Offenburg University

Master of Science in Enterprise and IT Security (ENITS)

The program's curriculum focuses on current and practice-oriented contents. Due to the strong dynamics of the IT sector and the resulting short lifespan of knowledge in this field, the curriculum needs to be continuously adjusted. In addition to the lectures, labs, seminars, and examinations, students are involved in research projects and are effectively prepared for the workplace through cooperative R&D projects and preparation of a final thesis.

The central qualification objectives of this study course are students' application-oriented and interdisciplinary education and training in the technical, organizational and legal aspects of enterprise security, with special emphasis on IT security.

Required modules (lectures, seminars, and exams) of the first semester are, for example:

• Applied Cryptanalysis
• Data Mining
• Ethics
• EU Law or
• Anonymity and Surveillance

The second semester includes a group project and courses such as the following:

• Data Analysis for Risk and Security Management
• Global Risk and Security Management
• Mobile Security

In the third and last semester, students prepare their Master's thesis. Throughout the ENITS study course, both theoretical and practical contents are taught and continuously correlated.

Students will acquire the following competencies:

Subject-specific competencies

• Professional knowledge of the technical, organizational and legal aspects of IT security.
• Application-specific method and process expertise in the designing and hardening of information systems.
• Application-specific expertise in assessing risks, threats and vulnerability of information systems.
• Research competences in IT-security related issues, as required for successful doctoral-level work.
• Practice-oriented problem-solving thinking.

Interdisciplinary competencies

• Problem-solving competences, including for new and unfamiliar IT-security related issues.
• Communicative competences for discussing information, ideas, problems, and solutions with both experts and laypersons on an academic level.
• Analytical competencies for addressing the general ethical problems of information and enterprise security using the findings and methods of practical philosophy.
• Ability to make scientifically sound and practice-relevant decisions even on the basis of incomplete or limited information.

Enterprise and IT security is a key issue of the international economy, especially for a strong export country like Germany. The demand for experts in this field will far exceed the supply for many years to come.

Graduates of the ENITS Master's degree program will find leading positions in the following areas, among others:

• Security concept design and implementation
• Corporate management
• Cybercrime control and investigation, including evidence protection
• System and security administration for online services, e-commerce enterprises, banks, service providers as well as state and federal authorities such as the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, Bundeskriminalamt or Landeskriminalämter

ENITS also ideally prepares students for careers in the fast-growing sector of IT security consulting, including:

• Corporate certification
• Network specialist or technology solution architect for IT security
• The security-related software developer or system administrator

IT security experts are among the most sought-after IT specialists.

Studying at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Offenburg) is a strong choice if you value practical experience over pure theory and want to be at the heart of Europe’s industrial engine.

Here are the primary reasons students choose Offenburg:

1. Strong Career Prospects & "Industry on Campus"

Located in Baden-Württemberg—Germany's industrial powerhouse—the university has deep ties with global companies like Herrenknecht, Hubert, and Burda Media.

• Practical Focus: Programs are designed with industry input, often involving mandatory internships and projects with local firms.
• Job Market: The "Southern Upper Rhine" region is home to many "Hidden Champions" (highly successful medium-sized companies), providing a direct pipeline for engineering and IT graduates.

2. Specialized International Programs

Offenburg is well-known for its Graduate School, which offers several Master’s programs taught entirely in English.

• Global Community: Over 13% of the student body is international, creating a multicultural environment that is welcoming to non-German speakers.

3. Location: The Heart of the "Trinational" Region

Offenburg sits in a unique geographic "sweet spot" near the borders of France and Switzerland.

• Cross-Border Opportunities: You are only 20 minutes from Strasbourg, France, and close to Basel, Switzerland. The university participates in the TriRhenaTech alliance, allowing for academic and research collaboration across three countries.
• The Black Forest: If you enjoy the outdoors, the Black Forest is essentially your backyard, offering hiking, skiing, and the famous Wine Hiking Day every September.

4. High Quality of Life, Low Cost

Compared to major German hubs like Munich or Stuttgart, Offenburg offers a more manageable cost of living.

• Affordable Housing: Student dorms (run by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg) are located right next to campus, with "warm rents" (including utilities and internet) often ranging from €300 to €500.
• Personal Support: As a smaller university (approx. 4,000 students), the professor-to-student ratio is excellent. You aren't just a number in a lecture hall of 500; you have direct access to your instructors.

5. Research & Innovation

Despite its size, the university is a leader in applied research.

• ChallengeEU: Offenburg coordinates a European University Alliance involving 9 partner universities, focusing on transforming higher education for future societal challenges.
• State-of-the-Art Labs: Because it is a University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule), the labs are equipped for hands-on technical training in robotics, renewable energy, and media production.