Start your company


 


     while studying


 


   Cybersecurity!

Wir wollen die Industrie künftig vor Cyberangriffen schützen.

Entrepreneurial Cybersecurity (Master Eng.)
at Saarland University


  • Lectures, tutorials on state-of-the-art research in Computer Science and Cybersecurity/Cryptography

  • Saarland Informatics Campus: top CHE ranking, 6 internationally renowned computer science institutions
  • Supervision & mentoring by CISPA cybersecurity experts & successful entrepreneurs

  • Excellent working conditions: coworking spaces, support by IT-Security Incubator, option to pitch for additional funding.
  • Develop your own startup project in three semesters– from state-of-the-art research to market-ready products
  • Acquire relevant knowledge in business administration, accounting, and soft skills
Entrepreneurial Cybersecurity...

...a unique combination of Cybersecurity research and your own startup project

The Master's Program Entrepreneurial Cybersecurity teaches advanced techniques and state-of-the-art research in Cybersecurity and enables students to apply and put this knowledge into practice by developing a cybersecurity project, write a proof of concept, and develop a market-ready product.

Thus, it combines our strong research at Saarland Informatics Campus, top-ranked in CHE rankings, especially in the area of Cybersecurity with a market-oriented application. Students will work in close collaboration with Cyberecurity researchers at CISPA − Helmholtz Center for Information Security on campus, who will support and guide students in finding and developing their project ideas.


Master's Degree Program

Application Deadline

Winter Term

Summer Term

until July 15



until January 15



Students are admitted to our program twice per year. Due to the close supervision by our mentors, especially during the Cybersecurity project, we can only accept 30 students per year. For any winter term starting in October, please apply via the Online Application Portal of Saarland University until July 15. For any summer term starting in April, please apply until January 15.

Apply now


At the end of their studies, students will have received a Master's Degree, and, ideally, have founded their startup as well.

At the end of their studies,


students will have received a Master's Degree,


and, ideally, have founded their startup as well.


Prof. Dr. Andreas Zeller, Program Advisor



Requirements
The Master's Program is aimed at students with a Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science or a related area. Since our program is held in English, proficient knowledge of English is required (level C1). Students have to file an application dossier via the Online Application Service at Saarland University that also includes two assessment letters on the applicant. Please find detailed information on prerequisites and modalities at the Master's website of Saarland University.


  • Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or a related subject
  • Proficiency in English (level C1) since the program is held in English
  • Interest in applying Cybersecurity research and developing your own ideas to found a company

Master's Degree Program




For a Secure
Future.

The Program
In Detail

Entrepreneurial Cybersecurity:

 

Saarland University is the first university to combine Cybersecurity Research with the foundation of a startup leading to a degree of „Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)”. 50% of the program is dedicated to lectures and seminars in „Cybersecurity” and „Computer Science” complemented by courses in „Business Administration” teaching you the basics to found a successful company. The other 50% of the program consist of a „Cybersecurity Project” which is developed in small groups of 3 students, closely supervised by our mentors. Finally, your contribution is summarized in your „Master's Thesis”.

The Master course of study "Entrepreneurial Cybersecurity” teaches students advanced techniques and in-depth research results from the field of cybersecurity and enables them to realize these techniques in an entrepreneurial, practice-oriented way. The course of study consists of three parts:
  • ⅜ of the course of study consist of courses and seminars on cybersecurity and computer science that teach abilities for scientific work as well as in-depth foundations and relevant research results. In optional and elective courses, students can set a personal focus and specialize further. In particular, students can use study content to turn current research results into an entrepreneurial startup; a lecture series establishes contacts between students and researchers and their ideas.
  • ½ of the course of study consists of a founder’s project including a related Master's thesis, in which students work in groups for three semesters on a startup idea from cybersecurity, with the goal to actually create a startup during or after their studies. The students thus learn how to realize current research results in a user- and market-oriented fashion, and they acquire important qualifications such as social competence and responsible team work. Presentations and demonstrations (“sales pitches”) in front of mentors, founders, and investors, challenge the students' technical and social skills in order to refine the startup idea further. In the final Master#s thesis, students can highlight their own personal contribution towards the startup project. The final presentation of the startup project can also decide on further investments.
  • ⅛ of the course of study consists of complementary courses, in which students acquire further qualifications for startup creation, including startup courses, business administration, an application domain, or soft skills.

By combining these three parts, the course of study prepares for demanding, innovative, and responsible activities in transferring recent research results in the areas of cybersecurity and computer science towards users and markets. While the course of study primarily aims towards creating a startup, the acquired capabilities will allow for research and development activities in a multitude of work contexts.


We provide excellent working conditions. You can work in groups in our coworking spaces and meeting rooms. You will present your cybersecurity project in pitches both in front of an internal and, later on, external audience, thus, enabling you to compete for additional external funding for your product. Our IT-Security Incubator offers additional guidance and support during your studies. There is an option to join the incubator program after you finished your studies. Below you will find an overview of the program structure that spans four semesters.

