How to pursue Masters in Data Science & Analytics in Germany?

As a part of Germany’s mission to tackle labour shortage problems in tech industry, several universities in Germany are starting to welcome international students to enroll in their master courses.

In last few years, several of the top universities in Germany have introduced post graduations and masters courses in data science and machine learning discipline. Consequently with an increasing number of students showing interest to move to Germany for further education, I decided to compile a list of top universities to help you make a sound decision when choosing your university to pursue masters.

Note: The list of universities below is in no order. All courses below are offered in English

1. Technical University of Munich (TUM) 

TU Munich, established in 1868, stands as a distinguished public research university located in Munich, Germany. Renowned for its focus on engineering, technology, medicine, and applied and natural sciences, it holds a prestigious position as per QS World University Rankings 2024, securing the 1st spot in Germany and the 37th position worldwide.

TUM offers multiple courses in data science related topics. Below are the course details:

a) Master of Science in Data Engineering and Analytics

The program covers 3 areas: Data Analysis, Data Engineering and Analytics. It includes mandatory courses on Data Analysis and Engineering, and advanced topics like distributed systems, machine learning, and computational statistics. The goal is to provide fundamentals for modeling and understanding data, along with efficient processing and analysis of large datasets.

b) Master of Science Mathematics in Data Science

The 4 semester Master’s in Mathematics in Data Science builds on a Bachelor’s degree to provide graduates advanced mathematical skills for big data analysis. Students can develop expertise in statistical methods, data modeling, predictive algorithms, and data security. This will help them to pursue careers in R&D, finance, healthcare, and other analytics-driven fields. The program aims to enable adaption, combination and development of complex models to derive predictions from data.

To enroll in the courses above, below are the details:

• Application Process
  • Requires undergraduate degree.
  • Completion of the aptitude assessment procedure with success is mandatory. 
  • Apply via  TUMonline application portal and upload all required application documents.
  • Upon receiving an offer of admission, submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies via postal mail as per the specified instructions.
  • Applicants holding qualifications for postgraduate studies (e.g., a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must undergo a preliminary document review through uni-assist prior to application submission.
• Application Period
  • Winter semester: 01.02. – 31.05
  • Summer semester: 01.09. – 30.11
• Fees
  • Student Fees : 85 €
  • The tuition fees for international students from non-EU/EEA countries for this degree program amount to 6,000 euros per semester.
  • Numerous international students may be eligible for fee waivers or scholarships to alleviate the financial burden. Comprehensive details regarding available waivers and scholarship opportunities can be found here.

c) Master of Science in Data Science

The program covers statistical modelling, predictive modelling, optimization and randomization tools to professionals that wish to develop or deepen existing expertise in Data Science.

• Application Process
  • Requires educational background in mathematics, informatics, or a closely related field.
  • To apply for the course, complete and submit the application form provided at the following link: Application Form Link
• Application Period
  • 6 days in 4 weeks
  • Summer Course Months: June, July, August
• Fees
  • Program Fees : € 3500

2. Ludwig Maximilians University, Munchen

The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, rooted in the rich tapestry of German academic history, traces its origins back to the University of Ingolstadt, founded in 1472.

As Germany’s sixth-oldest continuously operating university, LMU Munich embodies centuries of scholarly tradition and excellence. Boasting a vibrant student community, it stands as the second-largest university in Germany by student population.

LMU continues to shine, earning the prestigious 54th position overall in the world as per 2024 QS World University Rankings and securing the esteemed title of 2nd in Germany, affirming its enduring commitment to academic distinction and innovation.

a) Master of Science in Data Science

• Application Process
  • Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) in Statistics, Informatics, or related disciplines (with a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent) is required. Please refer to the comprehensive requirements document provided here.
  • Online application
    • When completing the online application, detailed instructions and document specifications will be outlined at the outset.
    •  Documents not in German or English must be accompanied by certified translations.
  • Successful applicants will receive an invitation for an interview, scheduled for the end of June or beginning of July, either in person or via video conference.
  • Notification of interview outcomes will be dispatched by mid-July.
  • Interview (oral exam)
    • The interview process serves as an oral examination, during which candidates’ competencies and motivations for pursuing Data Science studies, particularly in informatics and statistics, will be evaluated. 
    • Please refer to the provided example interview question for guidance here.
  • International Applicants
    • International applicants, excluding German citizens who have earned their certificates and degrees from non-German institutions, must simultaneously apply to the LMU International Office. For further details, please refer to the provided link here.
    • It’s essential to note that the aptitude assessment and the application to the International Office are distinct processes.
• Application Period
  • Winter semester: 25.04.2024 – 01.06.2024

3. University of Mannheim

The University of Mannheim (Universität Mannheim), commonly abbreviated as UMA, stands as a prominent public research institution nestled in the heart of Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Established in 1967, it has since flourished into a hub of academic excellence, offering a diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines including business administration, economics, law, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, computer science, and information systems.

