Spend a year in the USA
while earning a MSc in Computer Science from Northeastern Illinois University.
Our partner university, Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), is a fully accredited public university in the greater Chicago area with degree programs in the disciplines of art, sciences, business and education.
It offers more than 70 study programs on its 67-hectare main campus located in a popular residential area in the North-West of Chicago. NEIU has some 6,000 students, 60% of whom are women.
Students have the opportunity to obtain two coordiated degrees, one of which is awarded by the partner institution in the US. Students attend the first study year at the Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology in Rotkreuz and the second year at NEIU. NEIU recognizes 60 ECTS previously earned at the Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology. Students attend four courses and write their master’s thesis at NEIU. The ECTS credits earned at the NEIU are in turn recognized by the HSLU. The master's thesis must be on a topic with a sustainability angle. It will be co-supervised by both partner institutions.
Students can pick their four courses from the program website. CS400, CS404 and/or CS420 are compulsory unless they have previously completed modules covering the content of these courses in their BSc or MSc program. The choice of courses will be personally discussed with the students. The study year in the US is full time.
The MSc thesis will be supervised and marked by both partner institutions. NEIU appoints the main supervisor; the second supervisor is from the HSLU. The MSc thesis must be written according to NEIU regulations and guidelines. Students choose their topic in consultation with both institutions. They must present and defend their MSc thesis in front of a panel of representatives from both institutions. They start to work on their MSc thesis in the fall semester and finalize it in the spring semester and remain in the US at NEIU for the duration of both semesters. The double degree is not available as a remote/online program.
The fall semester starts in mid-August and ends in mid-December. The spring semester starts in mid-January and ends in mid-May.
Master of Science Hochschule Luzern / FHZ in IT, Digitalization & Sustainability (MSc ITDS).
Master of Science in Computer Science.
The study fees are $15,297 for two semesters. Students from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts are entitled to a 25% discount (already deducted from the amount stated above). This fee is for the 2023-24 study year and may change for later study years. NEIU waives its enrolment fee for HSLU students.
Learn more about the cost of living in Chicago here.
Students can apply for a room on campus here.
When starting the MSc ITDS program, students will be informed about the opportunity to study abroad in the second year. If you have any questions, contact international.it@hslu.ch.
