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Deutsch Who is the MSc in Business Informatics Online suitable for?
If you are already working in IT or at the interface between IT and business and want to deepen your expertise or develop towards a leadership role, this programme is suitable for you. It is ideal for software developers, system administrators, or IT consultants who digitise processes and want to take on more responsibility in data and process management. The programme is also suitable for business professionals and controllers working in ERP, Business Intelligence, or Data Science, who wish to systematically expand their technical skills - often alongside a full-time job and family responsibilities. Even if your first degree is in a different field, you may still qualify if you have worked for several years in IT-related roles such as project or product management and wish to formally bridge the gap to business informatics.
Admission Requirements
You must have an initial professional qualification and practical work experience. Admission is open, and you can enrol for the summer or winter semester (application window: November to 21.02. and May to 21.08.). Here are the three admission pathways in summary:
- First degree in Business Informatics.
- Closely related degree with at least 90 ECTS in Business Informatics.
- Other professional qualifying degree plus several years of relevant work experience with qualified skills in business informatics.
Other formal requirements you should meet include:
- Evidence of qualified professional experience of usually at least 1 year.
- Scope of first degree: If 180-209 ECTS, missing competencies will be supplemented; the target is a total of 300 ECTS.
- German language certificate: required if you do not have German university entrance qualifications and have not completed a German university degree (language of instruction: German).
- Documents to be submitted include: degree certificate or transcript, proof of professional experience, university entrance qualification, if applicable, proof of name change.
Personal Requirements
Business Informatics in an online format requires primarily self-organization and reliable routines. Schedule fixed learning windows every week, coordinated with work and family time - it's better to study regularly in small sessions than in rare large blocks. Analytical thinking, enjoyment of data, processes, and IT governance, as well as the willingness to quickly learn new tools, are helpful. Realistically expect several hours of independent work each week for literature, case studies, and projects; effort increases during exam and submission periods. Perseverance, thorough documentation, and teamwork for group and practical projects are also important. By setting priorities early, making deadlines visible, and involving supporters in your environment, you can reliably balance your studies with your job - even over several semesters.
What do you learn in Business Informatics Online at HAW Kiel?
You combine business management with modern IT - from business processes to data analysis. The Master's program provides you with in-depth knowledge for the design, governance, and security of information systems, leading you through a research project to the Master's thesis with a seminar and colloquium.
Management and Leadership: You work on employee leadership and management ethics, learn to quantitatively support decisions, and apply this knowledge in case studies, individual, and group projects. This way, you combine leadership tools with data-based decision-making.
Processes, Law, and Governance: Business Process Management, IT Governance, and business and IT law form the basis for standardizing processes, ensuring compliance, and aligning IT sensibly with the corporate strategy. You recognize how standards and guidelines steer the organization.
Requirements and System Design: Requirements Engineering firmly anchors user and business requirements in the development process. You practice methodically how stakeholder needs turn into specified, testable requirements - a core competency for product and project managers.
Data, Intelligence, and Security: "Business Intelligence and Data Science" introduce you to data-driven analysis and reporting. Additionally, you learn IT security to assess risks, plan protective measures, and make systems resilient.
Communication and Digital Channels: Social Media Management shows how digital channels can strategically impact and be data-driven - with interfaces to marketing, service, and product development.
Specializations and Conclusion: The third semester bundles theory in the "Business Informatics Research Project." The program concludes with the Master's thesis, accompanying seminar, and colloquium. Active learning formats such as planning and role-playing games, practical projects, and group work run through the program, strengthening methodological and social skills.
How does the Business Informatics Online distance learning program at HAW Kiel work?
This advanced Master's program is designed for four semesters and is offered online. Examinations and processes follow the study and examination regulations; the degree includes a Master's thesis, seminar, and colloquium. The program starts in the summer and winter semesters.
Online Study with Interactive Formats
The program is designated as online study. You learn in digital events with interactive elements such as case studies, group projects, and role-playing games. The language of instruction is German. Accompanying materials and module information are provided semester by semester; the semester schedule sets the rhythm and important dates.
