According to the examination regulations for the bilingual Master's programme in Business Information Systems at the University of Duisburg-Essen dated 12 September 2013, the semester abroad or the stay abroad is a compulsory part of the programme:

There it is stated under § 11 (2): "Students must complete a relevant semester abroad or an internship abroad of at least three months duration during their studies, unless they have already completed a corresponding stay abroad as part of their first professional qualification or can provide evidence of a longer stay abroad in English. This obligation only applies if the faculty can prove an adequate study place abroad which is free of additional tuition fees. The obligation also does not apply if a student is not able to complete a stay abroad for health, family or other urgent reasons ("hardship clause").

The study abroad is assigned to the foreign module in the elective area I (Master Business Information Systems) for the 2nd-3rd semester. Prof. Dr. Frederik Ahlemann is responsible for this module area.

According to the examination regulations § 10 (4), up to five foreign modules, each with the equivalent of six ECTS credits, can be taken in the compulsory elective area through subject-related foreign modules. The exact conditions for enrolment can be found in the module handbook (p. 54) and the examination regulations.

By completing the stay abroad, on the one hand the international orientation of the course of studies or the international orientation of the university is taken into account (practical relevance), on the other hand personal competences of the students can be expanded. The following qualification goals can be found in the module handbook:

• Consolidation and extension of specialist knowledge in selected areas of business informatics
• Insight into the content and organisational training at the foreign university/college
• deepening and perfecting of foreign language skills
• Acquisition of advanced technical and cultural skills

Studying abroad thus not only does justice to the international orientation of the university and the course of study, but also aims at individual development. In addition to technical and foreign language skills, it is especially the cultural skills that can be acquired through the experience of the stay abroad. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to establish international contacts in order to expand their intercultural skills.

Status July 2020 on the basis of the examination regulations and the module handbook p. 54.