B.Sc. Applied Data Science & Business Analytics

Data science methods can be used to optimize processes and thus help companies remain competitive and more productive. A data scientist gathers, cleans, and analyzes large sets of data to extract meaningful insights that help organizations make data-driven decisions. 

They use programming, statistics, and machine learning to identify patterns, build predictive models, and solve complex business problems. By transforming raw data into actionable information, data scientists support decision-making across areas like customer behavior, product development, and operational efficiency, often collaborating closely with stakeholders to implement and monitor data-driven strategies.

Companies have recognized that data is a success factor in today's world, because information such as purchasing behavior, transactions, demographic and geographic data help companies optimize customer experiences, campaign planning and targeted approaches.

The rise of AI has changed the job market during the last few years , but it has not eliminated the need for people who understand data, statistics, experimentation, and how to turn raw information into valuable business decisions. A program in applied data science is a very good option for you if it offers solid statistics, programming, and practical data skills.

The B.Sc. Applied Data Science at ISM is best described as a business-oriented data science degree rather than a highly technical one.

If you would like to become a business professional who uses data and AI, we highly recommend this program path. It prepares graduates well for careers such as Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Analytics Consultant, and other data-driven business roles.

If you would like to pursue a career in highly technical AI engineering or research positions or your goal is to build AI systems at deeper technical level, you may benefit from a stronger computer science foundation or from complementing this degree with a specialized Master's in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related technical field.

Studying business analytics in Germany is a great choice for international students! Germany’s strong economy is full of big companies and startups that need data experts, so there are plenty of job and internship opportunities for you. Universities like ours here offer quality ecucation with lots of hands-on learning and industry connections. Plus, being in the heart of Europe, you get access to a professional network and further career options across the EU. Many programs are in English too, which makes it easy for international students.

• High demand for skilled data analysts: Data-driven decision-making is nowadays crucial in many industries, from finance to consumer goods or healthcare. A data analist bachelors degree offers a blend of skills in data analysis, statistical modeling and business insights, making our graduates highly sought after in the job market.
• Strong interdisciplinary focus: Data science graduates are trained to bridge the gap between data science and business management, making them highly valued for their communication and interface skills — a niche not fully covered by traditional IT programs.
• Problem-solving and innovation: Data anaylst courses focus on finding solutions to real-world problems. This skill set enables graduates to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and create a positive impact in organizations by making data-informed decisions.
• Have diverse career opportunities: With expertise in both data science and business analytical programs, graduates can pursue roles like data analyst, business intelligence analyst or data consultant. This versatility allows for work in various fields such as finance, marketing, consulting, and IT technology.
• Competitive salary and career growth chances: Data science professionals often earn higher-than-average salaries, with plenty of opportunities for career advancement. Employers value the ability to transform data into actionable business insights, which can lead to rapid career progression.
• Gender-balanced and inclusive: The program attracts both men and women equally, encouraging tech-savvy women to enter data science and AI — a diversity welcomed by our partner companies.

Studying B.Sc. of Data Science at ISM has several clear advantages, especially if you want a career that connects data with business:

First, it combines data skills with a strong business foundation. You don’t just learn how to analyze data—you also learn how to apply it in real company contexts like marketing, finance, and management.

Second, the program is very practice-oriented. Internships, real projects, and applied coursework help you build experience that is directly relevant to the job market.

Third, it offers an international environment, including a semester abroad, which strengthens language skills and global career opportunities.

Fourth, the learning environment is typically more personal and structured than at large public universities, which can help you stay guided and supported throughout your studies.

Overall, ISM is a strong choice if your goal is to become a business-focused data professional who uses data and AI to support decisions, rather than a purely technical AI engineer or researcher. Also, this degree is gender-balanced & inclusive - it attracts both men and women equally, encouraging tech-savvy candidates to enter the data science and business analytics field.

When you study the ISM data science bachelor, your studies are strongly oriented towards current industry changes and practice with consulting projects, workshops, and experienced lecturers from the business world. You will also gain initial professional experience as a data scientist during your bachelor's degree program through integrated internships with an international focus in Germany and abroad.

There isn’t a universal winner in this regard. Generally, computer science is usually the more flexible foundation, offering a very broad range of options after graduating, while data science is more specialized and more career-focused from the start.

With a computer science degree, you learn: programming in depth, algorithms and data structures, software engineering, but also databases, systems, sometimes even AI fundamentals. This degree is ofted aimed at people who want to build systems, software, or AI technologies at a deep technical level.

A data science bachelor degree is a better choice if you want to work with data and solve business problems early: you'll learn machine learning basics, data analysis and visualisation,  statistical methods or business applications of data.

For the data science bachelor degree program you do not need advanced mathematics at the level of theoretical computer science or physics. At ISM, the focus is on applied statistics, not deep mathematical theory. But, you will need to be able to understand basic algebra, be comfortable handling functions and graphs and understanding formulas, as well as probability and statistics.

Programming is a core part of the bachelor degree, but it is taught from a practical perspective. You will likely work with: Python (data analysis, basic machine learning), SQL (databases and data extraction), and possibly calculation tools like Excel, Power BI, or similar analytics platforms.

Our bachelor is a hybrid degree, not a pure Business Analytics program. It combines in a synergetic way two related disciplines, data science (explained above), and the business analytics side, which includes:

• Foundation in business administration 
• Marketing, finance, and management analytics
• Using data for decision-making in companies
• Strategy and applied business projects.