Master of Science in Information Systems University of Passau

The teaching language for the whole degree programme is English.

AI, Data-Driven Business and Information Systems Management: rocket fuel for your career trajectory

Information Systems specialists combine technical know-how with business acumen, making them experts at developing, implementing, and managing digital technologies to create benefits for businesses and society.

As part of our Master’s programme, we offer a major in Artificial Intelligence and Data-Driven Business and a major in Information Systems Management. You can choose which of the two majors you want to focus on – or you may even decide to complete both!

You’ll be able to customise your knowledge profile by choosing from a broad variety of minors, covering subjects ranging from sustainability via entrepreneurship to business taxation. The curriculum was developed in close consultation with employers, preparing graduates for successful careers in businesses and organisations.

The postgraduate Information Systems degree you can tailor to your interests

The Information Systems programme at the University of Passau is characterised by a challenging, interdisciplinary, highly customisable syllabus. The programme has been designed by academics who are leading researchers in their fields together with industry leaders looking to equip graduates with the right skill sets to prepare their organisations for the future. It is up to you to decide which aspects are most aligned with your career plans.

Career prospects

Demand for digital skills is soaring. Our graduates often secure jobs even before finishing their studies. Gain cutting-edge expertise in IT project management, data analytics, and more, for example with SAP certification and hands-on workshops from industry leaders.

At the University of Passau, staff can put you in touch with a number of leading companies and start-ups. During your studies, you'll acquire practical skills that can be applied across a wide range of tasks. You'll be able to launch your career in SMEs, global corporations - or even start your own business with support from our Start-Up Coach and our Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship certificate.

Are you interested in research? Our Master’s programme prepares you for academia, with opportunities to publish, collaborate internationally, and explore the latest tech trends.

This degree programme starts in April (summer semester) and October (winter semester) each year.

The application round for the April intake starts in mid-November of the previous year; for the October intake, the application round starts in early April. As the application deadlines can change on short notice, we ask that you check our application pages closer to the time for the specific dates (and what documents you need to submit).

The programme comprises two module areas, a compulsory seminar and the Master's thesis:

A: Methodological Foundations

In this module area, you will acquire basic methodological knowledge of information systems.

B: Majors and Minors

You will have to choose at least one major to focus your studies on. For the remaining credits, you can decide between the following options:

• You can complete the second major.
• You can choose up to two minors to specialise in.
• You can pursue general studies (selecting modules at Master's level from the entire course catalogue of the university). There is a limit on how many credits you may attain outside the Information Systems syllabus.
• You can take subject-specific language classes. There is a limit on how many credits you can attain for language courses.

Majors

Within each major module group, there is a selection of modules you can choose from.

• Major Artificial Intelligence and Data-Driven Business
• Major Information Systems Management

Your degree certificate will state which major you focused on. If you decide to complete both majors, both will be listed accordingly.

Minors

Within each minor module group, there are several modules you can choose from.

• Minor Artificial Intelligence and Data-Driven Business
• Minor Business Taxation
• Minor Economics
• Minor Entrepreneurship
• Minor Finance
• Minor Information Systems Management
• Minor Marketing
• Minor Reporting and Controlling
• Minor Sustainability

If you attain sufficient credits within a minor module group, the minor will be listed on your degree certificate.

General Studies and Languages

You can choose freely from the entire range of modules offered by the University of Passau.

You can take foreign language courses offered by our Language Centre. However, completing modules from this area is not compulsory to successfully complete the programme. You can choose from any language offered as a subject-specific language programme.

Seminar Information Systems

You'll have to take a seminar in the subject of information systems.

Master's thesis

You will write a thesis in the subject of information systems.

Your thesis should demonstrate your ability to independently carry out academic research by applying scientific methods to a clearly defined subject matter.

All students can complete internships abroad or complete part of their programme at a university abroad.

