Digital Transformation in the Information and Media Sector

The Master's degree course qualifies students for management responsibilities in the area of digital leadership. Through challenging content-related, leadership and project management exercises, the course provides optimal preparation for leadership roles with information providers, media companies, libraries and public cultural institutions, as well as in the field of digital change management.

The academic study and methodological-systematic analysis of selected topical areas related to the digital transformation of the information and media sector teach students innovative research skills.

Students who have successfully completed the degree have the research skills necessary to undertake doctoral studies.

The degree course is designed for those who wish to take on leadership responsibilities in the information and media sector – particularly in the management of digital transformation processes – and who have completed a Bachelor's degree in Information, Media, Communications, Library Sciences or a closely related subject.

The degree course content is organised on the basis of inquiry-based learning via a spiral curriculum, which is divided over four semesters. The specific focus of each semester enables the step-by-step development of three dimensions of skills:

In the first semester, the module Management of Digital Transformation Processes consists of the courses Algorithms and Society, Statistics and Theoretical Economic Analysis, and Research and Verification. These are followed by a management project. Project topics from the information sector context such as data quality, search functions or bibliometrics are possibilities here. For the media sector, project topics covering media management with a focus on the digital transformation are offered.

In the second semester, the analysis of digital transformation processes is the focus of courses on the societal, cultural, legal and ethical framework of media, communications and information policy as well as on international research and trends in digital transformation. The semester concludes with an analytical project. Analytical projects for the information sector context can include topics from the area of digital humanities or on search engine bias, user experience or questions related to information law. In the area of media and communications, the factors influencing the successful implementation of digital transformation projects are analysed and applied in a targeted manner.

In the third semester, the module Designing the Digital Transformation focuses in three courses on the production and distribution of digital media content, data mining and data visualisation, and communications strategies in the digital transformation. A design project solidifies the skills learned over the semester. For the information sector, projects on communications concepts, open science or concepts for learning spaces are possible. In the area of media and communications sciences, strategies for risk and crisis communication and marketing for digital transformation projects are developed.

In the fourth semester, students write their Master's thesis, accompanied by a Master's colloquium. The thesis brings together the skills acquired in the degree course and evaluates these using academic methods.

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Media and Information, Media and Communications, or Library and Information Science
• OR successful completion of a Bachelor's or Diplom degree of at least six semesters in a closely related degree course; you must have achieved at least 180 credit points in your Bachelor's degree
• If you have not yet completed your first degree, a certificate from your university confirming the exams completed and the grades awarded
• Proof of English language skills as demonstrated by
  • School-leaving certificate with qualifying grade in English: German advanced entry qualification for universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife) or German entry qualification for universities (Allgemeine Hochschulreife), sufficient grade in English (minimum of 5 points for either type of certificate) or
  • Accepted test certificates: TOEFL test (at least 87 points internet-based); IELTS (minimum of band 5.5); CAE, CPE, FCE, BEC (minimum C) or
  • Other means of meeting the language requirement:
    – Letter of admission for a degree course in an English-speaking country
    – Letter of admission for a degree course taught in English
    – Official certificate (university transcript or degree certificate) of successful completion of at least two years of study in a degree course in which    English was the main subject
    – Certificate confirming at least six months of post-graduate professional experience or a successfully completed internship in a company where English was the business language
    – Certificate confirming at least six months of post-graduate professional experience or a successfully completed internship in an English-speaking country

Further required documents:

• A written outline of your educational and professional experience, including professional development and continuing education, together with the relevant documents, especially letters of reference from employers
• An independently written letter of of motivation (max. 5 pp.) outlining how your skills and interests make you a good candidate for the degree course and the media and information sector, as well as its transformation. You should also discuss your ability to carry out methods-oriented work, including quantitative methods from empirical research acquired during your previous degree and applied in your Bachelor's thesis. Please describe the topic of your Bachelor's thesis and the methods or processes applied.
• International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the German language via a recognised language test, which should be one of the following: Goethe Institute C1, TestDaF 4, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH2, Deutsches Sprachdiplom issued by the KMK (Kultusministerkonferenz), or Kleines or Großes Sprachdiplom issued by the Goethe Institute.

Further documents you may submit to enhance your application:

• Proof of professional or academic experience related to the course content
• Proof of methodological skills, including quantitative methods from empirical research