If you’re already studying Information Systems and would like to find out more about specific details of your master programme, you’ll find what you’re looking for on the Master in Information Systems Programme Structure pages.
The interdisciplinary field of information systems has its roots in computer science, economics, and particulary business administration. Information Systems support decision-making about value-adding processes ant the coordination, control, monitoring automation, integration, and virtualisation of such processes. Information systems can lead to innovation in products, processes and business models.
In a nutshell
Standard period of study: 4 semesters, full-time
Scope: 120 ECTS
Start: Fall term
Degree title: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Language: German and English
Fees: Only Social fee (approx. 280€ per semester including ticket for public transport, see here for more information)
Application Deadline: 20 August 2020
Key Issues
Become an information system specialist with a highly sought-after double qualification in business administration and computer science
Enjoy fascinating lectures from a top-ranked, inspiring faculty
Investigate key issues like big data, digital transformation, and IT-based innovation in products, processes and business models
Invest in yourself while gaining practical expertise and mastering theoretical methods on the university level
Develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to find and shape IT-based business solutions
Some examples of the questions Information Systems students look at:
How can organisations’ processes, products and services be digitised?
How can business and IT strategies be effectively combined in practice?
How is information systems research carried out?
What organisational structures, processes and systems are required for IT management in today’s world?
How do I create a successful IT start-up?
How do I shape and control digital innovations?
Mein Studium: Information Systems
Your Role As Specialist & Interpreter
Information Systems as a forward-thinking science:
As an information systems specialist, you will have the double qualification from the fields of business management and computer science that is often required in the labour market. Since information systems specialists work in many areas and sectors, you will serve as an “interpreter” between the language of business and the technical world of systems.
The Master Information Systems is the springboard for your career:
As a graduate in information systems with an interdisciplinary focus, you will be able to find attractive positions on the (IT) labour market as a broad-based specialist. Many of Cologne’s graduates already have very good business contacts before completing their studies. The Master’s degree is even indispensable for many leading positions in the most diverse of sectors, and for specific career paths in research and teaching. In addition, our information system specialists are involved in spin-offs and start-ups, or build up their own business. If you are interested in doing your own business, you will be supported by the university.
As the University of Cologne is state-funded, there are no tuition fees, just a biannual “semester contribution” of slightly more than 250 euros, which includes the semester ticket for public transport throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. So, with us, you can invest in an excellent education – and your professional future – without paying a fortune.
Close exchange with business and industry:
Cologne as an important media and IT city is an interesting location for students of information systems with regard to future job opportunities. Already during your studies, you can find contact with well-known employers (overview). In the metropolitan area of Cologne, 45,000 people employed in the communications and media industry, and 11,000 work in information technology sector. Special emphasis is on broadcasting (WDR, Deutschlandradio, RTL, Super RTL, VOX and n-tv), telecommunications and entertainment. The Cologne exhibition "Koelnmesse" is the fourth largest in the world and is home to Gamescom, the leading trade fair for interactive games and entertainment. In addition, there are many creative media agencies and a lively event scene
Practical Experience
Our faculty has benefited from many years of experience working with companies and with visiting lecturers from a variety of professional fields. These professionals and managers bring highly relevant industry experience to the programme, resulting in sector-specific, up-to-date programme content that combines practice and theory and reflects the real world.
Information Systems provide the theoretical and methodological tools for dealing with key issues such as big data and digital transformation as well as innovation in IT products, processes and business models. Our will not only gain an understanding of these issues, but also develop the skills to find and shape business solutions.
International Environment
Since many of our courses are delivered in English, you can complete most of the programme in English. Students from many countries apply for admission to our Master of Science in Information Systems programme, so you can be sure of an international and intercultural enviroment. We maintain cooperation with more than 130 partner universities throughout the world, so there are many opportunities to experience a semester abroad. More information and offers can be found at the International Relations Center (ZIB WiSo).
Career Opportunities
As a graduate in the interdisciplinary field of information systems, you will find attractive positions that call for your skills as a broad-based specialist. Thorugh your direct contact with the institute's professors, you will have learned from the best, as professors in Cologne Institute for Information Systems rank among the top scholars in theier fields. Many of our graduates have developed good business contacts even before completing their studies. Because of their broad-based, specialised education, our graduates can work in any field and in any position related to IT and economics, including IT consultantcies. Some of our graduates choose to specialise further and work as, for instance, data analysts, data scientists, or entrepreneurs. Our leading partners in industry, ranging from large insurance companies to mid.sized software-developement companies, value our graduates as they are ready for action. Our graduates are also involved in start-ups, so if you are interested in setting up your own enterprise, you can count on the university's support. As the University of Cologne is state-funded, there are no tuition fees - just a biannual "semester contribution" of a little more than 250 euros - so you can invest in an excellent education - and your future - without paying a fortune.
