The GISMA University of Applied Sciences MSc Leadership for Digital Transformation provides you with all of the essential tools and practical skills to pursue a career in leading transformation projects and change agendas for the digital economy.

Digitalisation is changing business models, technologies, and the value proposition of organisations. This means that there is a need for redefining and restructuring efficiency and customer value propositions. 

Programme details

  • Suitable for aspiring managers and consultants who want to take on leadership roles in the digital domain
  • Opens career opportunities across multiple industries like business management, government administration and digital consulting
  • Helps you gain additional skills in Big Data, cybersecurity, and cloud computing through technical know-how provided by Amazon.
  • A flexible learning format, as well as virtual access to the GISMA Campus at Potsdam, allows you to study online.
  • Provides in-depth knowledge about digital transformation efforts like innovation management, technology, and data control organisation.

Accreditations and rankings

GISMA Business School is state recognised. It also benefits from AMBA accreditation, which was awarded for the Global MBA and is an honour shared by only 6 business school in Germany and 2% of all business schools worldwide. The prestigious AMBA accreditation represents innovation and excellence in education.

The GISMA Study Guarantee

The intuitive GISMA e-learning platform allows you to pursue the course from your home country and visit the GISMA campus at Potsdam virtually. This ensures the continuity of your academic life without any interruptions.

The course will be taught through streamed lectures in real-time along with complimentary teaching and e-learning package.

You will work on cases, reflect on readings, take part in discussions, and participate in group exercises and projects. Akin to our on-campus programmes, our online programmes also feature a variety of learning methods. These include student-centred pedagogy, project-based learning, collaborative learning, and personalised coaching.

Students starting online will have the option to complete the programme on-campus in Germany seamlessly. 

Learn from the very best in the field

You can be confident that you will be learning from some of the most accomplished and industry-respected professionals. Our professors at GISMA Business School are experts in their respective fields, with a wealth of experience and knowledge. They have come from and worked with some of the world's largest and most prestigious companies, including Amazon, United Nations, Harvard, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, KPMG, Boston Consulting Group, IBM, and Allianz.

Gisma - Business School

Programme structure

 

Leadership and Decision Making

  • HR Management and Organization Design
  • Cognitive Psychology & Leadership
  • Management of People in Cross Cultural Environments
  • Behavioural Competencies in Virtual Teams
  • Emotional Agility in International Business
  • CEO Decision Making & Case Studies

Project Management and Sustainability

  • Project Management
  • CSR, Diversity and Ethics

Study abroad or Internship or Business Project

Digital competencies

  • Innovation Management and Digital Transformation
  • I.M.E. in a Digital World
  • Digital Marketing and Analytics
  • Cybersecurity and Digital Risk Management
  • Electives in Cloud Computing, Big Data and Cyber Security from Amazon, Alibaba and Co.

Scientific and Methods Competence

  • Research Methods and Scientific Work
  • Master Thesis

Your future career

As a manager leading digitisation in any international organisation, you will prepare yourself for the leadership of a company in transition. As a consultant, you will be in the pole position to bring businesses to the next (digitised) level.

Our dedicated Career Centre will help students fulfil their career goals through a variety of specialised services and establishes long-lasting relationships with alumni and employers.

Here are a few interesting career options available after the programme, along with their salary prospects.

  1. Cloud specialists; annual salary ranges about € 65,000 (source).
  2. Digital product managers; annual salary ranges about € 68,000 (source).
  3. Financial analysts; annual salary ranges about € 48,100 (source).
  4. Solution architects; annual salary ranges about € 69,710 (source).
  5. Chief digital officers; annual salary ranges about € 1,41,463 (source).
  6. UX designers; annual salary ranges about € 42,602 (source).
  7. Digital transformation specialist; annual salary ranges about € 76,333 (source).

Fees and funding

 

New pricing - from 31st March 2023:

  Price per year
  Duration Standard Price  15% Discount 25% Discount:
Half of the fee is paid upfront
30% Discount: 
€3,000 Deposit paid, rest of the full fee paid within 3 months after lectures start
33% Discount:
Entire fee is paid upfront
EU/Germany 1yr € 13,000 € 11,050 € 9,750 € 9,100 € 8,710
2yr € 8,500 € 7,225 € 6,375 € 5,950 € 5,695
International 1yr € 15,500 € 13,175 € 11,625 € 10,850 € 10,385
2yr € 11,575 € 9,839 € 8,681 € 8,103 € 7,755

Regional discounts are available for students from certain countries. Please check the fee section on this page.

 

Flexible payment plan

GISMA offers flexible payment plans that allow you to spread the costs of your programme fees in up to six instalments. A refundable* deposit of €3,000 is required to secure your place, and the remainder of the tuition fee is to be paid after the start of programme in accordance with your payment schedule.

Payments are accepted by bank transfer, or via one of our payment partners – Transfermate and Stripe. If you have any queries regarding payment options, please speak to a programme consultant.

*Terms and conditions apply.

 

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline
  • English proficiency: B2 (IELTS 6.0) or equivalent

For non-standard entry routes please seek clarification on requirements with our admissions team.

For students who have educational degrees from India

Students who have acquired their education degrees from India will need to follow the Academic Evaluation Center (APS) process required by The German Foreign Affairs Ministry. For more information, please refer to our APS Step-by-Step Guide webpage.

Financing your studies

BAföG 

In many cases, non-German citizens studying in Germany are entitled to apply for the BAföG (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) grants-and-loans system, if certain conditions are met. 

If foreigners have the prospect of staying in Germany and if they are socially integrated, they are considered eligible for funding. For more information and to check your eligibility please use the link below (which can be translated into English). 

BAföG for non-German citizens


Frequently asked questions

Question 1: Is studying in Germany worth it?

Yes! Germany ranks among the topmost popular study destinations across the world owing to its academic excellence and high standard of living.

Question 2: Where can I study leadership in digital transformation?

GISMA Business School in Potsdam offers a great MSc Leadership in Digital Transformation programme, which can be apt for you. This course teaches you everything you need to know about leading digital transformation efforts in your company.

Question 3: What are the four main areas of digital transformation?

The four primary areas of digital transformation include technological transformations, data transformations, operational or process-related transformations and organisational level policy changes.

Question 4: Which leadership skills are essential during digital transformation?

Here is a list of must-have skills for business leaders heading digital transformation changes in their company:

  1. Excellent communication skills
  2. Digital literacy
  3. Familiarity with the latest tech
  4. Innovation
  5. Organisational skills

Question 5: What is the role of leadership in digital transformation?

The top responsibility of business leaders in digital transformation is to ensure that the employees are comfortable with adopting new technology. They should also introduce tech that can reduce manual errors and workload.

Download Materials

  • Full-time
  • Potsdam | Online
  • 12 or 24 months
  • Apr, July, October 2023
  • € from 13,000 per course

Download Materials

Recognised


GISMA Business School is state recognised

Top 2


Germany has the 2nd best unemployment rate in Europe at 3.4%*

*Statista

€45,000


Chance to earn €45,000**, the average graduate salary in Germany

**Business Insider

40+


Join a network of students from over 40 nationalities across the globe

Top