The Helsinki Doctoral Programme in Computer Science - Advanced Computing and Intelligent Systems is a post-graduate programme jointly offered by the University of Helsinki and Aalto University. Year 2013 was the 19th year that this school has been in operation. The focal areas are Algorithms, structures and complexity (algorithm design and mathematical methods, basic research and innovative methods for novel applications), Pattern Analysis and Intelligent Systems (methods for finding meaningful patterns from and modelling of large data sets, intelligent interfaces) and System Software (operating systems, database systems, middleware, and compilers). Due to the change in the funding system of the Finnish doctoral programmes at the end of 2013, Hecse does not provide any new funded positions.

Hecse offers these post-graduates various benefits, such as advanced courses, funding for participation in summer schools and conferences, research visits, and annual student meetings. In 2013, Hecse participated in the arrangements of the Third International SAT/SMT Summer School on July 3-5 in Espoo. At the end of the year, there were 74 doctoral students in the school, 21 (28.4%) of which had funding from the school. Of these 74, 27 (36.5 %) were foreign students and 10 (13.5 %) were women. The Hecse post-graduates attended numerous international courses and conferences. During 2013, 13 Hecse research students defended their PhD theses.