Double degree HCAI with the University of Tsukuba (Japan)

The double degree program “Human Centred Artificial Intelligence” (HCAI) with the University of Tsukuba in Japan is open to four students per year in the Master’s program in Applied Computer Science, expected to start in the summer semester of 2026. As a participant in the program, you will first study at RUB and then transfer to the University of Tsukuba (UT) for one or two semesters. Your master’s thesis will be supervised and assessed in collaboration between the two universities. Upon successful completion of HCAI, you will receive two degrees: a Master of Science in Applied Computer Science from RUB and a Master of Engineering with a specialization in Computer Science from the University of Tsukuba.

Info events

Wednesday, 12/11/2025, 12:15 pm: Info event for student exchange in MB 0/105

Thursday, 13/11/2025, 10:00 am: Info event with UT on possibilities for student exchange between UT and RUB, in Zoom (Meeting ID: 657 3415 4659, PW: 447297)

Thursday, 20/11/2025, 10:00 am: Info event with UT on the HCAI program, in Zoom (Meeting ID: 657 3415 4659, PW: 447497)

Thursday, 27/11/2025, 10:00 am: Info event with UT on research projects and possible supervisors within the HCAI program, in Zoom (Meeting-ID: 657 3415 4659, PW: 447497)

The University of Tsukuba

Bochum’s twin city Tsukuba is located about 60 kilometers northeast of Tokyo and is a strong science location in Japan with a high concentration of companies, research institutes, and universities in the IT sector. UT offers a wide range of programs in the STEM fields and is a state university ranked among the top 10 universities in Japan. It is a strong partner of RUB and part of the international university networks “Campus in Campus” (CiC) and “Worldwide Universities Network” (WUN).

The HCAI double degree program is offered in conjunction with the Graduate School of Engineering at Tsukuba University, which offers a specialization in computer science, among others. Students at the Graduate School are closely involved in cutting-edge research.

Schedule of the HCAI program

The HCAI program has a total duration of five semesters (if you start the master’s program winter semester) or four semesters (if you start the master’s program summer semester). RUB students participating in the HCAI program initially begin their master’s degree in Applied Computer Science at RUB. At the same time, however, you must also be enrolled at UT from the second semester of the master’s program (if you start the master’s program in the winter semester) or from the first semester of the master’s program (if you start the master’s program in the summer semester).

In the first semester of the master’s program, you must earn at least 20 ECTS credits within the Applied Computer Science master’s program at RUB. You will then spend the second and/or third semester at UT. The courses you will take there will be determined in advance to ensure that they are recognized by RUB. The master’s program at UT is very research-oriented; accordingly, during your stay abroad, you will complete research projects supervised by a local supervisor in addition to traditional courses. You must find an supervisor at UT before applying to the HCAI program (see below for details). During your stay at UT, you must pass at least 25 ECTS per semester, ideally 30 ECTS per semester.

In the final semester of your master’s program, during which you will study at RUB again, you will write your master’s thesis. This will be completed in collaboration between UT and RUB, meaning you will need one examiner from the Graduate School of Engineering (UT) and one from the Faculty of Computer Science (RUB). Professors from both universities will also participate in the colloquium in which you present your master’s thesis.

Upon successful completion of the HCAI program, you will receive degrees from both universities: a Master of Science in Applied Computer Science from RUB and a Master of Engineering with a specialization in Computer Science from the University of Tsukuba.

Application and selection process

If you would like to participate in the HCAI program, you must apply early, usually during the last semester of your bachelor’s degree. The application and selection process is divided into several steps with different deadlines (this applies to students who are completing their bachelor’s degree at RUB and also to external applicants).

Deadlines and Overview

Application for the Master’s program in Applied Computer Science:

Application to HCAI at RUB:

  • Until December 10, see application for HCAI at RUB for details
  • Students who begin their master’s degree program in the winter semester must apply for HCAI during their first master’s semester.
  • Students who begin their master’s degree program in the summer semester must apply for HCAI before the start of their master’s degree program, in parallel with their application for the master’s degree program in Applied Computer Science, which must then be completed by December 10.

Application to HCAI at UT:

  • To apply to UT, you must find a supervisor for your research project there before applying (for details, see Applying to HCAI at UT). Please start looking for potential supervisors as early as possible, as you will need confirmation from your supervisor at UT in order to apply.
  • Until early January, see application for HCAI at UT for details
  • Only possible after successful application for HCAI at RUB.

