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Business Intelligence

Master

Help push businesses forward with a data-driven approach and a specialist knowledge of how to analyse and learn from it.

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Online Studies

Start your career's next successful chapter with a 5-star education from IU

Get your application in before December 15 and you can save up to US$1,399.

Apply now

Choose a fully accredited study program and set yourself up for success. At IU, you’ll join over 100.000 students from all over the world. And the best part? You’ll develop job-ready skills in a practical setting — so you’ll have a real advantage in your industry.

*You can start any time.
*This discount is only available for the online studies model.

Overview

Take the next step with an online Master in Business Intelligence

Business intelligence and data reporting have a double importance for modern-day businesses: they help them to better understand and improve their daily operations, and they help them plan and assess what they need to do in the future. With the Master’s programme in Business Intelligence, you’ll be able to develop a strong base of knowledge in the business and technical aspects of data management and business intelligence. Use that knowledge to help make businesses better, and develop an international career in a fast-growing industry sector.

Your online degree summed up

All the facts and figures about your study programme at a glance
Study model
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
60 or 120 ECTS
Language: English
Study duration & extension
12 - 48 months (depending on time model)
Free of charge extension period
Start your studies later
Tuition fees
Starting from € 289 (US$ 303)* per month

*based on the exchange rate from 01.12.2022 09:04 AM (CET)
Accreditation
60 ECTS - English
Accredited in line with German and European standards
ZFU 1130022

120 ECTS - English
Accredited in line with German and European standards
ZFU 1130122
Past education recognised
Save time and earn your degree faster by having your previous achievements/experience recognised
Online studies:
Available from 01.09.2023 (English, 60 ECTS)
Available from 01.03.2023 (English, 120 ECTS)
100 % flexible

You decide where and when you want to study

Versatile & Innovative

Your digital learning journey with personal support!

Top-Level Education

First-class study programmes with a recommendation rate of 96 %

Study contents

Online course overview

As part of your studies in the Business Intelligence Master’s online programme at IU, you’ll become familiar with various data management concepts and practices. The programme’s focus on practical work skills will be exemplified by close examinations of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, how structured and unstructured data is stored, data modelling and visualisation and key figure creation for BI (Business Intelligence) reports.

Once you’ve acquainted yourself with the main practical aspects of business intelligence, you’ll spend the later part of your studies expanding and deepening your knowledge, with the option to choose elective courses that match your interests in the field.

Our 120-ECTS Master's degree programme in Business Intelligence is designed for students who have earned a Bachelor's degree with a focus on Information Sciences.

Our advanced 60-ECTS Business Intelligence Master’s programme is designed for students with an undergraduate degree from outside the field of Information Sciences, who have professional work experience in Business Intelligence roles.

Semester 1

Module

ECTS

Business Intelligence I

5

Relational and NoSQL Databases

5

Data Query Languages

5

Project: Business Intelligence

5

Data Warehousing Architecture Types

5

Seminar: Data Warehouse Approaches and Methodologies

5

Semester 2

Module

ECTS

Advanced Research Methods

5

Elective A

10

Master Thesis

15

Electives overview

Elective A

In your 2nd semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS

Applied Data Modeling and Reporting

10

Data Provisioning in Data Warehouse Systems

10

Big Data Engineering

10

Semester 1

Module

ECTS

Business Intelligence I

5

Concepts in Data Management

5

Corporate Governance of IT, Compliance and Law

5

Relational and NoSQL Databases

5

Data Query Languages

5

Project: Business Intelligence

5

Semester 2

Module

ECTS

Seminar: Ethic & Societal Considerations in Data Management

5

Strategic Management

5

Data Warehousing Architecture Types

5

Extract, Transform and Load Technologies

5

Advanced Research Methods

5

Seminar: Data Warehouse Approaches and Methodologies

5

Semester 3

Module

ECTS

Data Modeling and Reporting

5

Project: Data Modeling and Reporting

5

Elective A

10

Elective B

10

Semester 4

Module

ECTS

Master Thesis

30

Electives overview

Elective A + B

In your 3rd semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS

Data Engineer

10

Big Data Engineering

10

Big Data

10

Data Miner

10

Digital Marketing

10

Digital Business Models and Change

10

Technical Project Lead

10

Digital Business and Entrepreneurship

10

Module guide

Module guide (60 ECTS)

