From Application to Master's Thesis – Master of Science in Information Systems (M.Sc.)

Please submit your complete application via the application portal of FH Aachen.

Documents required for applicants from within the EU/EEA/EHEA:

• Resume in tabular format
• Proof of your English proficiency.
• A (provisional) bachelor’s degree certificate or transcript of records
• Module descriptions for the courses you wish to have credited toward the subject-specific aptitude test (proof of credit points). Please send us only these module descriptions and not all module descriptions from your bachelor’s program.

Documents for applicants from outside the EU/EEA/EHEA:

• Tabular resume
• An official GRE test score or transcript of records
• A (provisional) bachelor’s degree certificate
• Proof of your English proficiency.
• Module descriptions for the courses you wish to have credited toward the subject-specific aptitude test (proof of credit points). Please send us only these module descriptions and not all module descriptions from your bachelor’s program.

You do not need

• Proof of German language proficiency
• Master’s degree certificate or employment references → only the bachelor’s degree is required

Our admission regulations govern the requirements and criteria for admission to the Master’s program in Information Systems (MIS) at FH Aachen. Among other things, they contain information on required degrees, language proficiency, and the selection process. The current admission regulations (as of November 2026) can be found at the following link: Admission Regulations | Zulassungsordnung

Key points at a glance: (This overview is a non-binding summary. The official admission regulations always take precedence.)

• You may apply with a degree in Business Informatics, Computer Science, or a program in the digital economy. If you hold a degree in Business Administration, you may apply provided your studies had a clear focus on information technology, business informatics, or the digital economy.
• You must hold a degree from a bachelor’s program lasting at least six semesters or an equivalent professionally qualifying degree comprising at least 180 credit points under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

Further information on the GRE test, language proficiency requirements in English and German, and which certificates are accepted can be found in a separate section.

Through a review of your academic background, we determine whether, in addition to a relevant bachelor’s degree, you also meet the academic prerequisites for the Master’s program in Information Systems. To this end, we have designated key foundational courses as reference modules.

• Minimum required credit points in the areas of Computer Science, Business Informatics, and Business Administration—see [§2 (3)]:
  • Computer Science 16 LP
  • Business Informatics: 15 CP
  • Business Administration: 10 CP
     

You must demonstrate that you have earned the required credit points (CP) by referring to the specified reference modules. To do this, we compare the content of selected modules from your previous studies with these reference modules. Modules will be credited if their content sufficiently aligns with a reference module.

Proof of English proficiency (required) - Proof of C1 level
All applicants must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency:

• IELTS: minimum overall score of 7.0, with at least 6.5 in each section
• TOEFL ITP Level 1: minimum 627
• TOEFL iBT through January 20, 2026: at least 95
• TOEFL iBT on or after January 21, 2026: at least 5
• Cambridge Certificate in English: Certificate of Advanced English + Grade B or C (CAE)
• Cambridge Certificate in English: Cambridge First Certificate in English + Grade A (FCE)
• Cambridge Certificate in English: Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher)
• Alternatively: equivalent documentation that may be recognized as such by the admissions committee.

Documentation not recognized (not equivalent):

• High school diplomas or school certificates that include English instruction
• Semesters abroad (including at non-English-speaking universities)
• Stays abroad (e.g., work and travel, language study trips)
• Work experience in English-speaking companies
• Project work conducted in English (during studies or in a professional setting)
• Letters of recommendation or confirmations regarding English-language work environments
• Internal university courses or language modules without a standardized test result

Exceptions to the English proficiency requirement
Proof of English proficiency is not required for applicants who:

• are native English speakers (United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
• have earned their first professional degree in a program taught entirely in English and at an English-speaking university.

German language skills

• No proof required (basic knowledge recommended)
• Please note that some required elective modules are only available in German; without German language skills, your selection of elective modules will therefore be limited. However, the program as a whole is designed so that you can complete your degree even without German language skills.

