Program Overview

Introduction to the Data Science Program

The Data Science program at the Universität Münster Professional School is an English-taught, interdisciplinary, and international master's program designed as a part-time study. It aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge to tackle the challenges of the constantly growing volume, speed, and variety of data, known as Big Data.

Program Structure

The program consists of 9 modules, including a project work and a master's thesis, which can be completed within 4 semesters. A preparatory course in e-learning format is also offered to facilitate entry into the program. The modules are typically held in presence blocks of five consecutive days (Monday to Friday), with an average of one module every 6 to 12 weeks. The lectures are held in groups with a maximum of 25 participants and comprise a total of 37 days of personal attendance.

Modules

The program covers a range of topics, including:

• Introduction to Data Science and programming systems
• Data management with SQL, NoSQL, or vector databases
• Data analysis, including exploratory data analysis, supervised and unsupervised learning
• Social media and communication, including social science research with big data and online sources
• IT management, IT security, ethics, and legal aspects
• Self-management and leadership, including the influence of data science on management decisions
• Application areas, including hands-on workshops and datengestützte Entscheidungsfindung

Module Details

• Einführung in Data Science und Programmiersysteme (Introduction to Data Science and Programming Systems): 23.11.2026 29.11.2026
• Datenmanagement (Data Management): 15.02.2027 19.02.2027
• Datenanalyse (Data Analysis): 07.06.2027 11.06.2027
• Social Media & Kommunikation (Social Media and Communication): September 2027
• IT-Management, IT-Sicherheit, Ethik, rechtliche Aspekte (IT Management, IT Security, Ethics, Legal Aspects): November 2027
• Selbstmanagement und Führung (Self-Management and Leadership): February 2028
• Anwendungsgebiete (Application Areas): May 2028

Praxisphase & Projektarbeit (Practical Phase and Project Work)

The practical phase and project work are designed to provide students with hands-on experience in applying data science techniques to real-world problems. The project work is typically conducted in small groups and is supervised by experienced instructors.

Dozent*innen & wissenschaftliche Leitung (Instructors and Academic Leadership)

The program is taught by a team of experienced instructors, including:

• Prof. Dr. Gottfried Vossen
• Prof. Dr. Pascal Kerschke
• Prof. Dr. Heike Trautmann
• Prof. Dr. Thorsten Quandt
• Prof. Dr. Jos van Hillegersberg
• Prof. Dr. Tobias Brandt

Zugangsvoraussetzungen (Admission Requirements)

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have:

• A first completed university degree
• At least one year of relevant professional experience
• Sufficient English language skills (at least B2 level)

Daten und Fakten (Facts and Figures)

• Abschluss (Degree): Master of Science
• Leistungspunkte (Credits): 90 ECTS
• Fachbereich (Department): Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät (Faculty of Economics)
• Dauer (Duration): 4 semesters
• Studienbeginn (Start of Studies): 23.11.2026
• Erstes Präsenzmodul (First Presence Module): Nächster Anmeldeschluss (Next Application Deadline): 15.09.2026
• Sprache (Language): English
• Orte (Locations): Münster, Germany | Enschede, Netherlands
• Teilnahmeentgelt (Tuition Fee): 16,950 in three installments, exempt from VAT according to § 4 Nr. 21 a (bb) UStG
• Zielgruppe (Target Group): Working professionals from fields such as e-commerce, logistics, digital marketing, social media, sales, consulting, business analytics, who want to specifically expand their data competence and make data-driven decisions in their daily work.