The Mannheim Master in Data Science program encourages people with a background not related to computer science like me to pursue a career in the new field of Data Science. It is a very innovative program, which offers a combination of courses in statistics, math, data management, and data analytics. The professors are doing exciting research and my research position offered me great insights into the field, which has allowed me to continue learning outside the classroom.
Program facts and information
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Standard period of study: 4 semesters (2 years)
ECTS credits: approx. 120
Language of instruction: English
Language requirements: English; for information on the required proof of language proficiency see “Admission requirements and selection”
Program start: Fall semester (September) and spring semester (February)
Academic calendarSchool: School of Business Informatics and Mathematics
Semester fee: € 204,30 (further information)
Tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries: €1,500
Tuition fees for a second degree: €650Program overview
The Mannheim Master in Data Science is an interdisciplinary program of study that is unique in Germany. Courses in the fields of Business Informatics, Sociology, Political Science, and Mathematics all deal with big data. In this master’s program, students also have the opportunity to attend courses offered by the interdisciplinary Data and Web Science research group at the University of Mannheim.
Students learn to collect, organize, analyze, and visualize large amounts of data using the appropriate tools and methods. The master’s program comprises five major areas:
- Fundamentals (0–14 ECTS credits)
- Data management (18–36 ECTS credits)
- Data analytics methods (30–54 ECTS credits)
- Responsible data science (3–10 ECTS credits)
- Projects and seminars (14–18 ECTS credits)
- Master's thesis (30 ECTS credits)
The master’s program stands out due to the practice-oriented orientation of its curriculum. The school maintains cooperative alliances with various international (IT) enterprises and corporations such as SAP, ABB, or Heidelberg Cement that are headquartered in the region.
Students thus have the opportunity to either write their master’s thesis within the context of a research project or while interning with a company.
This program of study is taught completely in English.
Why study the Mannheim Master in Data Science program?
Thanks to close and interdisciplinary collaboration between the departments of Business Informatics, Sociology, Political Science, and Mathematics you can take advantage of the excellent range of courses available in different areas. You can select from a wide range of modules and focus on areas that suit your goals and interests.
With only about 55 students, the class size of this program of study is rather small. Students in the master’s program Mannheim Master in Data Science thus benefit from a superb student-to-teacher ratio. A motivated and interdisciplinary team of professors will be happy to personally answer any study-related questions.
The University of Mannheim is part of a global network. The university’s ties to more than 450 partner universities all over the world do not only impact life on campus, but also open numerous doors to those students who wish to go abroad.
The various departments have numerous close contacts to the industry that students can benefit from when looking for an internship or carrying out the mandatory team project at a company. They even have the opportunity to write their master’s thesis in cooperation with a company.
Career opportunities
According to a 2012 article in the magazine Harvard Business Review, to be a data scientist means to have “the sexiest job of the 21st century”. Why? Data management and data analysis are becoming more and more important in the field. Expert data scientist are very much sought-after in a variety of fields, our graduates thus have excellent career prospects.
Data scientists are employed by both national and international companies and in the civil service, e.g. in marketing, production, and logistics, i.e. wherever large amounts of data have to be processed. Of course, the Mannheim Master in Data Science degree also qualifies for a career in academia.
Required interests and skills
Program structure
Module catalog
The module catalog gives you an overview of the courses and their content.Studying abroad
The University of Mannheim is partners with 450 universities around the world. In collaboration with the International Office, the school can help you plan a period of study abroad. In the master's program Mannheim Master in Data Science, studying abroad is optional.Internships
Examination regulations for the master’s program do not provide for a mandatory internship. If you would like to do a voluntary internship, the School of Business Informatics and Mathematics, thanks to its strong business contacts, will be in the best position to to assist you with the organization.Continuing Education
Certificate programs
Strengthen your potential, deepen your knowledge, find solutions for challenges we will face tomorrow – there are many good reasons to think outside the box, get to know and try out new things even during your studies.At the University of Mannheim, you can do this in the “Studium Oecologicum” which focuses on sustainability. In our certificate program, you will acquire interdisciplinary expert knowledge which can help you to act ethically and to make holistic decisions.
Language courses
Making language learning easier: No matter if you want to learn Japanese, Hebrew, Spanish or Norwegian, take the Graduate Record Examination Test (GRE), The European Language Certificates (telc) or the TOEFL test – each semester, the University of Mannheim offers language courses and language certificates in more than 16 languages for students and non-university members, online and on campus!Doctorates
Graduates of the master’s program Mannheim Master in Data Science qualify for a doctoral program either as research assistants or external doctoral candidates at a chair.
Doctoral programs and opportunities at the School of Business Informatics and Mathematics
General information on doctoral studies at the University of MannheimAdmission requirements and selection
In our selection process, we take numerous criteria into account. For more details, please check the selection statutes (see below). Be bold!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need advice. We are looking forward to receiving your application!
Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in Informatics, Mathematics, or a related field to be admitted to the master’s program Mannheim Master in Data Science. A degree is deemed sufficient if it is recognized as equivalent by the admissions committee. The following requirements must be met:
- a total of 180 ECTS credits or a standard period of study of six semesters,
- a total of at least 48 ECTS credits in informatics, mathematics, statistics, or empirical research methods
- a final grade of 2.5 or better.
The requirement of 48 ECTS credits in the relevant subjects must be met at the time of the first examination registration. The University of Mannheim does not offer any preparatory courses in which you may get ECTS credits to meet the admission requirements.
Language requirements
You must be very proficient in English. We accept the following as proof of language proficiency:- a university entrance qualification from a school with English as the language of instruction,
- the successful completion of a program of study at a higher education institution with English as the language of instruction and examination in at least 50% of the courses and examinations,
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with a minimum score of 500 points,
- a certificate of the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) with a score of at least 72 points (TOEFL MyBest scores are not recognized),
- Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE),
- First Certificate in English (FCE), minimum grade C,
- Certificate in Advanced English (CAE),
- a certificate of the International English Language Testing System – Academic Test (IELTS) with an overall band score of at least 6.0,
- a certificate of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test with a total score that is equivalent to at least 500 GMAT points,
- the Language Certificate of the Universität Mannheim Service und Marketing GmbH with at least level B2 in all areas,
- continuous attendance of English classes throughout the German secondary school education with a minimum average of 7 points.
Conditional admission
If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s program by the application deadline, you may still be admitted to the master’s program as long as you provide proof that you have obtained at least 130 ECTS credits. In this case, your admission to the program is subject to receipt of your degree certificate up to a specific date (refer to selection statutes).Selection statutes
Under “Admission requirements and selection” we have compiled the most important selection criteria of the program for you. For more detailed explanations of the selection process and the legally binding requirements of the degree program, please refer to the selection statutes.Application
The University of Mannheim is the most popular university in Germany
In the students' vote on the Studycheck.de platform, the University of Mannheim has reached the top position among all universities. This makes the University of Mannheim the most popular university in Germany.
read more about the award (in German)