Application deadlines for applicants with a degree from within (!) the EHEA/EU/EEA:

• For the Winter Semester – usually 15 May to 31 August (subject to change)
• For the Summer Semester – usually 15 November to 28 February (subject to change)

Application deadlines for applicants with a degree from outside (!) the EHEA/EU/EEA:

• For the Winter Semester – usually 15 May to 31 May (subject to change)
• For the Summer Semester – usually 15 November to 30 November (subject to change)

Information provided without guarantee: The deadlines set by Student Services and the current version of the Admission Regulations apply.

Which countries belong to the EU/EEA/EHEA (as at May 2026)?

including Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, the Vatican, the United Kingdom, Cyprus.

If you have not yet completed your Bachelor's degree at the time of application, you may still apply. In this case, please note the following information:

• Please submit a certified transcript of records showing your provisional average mark.
• The average mark must not be more than 4 weeks old at the time of the application deadline.
• No more than 40 LP may be outstanding at the time of application.
• The average mark will be provisionally increased by 0.2 marks to calculate provisional eligibility -> final eligibility can only be determined once the full set of academic records has been submitted.

Proof of a pending Bachelor's degree must generally be provided by the 15th of the month in which lectures commence (subject to change). You can contact Student Services.

We greatly appreciate it when applicants already have extensive professional experience or additional academic qualifications, such as a further Master's degree. Such experience can usefully complement and deepen the applicant’s specialist skills and practical understanding of their field of study.

At the same time, we would like to point out that these aspects cannot be taken into account as part of the formal assessment of academic suitability. For the purposes of admission, only the first professionally qualifying university degree (usually a Bachelor's degree) is relevant. This rule ensures a consistent and comparable assessment of all applications and prevents decisions on a case-by-case basis, which could be disadvantageous to other applicants with comparable qualifications. We therefore ask for your understanding. Furthermore, this procedure is mandatory under the Admission Regulations and therefore does not allow for any further qualifications to be taken into account as part of the formal assessment of academic suitability.

In accordance with the Examination Regulations, the Master's degree programme in Information Systems (MIS) pursues the following educational objectives in particular:

• Graduates develop and enhance dynamic capabilities (particularly in the design and use of information systems) within companies as part of digital transformation.
• Graduates are able to analyse, perform assessments and transform the information systems and process landscape of organisations from both an economic and a technological perspective.
• Graduates shape the digital transformation process within intercultural and interdisciplinary teams, either as specialists or in leadership roles.
• Graduates analyse, conduct assessments and communicate the practical implications of digital transformation for organisations and society, particularly with regard to sustainable business practices.
• Graduates apply scientific methods to develop new insights based on evidence and to apply them in a design-oriented manner.

GRE Requirements for the Master’s in Information Systems
(The following regulations are in accordance with the Study Regulations of November 2026, §2 (5))

Applicants who did not earn their bachelor’s degree at a university in a member state of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and who do not hold a German university entrance qualification must provide proof of having successfully completed the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – General Test at an authorized test center. GRE tests taken as the Home Edition are not accepted. On the GRE General Test, applicants must have achieved at least the 70th percentile in either the “Verbal Reasoning” or “Quantitative Reasoning” categories and at least the 50th percentile in each of the other two categories. The percentiles reported in the GRE General Test for the “Verbal Reasoning,” “Quantitative Reasoning,” and “Analytical Writing” sections are what count.

• The GRE test must still be valid at the time of application and may therefore not be more than 2 years old.
   
• Test sections:
  • Verbal Reasoning (VR)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Analytical Writing (AW)
     
• Minimum percentiles:
  • At least the 70th percentile in VR or QR
  • At least the 50th percentile in the other category as well as in AW.
     
