Master’s degrees in Data Science and Big Data are gaining popularity in Germany as companies in the country rely more and more on large amounts of data to drive business decisions and shape strategies.
German companies are very internationally oriented, especially in the IT and business sectors, and the need for capable data scientists has never been greater. So, studying for a Master’s here can definitely be a great move for your future career.
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But are there other advantages to studying a Data Science Master’s in Germany, and which are some top Masters in Big Data you should consider applying for?
1. Top-quality education
There is no denying that Germany has one of the best education systems in the world, with plenty of universities recognised by top international rankings. So, you won’t have to worry about the level of education you will get.
Data Science is a relatively new academic subject and not every university in the world is equipped with experienced teachers and technology to provide the right education in the field of Data Science. But German universities have invested heavily in this branch of IT&C, thanks to market demands in the country, partnerships between universities and companies, and the overall commitment of Germany towards digitalization.
While there are many Masters in Big Data and Data Science to study in Germany, here are a few of the degrees we recommend you check out - all English-taught:
- Master’s at IU International University of Applied Sciences
- Master’s at RWTH Business School
- Master’s at GISMA Business School
- Master’s at University of Europe for Applied Sciences
- Master’s at Arden University
- Master’s at ESCP Business School
- Master’s at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
2. Affordable Master’s degrees
Most public universities in Germany are tuition-free for Master’s level international students, whether they come from inside or outside the EU. At German public universities, you’ll only have to worry about a modest annual tax, your living costs, food and, study materials.
Private universities in Germany do charge tuition fees, so make sure that, before applying, you consider all the pros and cons of the university you are interested in.
- Masters in Computer Science at public universities – 100-350 EUR semester tax
- Masters in Computer Science at private universities – 10,000 EUR/year average tuition fees
There are also some Data Science Masters that revolve around 2000 and 5000 EUR/year, but also some that can reach up to 32,000 EUR/year. Read more about tuition fees and living costs for students in Germany.
3. There’s a job market for Data Science in Germany
Germany is one of the most developed when it comes to business digitization and digital public services. Even if Data Science and Big Data are still rather new subjects in academia, the German job market is in great need of experienced Data Scientists.
All modern Data Science job trends, almost in a uniform way, are present on the job market of Germany. Generally, the more niche your specialization, the better the likelihood of getting a lucrative job.
The most in-demand jobs in Germany related to Data Science include positions in data analysis, machine learning, Python, general data science, deep learning, research, and more. Find out more about the data science job market here.
Most Data Science jobs are offered in big cities: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Koln, Dusseldorf, and more. It is not surprising since the large companies are concentrated there.
4. International companies offering great jobs in Data Science
Large companies generally prefer senior job positions in Data Science. So, at least some previous job experience is a big advantage for getting a data scientist job in Germany. Luckily, job placements and internships play an important role in German university education.
A few popular companies offering jobs in Germany include: PwC, Bayer, Oxygen Digital Recruitment, AWS EMEA SARL, Vertical Scale GmbH, BASF Schwarzheide GmbH, Max-Planck-Institut fur Intelligente Systeme, Amazon Development Center DEU, Zalando, Google.
5. Friendly, inclusive country
Germany is an inclusive, tolerant country with a large international population. Most immigrants come from Turkey, Poland, and Syria.
In almost all German cities, there are cultural associations for people from other countries and regular informal gatherings. Germany is known as a cosmopolitan and tolerant country, supporting equal rights and individual freedoms for all the people who live on its territory.
6. Modern teaching and curriculum
Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that combines a set of different subjects, mainly statistics, mathematics, and computer science. The main focus of Masters in Data Science and Big Data is to teach you how to collect, analyse, and interpret raw data.
You will learn how to use all these subjects to design user-friendly solution algorithms to address complex problems. Future employers will expect you to be able to present your findings in an easy-to-digest way, to enable managers to make more informed decisions easier.
Your course curriculum will vary depending on the focus of the degree you choose, but you are likely to study most of the following topics during your Master’s:
- Statistics and Mathematics
- Algorithms and Data Structure
- Predictive Modeling
- Machine Learning
- Heuristic Optimization
- R & Business Analytics
- Data Mining
- Design Thinking
- Data Quality & Visualisation
- Research Methods in Business Analytics
- Information Systems Management
- Data-Driven Business Strategy
Courses are usually accompanied by a wide range of elective courses offering deep-dives into specific application areas. Courses combine demanding and cutting-edge research with practical projects. Courses also continuously review and expand their tuition to cover the latest trends and stay in touch with technological developments.
Exams don’t have a fixed syllabus and you have access to all the materials you want during the exam. Teachers will not give you easy exercises for passing grades and you need to dedicate enough time for learning.
7. Lot of English-taught degrees
There are plenty of English-taught Masters in Data Science available in Germany. There are however also programmes that are taught in both languages, so you should make sure you either have the required German level or that the programme is taught fully in English.
Speaking German fluently will definitely be an advantage in your future careers in Germany, as many companies simply require it. However, you can still easily find a job with English only, especially in start-ups or in big corporations.
Find Masters in Data Science in Germany
8. Welcoming programme requirements
Application requirements for Data Science and Big Data degrees in Germany vary depending on the university offering them, but most programmes include these requirements:
- Graduated Bachelor’s degree and transcripts
- Motivation letter
- IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.5, or equivalent in other English tests
- CV including work experience
- Professional references
- Additional supporting documents
Some programmes may require German level B1. The application process may also include an application interview.
You will submit your application documents online either using an application platform of the German government or through the university’s platform.
Programmes in Germany generally start at the end of September or in October.