There is no formal internship requirement for this degree programme. Nevertheless, we recommend that you go to the effort of completing one or more voluntary internships as you study towards your degree. These internship(s) will not be arranged for you; rather, you are responsible for searching for the internship, negotiating the outline (i.e. the job description) and making all necessary arrangements. However, the university can help you with information and hands-on advice. For more details, please see the following websites:

• Future: Careers and Competencies Section
• iStudi Coach

No tuition fees

The semester contribution fee is around 120 EUR per semester. This covers the student services association and bus pass fees. At the time of writing (January 2026), the University of Passau does not charge tuition fees.

You should budget a minimum of 992 EUR per month for your living expenses. If you need a visa to come to Germany, this is the amount you must have available to you (e.g. paid into a blocked account) for each month. Nevertheless, your actual cost of living will vary depending on your lifestyle, and so you should treat this figure as an absolute minimum.

To apply, you need a university degree (Bachelor's, Magister, Diplom, State Examination or equivalent) from a domestic or international institution, based on at least three years of study in information systems or a related field. The degree must include at least 60 ECTS credit points (or equivalent) in information systems subjects. Of these 60 ECTS credit points, up to 40 ECTS credits may be in subjects on management, economics or business administration and up to 40 ECTS credit points may be in subjects on computer science. (You have to upload a self-assessment form when applying.)

(1 ECTS credit corresponds to approximately 25 to 30 hours of overall student work, including lectures, independent study, and exams.)

You must have completed your degree with a minimum overall grade of 2.7 (or equivalent) or be among the top 50% of graduates in your respective examination period.

(In the German grading system, the maximum grade is 1.0 and the minimum passing grade a 4.0. In order to convert grades into the German grading system, you can use our grade converter.)

GMAT

Applicants who have not obtained their university degree in a signatory state* of the Lisbon Convention must additionally prove their suitability for the MSc Information Systems degree programme by passing the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with a score of at 600 points (Tenth Edition) or 565 points (Focus Edition). Please note that your application will not be processed until your GMAT score is received and your application is complete.

[*Signatory states are all member states of the Council of Europe and several non-member states such as Australia, Canada and Israel.]

Starting your studies before completing your prior undergraduate degree

You can begin your studies before obtaining your first university degree if you have earned at least 140 ECTS credits in your first degree programme by the start of the first semester of your Master's degree programme in Passau. To do so, you must be able to show that you have successfully attained 60 ECTS credits in information systems subjects. Please submit a transcript of records showing the number of semesters studied, the coursework and examinations completed to date and the ECTS credit points earned, as well as the provisional final grade (2.7 or better).

English language requirements

You must be able to provide proof of English language skills equivalent to level B2 CEFR.

German language requirements

Although this degree programme can be completed entirely in English, to be able to get by in Germany, students are nonetheless required to have German language skills at level A1 CEFR (beginner's level). If you do not meet this requirement at the time of your application, you will be offered a free beginner's German course during your first year of study. By the end of that year, you have to present a German language certificate at level A1 CEFR.

The application round for the April intake starts in mid-November of the previous year; for the October intake, the application round starts in early April. As the application deadlines can change on short notice, we ask that you check our application pages closer to the time for the specific dates (and what documents you need to submit).

The International Office awards a small number of scholarships to international degree-seeking students who have been enrolled in a Bachelor's programme for at least two semesters or in a Master's programme for at least one semester. You may also apply for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, which is open to students of all nationalities. This scholarship has a stipend of 300 EUR per month and runs for one year. You may reapply in subsequent years. Finally, there is a one-off emergency hardship grant available to international students in exceptional cases of unexpected financial difficulties.

For international students, a dedicated career adviser is on hand: the "iStudi Coach" will help you with all your questions about finding work or placements in Germany.

Please note that students from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit at the national job centre if they work more than 240 half-days per year. Students from EU member countries do not require a work permit.

The International Office has set up an accommodation service, which assists international students in finding accommodation.

Rooms in the halls of residence cost between 270 EUR and 550 EUR per month and are fully furnished. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are usually shared, although some rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities. However, please note that the demand for the rooms in the student halls is very high, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to rent one.