• Example (passed)
  • Verbal Reasoning (VR): 78th percentile
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR): 53rd percentile
  • Analytical Writing (AW): 55th percentile
     
• Examples (failed)
  • Verbal Reasoning (VR): 68th percentile
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR): 73rd percentile
  • Analytical Writing (AW): 39th percentile

Once an application has been submitted, it is assigned various processing statuses in the application portal, which reflect the current stage of the process. Applicants are asked to check the status regularly. The statuses include the following:

• Received
  : The application has been registered in the system but is not yet being actively reviewed.
• Under review
  : The application is currently being reviewed by the selection committee.
• Provisionally excluded
  : The application cannot currently be fully assessed due to missing or incomplete application documents. Unless re-registration is performed or the required documents are submitted, the application will be excluded at the end of the application phase. The application remains in the process until the matter is finally resolved.
• Excluded
  : The application has been excluded from the process. The applicant will be informed of this by email and will also be provided with the reason for exclusion.
• Registration applied
  for The applicant has applied for registration. The Student Administration team will carry out a final check of the submitted documents and details and will then proceed with registration. Registration can only take place once proof of qualification has been provided and the semester fees have been paid in full.
• Valid
  : The application has been formally accepted. The range of studies offered is usually sent via the application portal within 7 days at the latest.

Following successful registration, students will receive, amongst other things, their certificate of registration and their login details for the university’s systems. This also applies to access to your university email address and, consequently, to the mailing lists. Please also note that the university card (including payment and Library borrowing functions) must be applied for separately.

Missing or incomplete documents, as well as missing information, may generally result in exclusion from the admissions process.

It is generally possible to arrive late at the start of studies. Provided that all the necessary enrolment documents have been submitted by the deadline and the semester fees have been paid in full, the Student Services department will carry out your official registration regardless of your residence permit status. In this case, your place at university will therefore remain secure, regardless of your visa status or your actual date of arrival in Aachen.

Please note, however, that a late arrival may result in significant restrictions on your study progress. As a general rule, FH Aachen is a campus-based university; lectures, seminars and practical trainings generally take place on campus.

Please note in particular:

• missed courses and lectures, practical trainings or deadlines must be made up for at your own responsibility
• for modules or practical trainings with compulsory attendance, there is generally no entitlement to retrospective participation or alternative assessments
• individual examination achievements are completed during the semester, for example through compulsory sessions, presentations or project work
• In the event of late arrival, there is generally no entitlement to separate opportunities to catch up or to participate at a later date
• In the case of interdisciplinary projects or the academic seminar, participation may be excluded once the project or course has commenced

The respective module coordinators are solely responsible for individual solutions or organisational arrangements. The programme management and the Academic Counselling Service have no decision-making authority in this regard. We therefore strongly recommend that you plan your arrival in good time for the start of the semester.

For communication with visa offices, we can issue an official letter confirming your student status and the possibility of late arrival upon request.

The ‘Ersti’ or orientation week takes place during the Winter Semester, in the week before lectures begin. The aim is to make initial contacts, get to know fellow students and familiarise oneself with everyday student life and the city of Aachen. It is organised by the student body of the faculty (Fachschaft) 5; this is a voluntary event and not an (official) event organised by FH Aachen or the programme management.

There is generally no orientation week during the Summer Semester. However, experience shows that new students quickly find support from their fellow students. In their courses, they will attend lectures and practical trainings alongside both new and more senior students. If you have any questions about the orientation week or the start of studies, you can also contact the student body of the faculty directly.

Compulsory modules

Students do not usually need to register separately for compulsory modules. Provided a module is scheduled for the relevant semester in accordance with the study schedule, registration takes place automatically. All compulsory modules on the degree programme are generally taught in English.

Please note, however, that separate registration may be required for any associated practical trainings, practical sessions or group work.

Registration for practical trainings or individual courses and lectures takes place via HISinOne/CampusOffice, depending on the module (you will be informed of any alternative registration procedures).

Elective modules / compulsory electives

Elective modules offer the opportunity to set individual academic priorities within your degree programme. Compulsory elective modules are selected from the very first semester – the selection takes place before the start of the lecture period, usually no later than 1–2 weeks beforehand.

Please note the following points in particular:

• not all elective modules are offered every semester
• there are elective modules taught in both German and English

Detailed module descriptions for all compulsory elective modules can be found in CampusOffice or HISinOne.

The specific enrolment procedure and the relevant deadlines will be announced in good time before the start of the semester.

