Master in Digital Business Innovation and Transformation

Master in Digital Business Innovation and Transformation is one of 32 English-taught Business Administration programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 19 institutions. 29 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 727 to EUR 1,453; this programme lists EUR 727 a year. 18 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

The Master's in Digital Business Innovation and Transformation at IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences is a part-time programme taught in English. It runs over four semesters and 120 ECTS and leads to a Master of Arts in Business (MA). The programme sits within the IMC Business School and mixes business administration with digital and data expertise, plus the behavioural and sociological side of change.

What you study

The curriculum is built on three pillars: business basics, digital core topics and practical training. In the business basics you cover corporate structure, strategy, risk management and corporate foresight, so you can take on management tasks in digital settings. The digital core includes data management and analysis with tools such as R and SAS, digital technologies, innovation management and process automation. You also work on leadership, ethics, human development in the digital age and legal awareness. The programme is explicit that you will not become a data scientist or programmer, but you will be able to work effectively alongside IT engineers and data scientists.

Courses named in the curriculum include Business Analysis and Strategy Development, Digital Economy and Business Models, Business Statistics and Data Science, Digital Technologies, Innovation Management, Digital Business Development, Digital Process Management, Process Automation, Project and Change Management, IT, Data and Security Management, Ethics in Leadership, Human Development and Leadership in the Digital Age, Corporate Risk Management, Legal Awareness, Data Analytics, Software Engineering and Quality Management, and Research Methods. In each of the first three semesters you get 1 ECTS for self-directed learning, where you set your own direction, for example learning a programming language or trying out new tools.

How the programme is organised

It is part-time. Friday courses run virtually from 2 p.m., Saturdays are on site in Krems, and each of the first three semesters includes one block week. The fourth semester is for your master thesis, which can address a research or practical question, ideally a real project at your company. You can also spend semester four at one of IMC Krems' partner universities. Teaching is hands-on: lecturers bring professional experience, case studies are used, and in semester two the Innovation Lab is a joint project with companies where you apply approaches such as design thinking to real problems. You can choose your project based on your interests and industry preferences.

Beyond the degree, the programme lets you earn two Austrian Standards personal certifications, P53-Digital Officer and P59-Innovation Risk Manager. Completing the Data Analytics module also gives you the option of a Tier 1 SAS Academic Specialisation digital badge in Digital Business Analytics. The Founders Lab at IMC Krems supports students who want to implement start-up ideas.

Who it suits

This master is for people who want to lead digital change inside companies, not just study it. It suits working professionals who need flexibility, commuters, and anyone aiming at roles that connect business strategy with digitalisation and innovation. The programme states that it prepares you to coordinate and direct digital transformations across industries, and to understand, motivate and lead people through change. It also appeals to those who want an international focus: English as the language of instruction, international teachers and the option of a semester abroad.

Admission, language and next steps

The teaching language is English. Applications go directly to IMC Krems, not through a central portal; the institution's own page gives the application period and the deadline for non-EU nationals. As a university of applied sciences, IMC Krems sets its own fees, so check the programme page for the current amount. For public universities, EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, while other students pay a fee per semester; that rule does not apply here, but it helps to know the difference when comparing options. The next step is to visit the official programme page for the application details and any updates.

Big data, the Internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and robotics: just a few examples of digital innovations that are permanently changing the rules of the game for organisations. Companies must be well-prepared for new challenges in order to ensure their continued success and take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalisation. Digital transformation shouldn't be a mere buzzword, it has to be reflected in the strategy, structures, corporate culture, and processes of a company. Graduates of this master programme will act as an ambassador for digitalisation and innovation: they will use digitalisation as an opportunity and be able to show companies where potential for networking and ongoing development lies.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences. Universities of applied sciences set their own application periods and admission procedures, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: Admission procedure. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.