Module guide (120 ECTS)

Online course schedules

Course Schedule (60 ECTS)

Course Schedule (120 ECTS)

Admission

Entry requirements

How To Start Your Degree with the Online Degree Saver Programme:

Once you've enrolled and started on your studies, you'll have access to a part of your courses, based on the time model you choose. You will be registered as a student only after 50% of the total ECTS have been successfully completed. Then you will gain access to the rest of your courses, and will be able to finish your degree.

The admissions documents must be provided in English or German, if they were not issued in one of these two languages, a translation is required. If you need to translate your documents, we can help refer you to our trusted translation partners. You can find more details here.

General admission requirements

Admission Requirements for 120-ECTS: 

  • Completed, undergraduate degree with 180 ECTS with a focus on Economics or Business Administration, Natural Sciences, Data Science or (Business) Informatics or Computer Science 
  • Your degree must be from a state or state-recognised higher education institution/university  
  • You must have achieved a final grade of at least “satisfactory” or Grade C equivalent in your previous undergraduate degree 

Admission Requirements for 60-ECTS  

  • Completed, undergraduate degree with 240 ECTS.  
  • Your degree must be from a state or state-recognised higher education institution/university  
  • You must have achieved a final grade of at least “satisfactory” or Grade C equivalent in your previous undergraduate degree 
  • Proof of at least one year’s professional work experience completed prior to the start of study programme. Work experience must have been gained after completion of your undergraduate studies 
Further admission opportunities

For the 60 ECTS programme: 

Depending on your previous education, the following entry options are applicable for the 60-ECTS Master’s degree: 

  • undergraduate degree with 210 ECTS: you can bridge the gap of 30 ECTS with the proof of one year qualified work experience 
  • undergraduate degree with 180 ECTS: you can bridge the gap of 60 ECTS with the proof of two years qualified work experience 

Recognition of knowledge and abilities acquired outside of higher education is possible in principle. 

Is your undergraduate degree not in the required subject field for this programme's 120 ECTS points variation admission requirements? You can still apply! You'll have to take 2 specific courses at the start of your studies, and pass them successfully in order to continue with your studies. That way, you don't have to take an entrance examination, and can prove your skills while earning ECTS points as part of your studies. 

Work experience

For the 60 ECTS programme:

  • Proof of at least one year’s qualified work experience completed prior to the start of the study programme (the work experience must be gained after the completion of your undergraduate studies).
  • Don’t have a year’s worth of qualified work experience? Don’t worry! With the Online Degree Saver Programme, you can start your studies right away, and gain your professional experience alongside your studies. You’ll need to achieve the one year’s worth of experience before you complete your Online Degree Saver Programme.
  • You can provide us a translation of your employment contract and your pay slip or you can ask your company to fill out this form in English, sign it, apply the company stamp and send it to us:
    Proof of work experience (EN)
    Proof of work experience (NL)
    Proof of work experience (ES)
    Proof of work experience (IT)
    Proof of work experience (FR)
English language skills

At IU, we teach in English to prepare you for the international work market. Therefore, we ask you to provide us with a proof of your English language skills. 

Is English your native language or have you graduated from an English-speaking school or university? Then you do not need to prove your English language skills. 

You can prove your English skills with an English B2 level certificate (no older than 5 years). Don’t have this at hand? No problem! You can quickly get your English certified with Duolingo. 

  • Take the online test in just 45 to 60 minutes 
  • Receive your certified results within 2 days 
  • Save valuable money and time 

Find out if the Duolingo test is suitable for you. Click here to try it for free. In order to be accepted to your study programme, a minimum of 95 points in the Duolingo exam is required. 

