Before Enrollment
When does the program start and when does the application period begin?
The master program starts every year in March and in September. For application details see page: How to apply.
Where can I send my applications?
Here, you can find a detailed description of the application procedure: How to apply.
Is there an application deadline?
The application deadlines are described on the site of our international office.
The application procedure via uni-assist takes some time. In the past, many students needed a few weeks for the completion of all application documents.
Therefore, we strongly recommend to start with the application procedure asearly as possible.
What are the admission requirements?
The requirements can be found on page Admissions Requirements.
What minimum GPA is required?
Most countries have different grading systems. The specific method of converting foreign grades to the German system is quite difficult. For this reason we cooperate with the uni-assist service that is doing the conversion.
We (Cologne University of Applied Sciences) can not say what the minimum GPA at your university is. However, after your application at uni-assist the exact result will be issued.
Can I apply for the Master’s programme Computer Science in Information Systems without German skills?
Yes, German skills are not mandatory to study the Master’s program “Computer Science with Specialization in Information Systems“. German skills enlarge the catalogue of elective courses.
Can I apply for the Master’s programme Computer Science in Information Systems without a degree in Computer Science?
Yes, you can. But a bachelor degree in other fields than computer science does not exactly match the scope of our master program. The approval process checks whether the undergraduate study of the applicant covers enough basic skills in the fields of computer science and business administration.
Can I apply for the Master’s programme Computer Science in Information Systems without or with little Computer Science Knowledge?
If you don’t have Computer Science skills an application doesn’t make sense. It is expected that applicants already have a basic understanding of computer science based on subjects like software development and programming, databases etc.
If you have some Computer Science background but you are unsure whether your qualifications with respect to IT are sufficient to study Information Systems please calculate the sum of the credits that you have achieved in your undergraduate studies with focus on IT. As a rule of thumb applications with more than 40 Credit Points (1200 hours workload) in IT related subjects should have a high probability to fulfill the approval requirements concerning IT. But it cannot be guaranteed. An admission committee will check details.
What are typical modules or topics eligible for computer science credits?
Here a list of typical computer science module without claim to completeness: Theoretical computer science, formal languages, automata theory, digital technology (german: Theoretische Informatik, Formale Sprachen, Automaten, Digitaltechnik ), Programming, paradigms of programming, algorithms, algorithmics, mobile computing, software technology, software engineering (german: Programmierung, Paradigmen der Programmierung, Algorithmen, Algorithmik, Mobile Computing, Softwaretechnik, Software Engineering ), Web development, web technologies, web-based applications (german: Webentwicklung, Webtechnologien, Web-basierte Anwendungen ), Human-computer interaction, development of interactive systems (german: Mensch-Computer-Interaktion, Entwicklung interaktiver Systeme ), Knowledge Organization (german: Wissensorganisation ), Digital Information Society, Informatics & Society, Media Informatics & Society, Information Ethics (german: Digitale Informationsgesellschaft, Informatik&Gesellschaft, Medieninformatik&Gesellschaft, Informationsethik ), Information visualization, information indexing (german: Informationsvisualisierung, Informationserschließung ), Information in companies, information management, process management, knowledge management (german: Information in Unternehmen, Informationsmanagement, Prozessmanagement, Wissensmanagement ), Data modelling (german: Datenmodellierung ), Data analysis, information analysis, business intelligence, business analytics, decision support (german: Datenanalyse, Informationsanalyse, Business Intelligence, Business Analytics, Entscheidungsunterstützung ), Data Mining, Artificial Intelligence (german: Data Mining, Künstliche Intelligenz ), information research, information retrieval, search engine technology (german: Informationsrecherche, Information Retrieval, Suchmaschinentechnologie ), database systems, information systems, ERP systems, application systems (german: Datenbanksysteme, Informationssysteme, ERP-Systeme, Anwendungssysteme ),Information Law, Data Protection Law, Law in Informatics (german: Informationsrecht, Datenschutzrecht, Recht in der Informatik ), Media technology and production, audiovisual media, computer graphics and animation (german: Medientechnik und -produktion, Audiovisuelle Medien, Computergrafik und Animation ), Communication technology and networks (german: Kommunikationstechnik und Netze ), Operating systems, distributed systems Operating systems, computer architectures (german: Betriebssysteme, verteilte Systeme Betriebssysteme, Rechnerarchitekturen ), IT operations, identity management, service management, virtualization, service architectures, IT security, IT architecture management (german: IT-Betrieb, Identity Management, Servicemanagement, Virtualisierung, Dienstarchitekturen, IT-Sicherheit, IT-Architekturmanagement ), IT-Controlling
Can I apply for the Master’s programme Computer Science in Information Systems without Business Administration Skills?
