Englisch 
Deutsch Who is the online Bachelor of Business Information Systems suitable for - and what do you need to bring with you?
The course is suitable if you want to start part-time in the interface between IT and business or qualify for it. Typical profiles: IT specialists, IT support or application support, who want to grow from the operational level towards software development, databases or process digitalization. Commercial employees from industry, commerce or administration who work with ERP, BI and data analysis and want to systematically expand their understanding of business management and programming. Also suitable for career changers with relevant practical experience who need a basic online degree program to lead projects or take the next career step in the company.
Admission requirements
You start in the winter semester; application for the 1st semester is possible from May until 15.09. Instruction language is German.
- University entrance qualification: general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification
- or: general or subject-specific university of applied sciences entrance qualification (school-based and practical part)
- or: successfully passed master craftsman examination or equivalent qualification
- German language skills: applicants without a German university entrance qualification require proof of sufficient German language skills (enrollment requirement)
- Recognition: already completed study achievements can be recognized; an application for a higher semester is possible with proofs of achievement
- Deadlines for higher semesters: November to 15.03. (summer semester) and May to 15.09. (winter semester); admission depends on available capacities
- In the online application process, submission of the higher education entrance qualification certificate, if applicable, training further education certificates, as well as evidence of previous study periods and achievements is required for upload
Personal requirements
Business informatics requires an interest in numbers, logic and business processes. You should bring basic mathematical affinity, curiosity about programming (e.g. Python) and an interest in topics such as databases, business intelligence and IT law. Important in online studies: reliable self-organization, independent learning, and willingness to regularly participate in exercises, projects, and group work.
Plan your semester realistically: set fixed times for lectures/tutorials, as well as recurring learning windows during the week and a concentrated block on weekends. Clarify early on how you will coordinate job, family, and exam phases - a transparent calendar, small learning units, and routines help you stay on track. Technically, you need a stable internet connection, the ability to work structured with learning platforms, and the openness to accept feedback from projects. With perseverance, structure, and the willingness to ask questions early on, you make optimal use of the strengths of the online format and cope well with the challenging weeks around submissions and exams.
What will you learn in the Business Informatics Online course at HAW Kiel?
You combine computer science and business administration: You learn to understand operational processes, design IT systems, and make data usable for decisions. The curriculum emphasizes programming, databases, networks, business administration, and legal foundations from the beginning, as well as methods and social skills through projects.
Computer Science and Software Development: From the basics of programming to algorithms, data structures, and software engineering, you develop solid coding and architecture skills. Practical laboratory phases and a software engineering lab train clean engineering and teamwork.
Data, Web, and Business Intelligence: Databases, internet technologies (client/server), business intelligence, and fundamentals of operational application systems form the basis for data-driven decisions. You learn to model data, analyze it, and make it usable for reporting and planning.
Business Administration, Organization, and Law: Business Administration I-II, cost and revenue accounting, organizational theory, and business law anchor your IT knowledge in a business context. Additionally, IT law and project management for professional use in companies are covered.
UX, Networks, and Engineering: Human-computer interaction, computer networks, operations research, and business engineering combine technology, user perspective, and optimization – important for product development, process design, and IT operations.
Specializations and Practice: Elective courses in business studies from the fifth semester onwards allow for individual focus. A 10-week practical study part in the sixth semester, a business informatics seminar, and the bachelor's thesis with a colloquium complete the degree. The fifth semester is explicitly suitable for a study abroad program.
How does the Business Informatics Online distance learning work?
Organized as an online course with digital lectures, exercises, and projects. You study regularly for six semesters in the German language. Applications start annually for the winter semester; the course is admission-free, with a deadline until 15th September.
Formats, Materials, and Collaboration
You learn with digital scripts, videos, interactive exercises, and supervised online events. Case studies, individual and group projects, as well as business informatics labs and capstone-like project work, ensure the application of the content – professionally supervised with feedback.
Exams and Performance Records
Performance is assessed based on the module through exams, term papers, practical lab work, presentations, or oral exams – as defined in the study and examination regulations. Artifacts like software prototypes, data models, or analyses count in project-oriented modules. Exams mostly take place online or in written form, with some formats being synchronously scheduled.
