Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (MSc)
The Path to an AI-Driven and Data-Driven Company
What opportunities does artificial intelligence offer for creating data-driven organisations?
How can knowledge be generated from large datasets to derive fact-based business decisions?
How do I manage a data analytics or AI project?
In the programme, you learn to build an "AI-driven company" by using modern artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to develop innovative concepts for data-driven organisations and make evidence-based decisions. Application areas include strategy, marketing, logistics, controlling, and customer relationship management.
The programme provides foundations in three areas:
- Business leadership, particularly developing an AI and data strategy.
- IT fundamentals, especially platforms and tools for data analysis.
- Data analytics methods and business application areas.
What are you interested in?
About the programme
Contents of the programme
The core of the AIDA programme consists of the following four pillars:
- Applied AI
- Data
- Management
- Research
Each pillar is covered by 2–3 modules.
In the Applied AI pillar, you learn how concepts from artificial intelligence, including machine learning and natural language processing, can be applied to enhance digital or physical products to benefit society or businesses.
In the Data pillar, you learn how structured, semi-structured and unstructured data can be collected and processed. The focus is also on how insights from complex datasets can be analytically derived.
In the Management pillar, you learn how data can be positioned as a strategic asset and how transformations can be planned and managed, e.g. as a strategic partner to executive management.
In the Research pillar, you learn how IT management problems can be precisely formulated, research states systematically explored, solutions developed using Design Science Research or other methodologies, and results communicated.
The programme concludes with a major project (Applied AI: Capstone Project) that encompasses all pillars, as well as the master’s thesis.
Structure of the programme
1st semester
- Applied AI Lab 1: Robotics Fundamentals
- Management Lab 1: Assets and Transformations
- Data Lab 1: Data Analytics Fundamentals
- Management Lab 2: Strategy and Governance SU
- Data Lab 2: Data Visualization and Communication
- Research Lab 1: Information Systems Research
2nd semester
- Applied AI Lab 2: Deep Learning and Computer Vision
- Applied AI Lab 3: Natural Language Processing
- Data Lab 3: Data Platforms and Pipelines
- Research Lab 2: Academic Writing
- Elective 1: You select the elective modules from the elective modules offered. The list of elective modules is published by the IM Faculty at the start of the semester.
- Elective 2
3rd semester
- Applied AI: Capstone Project
- Master Thesis and Colloquium
Career perspectives
Companies are undergoing constant change. Globalisation intensifies competition, and digitalisation generates enormous amounts of data (“big data”). New technologies in the area of data mining, analytical databases and graphic visualisation open up a wide range of innovative opportunities for data analysis, compression and prediction.
The strategic use of artificial intelligence and data analytics creates new possibilities for converting data into knowledge. This knowledge forms a sound basis for actions, enabling deliberate company management and control and ensuring successful corporate performance management (CPM).
The master’s programme “Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics” equips students with the knowledge they need to plan and implement innovative approaches for BI strategies, BI organisations and BI architectures using modern technologies. Students are trained as experts in the field of business intelligence.
During the optional semester abroad, students develop intercultural skills that prove useful in their future professional activities with international companies.
Graduates of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics master’s programme are in a position to assist international companies in choosing, implementing, applying and maintaining business intelligence solutions. They serve the purpose of an interface, taking on the responsibility of coordinating the essential business areas of management and IT.
Typical jobs include:
- As data scientists, graduates have an intermediary role for the IT department and other specialised departments or the management and are able to create concrete analytical models for operational issues (e.g. in the area of data mining).
- As BI specialists, graduates work in the IT department, manage integrated data warehouses and are capable of selecting the data that is relevant for a specific operational task from the large volume of data available.
- As business analysts, graduates analyse business processes, designing concepts for company-wide BI strategies accordingly.
- Extensive knowledge in the areas of IT, data analysis and business management also makes graduates attractive candidates for business consulting.
Contributions and fees
There are no tuition fees. A semester fee (administrative fees and solidarity fee) is charged per semester. Information on this can be found on the page "HNU - Fees and Re-registration (opens in a new window)".
