Business Intelligence and Process Management

  • Degree
    Master of Science (M.Sc.)
  • Type of study
    Full-time study
  • Standard period of study
    3 semesters
  • Commencement of studies
    Winter semester (1 Oct)
  • Credits (ECTS)
    90
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Department / Central Institute
    Department of Business and Economics

Degree programme

This Master’s degree programme in Business Information Systems teaches applied knowledge at the interface of organization and technology. The course focuses on the use of Information Technology to effect improvements in organizational value creation. »Business Intelligence« is used to establish the significance of data for decision-making processes (Big Data). »Business Process Management« deals with the organizational aspects of this discipline.

The degree programme provides a deep understanding of how state-of-the-art technologies (AI, etc.) work and how they can be used to find solutions for pressing business challenges. Graduates will have gained goal-orientated analytic skills and be able to conceive and implement strategic and operative measures and find employment in a wide range of public and private fields. All courses are taught via interactive seminars; the language of instruction is English. The use of case studies enables students to gather practical and first-hand experience. Working in small groups enables students to enter intensive dialogue with their peers and teachers, whilst learning international communication and collaboration skills.

Professional field

Data and process-analysis are gaining ever more importance in a changing world. The marketing researcher consultants »Gartner« interviews some 2000 CIOs (Chief Information Officers) and IT managers every year to establish the challenges currently facing top managers. Respondents have named »Analytics and Business Intelligence« as the most important technological issue which they face and the need to support »operative and strategic business processes« as the most pressing commercial issue. Studies from the trade association BITKOM and McKinsey Global institutes, have identified considerable demand for graduates with data and processing skills.

Graduates of this Master’s degree programme are superbly equipped to take the next step in their career, whether in line management, project management or consulting. The combination of economics-based expertise and IT skills provided by this Master’s degree qualifies its holders to address complex commercial problems and assume responsible managerial positions.

Degree structure

The degree programme consists of a foundation and specialization stage taught in the first semester and a specialization and project stage in the second semester. One focus of the teaching in this degree programme lies on case studies and project work. This seeks to enable students to apply the theoretical knowledge which they have gained to practice-based questions.

The first semester works with the skills and understanding of a Bachelor’s degree programme to generate a common foundation, whilst deepening the students’ understanding of selected topics in Business Intelligence and Business Process Management. The modules of the second semester add to and extend this knowledge. Working in the Analytics & Process Laboratories, students attain a good grounding in the analysis, design and implementation skills fundamental to their later careers. The third semester is intended for the Master’s thesis and the final oral examination. A research methodology seminar supports the acquisition of academic working practices.

First semester

  • Module 1: Data Warehousing
  • Module 2: Data Science
  • Module 3: Business Process Management
  • Module 4: Complexity and Organizational Decision-Making
  • Tutorial seminar

Second semester

  • Module 1: Enterprise Architectures for Big Data
  • Module 2: Natural Language Processing Lab
  • Module 3: Business Process Innovation Lab
  • Module 4: Elective from the Master’s Pool Electives
  • Tutorial seminar

Third semester

  • Research seminar
  • The Master’s thesis
  • Final oral examination
  • Bachelor´s or equivalent degree in Business or Informatics, Business Information Systems, Computer Science or Public Administration Informatics from an accredited university
  • At least 210 credit points. Applicants with 180 credits will be required to obtain the additional 30 credits, for example by completing a placement in the third semester (the programme will then last four semesters),
  • Successfully completed courses in
    – Business Administration (10 ECTS)*, and
    – Quantitative Methods and/or Databases (10ECTS)* and
    – Computer Science and Business Information Systems (10 ECTS)*.
  • English language skills on a high B2 level proved by a standardised test, e.g. TOEFL (iBT minimum score 83), IELTS (minimum score 6.0), TOEIC Four Skills (minimum score 1200), PTE Academic (minimum score 67), Cambridge English Scale (minimum score 170), Oxford Test of English (minimum score 126), UNIcert II
    If you have studied in the higher education system a minimum of two semesters entirely in English, this can be accepted as equivalent (please provide proof with your application). You do not need to provide further English certificates if you hold a GMAT.
  • Letter of motivation in English
  • Curriculum vitae in English

In addition, if applicable:

  • Proof of work experience in the field of studies if you have worked for at least one year (showing the content and period of employment)
  • A GMAT/ GMAT Focus with a score above 600 points; with a GMAT/GMAT Focus no extra English proof has to be submitted

*)  for a list of possible subjects, please see this document.  It is not a complete list.

Applicants with a degree from a German university:
15.04.-15.06.
Please, apply online through the HWR Berlin application platform (S.A.M.).


Applicants with a degree from an university abroad:
15.03.-15.05.
Students with a Non-German Bachelor degree apply at uni-assist e. V.

Programmakkreditiert durch den Akkreditierungsrat

Students who acquired less than 210 European Credit Transfer System [ECTS] points in their Bachelor course must obtain the missing credit points for example by way of an integrated period of practical training, for which 30 ECTS points are awarded. This internship semester is scheduled in the third semester, after the theoretical phase and before the completion of studies. The master programme will thus last four semesters.

The content of the internship has to relate to the focus of your master studies. After enrollment you can place a request for accreditation of previous work experience or internships.

Alternatively, the missing 30 ECTS may be gained through studies abroad during your third semester. More information will be given after the start of studies upon request.

You will not have to acquire extra ECTS if your Bachelor programme was not accredited according to the ECTS point system. This generally holds true for non-EU-study programmes.

Students who have already gained 210 ECTS points in their Bachelor and completed an internship may do an additional voluntary internship in their third semester.

All information on the offered modules and lectures can be found on the online campus management system S.A.M. (Study Administration Management)

All regulations, forms and documents can be found in your faculty site.

Fees and grants

  • Tuition fees

    None

  • Semesterfees

    ca. € 300 per semester (incl. local transport semester ticket)

Guidance for prospective students

Student Counselling Services

Advice for applicants and students

Department of Business and Economics
Christine Jäkel
Student Office

Academic Director

Department of Business and Economics
Prof. Dr. Roland Müller
Professor of Information Systems

Department of Business and Economics
Prof. Dr. Frank Habermann
Professorship of Business Administration, Management and Organisation