Did you take the test and not get the 95 points required? Don’t worry! We’re offering a free English course. By successfully completing the course in 3 months, you'll prove that you have the required level of English proficiency.

We also accept the following English language skills certificates: 

  • TOEFL (minimum 80 points) or 
  • IELTS (minimum Level 6) or 
  • Cambridge Certificate (minimum Grade B) or 
  • Equivalent proof, such as a B2.2 Certificate from the free IU English course - further information can be requested from our student advisors.* 

*Proof must be provided before the start of the study and must not be older than five years.
*Please note that course isn't accepted as a language certificate for on campus study programmes

Start your career's next successful chapter with a 5-star education from IU

Get your application in before December 15 and you can save up to US$1,399.

Apply now

Choose a fully accredited study program and set yourself up for success. At IU, you’ll join over 100.000 students from all over the world. And the best part? You’ll develop job-ready skills in a practical setting — so you’ll have a real advantage in your industry.

*You can start any time.
*This discount is only available for the online studies model.

Careers

Your Master in Business Intelligence career outlook

With your Master's in Business Intelligence, you can expect excellent career prospects in global companies looking to improve their business operations by analysing data. Whether it be in sports organisations, software companies or e-commerce operations, you can find one of the following roles:

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligent analysts are professionals with the ability to make sense of complex data, recognise patterns in it and come up with business-relevant insights based on those patterns and findings. They’re responsible for not only generating data reports, but also for developing the concepts for which they should be created. That is why for such a role, a strong understanding of business administration objectives is required.

Business Intelligence Solution Architect

Your work as a business intelligence solution architect will revolve around analysing business processes. Create prediction models, develop databases and data warehouse architectures, generate reports and dashboards for stakeholders and be the contact person for questions regarding data and operations.

Data Consultant

As a data consultant, it will be up to you to develop data management strategies based on your expertise as a business intelligence professional. Solve concrete problems regarding data analysis and protection, but also work on implementing large-scale data collection strategies for companies.

Student reviews

This is what our students say

  • After completing your Master’s studies at IU, you can quickly start a management career.

    Denise Piko

    Online student

  • In my view, the flexibility makes a compelling case for learning online at IU. The wide range of elective modules to choose from also won me over. It means you can specialise in what you really want to do.

    Philipp Kleingrothe

    Graduate, Germany

  • In both my passion and my career, the skills and competencies I learned at IU have made a big difference.

    Zena Massaad

    Online student, Syria

Personal counselling

Have any questions?

Visit our FAQ page or get in touch with our Study Advisors. You can also find information about the application process under our Become a Student page.

Tuition fees

Online study model & fees for your Master degree in Business Intelligence

Depending on your personal or professional circumstances, you may wish to complete your studies as quickly as possible, or you may prefer a more flexible study programme that is less time-consuming. That’s why we offer part-time options for all our study programmes. This allows you to study alongside professional or personal commitments. We adjust your study fees based on your chosen time model.

Are you unable to finish your programme within the given time? No problem! If you realise that you need more time, you can simply switch to another time model with one months’ notice before the end of the month.

No registration or administration fees are charged when you apply for studying – you'll only be charged once your studies have started. If you won't be admitted to a programme because you do not meet the admission requirements, no fees will be charged.

Full-Time

Duration 12 Months

Perfect for students who want to hit the ground running and shorten the period of study by increasing their studying pace.

US$ 782
US$ 662 /mth* Apply now
* € 629 based on the exchange rate from 01.12.2022 09:04 AM (CET)

Part-Time I

Duration 18 Months

Excellent for talented all-rounders who want to give their studies everything they’ve got while holding down a job and keeping down their monthly costs at the same time.