Study documents
Module handbook
Study and examination regulations
- Current Study and Examination Regulations (SPO) for the Master’s programme Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics
(opens in a new window)Study and Examination Regulations (SPO) for the Master’s programmeArtificial Intelligence and Data Analytics - Studien- und Prüfungsordnung AIDA (ab WS 26)
(opens in a new window)Studien- und Prüfungsordnung (SPO) für den Masterstudiengang Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics der Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Neu-Ulm vom 28.06.2022, in der Fassung vom 24.03.2026, gültig ab 01.09.2026
General examination regulation
- Current general examination regulations
(opens in a new window)Current general examination regulations - Aktuelle Allgemeine Prüfungsordnung (gültig ab 10.02.2025)
(opens in a new window)Aktuelle Allgemeine Prüfungsordnung (gültig ab 10.02.2025)
Requirements & Application
Admission requirements
- A completed university degree with at least 210 ECTS credits in business informatics, computer science, information management, or a comparable field
- Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree comprising 180 ECTS credits must complete the four-semester programme (120 ECTS). In this programme, the first semester comprises six modules: German for Academic Studies, Integrated Skills: Academic English, Intercultural Skills, Research Skills, and two subject-specific modules.
- Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree comprising 180 ECTS from a higher education institution within the Lisbon Convention may, alternatively, have at least six months’ relevant professional experience following the award of their Bachelor’s degree recognised for the purposes of the programme.
- Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from an institution outside the Lisbon Convention must provide a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 153 in both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, and a score of 4.0 in Analytical Writing.
- Grade 2,5 or better
- English B2
- For international applicants: German A2 (Proof of language proficiency must be submitted by the time of enrollment.)
- The programme is approval-free
Application periods
Winter semester: 02.05. – 31.08. with a 210 ECTS Bachelor's degree
For non-EU applicants:
Winter semester: 02.05. - 15.07.
Summer semester: 15.11. - 15.01. for non-EU applicants with a 180 ECTS Bachelor's degree
Application
You can apply for the degree programme in our application portal within the application deadlines:
FAQ
What qualification is required?
Bachelor’s degree (180 or 210 ECTS) in
- Business Informatics
- Computer Science
- Information Management
Students with a 180 ECTS Bachelor’s degree must complete an additional semester. This semester comprises 6 modules: German B1, English C1, Intercultural Skills, Research Skills and two subject-specific modules.
Students with a 180 ECTS Bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution within the Lisbon Convention may alternatively have at least 6 months of relevant professional experience gained after obtaining their Bachelor’s degree recognised.
What average mark is required?
The average mark on your transcript from a university or university of applied sciences must be 2.5 or better.
If you completed your degree outside of the German school system, please take note of the additional rules for applying with an international degree.
How can I improve my bachelor grade? (Admission test: GTEBS)
It is optionally possible to take a voluntary entrance test (GTEBS) to improve the bachelor's degree grade.
In principle, the test can be taken as long as you wish before you start your studies or complete your bachelor's degree. It is valid for all future applications. At HNU, you will achieve the following with the test: If you belong to the best 60%, your Bachelor final grade will be improved by 0.3, if you belong to the best 50% by 0.5 and if you belong to the best 40% even by 0.7.
For more information about the test, visit the Institute's site:
Institute for Test and Talent Research (opens in a new window)
The registration for the test "GTEBS" is possible on the following page of the institute:
Registration for GTEBS (opens in a new window)
What language skills are required?
For the master’s degree programmes offered in English, you will need to submit evidence of level B2 English language skills with your application. This can be done in the following ways:
- corresponding results from a recognised language test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS)
- evidence of adequate language skills from school or university transcripts
- completion of a degree programme that was verifiably taught entirely in English
- evidence that English is your native language
Non-native speakers of German are also required to provide evidence of German language skills at level A2 when enrolling.
Applying with an international degree
Transcript evaluation
If you acquired your university entrance qualification outside of the German school system, you will need to have your transcript evaluated via uni-assist (opens in a new window).
To ensure a swift and smooth procedure, we recommend registering with uni-assist at least 6 weeks prior to the end of the application period.
Please apply via uni-assist e.V (opens in a new window). and at the same time apply for your degree programme via the regular application procedure. The uni-assist evaluation does not replace the HNU application process!
Language requirements for programmes offered in English (DLI, ICCMM, AIDA)
For the programmes offered in English, you will need to submit evidence of B2 level English language skills with your application. This can done in the following ways:
- corresponding results from a recognised language test (e.g. a 90-point minimum TOEFL-IBT, a 6.5-point minimum Cambridge IELTS, a 3-point minimum Cambridge BEC Vantage)
- evidence of adequate language skills from school or university transcripts
- completion of a degree programme that was verifiably taught entirely in English
- evidence that English is your native language
Non-native speakers of German are also required to provide evidence of German language skills at level A2 when enrolling.
Contact
Head of the degree programme & Subject advisor:
Prof. Dr. Stefan Faußer
