Vision, Graphics and Interactive Systems is not open for admission from 2021.Vision, Graphics and Interactive Systems is merged with another education and has changed its name to Computer Engineering.

How is your camera able to detect whether the person in front of it is smiling or not? How is it possible to create non-real figures and insert them into a motion picture? Why are some products so appealing and easy to use, while others are not? The answer to the first question is Computer Vision - that is, to automatically make a computer understand what it sees. The answer to the second is Computer Graphics - that is, to make a computer automatically visualise a virtual object. The answer to the third question is a deep understanding of user needs and user experience design. Together, these three topics form the core of the master's programme in Vison, Graphics and Interactive Systems at Aalborg University. 

Why choose this programme?

Because you want to make increasingly intelligent systems which are able to understand, recognise and react to what it sees
Because you want to improve the established connection between you and everyday technologies.

What does it contain?

Computer vision is a field which covers processing and analysis of images to give an understanding of what is captured by machines. Computer graphics covers all about displaying and how to represent things thanks to different methods supported by software and hardware. Finally, the interactive systems part is concerned with how to create and/or improve your experience of using your daily devices, for example the reaction of your TV, when you are browsing channels or how much fun it is to play the latest game on your phone.
These topics cover a large band of technologies and theories which will be a part of our future for sure.

How is it done?

• By combining theoretical knowledge gained from the courses with practical hands-on experience
• Semester projects centred on a general theme
• Semester courses (mandatory as well as elective)
• 1-2 weeks mini projects for particular subjects
• Well-equipped laboratories with all the necessary tools to build your project
• Helpful and open-minded teachers, willing to help you with your questions and ideas and to guide you through complex concepts.

The VGIS programme is research-based and shifts between theory and practical project work, where you can apply the theories introduced in the lectures. Through the projects you will be designing and building software systems within the fields of Computer Vision, Graphics and Interactive Systems.

Student testimonial

"After my Bachelor’s degree studies in electronic and computer engineering, I wanted to delve into the field of artificial intelligence, because I was fascinated by the idea of designing algorithms that allow machines to learn from data. One day, I came across the Master’s programme in Vision, Graphics and Interactive Systems at Aalborg University, and I decided to apply.

The programme combines different theories and technologies to build intelligent systems that can interact with their environment. I particularly appreciated the structure of the programme; each semester, you are supposed to work in a group on a real-world problem, generally in collaboration with a company. This approach is what the university is well known for, and it is called Problem Based Learning. Usually, the groups consist of members from several cultural and academic backgrounds: this allows seeing a problem from different angles and is what makes the education at Aalborg University extremely valuable.

Other elements also surprised me positively, such as the possibility to have access to the university facilities (library, group rooms and laboratories) whenever you like. Another aspect that I appreciated is the open relationship between the student and the professors, a direct consequence of the flat structure and the informal environment of the Danish society. This is something that I also experienced when I did the ninth-semester internship in a Danish company.

All in all, I am really satisfied with my choice, and this is one of the reasons why I decided to take a PhD stipend at Aalborg University."

- Daniel Michelsanti, M.SC.
Today, Daniel is a PhD fellow at Aalborg University.

Academic content

Vision, Graphics and Interactive Systems at Aalborg University is a two-year master's programme (120 ECTS). Below are short descriptions of the four semesters. See also the curriculum for the master’s programme in Vision, Graphics and Interactive Systems. Here, you may find details on courses and projects as well as information on the programme’s legal basis, etc.

Compulsory for all non-AAU bachelors

All bachelors enrolled in the programme who have not obtained their bachelor's degree from Aalborg University must take part in a course on problem based learning (PBL) as part of the 1st semester project. In case non-AAU bachelors get credit transfer for the 1st semester, they will be asked to take part in a course ensuring that they are trained in working according to the PBL-model. Read more about PBL here.

Job and career

The master's programme in Vision, Graphics and Interactive Systmes at Aalborg University provides you with extensive experience in analysing, designing, implementing and testing complex high-technology software solutions, especially focused on vision, graphics and interfaces. These solutions typically involve either interfaces to specialised hardware, interfaces to users, execution on mobile platforms or any combination of these domains. You are thus highly skilled in complex systems engineering, i.e., “making complicated stuff work”. This competence makes you very valuable to employers and over the years, our graduates have found it very easy to find an attractive and stimulating occupation in industry or academia, nationally and internationally.

The following companies have employed graduates from VGIS:

• Lyngsoe Systems
• Terma
• JLI
• IO Interactive
• Grundfos
• Image House