Digital Transformation and Global Entrepreneurship (MSc)
Design and experience digital business models
Rapid technological developments dominate the business models of tomorrow. In order to design these in such a way that they are successful on the market in the long term, a corresponding mindset is required in addition to certain methods for identifying potential and putting it into practice. With this degree programme, we serve precisely these key factors because in our labs you will learn everything you need to establish yourself as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur in an international environment.
- Startup Lab
Here you will learn everything about global entrepreneurship, e.g. ideation and prototyping, identifying trends, international startup mentality, branding and funding/financing startups. - Digital Lab
The Digital Lab is all about digital transformation, e.g. digital technologies and their implementation in terms of a company's digital strategy. - Research Labs
In the Research Lab, you will learn how to position yourself in science for the topics of the Startup Lab and Digital Lab.
Admission and application
Admission requirements
- University degree with a minimum of 210 ECTS credits (University degree does not reach 210 ECTS)
- Average mark of 2.5 or better
30 ECTS in the fields of business administration, information technology or information management
- For international applicants: German A1
(The language certificate must be submitted at the latest at the time of enrolment. Upon request, the certificate can be submitted later during the first semester). - The programme is approval-free
Application period
Winter semester: 02.05. – 31.08.
For non-EU applicants:
Winter semester: 02.05. – 15.07.
The programme is only offered in the winter semester.
Questions about admission and application
How do I apply for the programme?
To apply for this master's programme, you need to register at the online portal found on our website. A content review without a proper application is not possible. Detailed application deadlines can be found on this page in the "Admission and application" section.
The following documents must be submitted by the application deadline:
- Application for admission
- Curriculum vitae
- Copy of high school transcript (no certification necessary)
- Copy of bachelor’s degree transcript with a minimum of 210 ECTS credits and a final mark of 2.5 or better (no certification necessary). Your bachelor’s degree must be completed before the end of the application period.
30 ECTS in the fields of business administration, information technology or information management
- Proof of English skills at level B2
- Proof of German skills at level A1. The language certificate must be submitted by the time of enrolment. Upon application, proof of level A1 can be submitted later during the first semester.
- All applicants who have not obtained their Bachelor's degree in Germany must upload their certificates via the uni-assist online portal for further checks. Detailed information on the required documents can be found at www.uni-assist.de.
Further information on application and admission for International degree seeking students can be found on the following page: Application for international students
How can I improve my bachelor grade? (Admission test: TM-WISO)
It is optionally possible to take a voluntary entrance test (TM-WISO) 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 "TM-WISO" is possible on the following page of the institute:
Registration for TM-WISO (opens in a new window)
I did not earn the required 210 ECTS credits with my degree. What can I do?
The following text provides an overview of the key points from the Enrollment Statutes. In case of deviations, the text of the enrollment statutes (opens in a new window) is binding.
In the case of a Bachelor's degree with only 180 ECTS credits, the existing qualification gap of 30 ECTS credits must be filled by proving or successfully completing one of the following prior achievements:
- Co-authorship of a research publication in English (research paper).
- At least 6 months of verifiable full-time professional experience after obtaining the bachelor's degree in an occupation relevant to the study content of the degree program (evidence by employment contract and/or employment references)
- Successful completion of an admission examination in the form of a written scientific paper in English.
Deadline for submission of the paper: Winter semester: 31.08. / Summer semester: 04.03.
You apply for participation at the latest 1 month before the deadline in English and solely by e-mail to the head of the respective degree programme.
Please contact the head of the degree programme for the provision of such proof:
- Proof of additional subjects taken amounting to 30 ECTS from a previous degree programme
About the programme
Contents of the degree programme
Benefit for the students:
- Develop new ways of thinking
in order to take advantage of opportunities in an organisation or company at a global level. - Identify potential innovations
that drive digital transformation at an international level. - Be able not only to manage digital transformation,
but also shape it. - Develop your own scalable ideasall the way to market maturity
by working on a team project. - Use our international network
to enable global action. - Exchange ideas with like-minded people,
entrepreneurs and founders. - Receive comprehensive, in-depth training
thanks to our start-up, digital and research labs. - Develop and apply research methods
that make our graduates sought-after young scientists in the field of digital transformation and global entrepreneurship.
Structure of the degree programme
1st semester
- Entrepreneurial Trend and Technology Scouting
- Entrepreneurial Ideation and Prototyping
- Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship
- Digital Business Models and Approaches
- Applied Data Digitalization
- Systematic Literature Review
2nd semester
- International Startup-Tour (Excursion)
- International Strategic Management
- Entrepreneurial Funding and Finance
- Disruptive Technologies
- Digital Implementation
- Quantitative Research Methods
3rd semester
- Strategic Brand Management
- Elective
- Master Thesis and Seminar
Special features
Action Learning
We attach great importance to the application of content. This starts with the didactic concept of the degree programme, which is mainly based on action learning.
Network in practice
We also use our practical network to give you regular opportunities to work with companies (e.g. Makeathon or concept seminar).
International Startup Tour
As part of the ‘International Startup Tour’ course, we visit startups abroad. In the past, we have already visited startup hubs in Israel and Greece with our students and can thus provide direct insights into the lives of global entrepreneurs.
Career perspectives
Graduates can work as:
- Global entrepreneurs,
who start and expand their own businesses, scale and network at a global level; connection to HNU activities and infrastructure. - Intrapreneurs, business developers, innovators, strategists, digital transformers
who drive companies and organisations forward internationally. - Young scientists
for the areas of digital transformation and global entrepreneurship.
Language of instruction
For the master’s degree programmes offered in English, you must submit verification of level B2 English language skills with your application. The following are considered suitable verification:
- corresponding results from a recognised language test (e.g. a minimum of 90 points on the TOEFL-IBT)
- 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 A1 when enrolling.
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)".