Luckily, there is a large number of flats and flatshares available on the open housing market. On average, you should expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of 350 EUR to 550 EUR a month for these. Landlords usually require a two-month or three-month deposit when you move in, which will be returned to you at the end of the rental period, provided you leave your accommodation in good condition.

• Further details on housing in Passau
• Accommodation service for international students

In addition to the general careers services available to all students in the form of the "Future: Careers and Competencies" section, international degree-seeking students have a specialised service at their disposal: the iStudi Coach offers coaching and advice to international students to help them successfully seek work – anything from internships to career-entry positions – in the German labour market.

The University of Passau

More than 10,000 students from approximately 100 countries are currently studying towards their degrees on our bright, modern campus next to the Inn River and a stone's throw from the town centre and the historical old town.

The five faculties of the university offer degrees at the undergraduate, Master’s and doctoral levels. Currently, 11 degree programmes can be studied entirely in English: BSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Artificial Intelligence Engineering, MSc Business Administration, MSc Computational Mathematics, MSc Computer Science, MA Development Studies, MA Governance and Public Policy, MSc Information Systems, MSc International Economics and Business, MA International Education and Global Learning, and BSc Mathematics.

A cosmopolitan university

No other Bavarian university has more of its students spending part of their programme abroad – to study, conduct research or gain work experience – than the University of Passau.

The range and depth of language tuition offered by our language centre probably has a role to play in this. Another reason is that our programmes are very international in their outlook – and with some 300 international partner universities to choose from, it is difficult not to be tempted to go abroad for a semester or two or even to complete one of our double-degree programmes offered in cooperation with our global partner universities.

An unparalleled student experience

Passau’s students benefit from a good staff-to-student ratio and from studying on an urban campus of manageable size that is located very close to the town centre.

The facilities on campus are of a high standard. There are bright, sunny seminar rooms, lecture theatres equipped with the latest technology, numerous computer rooms, Wi-Fi access exists throughout the campus, and our well-stocked university library stays open until late into the night on most days.

Student satisfaction at the University of Passau is particularly high and our sought-after graduates typically occupy executive posts in business, social, and academic organisations in Germany, Europe, and indeed all over the world.

Student life

Throughout the semester, there are plenty of events of all sorts on campus and around town, often organised by our very active student societies. Our sports centre has some 40 sports clubs, offering everything from acrobatics to Zumba.

An ideal student town

Passau is situated near the Bavarian Forest at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, and it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. After two fires that destroyed much of the town in the 17th century, the old town was rebuilt in the baroque style by Italian master builders, which is why you will notice a distinct Italian flair as you stroll through "Bavarian Venice", another name by which Passau is known.

With students accounting for one-quarter of its population, Passau is very much a student town with many galleries, art studios, bars, cafés, clubs and, of course, beer gardens; naturally, there is a modern multiplex cinema. A shopping centre and the nearby pedestrian zone offer a lot of excellent eateries and shops, just a short five-minute walk from campus.

Passau is home to a number of cultural institutions, such as the theatre and the "Scharfrichterhaus" – a restaurant, cinema and political cabaret/stand-up stage where many of Germany’s most popular contemporary comedians started out. Both have productions and acts running throughout the year.

In addition to this, Passau plays host to numerous annual cultural events, including "Europäische Wochen Passau" – a cultural festival which brings international symphonic orchestras, classical ensembles, theatre companies and artists to Passau for about six weeks every year; the Eulenspiegel Festival with predominantly German comedy acts and rock bands; two Oktoberfest-style festivals in spring and autumn; and no list of festivals would be complete without the traditional Christmas Market in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral every December. Incidentally, did you know that St. Stephen's is home to the world's largest cathedral organ?

Outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted at the many opportunities for hiking, climbing, cycling, and alpine and cross-country skiing in the nearby Bavarian Forest. Additionally, Passau is not far from the Austrian and Bavarian Alps, with their famous skiing areas as well as their mountain biking and hiking trails.