Business Informatics - Sustainable IT, Master of Science

Who is the part-time Master's in Business Informatics – Sustainable IT suitable for?

The part-time Master's programme "Business Informatics – Sustainable IT" at the Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (FHDW) is aimed at professionals who already have a first university degree and wish to specifically qualify for the challenges of sustainable digitalisation. You are in the right place if you want to combine IT expertise with business knowledge and place special emphasis on future-proof, resource-efficient technologies. The target group particularly includes specialists and managers from areas such as IT management, digitalisation, information systems, corporate strategy, as well as IT consulting, who want to expand their qualification profile part-time and in a practice-oriented way. The programme also provides a solid foundation for graduates of business-related or technical degree programmes who plan a career step towards sustainable IT platforms and solutions.

What admission requirements must you meet?

• Completed university degree: A relevant Bachelor's or Diploma degree is required. Typical subject areas are business informatics, computer science, business administration with an IT focus, or comparable fields.
• Professional experience: The part-time format is aimed at professionals. Concurrent employment in a relevant position is expressly recommended to apply transfer knowledge directly in practice.
• English skills at least at B2 level: Language proficiency must be demonstrated by certificates (e.g. transcripts, internships, stays abroad or a language test), as international specialised literature is also used.
• Admission interview: Before starting the programme, a personal admission interview will take place with FHDW. Your motivation, the suitability of your qualifications and your goals will be clarified.

Which personal requirements should you bring with you?

• Strong interest in sustainable digitalisation: You want not only to manage IT projects but also to specifically advance the sustainability aspect in your professional field.
• Self-motivation, self-organisation and resilience: The programme is part-time, so it requires good time management and perseverance – ideally supported by your employer.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills: You should be able to understand complex systems and develop scientifically sound solutions.
• Team and communication skills: Working in projects, discussions in small groups and exchange with experts are central components of the programme.

It is also advisable to coordinate the planned further training with your employer early on – this facilitates the compatibility of work, studies and attendance phases and increases your development opportunities within the company.

Part-time Master’s Degree in Business Informatics – Sustainable IT: Course Content, Structure and Career Prospects

The part-time Master’s degree in Business Informatics with a specialisation in “Sustainable IT” at the Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (FHDW) specifically prepares you for the challenges of sustainable digitalisation and modern IT strategies in companies. The programme follows a modular structure that combines current specialist topics with practical company connections.

Which topics are central to the Master’s programme?

The curriculum includes both classical business informatics topics as well as specialised modules focusing on sustainable IT structures. You will acquire skills in:

• IT Strategy & Management: Development and implementation of IT strategies in the corporate context.
• Architecture of Modern IT Systems: Designing scalable, resource-efficient IT infrastructures and software solutions.
• Innovation Management: Identification and evaluation of new technologies and their integration into business processes.
• Strategy Development & Strategy Implementation: Planning and executing sustainable digitalisation projects.
• Technology Trends: Analysis of current and future IT trends with a focus on sustainability (e.g. virtualisation, cloud computing, AI).
• IT Law: Basics of compliance, data protection and contract management.
• Business Intelligence & Process Analysis: Use of data to control and optimise business processes.
• Complexity Management & Operations Research: Methods for managing and optimising complex IT environments.

Additionally, various specialisations are available, allowing you to sharpen your personal profile. Among others, the following are offered:

• Cyber Security
• IT Management
• Applied Artificial Intelligence
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
• Sustainable IT

In the Sustainable IT specialisation, you will delve into topics such as:

• Development of sustainable IT strategies and implementation of certifications (e.g. ISO 14001, Energy Star)
• Selection, implementation and management of environmentally friendly hardware (including lifecycle management)
• Increasing energy efficiency in data centres and IT operations
• Development of resource-saving software and energy-efficient algorithms

Course Structure

The part-time Master’s programme is specially designed to be compatible with full-time employment. The total duration of the programme is 31 months (5 semesters), of which 24 months are allocated to lectures and examinations and 7 months to the Master’s thesis.

• Two on-campus weekends per semester (Thursday to Saturday), which can also be attended in hybrid format
• On average, two Saturdays per month with on-campus or online lectures
• Online lectures 1–2 times per week in the evening
• Combination of self-study, online and on-campus phases for maximum flexibility
• Practical projects and transfer tasks that enable a direct connection between theory and professional practice

This structure allows you to tailor your studies precisely to your professional and personal needs.

Career Opportunities & Employment Prospects

Upon graduation with a Master of Science in Business Informatics specialising in Sustainable IT, a variety of career paths open up for you:

• IT Manager with a focus on sustainability and resource conservation
• Digitalisation and Innovation Manager in companies and organisations
• Specialist and leadership positions in IT infrastructure, IT architecture or IT project management
• Expert in sustainable digitalisation and green IT at consultancy firms
• Positions in research and development related to sustainable information technologies

Especially in the context of new legal requirements and growing societal expectations regarding sustainability, such qualifications are increasingly in demand. Furthermore, the Master’s degree also grants access to doctoral studies.

Study Locations

You can begin the part-time Master’s programme in Business Informatics – Sustainable IT at five locations in North Rhine-Westphalia:
Bergisch Gladbach, Bielefeld, Mettmann, Paderborn and Marburg.
All FHDW locations offer modern infrastructure with seminar and meeting rooms, individual support, and a close network to regional companies.

Costs and Financing

The monthly tuition fee amounts to 595 Euro. In addition, a one-time examination fee of 2,400 Euro applies. The total investment is therefore approximately 20,845 Euro.

Many students finance part of the tuition fees through their own income tax returns, as these costs can be claimed as income-related expenses or special expenses. It is also advisable to involve your potential employer in the financing, for example through further education support or training partnerships.