• Standard period of study: 3 semester plus 1 semester master thesis
• Campuses: Dortmund, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart
• Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
• Accreditations: AACSB, FIBAA, German Accreditation Council
• Semester abroad: One compulsory integrated at a partner university abroad
• Practical experience: 12 weeks of compulsory internship, workshops and excursions
• Language: 100 % in English
• Double Degree: Optionally, get a second master's degree from a partner university

The smart use of data has become a decisive competitive factor today, so data scientists, business analysts, system architects or data consultants are in great demand on the market nowadays.

At ISM the data science and business intelligence students are trained to bridge the gap between data science and management, making them highly valued for their communication and interface skills - a niche not fully covered by traditional IT programs.

Our Data Science graduate program degree usually lasts four semesters (three with the Fast-Track option) and provides you with comprehensive methodological knowledge for well-founded data retrieval as well as intelligent and automatic data evaluation and analytics.

In addition to classical computer science-related topics (Data Management, Quantitative Methods, Linear Algebra), the Master in Business Intelligence and Data Science also covers teaching units on business analysis, big data and data mining and includes practical analytics and consulting projects. This enables you to make important predictions within your future company and plays an active role in achieving corporate goals more effectively.

Only around 6% of business schools worldwide are AACSB-accredited – an internationally recognized mark of quality for excellence in teaching, research, and social impact.

Integrated into the Business Intelligence program is a stay abroad at one of our around 190 partner universities. Through your exchange semester abroad you will:

• deepen your data scientist and business analyst knowledge in an international context,
• perfect your foreign language skills,
• get to know a foreign culture and the intercultural peculiarities of your host country, and
• have the opportunity to obtain a second international degree (Double Degree) at a partner university, if you wish so.

Since the Master Data Science is taught entirely in English, you will be well prepared for working internationally and across national borders after completing your studies.

• Integrated semester abroad at a partner university
• International Double Degree option possible
• Fast track option - graduation in only 3 semesters

In Master of Business Intelligence & Data Science you combine two exciting disciplines: Business Administration and Data Science. With comprehensive knowledge of methods for intelligent data retrieval and analysis as well as for management consulting and analysis, you will meet the requirements of becoming a big data specialist.

You will study the first two semesters at your ISM campus, before spending the third semester at one of our partner universities abroad. Your studies will end with a practice-oriented Master's thesis in the 4th semester. This means that you will receive your degree with 120 ECTS in the fourth semester. 

1st Semester

Data Management

• Introduction to Data Science & Business Intelligence (2 ECTS)
• Database Systems & Information Integration (2 ECTS)
• ERP Systems (2 ECTS)

Computational Engineering

• IT-Management (2 ECTS)
• Software Engineering (2 ECTS)
• Programming (2 ECTS)

Quantitative Methods

• Linear Algebra & Numerical Mathematics (2 ECTS)
• Structure-detecting Methods (2 ECTS)
• Structure-validating Procedures (2 ECTS)

Leadership Skills

• Corporate Governance & Business Ethics (2 ECTS)
• Cross Cultural Leadership (2 ECTS)
• Negotiation, Communication & Executive Presentations (2 ECTS)

Digital Business Structures & Processes

• Theory of the Firm (2 ECTS)
• Digital Process Management (2 ECTS)
• Digital Value Networks & Business Models (2 ECTS)
• Internship (12 ECTS)

2nd Semester

Business Analytics

• Optimization Techniques (2 ECTS)
• Simulation & Forecasting Techniques (2 ECTS)
• Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Techniques (2 ECTS)

Business Control

• IT-enabled Information Systems (2 ECTS)
• Decision Support Systems (2 ECTS)
• Management Information Systems (2 ECTS)

Consulting

• Strategy & Market (2 ECTS)
• Innovation & Design Thinking (2 ECTS)
• Consulting Instruments (2 ECTS)

Big Data Project

• Agile Project Management (2 ECTS)
• Scientific Methods (2 ECTS)
• Field Project (2 ECTS)

3rd Semester

• Semester abroad (24 ECTS)

Electives depending on ISM partner university and individual specialization.

4th Semester

• Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

Additionally, you can receive an international Double Degree from one of our partner universities.

You will spend the third semester abroad at one of our numerous partner universities. The International Office will support you with this. Your classes abroad will be 100% credited, so you won't lose any ECTS and time. Your studies will end with a practice-oriented Master's thesis in the 4th semester. This means that you will receive your degree with 120 ECTS in the fourth semester.

Additional options during your studies are:

• Fast Track: If you wish to shorten your studies to only 3 semesters, you can select the Fast Track option, in which you may skip the semester abroad.
• Double Degree: If you would like to receive a Double Degree, we offer this option in collaboration with several partner institutions.

During your data science master you will spend an integrated semester abroad at a partner university of our 180+ large network (PDF). Here you will have the opportunity to develop valuable intercultural skills and apply your language skills intensively. Your performance will be 100% credited, so you won't lose any ECTS and time.

You can choose the university yourself and our International Office (IO) will support you with the application and study abroad planning process.

While pursuing your Data Science Master's at ISM you can earn optionally an international double degree. This means that, in addition to ISM's Master degree, you can also work towards receiving a second, internationally recognised Master's degree from a partner university abroad. At some partner universities, earning the Double Degree is even possible as part of the integrated semester abroad. You will receive two Master's degrees in two or two and a half years and make a decisive step for your international career. In addition, the double degree will consolidate your intercultural skills and expand your personal network.

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• A successfully completed Bachelor's degree (if you have not graduated yet the transcript of records) or
• an equivalent course of study at a university or university of applied sciences or a foreign university of equivalent level, and
• examinations must be at least 30 ECTS points in the field of business sciences.
• Proof of English language skills (if available), equivalent to the B2 level, for eg. TOEFL, IELTS 6.0 or other (only needed if the medium of instruction in your high school/university was not English)

Note: If you have not studied a Bachelor's degree in the economics field or if your quantitative ECTS points are not sufficient, you can qualify yourself for your postgraduate management studies with the ISM Pre-Master (one semester, 30 ECTS points).