Students studying within the prescribed period of study are generally entitled to enrol in two elective modules per semester. Enrolment in further elective modules may be possible, but is subject to the availability of remaining places. The allocation of remaining places is carried out exclusively by the respective module coordinators. The programme management and the Academic Counselling Service have no influence over the allocation of places and cannot allocate additional places or make reservations.

Aachen University of Applied Sciences (FH Aachen) uses various online portals and university systems to organise your studies. Through these systems, you can, amongst other things, manage your courses and lectures, exam registrations and timetables, and receive important information relating to your studies.

Please familiarise yourself with the relevant portals at an early stage and check them regularly, as many organisational processes and communications take place exclusively online. You will receive your login details once you have successfully registered. The most important portals:

1. HISnOne (h1)
2. Campus Office serves the same purpose but will soon be discontinued
3. Ilias

HISinOne (H1)
HISinOne is FH Aachen’s central student portal. Through H1, you can, amongst other things, manage your application and student details, register for examinations, download certificates, view your timetable and carry out organisational tasks relating to your studies.

CampusOffice
CampusOffice currently still serves some of the same purposes as HISinOne, particularly in the area of course and module management. However, the system is being phased out and will be taken out of service in future. New functions and processes are increasingly being integrated into HISinOne.

ILIAS
ILIAS is FH Aachen’s digital learning platform. Here, lecturers make lecture notes, exercises, assignments, organisational information and online learning materials available. Many courses and lectures use ILIAS as their central platform for communication and collaboration.

Further information about the online services 

Two seminars are compulsory modules within the study progress: the Interdisciplinary Project (IP) and the Research Seminar (ISRM).

The Interdisciplinary Project (IP) is selected in the same way as the elective modules. Students submit applications for the projects on offer as part of the standard elective selection process and are allocated places according to availability. The aim of the IP is the practical, interdisciplinary tackling of a complex task as part of a team.

In the Research Seminar (ISRM), there is no prior module selection. The specific topics are presented at the start of the semester during the first few weeks of lectures, selected and then worked on over the course of the semester. The seminar serves to deepen students’ understanding of research methods and to enable them to engage independently with a specialist topic.

Both seminars involve examination achievements held throughout the semester, for which timely registration is required. Registration must be completed via the examination portal within the specified deadlines. The relevant deadlines must be checked on the portal and strictly adhered to. Please note that, in this case, registration for the in-semester examination must be completed separately from other examination registrations during the first few weeks of the semester. Registration for the examination cannot be carried out retrospectively.

In the Master's degree programme in Information Systems (MIS) at FH Aachen, academic achievements can generally only be recognised if they are equivalent, in terms of both content and form, to the modules of the degree programme. Equivalence is deemed to exist, amongst other things, if the content, scope (e.g. contact hours or credits) and academic level of the work already completed correspond to those of the relevant module in the degree programme.

The process for credit transfer is determined by the relevant Examination Office or the respective faculties. The following regulations apply to the modules offered by the various faculties involved in the Master's degree programme in Information Systems (in all cases, the form provided by the Examination Office must be submitted):

Faculty 5 (module numbers 5…):

• Credit transfer is handled exclusively by the respective module coordinators
• Complete and submit the application
• Once checked by the module coordinator, the form is countersigned and then submitted to the Examination Office

Faculty 7 (module numbers 7…):

• Credit transfer is handled directly by the Registrar's Office of Faculty 7

General rules:

• Academic achievements from a Bachelor’s degree programme are not considered equivalent to Master’s modules and cannot be credited
• Credit transfer is only possible for credits from a previous Master’s degree programme, i.e.:
• Work experience and practical activities outside the university context cannot be recognised

Practical and mobility semesters:

• May be credited during study progress
• Separate guidelines apply regarding requirements, procedures and recognition
• Recognition is handled by the Academic Counselling Service
• Credit is awarded towards module 56100 Mobility Semester
• The same application process as for other forms of recognition must be followed
  
  Please check the guidelines in advance to find out what can and cannot be credited!

All students are expected to familiarise themselves with the current Examination Regulations applicable to their degree programme. Knowledge of these Regulations is a prerequisite and students are responsible for ensuring they are aware of them. Any questions or concerns can be addressed during the personal consultation hours of our Chairwoman of the Examination Board or via the Examination Office.

