Computer Science – Foundation Year
    Facts & figures
    Degree
    Declaration of Completion (non-degree program)
    Type
    Preparatory program
    Academic Level
    Pre-Master’s programme
    Department

    Department of Programming Languages And Compilers
    Department of Software Technology And Methodology
    Department of Data Science and Engineering
    Department of Computer Algebra
    Department of Algorithms And Their Applications
    Department of Media & Educational Informatics
    Department of Information Systems
    Department of Numerical Analysis
    Department of Cartography And Geoinformatics
    Department of Artificial Intelligence

    Language of instruction

    English

    Duration
    2 semesters (1 year)
    Area of interest
    Informatics and Communication Technologies
    ECTS Credits
    60
    Minimum number of new students
    0
    Maximum number of new students
    40
    Short description

    The goal of the Computer Science Msc program is to train Computer Scientist with a professional knowledge based on a solid theoretical background knowledge. The job of a Computer Scientist synthesizes the constructive activity of engineers with the general problem-solving attitude of mathematicians while participating in teams of large-scale projects. Students of the Foundation Year learn the methodologies as well as the programming languages and tools used in software development.

    This program is recommended to applicants who

    • want to partake in a well-grounded education that provides a sound base of a successful academic career in Computer Science
    • want to understand the basic programming notions better or gain more experience in programming
    • have not studied the correct subjects, or not quite achieved the qualifications required for a Master course
    • obtained grades/qualifications during their Bachelor’s studies that are below the requirements for direct entry to the Computer Science Msc program
    • need support in their transition into university life and being an international Master student at ELTE, Faculty of Informatics
    • wish to return to education after a long time they completed Bachelor’s studies

    This program enables students to

    • gain in-depth technical skills in programming
    • benefit from some improvement in their programming knowledge
    • progress onto a broad education of Computer Science specialized in programming languages, cyber security, data science, web engineering, autonomous systems, multimedia design etc
    • choose a Master degree course in Computer Science by obtaining the sufficient background
    Strength of program

    The curriculum of the Foundation Year is assembled on topics relevant to the MSc program.

    The high standard of education is guaranteed by the highly qualified academic staff. Teaching is supported by modern infrastructure and well equipped computer labs (artificial intelligence, databases, and robotics). The library of the Faculty contains several thousand volumes. Upper-year students and PhD students help the first-year students in a mentor system to overcome their first challenges at the university.

    The curriculum of the Foundation Year is assembled on topics relevant to the MSc program. The list of courses a student needs to take are determined individually. Most courses are from the Computer Science Bsc and a few from the courses of the chosen MSc specialization of the student.

    Structure of the Computer Science BSc

    Find the structure of the different Computer Science MSc specializations on the links below. 

    Career opportunities

    Software Designers are welcome in every sector of informatics. Jobs are offered by large international computer companies, outstanding firms, banks, large enterprises, state institutions, software development companies, research institutes and universities where they may be engaged in the preparation of integrated data processing systems, electronic trade transactions and electronic money transfers, solving telecommunication problems (networks, programming mobile phones), performing image recognition, computer-aided design, image processing or preparing multimedia applications.

    Job examples

    Software developer

    EU/EEA students Non-EU/EEA students
    Tuition fee/semester 3200 EUR 3200 EUR
    Application fee
    150 EUR
    150 EUR
    Entrance exam fee
    Other cost
    Offered for the next academic year
    Yes
    Start program
    Deadline for applications – September intake
    Is there a February intake?
    Yes
    Deadline for applications - February intake
    Admission requirements

    Entry requirements

    Holding a BSc degree and obtaining altogether at least 30 ECTS credits in informatics and mathematical subjects during a completed Bachelor's program.

    Language requirements

    Minimum level of language proficiency (oral) (A1-C2): B2
    Minimum level of language proficiency (written) (A1-C2): B2

    Further comments: At least Intermediate level English language skills is required. English language exams are preferred (but not required) and any certificate is accepted.