Information on the application
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements must be fulfilled until the application deadline:
Bachelor's degree
Application in the case of unfinished Bachelor studies: In cases where present Bachelor studies have not been fully completed, application is permitted if the candidate has earned at least 80% of the required credits and will have achieved the remaining results by 30 September at the latest. The specific admission criteria governing the designated course of study (including the overall grade) must already have been fulfilled on the basis of the exam results available at the time of application.
Fulfilment of the following subject-related requirements
At least 20 ECTS credits in Information Systems
At least 30 ECTS credits in Business Administration and Economics
At least 30 ECTS credits in Informatics and/or Mathematics and/or Statistics
If the number of applicants meeting the admission criteria exceeds the number of places available for this course of study, a selection procedure is initiated for the purpose of ranking these applicants. The procedure is based on the grade earned in the Bachelor’s degree or a course of study deemed equivalent. The admission results of the last selection procedures can be found here.
Application documents
Authenticated documents required for the Master's online application portal by the WiSo Faculty:
Bachelor degree certificate | If you have not finished your bachelor studies but have passed at least 80% of the examinations (at least 144 credits in a bachelor degree carrying 180 ECTS credits), you can apply by submitting a confirmation of all credits earned so far, along with a provisional average grade computed and certified by your examination office. Please note that the remaining credits must be earned by 30 September.
Transcript of records (stamped and signed) | list of all taken modules and courses including grades and credits
Transcript of semester abroad | only if examinations passed abroad should be considered for the admission criteria as well | the courses have to be recognised by the home university as part of the bachelor programme and recorded in the transcript of records.
School leaving certificate | A-levels / High school diploma
Official description of the content of all taken bachelor courses | e.g. course catalogue or PDF-file with link to course description at the website of the University)
Proof of German language proficiency | This is not necessary for applicants who obtained their bachelor's degree or university entrance certificate (e.g. Abitur) in German language
Students who did not obtain their bachelor’s degree in Germany have to apply additionally via uni-assist. Please note, you have to document your education in detail. You start with the certificate from the last school you graduated from (which entitles you to begin university studies in your home country) and continue up to the current state of progress in your university studies. Furthermore, you have to hand in all documents in original language and additionally in sworn translation either in German or in English language.
The application documents must be submitted to uni-assist 8 weeks before the application deadline. The documents will only be checked if the fee has been paid. The following documents are required:
authenticated (and translated) copy of bachelor degree certification or attestation of 80% studies and Transcript of Records | Please submit all certificates in their entirety: include the diploma certificate as well as the overview of subjects and grades. You must not omit any parts of the certificate (such as a diploma supplement) or single pages. In order to calculate your grade, uni-assist needs the grading system used by your university for your degree. More information can be read here.
authenticated (and translated) copy of diploma supplement
authenticated (and translated) copy of university entrance qualification | e.g. A-level, High School diploma | Submit the certificate which allows you to start university studies in your home country | Please also check the country specific information.
authenticated copy of proof of English language proficiency
authenticated copy of proof of German language proficiency
authenticated copy of all documents listed above in the original language | Only if the original document is not available in English or German language. Information about translation and authentication of documents can be read here.
only for applicants with Chinese (except Hongkong) or Vietnamese bachelor’s certificates | original APS certificate| certified copies cannot be accepted!
Application and admission procedure
Information on the application process and deadlines can be found on the application website.
Current changes with regard to the Corona Pandemic are summarised here.
Standard period of study: 4 semesters, full-time | Start: fall term | Degree title: Master of Science The master's programe carries 120 ECTS credits and compromises a Core and Advanced Section, a Specialisation Section, a Supplementary Section and a Master Thesis.
The Core and Advanced Section of the master programme Information Systems contains 18 credit points. This area covers the methodological and content-specific basics of information systems.
The Specialisation Section, where students altogether complete 48 credit points, includes modules from information systems and computer sciences as well as two specialisation seminars.
The Supplementary Section serves as an additional section to develop a more specific profile – either by deepening and specialising or by diversifying knowledge. Altogether an area of 24 credit points has to be completed, in which modules from business administration, economics and social sciences are available to students.
Detailed information concerning the curricular design is available on our homepage on the Programme Structure pages. Especially at the beginning of your studies, individual consultations will help to make the right choices over the course of the programme.
I have lectures in business and in computer science – and what makes the University of Cologne unique is this combination of both fields!
