Operations Research and Business Analytics (ORBA) Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

This Master's programme in Operations Research and Business Analytics is part of the International Study Programme (ISP Page Flow) of our school and is designed to equip students with the knowledge, quantitative tools, and skills necessary for analysing and monitoring the performance of public and private enterprises. Graduates of this interdisciplinary programme will acquire skills in business and management, data management, and data analysis to provide managers with quantitative information for strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. In particular, students will learn to solve challenging problems in financial management.

This programme builds upon a very strong foundation in data analysis, quantitative modelling, and algorithms. It qualifies students for challenging positions in the private and public sectors worldwide as well as for future doctoral research.

This study programme is in cooperation with the School of Mathematics, Computer Science. Pre-knowledge of advanced mathematics and computer science is necessary.  www.isp.ovgu.de.

The programme includes an offer of compulsory elective modules in Quantitative Methods and Methods of Computer Science. Following this, modules can be chosen based on interest from a list of offered courses recognised for the ORBA programme.

Students are required to complete a compulsory elective seminar and a scientific project. A written Master's thesis and a corresponding seminar will complete the graduate study programme.

Students have to expect a weekly workload of approx. 20 hours of classroom studies and a minimum of 20 hours of independent studies.

Classroom studies include lectures to learn new concepts, tutorials to foster discussions and practice techniques, and seminars to apply theories and methods to an assigned project. The scientific project includes an academic paper and a final presentation.

Candidates must demonstrate an advanced ability to work independently on research topics using scientific methods. This study programme is strongly related to mathematics and computer science. Profound undergraduate knowledge in computer languages and advanced mathematical techniques is necessary to successfully complete this study programme.

Module Descriptions

The Faculty of Computer Science & the Faculty of Mathematics

There are no integrated internships. However, students are encouraged to undertake a voluntary internship at the end of their studies. The faculty believes it is valuable to gain professional experience within German and international workplaces. Internships must be organised independently. Furthermore, student organisations, such as AIESEC, Enactus, and others, are active on campus. These organisations and the University Career Service Centre provide certain opportunities and support.

Applicants must provide proof of a Bachelor's degree, diploma, or another equivalent degree in a relevant subject from a recognised university with a GPA from 1.0 up to 2.9, according to the German grading system. A degree is considered relevant if a minimum number of credits were gained in modules covering subjects such as economics, business administration, and related quantitative methods modules (mathematics, statistics, econometrics, etc.)

Detailed information about admission requirements, including relevant degrees, a letter of motivation written on the standardised "Letter of Motivation" form as well as recognised, valid English skills levels and tests are available on the study programme's website: ORBA programme and admission details.

Previous advanced knowledge in computer science, such as programming and previous job experience, as well as the motivation letter are important for the selection process. Chosen candidates will be invited to an interview.

The ORBA programme is a limited places study programme (NC – numerus clausus). A selection procedure will apply, which includes the interview and ranking process. Check out the ORBA timeline for further information.

Currently, the semester fee is 311.30 EUR. It covers services offered by the "Studentenwerk" (student union) and the student representatives. Enrolled students receive the "Deutschlandsemesterticket" for free use of public transport throughout Germany, along with student discounts in the campus cafeteria and more.

A minimum of 992 EUR per month must be budgeted for accommodation, cost of living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses. In comparison with many other towns and cities, the rental prices in Magdeburg are still relatively low. There are no tuition fees for the majority of programmes, and the semester fee already includes the cost of bus and tram travel within Magdeburg. The following link provides a fair picture of the cost of living in Magdeburg: Finance.

It is possible to find a part-time job as a research or student assistant at one of the faculties or in the university administration (maximum: 80 hours per month). Other opportunities are student jobs at different companies, restaurants, and shops. Information on how to find a job can be found on our website: Career Service.

The Career Service Centre provides workshops and a job/ internship portal.
A semi-annual job fair on campus is offered exclusively to students.

The "Studentenwerk" (student union) in Magdeburg manages the on-campus halls of residence (mostly one- to four-room apartments). Currently, the monthly rent ranges from 200 EUR to 500 EUR per room (approx. 12 to 35 square meters), depending on the size and furnishing. Rooms in the halls of residence are limited in number. The accommodation application can be found on the website of the Studentenwerk.
The Studentenwerk assists all new students in finding adequate accommodation, either on or off campus. Private accommodation is available on the Magdeburg accommodation market. However, fully furnished units are in somewhat short supply.

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) was founded in 1993 and is one of Germany's youngest universities. It was formed by a merger of the existing technical university, the teacher training college, and the medical school. The university now comprises nine faculties and about 12,600 students and is becoming increasingly more important as a centre for education and research. It plays an important role in the regional capital of Magdeburg, which is developing into a centre for business, scholarship, and culture. The university is a member of many organisations and committees. It is named after Otto von Guericke (1602 to 1686), Magdeburg's famous citizen, whose pioneering research into the vacuum brought him renown well beyond Germany's borders. The university aspires to teach and research in the tradition of this great scientist, philosopher, and engineer and to continue with his humanist work.

At the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, students can choose from more than 100 study programmes in various areas of study and specialisation. There are also many possibilities to combine different subjects across faculties. To open up to qualified students from all over the world, the Otto von Guericke University is vastly expanding its offers of programmes taught in English. The conditions for students are ideal, with modern laboratories, experimental workshops, and clinics equipped with high-performance computers and an excellent staff-student ratio. The offer of a sound, thorough education, combining a high level of theoretical expertise with practical experience, makes Magdeburg an attractive choice.

In recent years, research at the university has gone through a decisive change, from applied research to innovative, fundamental research. Among the many areas represented, the neurosciences, immunology, non-linear systems, new materials, processes and products, computational visualistics, social transformation, communication, and culture deserve a special mention. The university hopes to make a significant contribution to economic and social development in Magdeburg and the surrounding area through its research. Equally, disciplines such as humanities, economics, and management, which have been established more recently at the university, have already made their mark on our research profile. Special emphasis is placed on close cooperation between teaching staff and students.

The Otto von Guericke University is a proud member of the European University Alliance EU GREEN, which is aiming to be your gateway to sustainability. Together, we aim to be a broad European hub for education, research and innovation in sustainability that goes beyond the consortium borders and acts globally to provide solutions to local or regional challenges, which can be replicated at a global level.

Magdeburg also attracts students because it offers accommodation with either a single bed or twin beds in its halls of residence.

Take a virtual trip through our international campus!

As the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg is the seat of the state parliament and administration. The town is more than 1,200 years old and has about 242,000 inhabitants. Its excellent location on the River Elbe and its proximity to Berlin, Hanover, and Leipzig have proven to be a significant asset to the city. In the 19th century, the town developed into an important industrial and trade centre. Nowadays, another quite distinctive feature of Magdeburg is its considerable research and innovation potential at the university, the Max Planck and Fraunhofer research institutes, and the university of applied sciences, which are all located in close proximity to each other. Magdeburg offers an extensive park and garden landscape, a rich cultural and sports life, and an ideal atmosphere for being a student. Please visit the website: www.magdeburg.de.