Notably, in the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings, UMA achieved a commendable global standing, securing the 454th position worldwide and asserting its prominence as the 24th-ranked institution within the national landscape.

a) Master of Science in Data Science

• Application Process
  • 4 semesters (2 years)
  • Requires complete undergraduate degree.
    • If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, you may still apply for a master’s program as long as you can provide evidence of having attained a minimum of 130 ECTS credits.
  • Evidence of English proficiency should be provided,with submissions accepted until August 15th or January 15th, depending on the respective application deadline.
  • Once admitted the candidates need to enroll at the University of Mannheim to begin the studies. Find out more about enrollment.
• Application Period
  • Fall semester -10th April – 15th May
  • Spring semester – 15 October – 15 November
• Fees
  • Student Fees : EUR 204.30
    • Tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries: EUR 1,500
    • Tuition fees for a second degree: EUR 650

4. Technical University of Berlin

Establishment in 1879, TU Berlin is renowned as one of Germany’s most prolific hubs for entrepreneurship, TU Berlin fosters a thriving ecosystem of cutting-edge technology startups, contributing significantly to the nation’s innovation landscape each year.

Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), abbreviated as TU Berlin stands tall among Germany’s top-tier educational institutions, accommodating a dynamic community of approximately 35,000 students across a diverse spectrum of over 100 degree programs.

In the prestigious QS World University Rankings 2024, TU Berlin clinched the 8th position nationally and secured a commendable 154th spot worldwide, reaffirming its status as a leading institution in both academia and entrepreneurial endeavors.

a) Data Science and Engineering Track

The Data Science and Engineering (DSE) Track does not constitute a standalone Master’s program. Instead, students are required to initially enroll in a TU Berlin Master’s Program, such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Systems Management, and then declare interest in pursuing the DSE specialization, simply by adding themselves to the ISIS webpage. 

• Graduates who complete the prescribed courses will be awarded both a Master’s Degree and a Data Science and Engineering Certificate issued by Faculty IV.
• Application Process
  • Prospective students aspiring to join the track should demonstrate:
    • Exceptional proficiency in the English language
    • Adeptness in programming, encompassing both functional (e.g., Scala) and object-oriented (e.g., Java) languages
    • Foundational competence in database management systems
    •  A robust understanding of mathematical principles, including but not limited to linear algebra, probability, and statistics.
• Fees
  • The University does not charge tuition fee at present. However, students are required to pay a semester fee, which currently stands at approximately 306.89 euros per semester.

To embark on this track, students must formally enroll in the “Data Science & Engineering Track”.For more details refer link.

5. RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen University, or Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen in German, stands as a premier German public research institution nestled in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Boasting an impressive enrollment of over 47,000 students across 144 diverse study programs, it holds the esteemed title of being the largest technical university in Germany.

Renowned for its academic prowess and innovative research endeavors, RWTH Aachen has secured a prominent position on the global stage, ranking 106 worldwide and 5 nationally in the prestigious QS World University Rankings.

a) Master of Science in Data Science

• Application Process
  • 4 semesters (2 years)
  • Requires complete undergraduate degree. For further details regarding prerequisites, please refer to the provided link.
  • As part of the admission process, you are required to upload a module description document outlining the relevant subjects/courses for your application to the Data Science master’s program. Further Details.
  • Successful applicants must complete enrollment for the Data Science master’s program before the specified deadline to secure their place.
• Application Period
  • EU or EEA Applicants
    • Summer semester- 15th December – 15th January
    • Winter semester – 15th June  – 15th July
  • Non-EU or Non-EEA Applicants
    • Summer semester-  1st June  – 1st September
    • Winter semester  1st December – 1st March
• Fees
  • The University does not impose tuition or application fees at present. Nonetheless, students are required to pay a semester-based social contribution fee, which currently stands at approximately 300 euros per semester.

6. University of Saarland

Saarland University, founded in 1948 with French support, is the largest university in Saarland, hosting approximately 17,000 students and employing around 4,600 staff members. Renowned internationally for its computer science research, the university is a key member of the leading software cluster. It ranks 30th in Germany and 600th globally as per QS World University Rankings.

a) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.)

• Application Process
  • 4 semesters
  • Requires a Bachelor’s Degree from a German university or an equivalent qualification from a foreign university.
  • Application should be submitted through an online application portal.
  • Detail information on application process can be found here.
• Application Period
  • Summer semester- 15th November
  • Winter semester – 15th May
• Fees
  • The University does not impose tuition or application fees at present. Nonetheless, students are required to pay a semester fee, which currently stands at approximately 318.50 euros per semester. More details.

Summary

In this post, we looked at different universities in Germany offering several courses related to machine learning and artificial intelligence. Moving abroad for higher education is not easy, this post is to help students make an informed decision before moving to Germany.

Also, not just education, I would highly recommend student to do some research about the job market in Germany before making a move. Even though in IT, most jobs don’t require German knowledge, but knowing German would certainly put you ahead of lot of candidates later in the job search.