M.Sc. Digital Leadership

Overview

The Master’s program Digital Leadership is a research-oriented degree program that provides comprehensive specialist knowledge and skills in economics and information science. With an interdisciplinary approach, the program combines technical know-how with creative application to enable students to solve complex problems in digital environments and develop innovative leadership strategies and solutions. It is aimed at international talents who – equipped with a deep understanding of digital technologies and their potential for industry-changing business models – act as pioneers in their organizations at the forefront of digital change.

The Master’s program brings a deep understanding of the processes, skills, and knowledge needed to craft impactful digital leadership experiences. The groundbreaking program partners provide a breadth of theory, technologies, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Digital leadership has seen explosive growth over the last decade, and professionals with the skills to work in highly digitalized environments are in high demand. Thus, the graduates of this program will have a broad range of skills and knowledge of concepts, methods, techniques and procedures for planning and applying digital technologies and leadership strategies in a business context, developing and implementing digital business models and leading interdisciplinary teams in the context of digital transformation in companies.

In particular, graduates acquire key skills that will enable them to drive and shape digital transformations in the various fields of application. We welcome students with a Bachelor's degree from all disciplines and backgrounds – especially those interested in digitalization and digital technologies – and are looking for people with ideas about how their unique perspective and diverse experiences can contribute to this young and fast-evolving industry.

Program Preview 

Explore the M.Sc. Digital Leadership program preview with Univ.-Prof. Dr. Georg Loscher (opens in new tab) and gain an introduction to leading digital transformation and innovation at the intersection of technology and strategy.

This program preview provides an overview of the program’s interdisciplinary curriculum, practical leadership approach, and how it prepares future-ready professionals to lead digital change across industries and sectors.

Program Objectives

• This Master’s program equips students with state-of-the-art knowledge and skills in digital technologies – such as software systems and machine learning – and leadership principles – such as strategic management, entrepreneurial transformation, and change management.
• It fosters creativity and innovation skills to develop new strategies, applications, and solutions and enables the students to drive and (self-)shape digital transformation in the various fields of application.
• It enables the students to take on management tasks and lead complex projects in connection with digital technologies. Graduates are also able to assess ethical and legal issues in the digital context.
• It qualifies the students to analyze complex problems, present and communicate results to decision-makers, and critically discuss new ideas and concepts.
• It equips the students with profound knowledge in research methods and practice, enabling them to carry out development and research work independently.
• The graduates will be able to set up companies or gain further academic qualifications in a subsequent doctoral program.

Electives

Benefit from our large pool of electives and take the opportunity to specialize individually in your field of interest.

A special feature of our degree programs is the great freedom of choice. While students on each study program must take 50% of the elective modules from a specified subject area designed specifically for the individual study programs, the rest can be chosen freely from the entire electives pool.

• Digital Business Models & Venture Building​ (Q1/Q3)
• Entrepreneurial Finance & Innovation​ (Q2/Q4)
• Data Warehousing
• Data Analytics & Decision Making​ (Q1/Q3)
• AI Ethics in the Digital Economy (Q2/Q4) 
• Digital Marketing
• Digital Ecosystems & Platform Economy​ (Q2/Q4)
• Digital Transformation in Public Sector​ (Q2/Q4)

Unique Features

• Applicable across multiple industries: IT, business, entertainment, consulting, logistics, manufacturing, and many more.
• Prepares students for careers in industries that are in urgent need of digital leaders, including research, development, entrepreneurship and management.
• Enables interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange of ideas between students across different disciplines.
• Students work individually and in teams to conceptualize, research, plan and deliver a series of projects.
• Develop critical evaluation, conceptual thinking and communication skills for diverse media and audiences.
• Engage with external communities of researchers and attend professional events, festivals and masterclasses with industry practitioners. Refine their practice in a relevant, real-world context.

Why study this Master's program?

• Digital leaders are sought after in all parts of the world and in all industries.
• A Master’s in Digital Leadership provides a comprehensive education in emerging digital technologies, preparing graduates for successful careers in various sectors.
• The Master’s degree opens doors to innovative work, entrepreneurial ventures, and positions graduates as leaders in the digital transformation of society.

Why German UDS?

• At the German UDS, the students combine theory and critical thinking with practical experimentation and application.
• Throughout the years, the students learn from pioneering thought-leaders and work with internationally significant industry partners.
• This collaboration allows the students to create innovative work in virtual and extended realities.
• The German UDS provides an extensive online toolset that allows you to succeed with your studies.

Career Outlook

• Graduates of the Digital Leadership Master’s program have unique and diverse career prospects in a rapidly growing field. The Master’s program prepares students to become leading experts in the field of digital technologies and actively shape the future of these technologies.
• They are expected to take up management and leadership positions, especially where the planning and application of digital technologies, the development and introduction of digital business models and the management of interdisciplinary teams in a digital context play a key role.
• Typical future positions of the graduates could be Venture Developer, Digital Transformation Manager, Chief Digital Officer, IT Entrepreneur, etc.
• In addition, graduates have various opportunities in research and development, where they can pursue a career at the forefront of new technologies and help push the boundaries of digital leadership. Senior positions (e.g. in project management) allow them to lead the implementation of digital technologies and develop innovative strategies for employees, clients or companies.