If you don’t have Business Administration skills an application doesn’t make sense. It is expected that applicants already have a basic understanding of business administration. This means that knowledge about business processes are necessary in order to understand requirements for its IT support. Economic basics like financial accounting and other business disciplines are not teached in our Master’s programme. For example, our Master’s course Business Administration is not a basic course but will focus on specific topics. Additional knowledge in the field of business applications or ERP systems would be helpful.
If you have a Computer Science background and you are unsure whether your qualifications with respect to Business Administration are sufficient to study Information Systems please calculate the sum of the credits in subjects that you have achieved in your undergraduate studies with focus an business administration specifically in areas such as financial accounting, corporate management, marketing, sales, production planning, materials management, human resources, business process modeling. An IT-application modules for business administration maybe considered as eligible if its focus is more on the application than on the technical aspect, examples are customer relationship, information management, business intelligence, data warehousing, ERP systems, business applications, enterprise applications, e-commerce and related areas. Applicants should have at least 20 Credit Points (600 hours workload) in business administration subjects. As a rule of thumb applications with more than 20 Credit Points (600 hours workload) in business administration subjects should have a high probability to fulfill the approval requirements concerning business administration. But it cannot be guaranteed. An admission committee will check details.
If you have a professional background like Computer Science and Engineering without remarkable business aspects or ERP experience it makes more sense to apply for Software Engineering. But here you need German skills.
I have a bachelor degree in Computer Science without remarkable Business Administration subjects. Will you take work experience in Business Administration or Business Applications into account?
To our regret work experience or internships won’t be taken into acount. If you passed international validated certifications in these fields we have to check whether it may be a substitute.
I have browsed through the module handbook, and came across several courses (such as Database, Business Intelligence) which seem to require very good technical (programming) skill. Therefore, I would like to know which courses require good programming skill and which programming language will be used?
Our specialization “Information Systems” focusses the alignment of IT to business needs. We expect that you have got a basic knowledge how to abstract business processes using workflow models, data models, algorithm and more in your undergraduate studies. Further we expect that you have got a basic knowledge of programming paradigms and database technology. Especially, SQL is important for our Information Systems program because of data are always the heart of information systems. For example, applicants should be able to explain the “JOIN” of relational data sets..
Furthermore, conceptual knowledge is more important than a specific programming language. This means, it doesn’t matter whether you have learned C, C++, C#, Java, Pearl or something else. You should be aware of the differences between procedural languages, object-oriented programming and a fourth generation language like SQL. If you fulfill this requirement then you will have no problems to solve the programming parts in modules like Databases and Business Intelligence.
Can I apply for the Master’s programme Computer Science in Software Engineering without German skills?
No, German skills are mandatory to study the Master’s program “Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering“. Mandatory courses of this program are held in German.
Is it possible to apply for a scholarship and if so which are the requirements for candidates that can apply for a scholarship?
We suggest that you have a look at the following webpage from the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, German Academic Exchange Service)
https://www.daad.de/deutschland/en/
This page lists several opportunities for scholarships, just fill in
-the subject ( computer science )
-your country
-and your status (postgraduates)
and you will receive an overview of different scholarships you can apply for. If you follow the links you will see how and when you can apply to them.
I need a letter from your university, stating that I have contacted you, for my DAAD scholarship application. How can I obtain one ?
Please send us your documents translated in English, French or German (certificates, report cards) together with a letter of motivation via email.
On this basis, we will make an effort to provide a temporary, non-binding statement about your acceptance to our master program, if you should be succesful in getting a DAAD scholarship.
If I fulfill your application requirements, will I get a place in the master course Computer Science ?
If you fulfill the application requirements, it does not necessarily mean that you will be selected for our master course.
Please, be aware that the application requirements are only necessary but not sufficient conditions. We have many applications for a limited number of places. Therefore, not all applicants can get a place in our program. We suggest that you should send application documents to other universities, too.
Can I apply directly to the university?
It depends on some conditions.
Can I study the master course Computer Science offered by the CUAS in part time ?
The master course Computer Science at the Cologne University of Applied Science is a full time course of study. It is not possible to follow this program in part time. If you are interested in distance learning look at the Master programme “Web Science”
Is it possible for me to continue my studies after the master course to achieve a PhD degree ?
There are a number of PhD students in our university. Please check the following website :
A PhD graduation can only be made in collaboration with other universities.
We usually find an individual PhD graduation possibility for suitably qualified students, but this has to be organized for each PhD student individually.
Could you please tell me how I can get my transcript photocopies officially authenticated because I do not live in germany.
You can usually authenticate your copies at your university, in a German embassy or at a certified notary in your home country.
I am still in my bachelor’s final year, and I won’t receive my degree by the end of the deadline, can I still apply for the master course ?
Yes, you can apply for the master course even if you did not receive your diploma yet.