Semester 1


Lectures in Cybersecurity, related areas of Computer Science, optional courses (30 ECTS)

Lecture Series "Perspectives of Cybersecurity" on current research topics

Find your scientific mentor and form small groups of 2-4 students.


Semester 2


Lectures in Cybersecurity, related areas of Computer Science, optional courses (15 ECTS)

Cybersecurity Project: first prototype, internal sales pitch (15 ECTS)



Semester 3


Lectures in Cybersecurity, related areas of Computer Science, optional courses (15 ECTS)

Cybersecurity Project: Refine your prototype, sales pitch in front of an external audience (15 ECTS)


Semester 4


Master's Thesis: based on your project, typically, a description of your contribution to the proof of concept. (15 ECTS)

Cybersecurity Project: Proof of Concept, Business plan, Sales pitch in front of investors and supporters. (15 ECTS)


About CISPA

The CISPA − Helmholtz Center for Information Security is a German national Big Science Institution within the Helmholtz Association. Its research agenda comprises all aspects of Information Security.
With its ongoing growth, CISPA will have the critical mass of researchers (500+) to provide a comprehensive, holistic treatment of the pressing grand cybersecurity and privacy research challenges that our society faces in the age of digitalization. CISPA seeks to play a prominent international role on research, transfer, and innovation by combining cutting-edge, often disruptive foundational research with innovative application-oriented research, corresponding technology transfer, and societal outreach. Thematically, it strives to cover the full spectrum from theory to empirical research. It is deeply grounded in computer science and works interdisciplinarily with researchers in adjacent fields such as medicine, law, and the social sciences.

 https://www.cispa.saarland

CISPA − Helmholtz Center for Information Security

CISPA − Helmholtz Center for Information Security

 
CISPA Facts

1050+

Scientific Publications

75+

M Euros of External Funding

30+

Research Awards

About Saarland Informatics Campus

CISPA is part of the Saarland Informatics Campus, home to other well-renowned institutes such as the Max Planck Institutes for Informatics and for Software Systems, the German Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), etc. CISPA is located in Saarbruecken, in the greater region neighboring France, Luxemburg placing the center in an ideal location for both cross-border and local collaborations with other research institutes. The „Saarland Informatics Campus“ (SIC) offers Study, Research, and Careers in the Heart of Europe. 1,800 students from 81 countries study in 15 informatics-related programs on the Saarland Informatics Campus (SIC) at Saarland University, within three established departments. More than 800 scientists, in two graduate schools and six internationally renowned research institutes, are researching the complete spectrum of informatics topics, thus particularly enriching the areas of IT security, artificial intelligence, visual computing, bioinformatics, and the Semantic Web – from the foundations to innovative applications. The SIC works together with international corporations such as Google, Microsoft and Facebook, and supports numerous spin-offs through its IT Incubator (ITI). Thus it acts as a driver for further industry, research, and development laboratories to locate in the area. The full potential of the site is leveraged to generate scientific publications and win prizes, as well as to put forth patent applications and technological innovations. Thanks to its excellent expertise and competitiveness, joint success is guaranteed at the Saarland Informatics Campus.

 https://saarland-informatics-campus.de/en/

S I C

S I C

 
Facts on Saarland Informatics Campus

1800

Students

6

Computer Science Institutes

15

Computer-Science related study programs

FAQ

I do not speak any German. Will that be a problem for my studies?

The Master's Program is fully held in English. No knowledge of German is required for your studies.


What are the study fees?

There are no general study fees in Germany. Current administrative and social student fees are around 300 EUR per semester. Please find more detailed information on study fees here: https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/study/current/record-data/fees.html


I did not study Cybersecurity. Am I eligible for this program?

Entrepreneurial Cybersecurity requires a BSc in Cybersecurity, Computer Science or a related subject; with a BSc in Electronics and Communications Engineering,or such, you may have to take extra courses with us, depending on the courses you already took.


How can I learn more about the structure and details of the course?

You can find more detailed information on program details, requirements, and useful documents here.


What is the average of working hours per week?

Our courses assume a working time of 40 hours/week including courses, exercises, reading, and studying.


Can I apply to the program and get accepted before I got my bachelor certificate?

Yes, if you do have a letter from your university confirming that you passed your exams and that your BSc will be awarded before the lectures start (i.e., mid October).


What are the required degrees and/or skills?

Our MSc in Entrepreneurial Cybersecurity is a very competitive program that requires strong technical skills in Cybersecurity and Computer Science. If you do not hold a strong degree in these fields and still want to apply, be sure to demonstrate your capabilities appropriately. On top, activities that indicate entrepreneurial skills are very welcome.

 

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