What you can expect in our Master's program

A characteristic feature of the interdisciplinary master's degree course in Information Systems is that it does not have any compulsory courses, but instead offers a great deal of freedom of choice for the entire program. The only requirement is that you take modules from the three disciplines of Informatics, Economics and Management and Law in addition to business informatics. In computer science, you can choose from many modules from the Master's degree program in Computer Science as well as computer science modules from the KIT Department of Economics and Management. In addition, you can design the content of your studies flexibly and individually - with a clear focus on research-oriented teaching. The standard period of study is 4 semesters and you will earn 120 ECTS credits.

The degree program is structured as follows:

• Information Systems (18 CP): in this subject, you have a choice of four modules, two of which you take. Possible specializations are:
  • AI & Data Science
  • Digital Markets & Services
  • Interactive Systems
  • Software & Systems Engineering
• Informatics (30 CP): here you can choose from a list of more than 100 modules to decide which areas of informatics you would like to specialize in. The modules can be freely combined. This allows you to either deepen your knowledge in one area or broaden your specialization.
  
• Economics and Management (18 CP): You take a total of two modules with 9 CP each. These come from the following areas
  • Business Administration
    
  • Economics
  • Operations Research
  You can choose modules from two of these areas or specialize in one area by choosing both modules from one area.
  
• Law (18 CP): you choose two of the three available modules, each worth 9 CP. The subject areas are:
  • Public Economic and Technology Law
    
  • Private Business Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
    
• Seminars (6 CP): presentation skills are an important qualification for graduates of Information Systems, who often work at the interface between different disciplines. For this reason, you are required to take two seminar modules during your studies. Thematically, these can be assigned to Informatics, Law, Information Systems or Economics. You are free to make your own choice.
  
• Master's thesis (30 CP)
  

You can find out which modules you can take in the individual subjects in the module handbook.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that enables you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 60 CP. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department.

Internship

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

Further information can be obtained from the contact persons responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department of Economics and Management, the KIT Department of Informatics or the International Students Office.

Data science, IT management, digital marketing management, consulting or software development are just a small selection of the possible professional fields in which you can work after completing your master's degree. A master's degree in Information Systems opens up excellent career prospects for you. During your studies, you will acquire comprehensive knowledge in the fields of computer science, economics and law. Thanks to your solid basic mathematical training, you will be able to take a structured approach to complex issues. As a specialist and manager, you will be able to work nationally and internationally wherever this interface competence is required. The areas of application are just as varied as the career opportunities. A doctorate following the master's degree also offers you an attractive opportunity to further deepen your specialist knowledge. Last but not least, you can become self-employed with a creative business idea. KIT supports you on this path.

Characteristic features of Information Systems M.Sc. at KIT

• the KIT Departments of Informatics and Economics and Management involved in the Information Systems program have a long tradition and are among the leaders in teaching and research in relevant rankings.
  
• extensive range of courses
  
• individual specialization options
  
• integration into the EUCOR university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Information Systems are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Information Systems (or a program with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
  
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements
  you must provide evidence of the following achievements in your bachelor's degree or as part of other degree programs:
  • mathematics and/or statistics: 15 credit points (application-oriented content, e.g. OR is not taken into account)
    
  • if the qualifying bachelor's degree program is a business degree program: an additional 20 credit points in computer science or business informatics
    
  • if the qualifying bachelor's degree program is a computer science degree program: an additional 20 credit points in business subjects
    

If you have any questions about making up credits for the admission criteria, you can contact the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of the KIT. Please note that the event "Für den Master ans KIT?" is offered at regular intervals for this topic.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Information Systems, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above for your German language skills by the application deadline, admission is still possible if you can present a provisional document proving that you have at least B2 language level. Proof of B2 level only includes

• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with an overall result of DSH-1
  
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 3 in all four parts of the exam
  
• passed telc German B2 exam

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

There are 88 study places available each year. These are allocated on the basis of a ranking list of applicants who meet the admission requirements. The ranking list is based on a maximum of 40 achievable assessment points.

The selection procedure is carried out if more applicants meet the admission criteria than there are places available.

Your place on the ranking list is determined by the sum of the following points:

• for the overall grade of your final academic examination: up to 15 points
  
• for your previous examination achievements in mathematics and/or statistics: 1 point per credit point, max. 25 points (application-oriented achievements are not taken into account)
  

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Informatik
• KIT-Fakultät für Wirtschaftswissenschaften
• Wirtschaftsinformatik am KIT
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Forum Wirtschaftsinformatik

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