Brown University’s two-year, on-campus master's in computer science is your gateway to mastering cutting-edge fields such as AI, robotics, machine learning, visual computing, software and systems.
Whether you’re looking to improve your professional expertise in computer science or prepare for further graduate study, the on-campus master’s in computer science program offers personalized coursework, groundbreaking research projects and real-world experience – all taught by renowned professors in a vibrant and innovative environment.
This program offers the following degree with two options:
- Master of science (Sc.M.)
- Coursework-only
- Research project
Either option may be completed as part of the professional track, in which you must complete a two to six month internship.
Taught by distinguished professors who have established the department's reputation for innovative education and cutting-edge research, the curriculum spans a wide array of computer science disciplines, including: artificial intelligence/machine learning, computational biology, computer architecture, data, design, security, software principles, systems, theory and visual computing.
Highly customizable, this program allows you to tailor your studies to match your particular ambitions and experiences through pathways. You can choose coursework that provides a broad, advanced learning experience across several computer science disciplines or you can more narrowly focus on one area of specialization based on your objectives.
Additional Information
The Department of Computer Science provides leading-edge computing technology to all students. Each student has access to a shared computer science department office equipped with desktop computers and docking stations. In addition, students have access to all our research labs.
Brown undergraduates can apply to this program as a fifth-year master's degree.
Fifth-Year Application Deadlines
Fall Deadline: May 1, 2025
Spring Deadline: November 1, 2025
Application Information
There are exceptions, but typically we look for outstanding students who already have an undergraduate CS degree or the equivalent and are ready to take our Master's-level courses. While we sometimes discount weaknesses in some areas if there are strengths in others, we'd like to see most of the following courses:
- An introductory Programming course
- An introductory Algorithms and Data Structures course
- A Computer Systems or a Software Engineering course (preferably both)
- A course on Discrete Mathematics and basic Probability
- A Linear Algebra course
Application Requirements
GRE Subject:
Not required
GRE General:
Not required, but score submission is encouraged.
TOEFL/IELTS:
Required for any non-native English speaker who does not have a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction or from a University in the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales), West Indies, Zambia).
The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator exam are accepted.
Students from mainland China may submit the TOEFL ITP Plus exam
The minimum TOEFL score is 105 and the minimum IELTS score is 8.0.
Official Transcripts:
Required. All applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for application submission. Official transcripts are ONLY required for enrolling students before class start. An international transcript evaluation (WES, ECE, or The Evaluation Company) is required for degrees from non-U.S. institutions before enrollment.
Applicants who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program should plan to submit their fall semester grades as a part of their application for fullest consideration. If the application deadline passes before fall grades are available, please provide a copy of your in progress coursework if it is not included on your transcript and plan to follow up with grades when they are made available. We also encourage you to provide your in progress coursework for the spring semester, if available.
Letters of Recommendations:
Three (3) letters of recommendation required for external applications. Brown undergraduates considering the fifth-year master's degree option should submit two (2) letters of recommendation.
Recent graduates (within 3 years) and current students should provide at least 2 letters of recommendation from professors who can speak to your coursework in Computer Science.
Resume/CV:
Required
Additional Requirements:
If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.
Dates/Deadlines
Application Deadline
5th Year Deadline
Tuition and Funding
Graduate Tuition & Fees: Please visit the Office of Student and Financial Services for up-to-date tuition rates.
Scholarships: A limited number of full-tuition scholarships are available to those who answer the optional question in the CS application. Graduate and Teaching Assistantships are not available. Learn more about master’s funding from the Office of Financial Aid.
Completion Requirements
All students will complete a two-course specialization in one of ten approved areas or Pathways. The remaining six required courses consist of four CS or closely-related courses plus either two courses in which work is towards completion of a research project or two graduate-level CS courses. Students must have a B average over all courses used to satisfy the requirements. All courses must be taken for a grade, and all grades must be C or better (S's may not be used).
Alumni Outcomes
Our recent master's graduates hold positions such as senior software developers, ML/AI engineers, data scientists and product managers at established companies and startups across a variety of industries.
Learn More
Leadership
Contact and Location
Department of Computer Science
Mailing Address
Box 1910