Master of Science in Information Systems

Overview This English-taught Master's programme lets you build a clear professional profile by choosing one of three specialised tracks before your studies begin: Managing Digital Business, Business Process Management, or Data Science. The curriculum is designed to be interdisciplinary, giving you both the business and technical perspectives needed for careers in modern information systems.

Flexible, interdisciplinary study Beyond your chosen major you can pick elective courses that span the full range of Information Systems — including pure Business Administration or Computer Science classes offered by the Department of Computer Science — so you can either deepen your specialisation or broaden your skill set. A compulsory orientation module, "Information Systems Thinking", introduces you to the course content and structure, helps you meet fellow students, and supports your transition into the programme.

Research-driven teaching with practical links Seminars focus on scientific working methods with topics updated each semester, while project seminars partner with companies to give hands-on experience and early professional contacts. Instruction takes place in small groups to ensure personalised support. The third semester can serve as a mobility window to study at one of around 75 partner universities abroad, with assistance from the School’s International Relations Center. The programme consistently receives top marks in the CHE ranking: more than 90% of current master’s students rate many aspects (such as options for individual specialisation, student support, digital teaching elements, and opportunities to present and discuss research) as very good or good.

Key facts & requirements (concise)

• Language of instruction: English
• Choose one of three majors before start: Managing Digital Business; Business Process Management; Data Science
• Electives available across Information Systems, including Business Administration and Computer Science courses at the Department of Computer Science
• Orientation module: "Information Systems Thinking" (introductory welcome and course orientation)
• Seminars and project seminars with company cooperation; small-group teaching for individual support
• Third semester can be used as a mobility window at ≈75 partner universities; support from the International Relations Center
• High student satisfaction in the CHE ranking, with many criteria rated very good or good by >90% of students

This Master's programme gives you control over how specialised you become by letting you choose courses across several related fields. You can concentrate your studies in one of three Information Systems perspectives—Data Science, Business Process Management or Managing Digital Business—while also drawing on modules in Information Systems, Business Administration and Computer Science. Teaching is delivered in English and the university hosts the European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS), a strong bridge between research, industry and teaching. Practical support for international experience and career entry is provided by an International Relations Center (with optional semesters abroad at 75+ partner universities worldwide) and a Career Development Center, while the Reach Euregio Start‑Up Center helps students with entrepreneurial ideas.

The programme combines structured lecture modules with hands‑on seminars and a project seminar that bring research and practice together. You begin with an onboarding module, "Information Systems Thinking," then take lecture modules in your chosen major and select elective courses to broaden or deepen your profile. Seminars (small groups) focus on academic writing and current research topics; project seminars train you to work in teams to translate a real business problem into a concrete solution and prototype. The Master's thesis is the capstone, demonstrating your ability to carry out an in‑depth research project.

Admission and study planning take into account your prior knowledge in Business Administration, Quantitative Methods, Information Systems and/or Computer Science so that students with different bachelor backgrounds start from a comparable level and can be steered toward the major that fits them best. Overall, the curriculum is designed to produce graduates who can apply interdisciplinary methods, perform independent research, and develop practical, implementable solutions for digital business challenges.

Curriculum and credit requirements (total 120 credits)

• Onboarding module: Information Systems Thinking — 6 credits
• Six lecture modules in your chosen major — 6 credits each (total 36 credits)
• At least four elective courses from the elective area — 6 credits each (minimum 24 credits)
• Two seminar modules — 6 credits each (12 credits)
• One project seminar — 12 credits
• Master's thesis — 30 credits

Key modules and learning outcomes

• Information Systems Thinking (onboarding): establish a common conceptual foundation across IS, business and tech.
• Lecture modules (major): build specialised knowledge in Data Science, Business Process Management or Managing Digital Business.
• Electives: broaden technical, managerial or interdisciplinary skills to match career goals.
• Seminars: develop academic writing, research literacy and engagement with current topics.
• Project seminar: practise end‑to‑end problem solving in teams, from requirements to prototypical implementation.
• Master's thesis: demonstrate capacity for sustained, independent research and contribute a substantive piece of work that completes the programme.

Graduates leave with a combination of specialised domain knowledge and practical project experience suited to roles where business and technology meet. Depending on the chosen major, typical career paths include positions in data analytics and data science teams, business process management and optimisation, digital business development, IT consulting, and related roles in industry or public sector organisations.

The programme's project seminars, company cooperations and the university's Career Development Center help students build professional contacts and prepare for the transition to employment. The international orientation and mobility opportunities also support careers with multinational companies or research-focused trajectories.