Digital Transformation in the Information and Media Sector

The Master's degree course qualifies students for management responsibilities in the area of digital leadership. Through challenging content-related, leadership and project management exercises, the course provides optimal preparation for leadership roles with information providers, media companies, libraries and public cultural institutions, as well as in the field of digital change management.

The academic study and methodological-systematic analysis of selected topical areas related to the digital transformation of the information and media sector teach students innovative research skills.

Students who have successfully completed the degree have the research skills necessary to undertake doctoral studies.

The degree course is designed for those who wish to take on leadership responsibilities in the information and media sector – particularly in the management of digital transformation processes – and who have completed a Bachelor's degree in Information, Media, Communications, Library Sciences or a closely related subject.

The degree course content is organised on the basis of inquiry-based learning via a spiral curriculum, which is divided over four semesters. The specific focus of each semester enables the step-by-step development of three dimensions of skills:

In the first semester, the module Management of Digital Transformation Processes consists of the courses Algorithms and Society, Statistics and Theoretical Economic Analysis, and Research and Verification. These are followed by a management project. Project topics from the information sector context such as data quality, search functions or bibliometrics are possibilities here. For the media sector, project topics covering media management with a focus on the digital transformation are offered.

In the second semester, the analysis of digital transformation processes is the focus of courses on the societal, cultural, legal and ethical framework of media, communications and information policy as well as on international research and trends in digital transformation. The semester concludes with an analytical project. Analytical projects for the information sector context can include topics from the area of digital humanities or on search engine bias, user experience or questions related to information law. In the area of media and communications, the factors influencing the successful implementation of digital transformation projects are analysed and applied in a targeted manner.

In the third semester, the module Designing the Digital Transformation focuses in three courses on the production and distribution of digital media content, data mining and data visualisation, and communications strategies in the digital transformation. A design project solidifies the skills learned over the semester. For the information sector, projects on communications concepts, open science or concepts for learning spaces are possible. In the area of media and communications sciences, strategies for risk and crisis communication and marketing for digital transformation projects are developed.

In the fourth semester, students write their Master's thesis, accompanied by a Master's colloquium. The thesis brings together the skills acquired in the degree course and evaluates these using academic methods.

Admission requirements are:

• Bachelor's degree in Media and Information, Media and Communication, or Library and Information Science, or successful completion of a professional bachelor's or diploma programme lasting at least six semesters in a closely related field of study with at least 180 credit points.
• If you have not yet completed your degree, you can submit a list of exams and grades.
• Proof of English language skills at level B2. 

Additional requirements for international applicants:

• If you would like to apply for a master's programme at HAW Hamburg, please send your school and university transcripts to uni.assist for review in advance. 
• Please note that German language skills (C1) are a prerequisite for application.

Additional documents you must submit:

• A written CV that clearly outlines your personal and professional background as well as any further education and training you have completed. Please include relevant supporting documents, in particular employment references and certificates of participation in relevant further training courses.
• A letter of motivation written by you (max. 5 pages) in which you explain:
  -  What professional skills and personal interests you bring to the Master's programme and the field of media and information management.
  - To what extent you are familiar with method-oriented scientific work, in particular with quantitative methods of empirical research.
  - What methodological knowledge you have acquired in your studies to date and, in particular, applied in the context of your bachelor's thesis. Please specify the topic of your bachelor's thesis and the methods or procedures used.

Additional documents that you can submit to increase your chances of admission:

• Proof of subject-specific professional and academic experience relevant to the content of the Master's programme
• Proof of your ability to work in a methodical manner, including quantitative methods of empirical research