Important information:

• Examination dates during the year:
• 2 examination periods (February and September) for modules administered by Department 7 (Economics)
• 3 examination periods (February–March) (mid-July–early August & in September) for modules
   administered by Department 5 (Electrical Engineering and Information Technology)
• Registration for examinations held during the semester takes place at the start of the semester. You can find the exact date via HIS or through the Examination Office.
• Exam registration is only possible within a specified period
• You may withdraw from an examination up to 7 days before the examination date
• Options in the event of failing an examination (Study Regulations §29, 30 & 33):
• If you fail on your third attempt, you may sit a one-off oral examination, which is available only once during your entire degree programme
• The following applies to examination achievements in practical trainings:
  • fail -> the practical training must be repeated; the written examination may only be taken once the practical training has been passed;
  • pass -> practical training does not need to be repeated; the written examination may be taken at any time

In the Master's degree programme in Information Systems (MIS) at FH Aachen, the practical semester is a compulsory part of the course and is designed to enable students to apply academic methods and specialist knowledge in depth within a real-world professional environment. The aim is to systematically promote the transfer of knowledge from academic study to professional practice and to prepare students for challenging roles in the occupational field.

The practical semester is scheduled for the third semester in the full-time programme and the fifth semester in the part-time programme. It lasts for 20 weeks and must be completed as a continuous period of work experience.

Admission to the practical semester is granted by the Examination Board of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. As part of the application for admission, details of a proposed supervisor within the company must be submitted where applicable. The final decision on recognition and admission rests with the Examination Board.

Further requirements or guidance can be found in the current Examination Regulations.

credit transfer

As a general rule, academic achievements can only be recognised if they are deemed to be equivalent, in terms of both content and format, to the modules of the Master's degree programme in Information Systems (MIS) at FH Aachen. Equivalence is deemed to exist, in particular, where the content, scope (e.g. contact hours/workload) and academic level of the work already completed correspond to those of the relevant module in the degree programme.

Requirements for credit transfer:

• Equivalence in content, scope (SWS/workload) and academic level must be demonstrated
• Module descriptions and full examination certificates must be submitted
• The process is governed by regulations issued by the Examination Offices or the Registrar's Office

Faculty 5 (module numbers 5…):

• Credit transfer is handled exclusively by the respective module coordinators
• Complete and submit the application
• Once checked by the module coordinator, the form will be countersigned
• Submit the form to the Examination Office

Faculty 7 (module numbers 7…):

• Credit transfer is handled directly by the Registrar's Office
• Submit the required documents there

General regulations:

• Academic achievements from a Bachelor’s degree programme are not considered equivalent and cannot be credited
• Credit transfer is only possible for credits from a previous Master’s degree programme
• Work experience and practical activities outside the university context cannot be credited

Work placement and mobility semesters:

• In accordance with Section 20 (1, 2) of the Examination Regulations, with regard to the practical semester, a corresponding practical semester completed as part of a Bachelor’s degree programme is, in principle, eligible for recognition as an academic achievement under the conditions set out in Section 20(2) of the APO, provided that it was completed in the field of Business Informatics.
• Recognition is granted via the Academic Counselling Service (an application and proofs and certificates must be submitted)
• Credit is awarded for module 56100 Mobility Semester
• Please note: The crediting of the work placement or mobility semester constitutes the crediting of an examination achievement and is therefore submitted, applied for and assessed in the same way as such an achievement.
   

Before you begin your final thesis, first check that you meet the admission requirements.

Next, decide whether you would like to write your thesis at the university (e.g. as part of a project) or within a company. The next step is to find a suitable topic and choose a primary supervisor. The primary supervisor must be a professor at FH Aachen; the secondary supervisor may be a member of the faculty or an external contact from the company. 

Many lecturers already have set topics, whilst others are happy to accept proposals you have developed yourself. You should therefore find out in advance about the relevant procedure and, if necessary, prepare a brief outline (problem statement, objective, methodology, timetable). The supervisors are happy to make themselves available for consultation meetings.