Requirements:

  • You are a master’s student in Applied Computer Science (starting in the winter semester) or are applying for the master’s program in Applied Computer Science (starting in the summer semester) and have been accepted.
  • Good academic performance in your bachelor’s degree: there is no specific minimum grade or maximum study period required, but you should have performed well throughout your bachelor’s degree.
  • High motivation to participate in HCAI and study at UT.
  • 20 ECTS credits earned in the first semester of the master’s program (not required to be proven upon application, but please take this into account when planning your studies!)

Application documents (in English):

  • Up-to-date (verifiable) transcript of records of your bachelor’s degree program
  • Tabular resume (CV)
  • Motivation letter
  • Proof of japanese language skills
  • Certificate of enrollment (only for students who are already enrolled at RUB and only for the application to UT)
  • UT application form (for applying to UT, see below for details)
  • Reference card / Photo sheet (for applying to UT, see below for details)
  • Confirmation letter by the supervisor at UT (for applying to UT, see below for details)

In order to be admitted to the HCAI program, you must first complete the application process at RUB and then apply directly to UT (see below). Since HCAI participants must be enrolled at UT for a total of four semesters and enrollment at UT is only possible for the summer semester, the application process and program schedule for RUB students varies slightly depending on whether the master’s program at the RUB is started in the winter semester or the summer semester.

Start of master’s program at RUB in the winter semester:

Please send the following application documents to cs-international@rub.de by December 10 during your first master’s semester: up-to-date verifiable transcript of records from your bachelor’s degree program, tabular resume, letter of motivation for participating in HCAI. In addition, Japanese language skills will be considered positively in the application process.

Start of master’s program at RUB in the summer semester:

Please send the following application documents by December 10, and notify us of your application for our master’s program via cs-international@rub.de: up-to-date, verifiable transcript of records from your bachelor’s program, tabular resume, and letter of motivation for participating in HCAI. Knowledge of Japanese will also be considered positively in your application. In addition, you must also apply for the master’s program by December 10. The general application period for our master’s program in Applied Computer Science lasts considerably longer – but if you would like to participate in the HCAI program, please apply early, by December 10.

We will let you know by mid-December whether you have been shortlisted as one of the students who can apply to UT in the next step, or whether you have unfortunately been excluded from the process at this stage.

The application process for HCAI at UT is described in detail in the UT Application Guidelines, which will be published here shortly. In addition, we provide a brief summary here, but please be sure to follow the Application Guidelines when submitting your application.



At UT, students are assigned a supervisor for their own research throughout their master’s program. The supervisor must be determined before applying by the students. To select potential supervisors, please refer to the UT overview and contact the UT Coordination Office for Double Degree Programs (ddp@cs.tsukuba.ac.jp).

If you have been selected for the HCAI program in the RUB application process, the next step is to apply to UT. The exact application documents that you need to send to UT (sysinfo.admission@un.tsukuba.ac.jp) can be found in the Application Guidelines. The application deadline is January 6, 2026. In addition to reviewing the application documents, UT also conducts an entrance examination. This is an online interview in which your motivation for HCAI and your interests and specializations in your studies are discussed. These interviews will take place on January 29 and 30, 2026 .

In mid-February, you will receive notification from UT as to whether you have been accepted into the HCAI program. If you are accepted, you will also receive information on enrollment. If you are starting your master’s degree at RUB in the summer semester, you will also need to provide proof that you are enrolled in the master’s program in Applied Computer Science at RUB. For students who began their master’s degree at RUB in the winter semester, this proof is already provided with the application documents.

Funding and further information

The cost of living for students in Japan is slightly lower on average than in Germany. However, costs should not be underestimated, especially in the greater Tokyo area, which includes Tsukuba. The “Japan Student Services Organization” website provides a good overview of the expected costs—Tsukuba is located in the Kanto region.

The agreement between our faculty and UT includes, among others, the waiver of tuition fees that would normally be charged at UT. In addition, UT offers affordable accommodation in student residences on campus, where you can get a place as a participant in the HCAI.

If you have been selected as a participant for HCAI, you have the opportunity to apply for a PROMOS scholarship from RUB. Please note, however, that you will be competing with other RUB students for this scholarship and that acceptance of the PROMOS scholarship is not guaranteed. Additional funding opportunities may become available in the future, which will then be announced here.

You will receive detailed information on other (organizational) matters, such as study planning and health insurance, once you have been selected for the HCAI program.

Contacts

Please contact our Employee for Internationalization for questions regarding HCAI.

Additionally, you may contact the Liasion Office of the University of Tsukuba at RUB, especially for questions with regards to studying in Japan and at the University of Tsukuba.