Examination Performance and Degree
The specific form of examination is regulated for each module and results from the examination regulations. The program includes the Master's thesis with seminar and colloquium in the 4th semester. In the preceding semesters, module-specific credits may accrue, reflecting theory, application, and project work.
Presence Dates and Organization
Designed as an online study, the teaching focuses on digital events. Introductions, project-related dates, or examination components are communicated in the semester schedule. Binding dates and deadlines - especially concerning the colloquium - are plannable in advance and communicated ahead of time.
Time Commitment and Flexibility in Progress
The standard period of study is 4 semesters. The weekly effort depends on the module phase and project work, increasing during examination and thesis phases. Due to the online structure, work and studies can be combined; specific scheduling per semester supports planning. A fee-free extension rule is not specified; additional fees apply for very extended study durations (see costs).
What does the Business Informatics Online Master's at HAW Kiel cost?
For the advanced online study program, you pay 1,980 € per semester in the 1st-4th semesters, totaling 7,920 €. In addition, compulsory contributions (semester fee, administration) are due per semester, as well as a one-time administrative fee for enrollment.
Total costs and extension: Calculate the program fee of 7,920 € plus compulsory contributions over four semesters. Additional fees apply for study durations exceeding eight semesters.
Additional and ancillary costs: Depending on the module, expenses may be incurred for specialist literature or software tools. Travel and accommodation costs arise only if you attend optional or scheduled events in person.
Taxes and Support: Study fees, specialist literature, and work materials can be claimed as business expenses or special expenses if there is appropriate professional justification. Employer contributions are common for advanced Master's programs - discuss cost coverage, educational leave, or working hour models early on.
What careers and salaries are possible after the Business Informatics Online Master's?
With an M. Sc. in Business Informatics, you qualify for interface roles between IT and management. Typical entry and advancement positions include analysis, consulting, project, and line management - with a wide choice of industries from manufacturing to consulting.
- IT Project Manager: Coordination of interdisciplinary teams, budget and risk management, introduction of applications. Salary range often 58,000-85,000 € gross per year, depending on the size of the company and responsibility.
- Business Analyst or Requirements Engineer: Translation of business requirements into specified solutions, process analysis, requirements documents. Remuneration often 55,000-80,000 €.
- Consultant for Digitisation/IT Strategy: Consulting on IT governance, process design, software selection, data analytics roadmaps. Salaries typically range from 60,000-90,000 €.
- Data and BI Specialists: Establishment of BI landscapes, reporting, data models, initial data science tasks. Often 55,000-85,000 € - with a growing share of hybrid and cloud skills, higher.
- IT Security or Governance Manager: Information security concepts, audits, compliance, and risk management. Typical salaries are 65,000-95,000 € - in regulated industries sometimes higher.
Career Advancement and Opportunities: The Master's qualifies you for leadership roles, internal project and program management, as well as specialized expert roles. For further academic specialization, a doctorate in related topics of business informatics is possible, depending on individual prerequisites and supervisory offerings.
Who is the Business Informatics Online program suitable for - and who is it not?
The program targets professionals who want to systematically combine IT and business administration - with a focus on governance, processes, data, and security. It is worthwhile if you aim to take responsibility at the IT-management interface or drive data-driven decisions in organizations.
- You already work in IT, consulting, product management, or functional areas and want to methodically utilize processes, requirements, and data.
- You aspire to leadership or project management roles and need advanced competencies in IT Governance, Business Intelligence, and process management.
- You are looking for an online study program at a state university with a clear structure over four semesters and a research-oriented project before the thesis.
- You want to actively enhance your methodological and social skills - through case studies, group projects, and active teaching formats.
Not everyone is suited to the format. Those expecting maximum cost minimization or completely free timing should consider alternatives. Also, the Master's can become burdensome without sufficient time resources.
- You seek the lowest possible costs like in a fee-free state attendance variant - here, 1,980 € per semester plus compulsory contributions apply.
- You require a guaranteed, fully asynchronous self-learning structure without fixed deadlines - the semester plan sets binding deadlines and dates.
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