International Information Systems (IIS) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

The primary language of instruction is English. The programme can be completed by choosing English courses only.

However, some elective courses are taught in German. Hence, students with German language proficiency have more course options to choose from.

The Master of Science in International Information Systems is a degree programme for young talents who want to shape the digital transformation of tomorrow. Excellent learning and working conditions prepare students for an international career in business with a strong focus on managing International Information Systems. The programme is appropriate for students who are interested in Information technology and its role in today’s business environment, irrespective of the academic field chosen during their undergraduate studies.

Graduates of the Master’s degree have started their careers in international enterprises like Accenture, Siemens or adidas, in research, or they have become self-employed by founding a start-up.

All applicants: 31 May each year for the upcoming winter semester (begins in October)

The first semester begins with a customised introduction to International Information Systems. Students with a management/business background are automatically assigned to the Informatics Introduction, while students with an academic IT background take the Management Introduction. This helps students acquire skills not covered in their previous studies and is a must for the successful completion of the rigorous curriculum that awaits them in the later part of the programme.

Courses of the second and third semesters integrate interdisciplinary perspectives across the fields of information systems and informatics. These comprise 30 ECTS and consist of compulsory elective modules chosen from Data & Knowledge, Digital Business and Architectures & Development. In addition, there are seminars offered at the end of the third semester to confront students with real international business challenges in an interdisciplinary context and to prepare them for their Master’s thesis by designing, conducting, and documenting a research project in the field of International Information Systems.

The fourth semester is reserved for writing a Master’s thesis in cooperation with an international company or academic partner.

A stay abroad of at least one semester during the studies is strongly encouraged and is compulsory for all students who did not receive both their high school and undergraduate degree in a country where German is not an official language.

It is mandatory for students to study abroad for at least one semester during the course of the programme. An exemption from this rule applies only if students have completed both their high school degree and their undergraduate studies in a country where German is not an official language. The modular structure of the programme facilitates the going abroad process as it makes it easier for students to find appropriate courses that match the curriculum. The modular structure also permits students to spend up to two semesters abroad.

There are four possibilities that count as studying abroad:

• Students complete an exchange semester at one of our partner universities (e.g. ERASMUS).
• Students complete an exchange semester at any recognised university as a free mover.
• Students do the Master‘s thesis in cooperation with one of our academic partners located outside Germany (limited number of possibilities).
• Students do the Master‘s thesis in cooperation with a company located outside Germany.

We encourage our students to do internships abroad during the semester breaks, but this does not count as a study abroad semester.

An internship is not an integral part of the course of studies. However, students are encouraged to do an internship in order to gain practical insights.

No tuition fees

FAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay semester fees of approx. 120 EUR in total.

General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021:

According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:

• Rent, including ancillary costs (in Erlangen, Nuremberg and surrounding areas): 410 EUR
• Food: 198 EUR
• Clothing: 46 EUR
• Travel costs (public transport and/or car): 89 EUR
• Study materials (depending on subject): 31 EUR
• Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 100 EUR
• Telecommunications: 31 EUR
• Leisure, culture, sports: 65 EUR

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in business administration, management, economics, computer science, information systems, or an IT-related engineering course (applicants from China, India, Vietnam, and Mongolia will have to include APS certification). Please refer to the IIS page for all application requirements.

A valid proof of English language skills is mandatory for all applicants. Exceptions only apply to students whose high school degree was issued in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or the UK. All other students do need to provide a certificate. Below are the minimum scores required for the English exams:

• TOEFL – minimum 100 (iBT), minimum 240 (cBT), minimum 587 (PBT)
• IELTS – minimum 7.0
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) – grade C1
• UNIcert Level III certificate

Please note that any application will be rejected without further consideration if it lacks the required proof of English language proficiency exactly as per the requirements above. No further exceptions apply.

Applicants can increase their chances of submission if they can prove language proficiency in additional foreign languages (except for English and their mother language). However, there is no minimum requirement for German language proficiency to apply for this programme.

All applicants: 31 May each year for the upcoming winter semester (begins in October)

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies

International students have a variety of possibilities to find a part-time job. For example, they may work as working students at companies in the Nuremberg area or at the university as student research assistants.

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 40,996 students and 276 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently go beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

FAU is based in three cities – Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.