Digital Transformation in the Information and Media Sector
Graduates of the Digital Transformation Master's degree course plan, develop, organise, manage, carry out, supervise and evaluate processes, projects and products as part of the digital transformation of the information and media sector (private and public), basing their work on academic methods.
The information sector encompasses not only private companies, but also public sector institutions such as academic and public libraries and cultural, educational and research institutions. The most prominent organisations in the media sector include public television and radio broadcasters, as well as publishing houses and media relations/communications agencies. Graduates also have career prospects within the information and media departments of other organisations.
As actors with a societal responsibility, our graduates understand information technology developments and their consequences analytically and can, in turn, critically monitor and constructively influence them.
Good reasons to study Digital Transformation in the Information and Media Sector at HAW Hamburg
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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 right course for you?
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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.
Course content and structure
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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.
Application process
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The degree course admits students for the winter semester only. The application period is 1 June to 15 July.
Applications for all Master's courses must be submitted online. The online application system is only activated during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside of this time. You can find more information at Applying for a Master's degree course.
Alternatively, you can contact master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de
Questions about applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions:
HAW Master's Degree Course Admissions Office
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9898
master-application (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed
In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am
For general queries about degree courses:
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstrasse 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions:
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact the department
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Specifically subject-related queries:
Prof. Dr. Hardy Gundlach
Professor für Informations- und Medienökonomie
hardy.gundlach (@) haw-hamburg.de
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Verch
Professorin für Digital Rights Management und Medienproduktion
ulrike.verch (@) haw-hamburg.de