    Documents to submit with application
    Document
    Online application form
    Secondary school certificate
    Bachelor-level degree
    Transcript of records
    Proof of application fee transfer
    CV
    Motivation letter
    Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)
    Passport photo
    Language certificate
    Application procedure

    The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.

    The application fee should be paid using this Essential guide.

    • Open the official payment platform of ELTE.
    • Accept the privacy notices at the bottom of the page.
    • Then click on Start Shopping.
    • Select the Faculty (Faculty of Informatics) from the drop-down menu,
    • then the payment title (application fee),
    • then add the related study programme in the Subtitle section.
    • Click on To the Cart.
    • The cart summary will appear on the right-hand side of the screen. If you selected the right fee, click on Next.
    • Fill out the Billing data.
    • IMPORTANT!!! Fill in following Notice: Computer Science Foundation Year, E10204/18
    • Without the correct comment, your payment will not be accepted!
    • then click on Go to Payment.
    • Check your billing information; if everything is correct, click 'Pay'.

    If you apply for several programs, you must pay the application fee for all applications. For each transfer, indicate the appropriate code and upload all bank slips.

    Please add the following Comment to the bank transfer: Your name, Computer Science Foundation Year, E10204/18

    Applications are only accepted being submitted through the online application system. Application materials sent via e-mail or by post are declined without further examination.

    Entrance examination

    In case of September intake: The applications are examined by the Admissions Committee until the end of May, applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system until the middle of June.

    Admission letters are sent out in the online application system until 30 June.
    In case of February intake: The applications are examined by the Admissions Committee until the middle of November, applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system until the end of  November. Admission letters are sent out in the online application system until the end of November.

    Applicants are required to participate in the online entrance exam and an online interview held and organized by the Admissions Committee of ELTE Faculty of Informatics in May (in case of February intake in the beginning of November).

    Applicants are notified about

    - time and date/duration of the entrance exam via e-mail one week before the starting date of the exam period by the programme coordinator,

    - time and date of the online interview via e-mail 3 days before the online interview by the student coordinator.

    Applicants can take the entrance exam and the online interview only one occassion. In case of communicational difficulties (weak network coverage) the student coordinator attempts to contact the applicant via e-mail and online twice within the deadline.

    In case of lack of participation, posterial requests can not be accepted, appeals are declined after the deadline.

    The program coordinator notifies all applicants about the outcome of the selection.

    Type of entrance examination: oral and written 

    Place of entrance examination: online

    Further details of the online interview:

    The interview takes about 20 minutes in the previously indicated and scheduled time sent by the student coordinator via e-mail.

    As the language of the education of the Computer Science Master course of ELTE Faculty of Informatics is English, applicants are required to possess at least intermediate level English language proficiency in order to take part efficiently of their academic studies. During the interview applicants are required to prove their English language and communicational skills by replying to questions about their previous studies.

    As the prerequisite of applying to the Foundation Year of Computer Science Master course is a previously obtained Bachelor degree, no preparation is needed in advance, applicants are only have to be able to present their previously obtained skills.

    Further details of the entrance exam:

    In order to get admission to the Foundation Year of Computer Science MSc programme, applicants are required to participate in and pass the online written entrance exam in Canvas system. Canvas is a learning management system used at Eötvös Loránd University. After accepting the invitation, previously sent by the programme coordinator, applicants are required to create a Canvas account. After logging in, exam exercises (some quizzes and surveys regarding previous studies and the interest of the applicant) are available in Canvas system. There is no exact exam date, applicants are able to take the exam whenever they want until the indicated deadline.

    Further details of selection and evaluation:

    The ranking is based on a total evaluation of the academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.

    Program coordinator

    Mr Zsolt BORSI
    Assistant lecturer
    E-mail: coordinator@csmsc.elte.hu
    TEL: +36-1-372-2500/8494

    Ms Katalin SCHNEIDER
    International Coordinator
    E-mail: katalin.schneider@inf.elte.hu
    TEL: +36 (1) 372 2500 / 8138

    Program leader

    Mr Ferenc WEISZ
    Professor