General Information
Please note: No new applications will be accepted for this Master's program. The successor program Human-Centered Intelligent Systems (HCIS) will start in the winter semester 2025. Detailed information can be found on the course of study website.
Are you ready to embark on a cutting-edge journey at the intersection of technology, creativity, and innovation? Look no further than the Master program in Media Informatics! Introduced in 2002 at the prestigious Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (b-it), this program is a collaborative effort between RWTH Aachen University, the University of Bonn, and the renowned Fraunhofer Institutes at Birlinghoven Castle in Sankt Augustin.
This interdisciplinary program will educate the participant to successfully master the novel technical and economic challenges at the crossroads of computer science, software engineering, next-generation information systems, data science and all types of media. The program is distinguished by its international orientation, its focus on IT competence, and its high level of integration of teaching and research.
The master's program in Media Informatics consists of three main blocks:
- Computer and Communication Technologies
- Multimedia Technology
- Media Use and Impact
The program is characterised by a significant proportion of practical lab courses embedded in both basic and applied research of the participating Fraunhofer Institutes of Applied Information Technology (FIT), and Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems (IAIS). It is the only cooperative study program enabling students to choose from two universities and have access to esteemed Fraunhofer lab courses.
The program of study also includes methodological aspects of designing media informatics systems from the perspectives of software engineering, usability, media design, and business requirements. Students have the chance to explore these topics and specialize freely, while finalizing it with a six-months master thesis.
The course contents is structured according to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Media Informatics has been successfully accredited by ASIIN. It was also the first Computer Science Master Program (together with its two cooperating partner programmes) to get the European Euro-Inf quality label from EQANIE.
Goals of the Program
The Media Informatics program aims to equip graduates with the skills necessary for leadership roles. While a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science qualifies individuals for participation in large software projects, the Master’s degree focuses on technical innovation, system architecture, and project management. Graduates emerge with a solid foundation to tackle challenges in this dynamic field, including competencies in core areas such as Computer Graphics, Designing Interactive Systems, and Data Science.
These accomplished graduates can work across diverse domains, including digital interactive media, information technology, communication technology, security, and more. Their robust background in data science prepares them for tomorrow’s industry and research challenges. Additionally, they excel in problem-solving, considering both media cultural and business aspects. They are adept at presenting scientific and technical information effectively, both orally and in writing.
In summary, the program empowers graduates to apply methods and techniques within the broad realm of Media Informatics, solve complex problems independently, and develop relevant solutions within a rigorous scientific context. Exceptional students may even pursue doctoral degrees based on their achievements during the Master’s program
The graduates can apply the methods and techniques in the broad area of Media Informatics, solve problems on their own and develop relevant solutions in a greater scientific context.
Students who excel during their Master's program will also have the necessary qualifications to pursue a doctoral degree.
Career Opportunities
Computer scientists with an applied focus have been in great demand in the past, and this trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
With an M.Sc. degree in Media Informatics you will be well-prepared for the typical challenges faced when working in computer systems engineering and for creative work with audio-visual media.
The alumni of Media Informatics are doing their PhD in Germany or abroad or are working at prestigious companies. In a survey by the Economics journals Wirtschaftwoche and Handelsblatt in 2009 the head recruiters of the biggest German companies were asked to evaluate the universities in Germany. In the ranking RWTH Aachen was selected as best university in Germany. RWTH Aachen secured a first place not only in one but directly in five categories. The alumni with a degree of RWTH Aachen are deemed to be best prepared for the job and are preferred to be hired by the companies. That result has been confirmed in consecutive years, e.g. in 2013. The research quality of it's Computer Science department was once again also confirmed in the 2009 edition of the prestigious CHE Rating by the weekly ZEIT. As one of only four universities in the German-speaking countries it again reached the top research rating. Quite a number of our alumni thus do a PhD after their study (at RWTH Aachen, University of Bonn, or other universities in Germany or abroad).
The ABCD region (Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Duesseldorf) is home to many prospective employers, including global players such as Microsoft, Philips, Ericsson, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Bertelsmann Group, as well as many television stations such as WDR, VIVA, etc. and about 2/3 of our alumni stay in Germany. The others return to their home country or work in other countries of the EU or abroad.