US$ 594
US$ 514 /mth* Apply now
* € 489 based on the exchange rate from 01.12.2022 09:04 AM (CET)

Part-Time II

Duration 24 Months

Ideal for students who would like to take their time completing their courses on top of their job and everyday life and keep down the monthly costs of their studies.

US$ 490
US$ 430 /mth* Apply now
* € 409 based on the exchange rate from 01.12.2022 09:04 AM (CET)
Additional charges

Full-Time

Duration 24 Months

Perfect for students who want to hit the ground running and shorten the period of study by increasing their studying pace.

US$ 563
US$ 503 /mth* Apply now
* € 479 based on the exchange rate from 01.12.2022 09:04 AM (CET)

Part-Time I

Duration 36 Months

Excellent for talented all-rounders who want to give their studies everything they’ve got while holding down a job and keeping down their monthly costs at the same time.

US$ 417
US$ 377 /mth* Apply now
* € 359 based on the exchange rate from 01.12.2022 09:04 AM (CET)

Part-Time II

Duration 48 Months

Ideal for students who would like to take their time completing their courses on top of their job and everyday life and keep down the monthly costs of their studies.

US$ 333
US$ 303 /mth* Apply now
* € 289 based on the exchange rate from 01.12.2022 09:04 AM (CET)
Additional charges

All our study programmes include the following benefits

  • Teaching and study material
  • Marking of your end-of-module exams
  • Free 4-week trial
  • Online tutorials and guidance from tutors
  • Use of the online campus
  • Individual study coaching
  • Online exams
  • Career coaching
  • Learn English for free
Recognition

Recognition of previous achievements

Have you already completed a training course, studied at a university or gained work experience? Have you completed a course or a learning path through IU LinkedIn Learning, and earned a certificate? Then you have the opportunity to get your previous achievements recognised, and complete your studies at IU sooner.

  • Save time: Skip individual modules or whole semesters!

Even before you apply for an online study programme, we’ll gladly check whether we can take your previous achievements into account: 100% online, no strings attached. Simply fill in our recognition application form, which you can find under the content section of each study programme's webpage, and upload it via our upload section. You can also e-mail it to us, or send it via post.

Send an email to study@iu.org to find out which previous achievements you can get recognised. Make sure you send your application before the end of your 1-month trial. You can get your previous achievements recognised during your studies.

Do you need help with your application for recognition? Our student advisors will be happy to help. Simply arrange a personal call-back appointment. Arrange a personal video consultation appointment to discuss recognition
Recognition files

Guide to recognition

Individual application for recognition (60 ECTS)

Individual application for recognition (120 ECTS)

Why IU International University of Applied Sciences is the best choice

Your Studies Are Flexible and 100% Online

Schedule when you want to learn and study 100% online. At IU you have the possibility to complete your degree fully from home, whether full-time or part-time. You can even take your exams online whenever it suits you. 

Accredited & Globally Recognised

IU is accredited and certified with a seal of approval from the German Accreditation Council. All IU study programmes, materials, and services meet high internal and external quality standards, which are regularly reviewed and updated. We can also provide you with an official Europass Diploma Supplement once you graduate, to ensure that your degree is recognised anywhere in the EU.

You Gain Full Support

We provide you with innovative learning tools, digital study material, tutorial videos, student advice and support. You also have 24/7 access to our large online library. Your tutors are always available to answer your questions. Our study coaches are also available to help at any time. 

The Ideal Mix of Theory & Practice

Our programmes provide you with essential theoretical knowledge and focus, above all, on practice-oriented studies designed to best prepare you for your future career. Thanks to our great variety of electives you can specialise in the specific areas that match your personal goals.

Start your career's next successful chapter with a 5-star education from IU

Get your application in before December 15 and you can save up to US$1,399.

Apply now

Choose a fully accredited study program and set yourself up for success. At IU, you’ll join over 100.000 students from all over the world. And the best part? You’ll develop job-ready skills in a practical setting — so you’ll have a real advantage in your industry.

*You can start any time.
*This discount is only available for the online studies model.

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