You can hand in your diploma documents later, but you have to submit an actual transcript of records (see How to apply).
In second year there are 3 projects and master thesis. Is ist possible to do an internship instead of in-house projects?
The projects may be held in cooperation with companies. But at least one professor of our university should be involved and will be responsible for the examination at the end of the project. This means the three projects of the second year can not be substituted by an internship.
I have experience in SAP modules. How will this course help me to enhance my SAP profile?
Many of our incoming students are already familiar with SAP software. For example, they have used SAP software in their Bachelor’s courses. Therefore, a SAP introduction course is not a part of our program. Nevertheless we support those with SAP eLearning elements who want to reduce a knowledge gap concerning SAP software.
In our master courses we will use different technologies and SAP technology is one of them. But we don’t have a dedicated SAP course in our curriculum. In our view a information systems specialist should be able to develop enterprise architecture by designing and combining architecture building blocks. The second step should be to realize this architecture using solution building blocks. SAP’s software may be a solution building blocks in an enterprise architecture. This means that our focus is the interaction between business requirements and the development of supplemental IT capabilities. Although we use software for demonstration and practical exercises, we will not make you an software expert for a dedicated software suite.
Apart from SAP software we use software from Oracle, Microsoft, SAS, IBM and other vendors in our courses. In the second year students may choose projects and a master theme from elective catalogues where software suites are frequently used in proof-of-concepts (see for example here).
I want to know about the syllabus in more details.
First year of studies: 10 modules (5 mandatories, 5 electives)
Mandatories for spec. Information Systems: IT-Compliance & Risk Management; Business Intelligence; Analytic Applications; Performance Management; Enterprise Architecture Management
Electives (Here only English held lectures): Project Management; Operations Research; Data Mining; Leadership Principles and Strategic Management; Databases; Business Administration
Second year of studies: Three Guided Projects + Master thesis
Projects and thesis are frequently done in cooperation with companies.
For more details see module descriptions (http://advbs06.gm.fh-koeln.de:8080/hops/modulelisting/ and choose Studiengang: “Master: Informatik/Computer Science”).
What are the exam patterns?
Exam structure differs in each module. Exams may include presentations, documentations and/or oral or written exams.
I want to know about internship and job opportunities.
Internships are not part of the program. Nevertheless, some of our students join internships, especially to prepare for a Master thesis and to improve the German language skills.
Students with good performance encounter excellent job opportunities, especially in the consulting industry. International students who want to start their professional carrer in Germany should improve their German language skills. B2/C1- level is strongly recommended.
After Enrollment
At which date will the courses’ classes start?
Each semester starts with an SemesterOrientation. All students are invited by an E-Mail. In the semester orientation the start dates of the first year’s classes will be announced. If students missed the orientation meeting: The slides of the semester orientation are published in the ILIAS course “_General Information Master Inf CompSc”. If you are new in ILIAS you should enter this course once by following this path : “Repository > Faculty 10 > Informatik ComputerScience Master > _General Information Master Inf CompSc”. In this course exists a forum for general discussion about concerns of the program. A registration for courses before the courses start is not possible. Passwords are given in the first meeting. ILIAS courses will be set online, too.
What is Ilias?
ILIAS (abbreviation of Integriertes Lern-, Informations- und Arbeitskooperations-System) is the learning management system which is used at our university. Several other German universities use this open source web-based tools for collaboration, communication, information and learning materials exchange, too.
How and where can I get the password to register a program’s course in Ilias?
A Matrikelnummer (Student’s ID) is needed to log in in ILIAS. A Matrikelnummer is generated during the enrollment process. Most first year’s courses of our program uses ILIAS. In the Kickoff meeting of the first year’s modules the procedure to join the ILIAS course is explained. Here, the password for entering the ILIAS course will be given if a password is needed.
Should I register for program’s courses?
First year’s courses of our program don’t need a registration before the semester orientation. In the semester orientation it is announced if a registration procedure is neccessary. For all first year’s module it is neccessary to register for the exams. The registration period for the exams is few weeks before the exam weeks.
What are the requirements which i need to submit to you before starting the Master thesis?
If you or the company with which you are cooperating have proposals for the Master topic you can ask appropriate professors of our teaching staff for support.
In general, the university (delegated to the corresponding examination board) is responsible to check whether a Master thesis topic is eligible for our Master program. Currently, we don’t have a standardized procedure for this. Some professors will ask for a written description of the background , the goals and an estimation of the project timeline and workload.
Registration requires a minimum of 75 ECTS according to the examination regulations of 2013. Regulations, a detailed description of the formal procedure to register, forms and links can be found : TH Informatik / Computer Science (Master) – Ordnungen und Formulare). Furthermore, hints about successful scientific working and useful templates offered there.