    AI in the study programme:

    • Right from the start, you’ll get hands-on with Artificial Intelligence. In the first module, Diamonds of Computer Science, you will train your first simple AI model and learn how computers can recognise patterns in data.
    • Later, in your second year, module 6 (Design of Interactive Technologies) takes you deeper into AI and Machine Learning. You will explore how these technologies work and how to design smart, interactive systems.
    • If you want to specialise even further, you can choose the elective module 8E (Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: Seeing through the Hype). Here you will look at how AI is used in real-world applications and discuss current developments in the field.
  • Technical Computer Science plays a key role in more and more societal, scientific and technical domains. That is why it is important to be able to work together with experts from other disciplines, from electrical engineers, business information technologists and mechanical engineers to management experts. You will come across all these disciplines at the University of Twente. In fact, interdisciplinary cooperation plays an important role in this programme, both in the research you do and in the challenging team projects you complete each module with. All modules are based on research, design and engineering. In Module 2, for example, you and your team will design, test and implement a game in which you compete against other teams – with the winners receiving bonus marks. And in Module 4, you get to work on a project taken from the business world.

  • An added benefit of our Bachelor’s Technical Computer Science is its international setting. The language of choice is English, we have an international staff – representing countries such as Germany, Italy, Brazil and Romania – and around 40% of our students come from abroad. We focus strongly on intercultural skills, and if you want to follow courses abroad, we will help you. All in all, we offer a great place for you to gain valuable intercultural experience and prepare yourself for a career in a field that increasingly transcends the borders of countries, organisations and cultures.

  • If you are sufficiently talented and ambitious, you can combine Technical Computer Science with our Bachelor’s Applied Mathematics. If you choose this, you will follow a very demanding, combined programme. After finishing this double degree programme, you will receive two full bachelor's diplomas from the University of Twente. With some extra effort, this double bachelor’s can be completed in three years.

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Future jobs

The Bachelor's in Technical Computer Science offers you endless career possibilities. In the future, you could work in roles such as:

  • About the programme and content

    • A degree in Technical Computer Science is definitely challenging. In the first year, you need to earn at least 45 out of 60 EC to continue to the second year. Depending on your background, it can be tough, but with dedication and support, it’s absolutely doable.

    • A degree in Technical Computer Science is a three-year, full-time programme. After completing your bachelor’s, many graduatues continue with our two-year, English-taught Master’s in Computer Science, the perfect follow-up to the bachelor’s, offering four specialisations:

      With your bachelor’s degree, you are also directly eligible for other master’s programmes, such as Embedded Systems, or Interaction Technology

    • For international diplomas, equivalent mathematics requirements apply. For Dutch VWO, Mathematics B is required. Find more details on the admission requirement webpage.

    • No, prior programming experience is not required, as the programme starts from the basics. However, having some experience can be very helpful.

      What matters most is a strong foundation in mathematics, which is essential for the study programme.

    • You will work with several programming languages, including Java, C++, Python and Haskell. In addition, there is a module where you will design and implement your own programming language.

      Along the way, you will also learn industry-standard programming concepts by applying them in real projects, such as designing systems and building software (including games).

    • You will take Calculus, Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, Probability, plus topics like graph theory, algorithms, and algebraic structures. Find more on study programme webpage.

    • Yes. You will learn about AI in year 2, module 6 and in year 3 you can choose elective modules such as Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Cyber-Physical Systems, Smart Spaces, and Web Science.

    • Software Engineering, Data Science and CIT are all part of the Bachelor’s in Technical Computer Science. The programme is much broader, as it not only covers these areas but also provides a strong theoretical foundation through mathematics. This broad base prepares you for a wide range of fields within computer science.

    Admission process & tuition fees

    • Students with a Dutch nationality need a Dutch VWO diploma with a Science & Technology or Science & Health profile, including Mathematics B. International students must have an equivalent diploma and demonstrate English proficiency.

      For detailed information, see the official admission page.

    • Tuition fees for Technical Computer Science (Bèta programme) depend on your nationality.

      Tuition fees for EU/EEA students

      If you are a national of an EU/EEA country, it is likely you need to pay the so-called ‘statutory tuition fee’. This fee is determined and subsidised by the Dutch government and will be adjusted each academic year. The statutory tuition fee applies to most, but not all students from EU/EEA countries and/or bachelor’s (also see ‘Institutional tuition fee’). Visit the website of Student Services for detailed payment conditions.

      Overview of statutory tuition fees for this Bachelor's

      2025-2026 (Sep-Aug)

      € 2,601 per year

      2026-2027 (Sep-Aug)

      € 2,695 per year

      Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students

      If you are a national of a non-EU/EEA country, you will need to pay the so-called 'institutional fee'. This fee is higher than the statutory fee because Dutch universities do not receive government funding for non-EU/EEA students. Visit the website of Student Services for detailed payment conditions. 

