Software Engineering and Management

The Master's programme in Software Engineering and Management at Heilbronn University is dedicated to qualifying first-degree graduates for management and leadership activities in international software engineering domains.
Software engineering means more than the development of modern information systems. The Master's programme Software Engineering and Management (MSc) therefore adopts an interdisciplinary approach, qualifying you to mastermind and take charge of software projects at home and abroad. The Master's programme is tailored to the demands of international businesses, in response to a rapidly developing and challenging environment. Furthermore, partnerships with a number of foreign universities provide an excellent foundation for your future career.

As subject knowledge, the Master's programme embraces four major areas:

• Computer Science
• Applied Software Engineering
• Information Systems in Business
• Leadership, Interpersonal and Intercultural Competence

The first area focuses on Computer Science skills and covers Algorithm Theory, Software Architectures, Paradigms in Software Development, Intelligent Systems, Real-Time Systems as well as Information Management.
Applied Software Engineering covers Product and Quality Management, Requirements and Usability Engineering, Project and Risk Management as well as Computer-Mediated Communication and Remote Collaboration in Virtual Teams.
Information Systems in Business focuses on the role of Information Systems in enterprises. This area views the optimal support of business processes as a critical competitive factor. It focuses on IT Service Management, Change Management, Process Management as well as Business Models for Software.
Besides technical and management aspects, the Master's programme covers interpersonal and intercultural skills as well as problem-solving skills, all essential in a multidimensional, interdisciplinary and fast-changing work environment.

The precise course structure (including modules, course units and course delivery) can be found at our website: http://www.hs-heilbronn.de/msem

Educational organisation

The Master's programme in Software Engineering and Management can be completed in three semesters.
The first two semesters cover the four main areas mentioned above, providing a sound theoretical basis in each field and preparing students for a number of organisational and leadership tasks in international software engineering organisations.
The third and final semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis which is accompanied by a colloquium. The thesis may deal with a topic of interest motivated by contemporary research or may be commissioned by a cooperating organisation. Each thesis is supervised by two examiners, one of whom may be an external professional.

Finally, the MSc Software Engineering and Management offers a number of specific benefits and assets such as

• lectures delivered exclusively in English
• a favourable student-lecturer ratio
• an interdisciplinary curriculum
• integration of management and engineering practices
• a clearly structured and time-efficient schedule
• sustained teaching quality by systematic student appraisal
• state-of-the-art facilities
• innovative forms of teaching
• creative forms of learning, e.g. problem-based and blended learning, etc.

Throughout the course, student groups use genuine case study material provided by the cooperating companies and apply the appropriate tools to solve the problems at hand in a team.
This not only improves their analytical and problem-solving capacities, but familiarises them with methodological and creative problem-solving techniques and the relational skills which are vital for future business leaders.

Study abroad unit(s)

Not mandatory; academic partnerships and exchange programmes with a number of universities all over the world allow our students to gain experience in an international software engineering context. Such partner institutions are Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, Dundalk Institute of Technology in Ireland and the Universidad Polytéchnica de Valencia in Spain. These partnerships may include projects with virtual international student teams as well as video conferences and other forms of online collaboration.

Internships

Practical experience is gained via project work in cooperation with various businesses in Heilbronn or the vicinity. This cooperation provides real-world problems to solve in the context of course content and especially of the Master's thesis.

Forms of assessment

Courses are offered as lectures, seminars, exercises, project work and laboratory courses (with practical projects and team projects). Most of the courses are assessed by written exams, some courses require the submission and presentation of a project. A Master's thesis must be written.

Course objectives

The Master's programme in Software Engineering and Management at Heilbronn University qualifies first-degree graduates for management and leadership activities in international software engineering fields. Therefore, the MSc Software Engineering and Management takes a cross-disciplinary approach which will enable you to interact effectively, confidently and responsibly in such a multidimensional work environment.

Language requirements

Evidence of a high level of proficiency in English: a score of at least 550 in TOEFL paper-based, 213 in TOEFL computer-based or 79 in TOEFL internet-based, or 6.0 in IELTS, or minimum C in Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
Results must not be older than two years (excepting CAE). Proficiency in German is not necessary for admission.

Academic requirements

Successful applicants fulfil the following admission requirements:

• An excellent or good German (average grade of 2.5 or less) or European Bachelor's degree (210 or 240 ECTS credits) or an equivalent international qualification (attested by Studienkolleg Konstanz ("SK", former: "ASK") certificate) in Computer Science or a closely-related field. Candidates who have obtained 180 ECTS credits for their first degree can acquire an extra 30 ECTS credits in appropriate Bachelor's programmes at Heilbronn University.
• An excellent or good German, European or International Bachelor's degree in any other field (210 ECTS credits) if applicants can provide proof of additional course-related educational or vocational experience acquired in the previous three years. These applicants must take part in an interview prior to admission.
• A high level of proficiency in English (TOEFL PBT: 550, TOEFL CBT: 213 or TOEFL IBT: 79 or IELTS: 6.0 (max. two years old) or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE))

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

All students have to pay an enrolment fee of approx. 130 EUR per semester. This includes an administration fee of 60 EUR, a social contribution for the student services of 54 EUR (a contribution to cover the costs for the student facilities like the "Mensa", cafeteria, student halls of residence, and a contribution towards the "Semesterticket"/transport pass) and a contribution to the "constituted student union" of 14 EUR.

Costs of living

The cost of living for a student is about 800 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

Students may be employed as student assistants in the Faculty of Computer Science or rather in the Department of Software Engineering, as well as at affiliated research institutions. Companies in the region also offer similar jobs.

Funding opportunities within the university

Applicants and enrolled students of Heilbronn University can apply for the "Deutschlandstipendium". "Deutschlandstipendium" students are awarded 300 EUR per month.
http://www.hs-heilbronn.de/germany-scholarship

Arrival support

A welcome day for international students is held on the first day of lectures at Heilbronn University:

• help with enrolment formalities (health insurance, registration of address office, etc.)
• guided tours at Heilbronn University (library, computer centre and labs, refectory, etc.)
• guided tour of the city of Heilbronn, etc.

Services and support for international students

Heilbronn University has set up the so-called MSEM Master's Programmes Office.
It provides and arranges help for you concerning:

• your application to the Master's Programme
• admission and enrolment procedures
• contacting lecturers and students e.g. for support and advice with (individual) study plans
• scholarship applications
• application for a student visa
• accommodation during your academic studies at Heilbronn University (application at the student residence hall, addresses for further private accommodation)
• voluntary German courses "German as a foreign language" (free of charge), etc.

Accommodation

There are several halls of residence in Heilbronn. A room database provided by the Office of Student Services of Heilbronn University helps students to find accommodation. For further information, see: https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/accommodation.