Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Netherlands' oldest and largest technical university, offers Computer Science at both the BSc and MSc level entirely in English, through its Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS). Founded in 1842, TU Delft is consistently grouped alongside ETH Zurich and Imperial College London as one of Europe's leading technical institutions, and unlike many continental European technical universities, it offers a genuinely wide range of fully English-taught degrees rather than requiring Dutch fluency. TU Delft sits at the centre of a dense Dutch and pan-European engineering employer network, with companies including ASML, Shell, and Philips recruiting heavily from its graduates.
This guide covers what matters for TU Delft's Computer Science programs: acceptance realities, tuition and living costs, admission requirements, how to get in, English-test rules, and career outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
TU Delft does not publish a single official acceptance rate for Computer Science, or for any of its programs. Admission works differently from a US-style competitive cycle:
- BSc Computer Science operates under the Netherlands' numerus fixus system, which caps total intake for several English-taught Bachelor's programmes, making it selective by seat availability as well as by academic threshold, though TU Delft does not publish a specific admit percentage
- MSc Computer Science is assessed against defined, programme-specific academic prerequisites (particular prior coursework in areas like linear algebra, algorithms, or programming background) rather than a fixed admission quota, so admission functions more like a prerequisites check than a ranked competitive process, though this does not mean it is uncompetitive: TU Delft's Computer Science master's programmes, including AI-adjacent tracks like Robotics, draw strong international applicant pools
Bottom line: treat TU Delft Computer Science as competitive but not quantifiable via a single published rate. Meeting the stated academic prerequisites is necessary but not sufficient for MSc admission, and BSc numerus fixus programmes should be treated as seat-capped rather than open-enrollment.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
TU Delft does not publish one official tuition figure specific to Computer Science; the figures below are TU Delft's representative non-EU/EEA rates, converted from EUR:
| Degree | Tuition (USD/year, approx.) | Living Expenses (USD/year, approx.) | Total (USD/year, approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Computer Science | ~$24,150 | ~$18,630 | ~$42,780 |
| MSc Computer Science | ~$26,450 | ~$18,630 | ~$45,080 |
These are representative estimates (converted at approximately 1 EUR = 1.15 USD) rather than a figure confirmed specifically for Computer Science on TU Delft's own program page, so confirm the exact current fee directly with TU Delft before budgeting precisely. TU Delft offers the Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships, TU Delft's flagship award for outstanding international students, primarily aimed at Master's applicants, covering a substantial tuition contribution plus a living stipend for the most competitive recipients.
Admission Requirements
Computer Science admission requirements differ by degree level:
BSc Computer Science:
- Studielink national application (the Netherlands' centralised university application portal)
- Secondary school-leaving diploma/transcript, assessed against the program's required subjects and grades (particularly mathematics and physics)
- Motivation letter
- English language proficiency test score or an approved English-medium-instruction waiver
- Additional numerus fixus selection procedure materials, since Computer Science caps total intake
MSc Computer Science:
- Studielink national application
- Bachelor's degree transcript, assessed against MSc Computer Science's specific prior-coursework requirements (typically prior programming, algorithms, and mathematics coursework)
- Motivation letter
- CV/resume
- English language proficiency test score or an approved waiver
- Reference letter(s), required by some programmes
Non-EU/EEA applicants generally face an April 1 deadline for a September start; numerus fixus programmes at the BSc level may set an earlier date. TU Delft does not require the GRE or GMAT for Computer Science admission at either level.
How to Get Into TU Delft's Computer Science Programs
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Confirm your prior coursework meets the program's specific prerequisites before applying, especially for MSc Computer Science, since TU Delft assesses applicants against defined academic prerequisites (linear algebra, algorithms, programming background) rather than a single GPA cutoff.
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Write a motivation letter with a specific, programme-level rationale. TU Delft's admissions committees weigh the motivation letter for genuine fit with Computer Science specifically (or a named specialization within it), rather than a generic "wanting to study engineering in Europe" statement.
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Apply well ahead of the April 1 deadline if targeting BSc Computer Science, since it operates under numerus fixus, capping total intake; a later application within a capped-intake programme carries real risk of missing the cycle even if academically qualified.
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Clear the English requirement comfortably, then prepare separately for sustained academic English. TU Delft's IELTS threshold (6.5-7.0) is comparatively moderate versus many English-primary-market universities, but day-to-day coursework demands strong technical report-writing and group-project communication that the entry test alone doesn't fully capture.
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Apply through Studielink, not a TU Delft-specific portal, and budget extra lead time for the national system's processing steps, since Studielink forwards your application to TU Delft only after you complete its national registration steps.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
TU Delft does not set one single university-wide English threshold; Computer Science follows TU Delft's standard tiers by degree level:
- BSc Computer Science: IELTS Academic minimum 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT commonly 90-100 overall
- MSc Computer Science: IELTS Academic 6.5-7.0 overall with no band below 6.0, varying by specific track; TOEFL iBT commonly 90-100 overall
- Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) is also accepted at both levels
- Waiver: applicants who completed prior education entirely in English may qualify for an English-medium-instruction waiver, subject to programme-level approval
- Bridging option (MSc only): TU Delft's pre-master's bridging programmes are available for applicants who don't yet meet a specific MSc programme's academic or English-language prerequisites, though these typically require a higher IELTS 7.0/TOEFL 100 threshold rather than a discount off the standard requirement
For general context on TU Delft as a university, see the TU Delft guide.
Career Outcomes
TU Delft does not publish employment or salary data specific to Computer Science graduates, so the figures below are TU Delft's best available university-wide proxy:
- Top recruiters (undergraduate and graduate, university-wide): ASML, Shell, Philips, Booking.com, and ING at the undergraduate level; ASML, Shell, Philips, Boston Consulting Group, and McKinsey & Company at the graduate level
- TU Delft's dense Dutch and pan-European engineering employer network, combined with its Orientation Year (zoekjaar) residence permit for graduates, gives Computer Science graduates a full year to search for qualifying employment in the Netherlands without needing a separate work permit immediately after graduation
FAQ
Does TU Delft publish an acceptance rate for Computer Science? No. TU Delft doesn't publish a single official acceptance rate. BSc Computer Science operates under the Netherlands' numerus fixus system (capped intake), while MSc Computer Science is assessed against defined academic prerequisites rather than a fixed admission quota.
How much does TU Delft's Computer Science program cost? Representative non-EU/EEA estimates are approximately $24,150/year tuition for BSc (total cost of attendance ~$42,780/year) and approximately $26,450/year tuition for MSc (total cost of attendance ~$45,080/year), though these are representative figures, not officially confirmed program-specific rates; always verify the current fee with TU Delft directly.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for TU Delft Computer Science? BSc Computer Science generally requires IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90-100. MSc Computer Science requires IELTS 6.5-7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 90-100, varying by specific track.
Can I study Computer Science at TU Delft entirely in English? Yes. Both BSc Computer Science and MSc Computer Science are fully English-taught programmes, unlike many continental European technical universities where Bachelor's programmes are primarily taught in the local language.
Is the GRE or GMAT required for TU Delft's MSc Computer Science? No. TU Delft does not require the GRE or GMAT for Computer Science admission at either the BSc or MSc level.
How do I apply to TU Delft's Computer Science programs? Through Studielink, the Netherlands' centralised national university application portal, not a TU Delft-specific system. Studielink forwards your application to TU Delft, where you complete programme-specific requirements including transcripts, a motivation letter, and English test scores.