Presence Dates: What is mandatory?
The program is geared towards online teaching. Mandatory on-site dates play only a minor role, if at all. Fixed synchronous sessions, project milestones, and exam periods need to be planned. In the sixth semester, a 10-week internship in a company must be completed (either in person or remotely, depending on the placement).
Time Commitment, Study Rhythm, and Flexibility
As a full-time bachelor's with 6 semesters, the usual workload of 30 ECTS per semester applies. Realistically, this translates to about 30-35 hours per week for lectures, self-study, exercises, and examinations. Those who work should realistically evaluate the workload or reduce the number of modules per semester. Free extensions are not time-limited as in private distance learning institutions; however, you remain enrolled as long as you re-register and pay the contributions. The regular start of studies is in the winter; for higher semesters, both winter and summer start dates are possible (depending on capacity).
How much does the Business Informatics Online course at HAW Kiel cost?
There are no traditional tuition fee costs, but there are mandatory fees per semester (semester fee, administrative fee) and a one-time enrollment fee. For online courses, there is an additional fee: €95 media usage fee per 5-credit module and study semester.
For example, with a full load of 30 ECTS per semester, typically six 5-credit modules are taken. This results in €570 media fees per semester, in addition to the regular semester fees. If you take fewer modules, the media fees decrease accordingly; if you extend the study duration, you will pay the semester fees and media fees for the modules taken in the additional semesters.
Additional Costs: Study materials, equipment (powerful computer, headset), potential travel or accommodation costs for occasional on-site appointments or during the internship. Typically, exam retakes do not incur separate fees, but the media fee is applicable per module taken.
Taxes and Support: Expenses for a first-degree after high school are tax-deductible as special expenses (up to €6,000 per year); for a second degree, there are no limits to deductible costs. Employers can cover costs (e.g., material cost supplements, educational leave).
What careers and salaries are possible after studying Business Informatics Online?
As a business informatics professional, you work at the intersection of IT and business: in development, consulting, data analysis, or IT management. Typical starting salaries range from €45,000-55,000 gross per year; with experience, salaries of €60,000-85,000 and above are achievable – depending on role, industry, and location.
- Business Analyst / Requirements Engineer: Requirements gathering, process modeling, specifying IT solutions. Salary: around €50,000-75,000.
- IT Consultant (In-house or consulting): Implementation of ERP/CRM, cloud migration, data and process projects. Salary: around €55,000-80,000.
- Software Developer: Full-stack, web engineering, interfaces and databases. Salary: around €48,000-78,000.
- Data / BI Analyst: Data models, reporting, dashboards, initial steps in machine learning. Salary: around €50,000-75,000.
- ERP Consultant (e.g. SAP, Microsoft): Customization, integration, training. Salary: around €55,000-85,000.
Further Studies: The B.Sc. qualifies for master's programs like Business Informatics, Computer Science, Data Science, IT Management, or Business Analytics – suitable for leadership and specialist roles.
Who is the Business Informatics Online course suitable for – and who is it not suitable for?
The program is suitable if you think technically, can argue from a business perspective, and are looking for a full-time online study program with a project component. The combination of programming, data, business administration, and law prepares you for versatile interface roles.
- You want to combine IT and business and aim for roles like Business Analyst, IT Consultant, or BI Analyst.
- You appreciate structured online teaching with supervised projects, lab components, and clear examination formats.
- You plan an internship as a bridge to employment and optionally want to include a semester abroad.
- You prefer a public, tuition-free study program with transparent contributions instead of high monthly fees.
The course is not suitable if the conditions of your life situation contradict the full-time workload or if you expect a purely theoretical education without practical relevance. Also, if you require strict face-to-face teaching on campus, this program may not be the right fit.
- You work full-time in shifts or have very limited learning windows – the workload of about 30-35 hours per week is too high.
- You expect a purely asynchronous course without fixed schedules – projects, synchronous sessions, and exam periods require fixed time frames.
- You do not need an additional internship – the 10-week practical part is a mandatory component of the sixth semester.
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