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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Data Science & Analytics under the number 1142322. Who this online Master fits — and what you need to get in
This Master suits you if you already work with data and want to step up to strategic, AI-driven roles. Typical profiles include: a data analyst or BI specialist aiming to lead machine learning initiatives; a software engineer pivoting into data science and MLOps; or a business professional with strong quantitative skills who wants to turn complex datasets into decisions in product, finance or operations — while studying fully online alongside work.
Admission requirements
The programme is taught in German and offered in three tracks (60/90/120 ECTS). A recognised first degree and relevant professional experience are required; international qualifications are accepted if equivalent to a German first cycle degree (typically 180–240 ECTS).
- First degree: Bachelor or equivalent (180/210/240 ECTS). Recognition of international degrees is based on equivalence to German higher education standards.
- Professional experience:
- 60 ECTS track: at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
- 90 ECTS track: at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
- 120 ECTS track: at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
- Subject fit: a digital/scientific foundation (e.g. statistics, programming, databases, analytics) is expected.
- Selection elements (track-specific):
- 60 ECTS with 180 ECTS first degree: aptitude test; with 210 ECTS: motivation interview; with 240 ECTS: no additional element stated.
- 90 ECTS with 180 ECTS: motivation interview; with 210/240 ECTS: no additional element stated.
- Language skills:
- Teaching language: German — you need advanced German to follow courses and take exams.
- English at least B1 (CEFR) for literature and sources.
Notes for international applicants: your degree and transcripts can be considered if they are comparable in level and content; admission is possible entirely online as this is a distance-learning programme approved under the German Distance Learning Act (ZFU).
Personal requirements
Distance learning demands structure and persistence. You should be comfortable studying independently, managing multiple modules in parallel and working hands-on with code, data pipelines and statistical modelling.
- Time management: plan a sustained workload of roughly 15–25 hours per week in the 60-ECTS track, more if you accelerate your pace alongside a full-time job.
- Study skills: solid quantitative reasoning, confident use of Python/R or willingness to acquire it quickly, and clear written communication for reports and a Master’s thesis.
- Learning environment: reliable internet, a laptop capable of running data/ML toolchains, and a quiet routine for deep work.
- Language: robust German for lectures, assignments and exams; English reading skills for research papers and documentation.
If you enjoy solving open-ended problems, can iterate through experiments, and keep momentum over months, you will thrive in this programme’s project-centred, online format.
What will you study in the Data Science & Analytics (M.Sc.) at SRH Fernhochschule – The Mobile University?
The programme is taught in German. You need very good German to follow lectures, complete assignments and take exams. SRH Fernhochschule is a private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), and its master’s degree is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) in Baden-Württemberg.
You build a solid methodological core for modern analytics. Typical building blocks include Statistics and Machine Learning Models (from model selection to evaluation), Data Analysis (data preparation, exploration, visualisation) and Big Data Management & Analytics (working with large, heterogeneous data sets).
You learn to design and operate data environments in practice. Modules such as Data Management and Data Lab Management focus on data lifecycle, quality and pipelines, while Artificial Intelligence introduces applied AI methods for real-world use cases.
You also train essential consulting and leadership skills for data projects. Requirements Analysis & Communication strengthens stakeholder alignment and result presentation; Empirical Social Research covers research design and quantitative methods for evidence-based decisions.
Responsible data use is addressed in depth. Data Protection, Ethics and Law frames GDPR-compliant work, ethical trade-offs and governance. A practice-oriented project module (Praxisprojekt/Transferkompetenz in the longer variants) lets you apply methods end-to-end on realistic problems.
Electives: you specialise in either Machine Learning (model building and deployment) or Business Analytics (data-driven corporate steering). The number of specialisation modules depends on your ECTS variant (60/90/120 ECTS). The programme concludes with a Master’s thesis. As a German distance-learning degree, it is ZFU-approved (state approval authority for distance learning; approval no. 1142322).
How does studying in the Data Science & Analytics (M.Sc.) work?
Teaching language and what that means for you
The teaching language is German. All materials, tutorials and examinations are in German, so you should be confident reading academic texts, writing reports and presenting results in German. English sources and terminology are common in data science, but they do not replace German as the language of instruction.
