Educational quality of the programme
At VUB the quality of the education takes centre stage. This isn't something we say lightly: we scrutinise our programmes regularly to align them with changing student needs in a rapidly changing society.
This public information is part of VUB’s quality assurance system and was ratified by the Academic Council on 26/02/2024.
Strenghts of the programme
- Attractive, well-defined specialisations: Students from the master programmes in Computer Science and Applied Informatics can choose between several pertinent specialisations, which also take into account industry trends such as artificial intelligence and big data technology.
- Approachability of teaching staff: Students appreciate the close contact with lecturers and assistants. Students also report to be very satisfied with their education.
- International orientation: The English Master in Computer Science attracts a very international audience. Much effort is also made to offer interesting opportunities to study a semester abroad. As of 2023–2024, the Master of Applied Informatics is organised in English too so that non-Dutch-speaking students are also welcomed in the programme.
- Work & study: The Master in Applied Informatics is adapted to accommodate working students, by offering a combination of class recordings and evening lessons. Working students also appreciate the guidance they receive during their studies.
Opportunities
- Alumni report they would gladly be involved in the programme and its network. This is an interesting opportunity for the course council to strengthen the bonds with graduates.
- The course council currently monitors the study load at course level. As advised, the course council will start to also monitor the study load of the master programmes as a whole and will keep involving the students in this process.
Current developments
- Because of its increased importance and complexity, security will receive more attention in the curriculum, so that every student – regardless of their specialisation – acquires sufficient knowledge about this topic.
- The international student group offers valuable opportunities to acquire international and intercultural competences without going abroad. The course council will make greater use of these opportunities, for example by ensuring that students from different backgrounds work together on group projects.
- To help prospective students choose the programme that is most suitable for them, the brochure and the website will better clarify the differences between the several Computer Science programmes offered at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Where do we get this information from?
As institution we routinely ask our students to give their honest opinion about the study programme during their academic career. We also consult our professors and assistants and gauge the expectations in the future field of work. We receive structured feedback from our former students and compare our programmes with others at home and abroad. Through a Peer Review every six years an expert panel endorses the programme’s assets and can recommend some actions. Lastly, the Education Quality Council takes a formal decision about the quality and functioning of a programme.
Quality Cycle
Each programme follows a six-year quality cycle. The timeline below shows the schedule for this particular programme.
