Career prospects
During the Master’s programme, you will be challenged to determine which career perspective best fits your talents and interests. We will guide and support you to focus your programme on obtaining all the skills required for a certain career path.
Academic careers
Graduates qualify for PhD studies in their thematic focus areas and in a broad range of other sub-areas of computer science. At virtually all universities and research institutes (and also in our Graduate School of Natural Sciences), PhD positions are often bound to externally funded research projects. The large number of chairs in the joined program provides more continuous opportunities for PhD positions.
Non-academic careers
Computing Science graduates qualify for professional careers in the software and IT industry, in companies, and in either profit or non-profit organisations that require complex information and software systems for their operations. Our graduates are in high demand and find jobs in a great variety of industries and companies, such as:
- Algorithm Design and Analysis: Q42, uCrowds, Royal NLR, CQM.
- Operations Research: NS, Eneco, Zermelo, OMP, KLM, NS, ProRail, Jumbo, DNV.
- Programming Technology: Well-Typed, JetBrains, Info Support, TNO, Snyk.
- Data-driven and interdisciplinary computing science: Groq/NVIDIA, ABN AMRO, ING, UMC Utrecht
Many students also connect with these employers during their studies, carrying out their Master’s thesis as an internship at the specific company or external organization.
Alumni Career and Networking Events
The Computing Science programme regularly brings students together with its alumni. At our alumni career and networking events, recent graduates share how they made the step from the master’s into industry and research, and connect with current students, helping the latter build a professional network before graduation.
Women in Information and Computing Sciences (WICS)
WICS aims at connecting all employees and students who identify as female working in Information and Computing Sciences. By establishing a network between junior and senior female members of the department, initiating activities to increase the number of female students in Information and Computing Sciences, raising awareness on issues faced by women, and increasing the opportunities WICS is working towards this goal. You’re welcome to join WICS, contribute ideas and actively participate.
Bring your knowledge to life in the classroom!
Do you want to inspire young people and do something that truly matters? Become a teacher by completing the one-year Leraar voorbereidend hoger onderwijs (LVHO) after your Master’s degree. You’ll be qualified to teach in all levels of secondary education (vmbo/havo/vwo), mbo and adult education. Please note that the programme is in Dutch.
Discover the possibilities of LVHO
During the LVHO programme, you’ll learn how to explain complex topics in a simple way, challenge students to think critically, and create an inspiring learning environment. With practical experience and didactic training, you’ll develop the skills to convey knowledge in a lively and accessible manner.
Hybrid teaching
Want to combine teaching with another job? You can! As a hybrid teacher, you might work in the corporate sector as well as in the classroom. This way, you will help students understand the theory but also show them how things work in practice. It keeps your work dynamic and varied.
Career Services
UU Career Services offers training related to career orientation and job application skills; examples include writing an application letter and CV and conducting a job interview. You can find more information about career services on UU Career Services for Dutch students or UU Career Services for international students.
Career Day
Once a year Utrecht University organises a Career Day. The Career Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the career fair. It’s also possible to join a job application training or have your resume checked.