Study model: fully online distance learning with a monthly start
You study as a Fernstudium (distance learning) with a monthly intake. There are three Bologna-compliant variants: 60, 90 or 120 ECTS with standard durations of 2, 3 or 4 semesters. The university is headquartered in Riedlingen (Baden-Württemberg), but you learn from anywhere; there is no required campus attendance.
Learning format and personal support
The format prioritises flexibility: structured self-study on the online campus, digital learning materials and clear module guides. The distance-learning design allows you to combine work and study. Academic staff provide guidance and feedback; as a university of applied sciences, the focus is on practical application and close supervision rather than large lecture halls.
Assessments: applied tasks and a master’s thesis
As a distance programme, examinations are designed for remote study. You demonstrate competencies through written assignments, case analyses, project work and the Master’s thesis. In the longer variants, a practical project strengthens your ability to transfer methods to real data problems.
Enrolment and residence: no relocation or student visa required
Because the programme is delivered fully online and without mandatory on-site teaching, you do not need to relocate to Germany. If you remain in your home country, a German student visa is typically not required for enrolment in this distance degree. You study from your current place of residence and plan only for your personal equipment and study time.
What does the Data Science & Analytics (M.Sc.) cost?
For the 60 ECTS variant, the indicative tuition is €509 per month, totalling around €8,588 over the standard duration. This gives you access to the online campus, digital learning materials and academic support. Tuition for the 90 and 120 ECTS options is higher, reflecting the longer study time and additional modules.
Payments are typically made in monthly instalments; international students can study entirely online, which avoids relocation and campus housing costs. Employers in tech and data-driven roles often co-finance further education, especially when the thesis or project aligns with company needs—ask your employer early. The university also offers different payment plans across the ECTS variants; choose the model that balances monthly affordability and total cost.
Because this is a distance-learning degree, your main additional costs are personal: a capable computer, stable internet, and any optional specialist software you choose. There are no regular commuting or campus facility fees.
What careers and recognition does the Data Science & Analytics (M.Sc.) offer?
The degree is state-recognised in Baden-Württemberg and the programme is accredited through 30 September 2030. As a Bologna-compliant master’s with ECTS credits, it is internationally comparable for further study and professional mobility across Europe. The programme is also ZFU-approved for distance learning, a German quality safeguard for online formats.
What this means for you: employers in Germany and the EU understand the credential; your 60/90/120 ECTS master’s can be evaluated transparently for HR, work visas and later doctoral access (subject to the usual university and country-specific rules). The university’s status as a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) signals a practice-oriented profile valued by industry.
Typical roles include:
- Data Scientist in industry, consulting or tech, developing and validating predictive models
- Machine Learning Engineer focusing on model deployment, MLOps and optimisation
- Data Analyst / Business Analyst transforming data into insights for product, finance or operations
- (Big) Data Engineer building data pipelines, quality layers and scalable platforms
- Analytics Consultant advising on data strategy, governance and KPI frameworks
Salaries in these fields vary by country, sector and experience. In Germany and much of the EU, advanced skills in machine learning, data engineering and communication tend to command higher bands, particularly in finance, manufacturing, healthcare and IT services.
Who is the Data Science & Analytics (M.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This distance-learning master’s suits professionals who want to deepen data expertise without pausing their career. It focuses on applied analytics, AI methods and the organisational skills needed to move projects from data to decision.
- You are comfortable studying in German and want a recognised European master’s in data science.
- You prefer a fully online format you can complete from your current location worldwide.
- You value specialisation choice (Machine Learning or Business Analytics) and practical project work.
- You seek an accredited, state-recognised master’s aligned with industry practice (university of applied sciences).
- You want flexible monthly starts and the ability to pace modules around work and life.
There are also clear cases where this programme will not fit. Read these carefully before you decide.
- You need an English-taught programme; teaching and exams here are in German.
- You want an on-campus experience in Germany with laboratory sessions or regular face-to-face classes; this is a distance degree without mandatory attendance.
- You prefer frequent live lectures at fixed times; the format emphasises asynchronous self-study.
- You expect access to regulated professions via this degree (e.g. those requiring state licensure in specific fields); it targets data and analytics roles in business and tech.
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