      Overview of institutional tuition fees for this Bachelor's

      2025-2026 (Sep-Aug)

      € 13,000 per year

      2026-2027 (Sep-Aug)

      € 16,400 per year

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    • If you are planning to start in September, you can register from October of the year before. Make sure to complete your registration no later than 1 May. You can apply through the admission page using Studielink, then take part in a matching process to see if the programme is right for you. Note that enrolment deadlines vary depending on your nationality and qualifications, so check the deadlines page carefully.

    • You can register for both programmes via Studielink. To join the double degree programme, you need to meet the admission requirements for both study programmes. This means you’ll need to complete the mandatory matching procedure for Technical Computer Science. Without completing this procedure, you won’t be able to participate in the Double Degree programme.

    • Enrolment for the upcoming academic year is only possible through the Dutch national enrolment system, Studielink, which closes on 1 May at 23:59 CET. If you were unable to enrol before this deadline due to unforeseen circumstances, you can submit a substantiated request to the Admission Office as soon as possible after 30 April. Your request should be accompanied by one or two pieces of supporting evidence.

    • Registration and enrolment are two distinct steps.

      You register for a programme via Studielink. After that, several steps are required to demonstrate your eligibility, including completing a matching procedure.

      Enrolment takes place once you have received the advice and completed all steps of the enrolment process, with payment of the tuition fee being an essential part of it.

    • You can send your questions via e-mail.

    Matching procedure

    • Yes, participation in the matching procedure is mandatory for all applicants for Technical Computer Science. The matching is not a selection process, but a way to find out whether the programme suits you. After applying for the Bachelor's in Technical Computer Science via Studielink, you’ll receive an invitation and more detailed instructions about the procedure.

      On this page, you can find more information about the matching process.

    • No, the matching procedure is not an admission test. Your grades or prior knowledge, such as programming experience or high school rates, do not influence the outcome. The main purpose is to help you discover if the programme is a good fit for you. After you apply in Studielink, you will be invited and informed about the next steps.

    • Congratulations! You are one step closer to completing your enrolment for Technical Computer Science. Please follow the steps outlined in the email from the Admissions Office. Payment of the tuition fee is an essential part of this process.

      You still need to meet all admission requirements, including providing proof of the required level in mathematics and English.

      If you have any questions about the enrolment process, send an email .

    • The advice provided is non-binding, and you may continue with your enrolment. However, we recommend that you reconsider your choice of Technical Computer Science and explore alternative programmes at UT or elsewhere. If you would like to discuss your options with a study adviser, send an e-mail.

    • No, the only costs you might have are for travelling to the campus.

    • No. You don’t need any programming experience to take part, though it might help during the procedure and later as a Technical Computer Sciece student.

      Your high school grades don’t affect the outcome either, they’re just needed to complete your application.

    • You can send your questions via e-mail.

    Careers & future opportunities

    • Software developer, data scientist, cybersecurity analyst, machine learning engineer, AI specialist, researcher, and more.

    • Not strictly, the Bachelor’s gives you a solid base for many IT roles. A master’s can help you specialise and may open more research-oriented or high-level positions.

    • In year 3, you can do an internship at a company or spend a semester abroad.

    General

    • Yes, Technical Computer Science at the University of Twente is a strong choice with excellent job prospects. Graduates work in Twente and beyond at ICT and consultancy companies, international players like Booking.com and Google, in the financial sector, energy, research and healthcare, or start their own business through the UT network. After your bachelor's degree, you can also choose to continue with a master's degree in Computer Science, Embedded Systems or Interaction Technology.

    • If you are interested in both the technological and societal aspects of computing, enjoy problem-solving, and like working in multidisciplinary teams, this programme could be a great fit.

    • At the University of Twente, you can follow the English-taught Bachelor’s in Technical Computer Science in Enschede. There are also other universities in the Netherlands and around the world offering similar degrees.

    • Yes. The University of Twente has a strong technical profile, the programme is international (about 40% non-Dutch students), and Dutch universities are well-respected in technology and engineering.

Programme overview

Degree
Bachelor’s degree in Technical Computer Science
Certification: BSc
CROHO code
59335
Faculty
Electrical Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science
Duration
3 years
Full-time/part-time
Full-time (no part-time programs possible)
Language
English-taught
Starting date
1 September 2026
1 September 2026
Location
Drienerlolaan 5
7522 NB Enschede
The Netherlands
Numerus fixus
Does not apply for the programme
Accreditation
NVAO
Matching
Required
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