MA International Management & Information Systems (IMIS) South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences

The International Management & Information Systems (IMIS) programme integrates business administration with applied information systems and the latest IT trends. Our international students, encompassing all corners of the globe, will be prepared to meet the increasing challenges of a globalised economy. Therefore, ensuring excellence, diversity, and equality are key characteristics of our study programme. Our study language is exclusively English.

IMIS aims to achieve the following qualification goals:

• Development of comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in the areas of Business Administration and Information Systems
• Foster international, multicultural and social competencies
• Empower students for lifelong learning

This three-semester degree course provides a dual qualification, combining IT-related subjects with essential business administration competencies. Graduates are expected to independently analyse complex information systems and business problems, employing scientific methods to find practical solutions. Our programme also cultivates independent and responsible leaders who can think critically for international organisations.

The international student group facilitates academic discourse, promoting intercultural awareness and offering a valuable opportunity to learn about other cultures. Students further enhance their foreign language and intercultural skills through intensive group work within the programme modules.

Additionally, state-of-the-art technologies enable distance learning opportunities, which may include integrated internships or study abroad semesters. These additional options enhance the career prospects for our students.

The International Management & Information Systems (IMIS) Master's programme is a consecutive programme that follows the Business Administration with Informatics Bachelor's course of study (https://www.fh-swf.de/cms/bba).

For applicants with at least 12 months of relevant professional experience who wish to pursue their studies online alongside their job, we offer the professional Master's course International Management & Information Systems – Online (www.fh-swf.de/cms/imis-online).

Our degree course follows a blended learning approach, providing a balanced mix of on-campus and off-campus study experiences. During the first semester, students enjoy face-to-face classes and engage in intensive group work on our picturesque Soest campus.

The second semester takes an off-campus approach, where all courses are delivered through online modules. This set-up enables various distance-learning opportunities, including internships at business organisations or structured credit options through learning agreements with international partner universities. The internship option is extremely valued by our alumni and is a door-opener to German companies.

In the third semester, students focus on their Master's thesis which is supported by a Research Methods block seminar. The thesis can be written with a research-based orientation or a practice-oriented approach in collaboration with a company.

Structure:

First semester (on campus):

• E-Business & E-Commerce (5 ECTS credits)
• Information Management (5 ECTS credits)
• Business Intelligence & Analytics (5 ECTS credits)
• Business Marketing Management (5 ECTS credits)
• Innovation Management (5 ECTS credits)
• Management Communication (5 ECTS credits)

Second semester (online):

• Enterprise Resource Planning (6 ECTS credits)
• Management Accounting & Finance (6 ECTS credits)
• Business Informatics (6 ECTS credits)

and

• two online electives (12 ECTS credits)
  or study abroad (12 ECTS credits)
  or practical experience (internship) (12 ECTS credits)

Third semester (partially on campus):

• Research Methods (5 ECTS credits)
• Digital Transformation (5 ECTS credits)
• Master's thesis and colloquium (20 ECTS credits)

During the second semester, students have the exciting opportunity to pursue an internship at a business organisation while simultaneously participating in the compulsory modules through e-learning. This arrangement allows students to gain valuable practical experience while continuing their academic studies.

Applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree in Business, Business Informatics, or a related field of study, earning a minimum of 210 ECTS credits.

Additionally, applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency as specified in the "language requirements" section.

Approx. 322 EUR per semester, including public transport ticket

Students will need approx. 992 EUR per month, which includes accommodation and student health insurance. For students applying for a visa, it is essential to demonstrate sufficient funds of 992 EUR per month to meet the financial requirement to obtain a visa.

Job opportunities cannot be guaranteed to prospective students, and it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they can cover their costs without relying on additional income.

• Professional student counsellor to provide advice and guide the students throughout the study programme
• Optional job training sessions are offered by the professors each summer semester to prepare students for their internships in the winter semester.
• Online session "Lighthouse" for enhancing students' employability

The IMIS Office assists with finding accommodation either at the Soest campus halls of residence or through private landlords by providing contact information.

South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences has campuses in Hagen, Iserlohn, Meschede, Lüdenscheid and Soest and offers a wide spectrum of studies in modern, trend-setting issues and subjects. This is not a "mass production" university. Studying here is application-oriented, group sizes are manageable, and teaching takes place in a face-to-face situation. In the 2025/2026 winter semester, 10,300 students were enrolled at all campuses.

The university focuses mainly on engineering, natural sciences, information and communication technology, business administration with informatics, and agriculture.

South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences maintains close contacts with industry, agriculture and trade. It is actively involved in working on solutions to current problems in the region, thus gaining experience for application-oriented study. At the university, companies can find expert advice on innovation and technology, and joint projects have often led to the development of product and process innovations. With many final theses being written in cooperation with companies, research and teaching are successfully linked. Several research institutes have been founded and thus the university has broken new ground in the area of cooperation with local industry.

For more details, please visit https://www.fh-swf.de/en/international_3/index.php.

The campus is located a few minutes' walking distance from the city centre. The cosy city of Soest offers everything from shopping to culture as well as historic buildings, traditional restaurants and trendy pubs. Although a thousand years old, it is not in the least antiquated. The surroundings provide all kinds of leisure activities, including water sports. Soest is conveniently located with regard to transport facilities, with regular IC and ICE train connections as well as two nearby airports, Dortmund and Paderborn-Lippstadt.

For a first impression of Soest, please visit https://www.so-ist-soest.de/de-wAssets/docs/service/medienbereich-downloads/WMS_Stadtrundgang_Flyer_englisch_20210224-final.pdf.