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Deutsch Who is the Master’s Degree in Business Informatics at Rheinische Hochschule Köln suitable for?
The Master’s degree programme in Business Informatics is aimed at graduates of an economics-related or computer science-related first degree who want to specifically prepare for leadership roles in the fields of IT, Business Analytics and Information Security. The target group includes both career starters with a bachelor’s degree and experienced professionals who, after several years of work in IT, business or related industries, are seeking the next career step. Typical profiles include computer scientists, business informatics specialists, economists with an IT focus, as well as engineers from technical fields who are interested in implementing data-driven business models.
What admission criteria apply to the Master’s programme?
For admission, you need a first professionally qualifying university degree (usually a bachelor’s) in a relevant subject area. The formal criteria at a glance:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Informatics: Direct entry to the Master’s programme.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science: Proof of at least 5 Credit Points (CP) in General Business Administration and 5 CP in IT Law.
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics or Electrical Engineering: Proof of 5 CP each in General Business Administration, IT Law, Fundamentals of Statistics and Databases.
- Bachelor’s degree in other courses of study: At least three years of relevant professional experience in an IT company or IT department are required.
Your bachelor’s degree certificate does not necessarily have to be available at the time of application – in individual cases, a current record of achievements and proof of admission to your bachelor’s thesis are sufficient. Language skills beyond the level generally required for university entrance do not have to be proven.
You should have an interest in the interface between IT and business, be willing to solve complex problems analytically and be keen to engage with current topics such as information security and business analytics. Initiative, accuracy, teamwork as well as a strong willingness to familiarise yourself with new technologies are important prerequisites for a successful Master’s degree. Practical experience in the IT sector – for example through internships, working student jobs or professional experience – is an advantage but not a must.
What do you learn in the Master’s in Business Informatics at RH Köln?
In the Master’s degree programme in Applied Computer Science – specialising in Business Informatics, you deepen your knowledge at the interface of IT and business administration. The focus is on advanced methods of business informatics, information security and business analytics. You deal with technical, methodological and organisational questions related to the development of digital business models and optimise processes using data-based analyses.
- Business Analytics: Development, implementation and use of analytical applications for data-driven decision-making
- Information Security and Data Protection: Measures to ensure IT security in companies and handling of sensitive data
- Cryptography: Basics, methods and applications of modern encryption techniques
- Knowledge Representation and Processing: Structured presentation and processing of information to support business processes
Additionally, you learn how to transfer scientific approaches into practice, work on research questions and publish your own papers. The degree course combines theory and practice: In the integrated practical semester, you apply learned methods directly in companies or public institutions.
How is your course of study organised?
The course is designed as a hybrid on-campus programme with a choice between full-time and part-time options. In the variant with 120 ECTS credits, you typically complete four semesters:
- 1st semester: Introduction to cross-sectional topics such as innovation technology, psychology, analysis and modelling
- 2nd semester: Specialisation in information security and business analytics
- 3rd semester: Practical semester in a company, supervised by university lecturers
- 4th semester: Master’s thesis and preparation
In the part-time programme (120 ECTS), the curriculum extends over five semesters, with the specialised modules spread over the second and third semesters and the Master’s thesis written in the fifth semester.
If you choose the shortened variant with 90 ECTS, the practical semester is omitted and the course can be completed in three (full-time) or four semesters (part-time).
What career prospects do you have as a graduate?
With the Master of Science in Business Informatics, you are capable of taking on demanding roles with design or leadership responsibilities in business, industry and administration. Typical areas of application include:
- Enterprise Architect: Design and integration of complex IT solutions in companies
- IT and Information Security Officers (CIO/CISO): Development and assurance of IT strategies
- Business Analyst or Data Engineer: Analysis of business processes and development of data-based solutions
- Software Engineer: Development, testing and maintenance of operational software and systems
- IT Consultancy: Strategy, transformation and process consulting, especially for digital business models
- IT Risk Management and Project Management
The degree also opens academic opportunities up to doctoral studies. Thanks to the broad methodological training, you can adapt flexibly to different industry requirements.
Where do you study Business Informatics at RH Köln?
The Rheinische Hochschule Köln offers the course at several locations in Cologne. Seminars, lectures and laboratories primarily take place at the locations Schaevenstraße 1a/b, Lindenstraße 16–22 (with library), Vogelsanger Straße 295 (with data centre and laboratories) as well as Vitalisstraße 100 (Poolhaus). All locations are centrally situated and enable good networking with companies and public institutions. The hybrid model also allows flexible participation in courses, including online if necessary.
How much does the course cost – and how can you finance it?
The monthly tuition fees for the Master’s in Business Informatics amount to €649. With a study duration of four semesters (120 ECTS), the total cost is €15,576. The university offers various financing options:
- Scholarships from private or public sponsors
- State and private funding programmes (e.g. education loan, KfW student loan, advancement scholarship)
- Part-time job/side job alongside your studies – especially through the university’s network
The integrated practical semester can also contribute to (co-)financing your studies. The student advisory service supports you individually with all financing questions.
Advisory Service
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