Once the topic and supervisors have been finalised, submit the formal application for admission to the chair of the Examination Board. The application must be accompanied by proofs and certificates of the credits you have earned, as well as details of your preferred examiners. Once your application has been approved, you will receive the official letter confirming your topic; the date on this letter marks the start of your writing period. You can now draw up your work plan and begin writing your thesis.

Please note: In the Master's degree programme in Information Systems, there is no separate practical project, as was customary in the Bachelor’s programme. The practical application of your research takes place exclusively within the framework of the Master’s thesis itself.

Further information can be found on the faculty’s website.

Please note that some of the information provided here consists of the author’s personal advice and recommendations, which may not necessarily apply to other degree programmes or supervisors.

Before you can begin your final thesis, you must first fulfil the formal requirements. These include

• 50 credit points in the Master’s degree programme (as evidenced by the transcript of records).
• Application for admission: submitted in writing to the chair of the Examination Board, including proofs and certificates (credit confirmation, module certificates, and, where applicable, a statement regarding previous attempts at a final thesis) and a proposed supervisor

Only once you have received a positive letter of admission and a confirmed topic may you begin writing your Master’s thesis (minimum 14 weeks’ working time; normally 20 weeks for 27 LP). In the event of illness or disability, the deadline may be extended by up to 8 weeks; the topic may only be revised once, within the first 4 weeks.

The colloquium is an integral part of the final examination and complements the written Master’s thesis. Its purpose is to assess your subject-specific expertise, your understanding of the broader context, and your ability to present and defend your findings orally. Below is a concise overview of the key regulations, requirements and the procedure for the colloquium:

credits

• 3 CP – count towards the final mark (Master’s thesis: 27 CP)

Duration

• approx. 30–60 minutes
• ≈ 30 minutes’ presentation, with the remainder for questions and discussion

Content

• A 30-minute presentation of your Master’s thesis
• Followed by technical questions from the two examiners relating to the subject area

admission requirements

• Fulfilment of the general examination requirements in accordance with Section 23 of the APO
• Passing all other module examinations (unless otherwise specified)
• Final thesis assessed at least ‘sufficient’
• Any further programme-specific conditions, where applicable

Date of the colloquium

• No later than 8 weeks after submission of the final thesis. The result will be communicated immediately after the colloquium.

Please note: The colloquium is the final examination component of your degree programme. Once you have successfully completed it, you will no longer be permitted to take part in further modules, interdisciplinary projects within the curriculum, practical or semester abroad, or any other examination achievements.

Please be sure to read the Examination Regulations for further information.

• Programme Directors:
  Prof. Dr Mathias Eggert
  , Prof. Dr Guido Dartmann
  , Prof. Dr Martin Wolf
  Programme Coordination and Academic Counselling Service: Clemens Treuling (M.A.)
• Student Services: Your first point of contact for enquiries regarding your studies and the start of studies, applications, registration, re-registration, deregistration and your university ID card.
• Academic Advising: Questions regarding choice of degree programme, doubts about your studies, difficulties or concerns relating to a disability.
• Department of International Affairs: Advice on stays abroad (Erasmus+, practical training), visa matters for international students and the admission of international applicants.
• Psychosocial Counselling (PSB): Support with personal or study-related crises, anxieties or challenging life phases.
• Suggestions and Complaints Office (StAB): Informal submission of feedback, complaints or suggestions (via your university email address only).
• IT Support (DVZ): Issues with your university account, Wi-Fi or IT infrastructure at various locations (Bayernallee, Eupener Str., Goethestraße).
• Examination Office / Examinations Secretariat, Faculty 5: Point of contact for exam registrations, marks, Examination Regulations, final theses (submission), recognition of credits and practical semesters.
• International Faculty Office (IFO): Specific enquiries regarding stays abroad or support for international students within a particular faculty (e.g. Faculty 7).
• Student Counsellor: Contact person for questions regarding the content of the degree programme or specific issues relating to your studies.
• Family Office: Support for student parents.
• Further support for students