Master's Program in Business Informatics

• The skills acquired in the course that you would like to have recognized must largely correspond to those of the module you wish to substitute in Mannheim.
• Before you make a request for recognition, please verify that the course contents and workload are more or less identical. To this end, we ask you to compare the Mannheim module descriptions with the contents and workload of your courses abroad.

Please note: The conversion ratio of credit hours to ECTS credits is usually 1.5. This means for instance that a module with a workload of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to approximately 4 credit hours. It is also possible to combine several courses or modules to cover equivalent contents.

Requests must be submitted to the examination committee in writing using the application form. Please make sure to indicate your address, student ID number and e-mail address in case we need to contact you for follow-up questions. We also ask you to state the semester in which you started your master's program so that we know straight away which examination regulations apply.

Coursework and examinations that you completed in the course of a degree program at an official or officially recognized higher education institution (in Germany or abroad) or at a public university of cooperative education (Berufsakademie) may be credited upon request, provided the proven competences largely correspond to those taught in the Business Informatics program in Mannheim.

Due to the ongoing Corona situation, you can submit your application via your university email address. Please send your documents to pruefungsausschuss.wim@uni-mannheim.de.

In order to have your coursework and examinations recognized, you need to hand in the following documents:

• a written, formal request for recognition of examinations stating which completed modules you would like to have recognized and which modules at the University of Mannheim you would like to substitute with these.

• A current, officially certified Transcript of Records. In case your degree certificate was not issued in German or English, please submit an officially certified German or English translation.

• documents proving the skills you acquired (in brief) and the contents of the courses. Please bear in mind that we cannot process your request without proof of the competences you acquired in the module or course. Proof can be given in the form of excerpts from module descriptions with learning objectives, or learning outcomes defined in course catalogs, program handbooks, certificates or lecture scripts with references, or – if applicable – printouts from the Internet or links to relevant information on the Internet. Please send us this information in electronic form and as a printout.

Please hand in the complete documents, including the certifications listed above, to the secretary's office of the head of the examination committee.
Please note that we cannot make a final decision on possible recognition until after you have enrolled at the University of Mannheim. Unfortunately, we are therefore unable to give you any definite information on this matter beforehand.

The master’s program in Business Informatics is a program taught exclusively in English combining the fields of computer science and business administration. The goal of the study concept is to equip students with the fundamental knowledge of business informatics specialists while giving them the opportunity to specialize in key areas of business informatics as well. The seminars and projects are designed to go beyond basic skills, and provide students with an in-depth understanding as well as professional competences. While the goal of the seminars is for students to learn scientific argumentation in discussion, presentation and writing, the team project simulates real world situations in project management and teamwork.

The program covers five major areas:

1. Fundamentals Computer Science (18 ECTS credits):

On the basis of the knowledge acquired during your bachelor’s studies, this area serves to further develop the core competences needed as a business IT specialist. Here you can choose the courses that are necessary to prepare you for your area of specialization as you progress in your studies. You are required to earn 18 ECTS credits in this area.

2. Fundamentals Business Administration (at least 18 ECTS credits):

In this area, you can choose courses in Accounting and Taxation, Banking, Finance and Insurance, Management, Marketing and Operations Management. These lectures are offered by the Business School and offer you a great opportunity to either gain expertise in a certain domain or to acquire broad knowledge about different areas in business administration. You need to earn at least 18 ECT credits in this area.

3. Specialization Courses (36 ECTS credits):

In this area, you can choose six courses from the specialization modules offered by our chairs on a wide array of topics. As the school wants to encourage students to focus on their main interests, you are given the freedom to choose your courses accordingly.

4. Projects and Seminars (18 ECTS credits):

In addition to the subject-specific expertise you acquire during your studies, it is important to us that you also develop social skills and soft skills. Employers will look at your personal qualities, attitudes, skills and abilities, especially in terms of communication and motivation. Although these qualifications are often gained from life and work experience, it is possible to train and develop them.

The key qualification course ”Scientific Research“ (2 ECTS credits) teaches basic tools and methods for scientific research and academic writing. The course is offered several times a semester as a block seminar. You will be able to use these tools in the selected seminar (4 ECTS credits) to discuss, present and write about current research questions in business informatics. 

The team project (12 ECTS credits), which is an integral part of the program, can be taken for six months or can be stretched out over twelve months. It not only provides students with technical skills, but also social skills in project management and teamwork.

5. Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS credits):

With your thesis, you demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and abilities to independently work on a subject-specific problem using scientific methods. 

Team projects, seminars and thesis topics are offered by the individual chairs of the School of Business Informatics and Mathematics and the Business School. Students can discuss current topics of business informatics in practical application or in research.

• M.Sc Business Informatics course schedule

The module catalog 2023/2024 (andAppendix) gives an overview of the courses and contents of the program.

Please read the examination regulations for your program carefully.

Chairman

Student representative: Michael Timpelan

You can contact the examination committee via pruefungsausschuss.wimmail-uni-mannheim.de           

Tasks of the central examination committee

We are responsible for the following topics :

• Advice on examination regulations
• Advice on module changes
• Advice in individual cases (such as extension of deadlines)
• Approval of reasons for withdrawal or delay
• Extension of examination deadlines
• Serious cases of cheating and breaches of regulations
• Determination of definitive failure with no option to re-sit
• Identification of missed deadlines
• Invalidity of examinations
• Appeal procedure
• Recognition of coursework and examinations
• Semester recognition certificates for BAföG, form 5 according to § 48 BAföG (also for LAG WPO)

For further general information regarding the Master in Business Informatics contact:

The student advisory (run by the study coach and program manager) is a combined offer for the master's program in Business Informatics.

You can consult us in questions regarding:

• the study program
• the module catalog
• the examination regulations
• cases of hardship
• questions about module changes
• contents of courses
• your degree plan (modules, tracks, thesis)

You can contact the advisory service via studienberatung.wimmail-uni-mannheim.de.   

Finding a supervisor and a topic for your master’s thesis requires early planning and initiative on your part. It is primarily your responsibility as a student to contact a chair that fits your study profile. This means that you need to contact several chairs or professors on your own initiative in order to find someone who will agree to supervise your thesis. It is the norm that students contact the chairs personally, and something we expect from students at our school. 

Master’s students of Business Informatics may write their thesis either in the field of business informatics or informatics. Please inform yourself about the requirements of each chair.

Further information...