Who actually shops online?

In this interdisciplinary degree programme with a focus on computer science, you will explore key topics along the digital purchasing process. These include consumer psychology, online communication, voice-based shopping, interface design, and programming.

You will be prepared for a career in e-commerce through a strong practical focus. The programme can be studied full-time or as a dual programme, either practice-integrated or apprenticeship-integrated.

Person sitzt an einem Laptop und arbeitet

What you can expect

Online business continues to grow worldwide. Shopping via mobile apps and social media platforms such as YouTube has become part of everyday life. But what actually lies behind an online shop?

Online retail is only one aspect of e-commerce. Online communication, sales and distribution, payment processes, marketing, and design are all key components. Throughout the digital purchasing process, you will engage with all relevant areas in a comprehensive and practical way.

Eine Person bedient ein zukunftsartiges digitales System

Your study content

E-commerce is a highly dynamic field that combines computer science with business-related disciplines. It connects areas such as programming and web technologies with finance, retail management, and marketing.

You will gain insights into web-based software development, including database integration, as well as key aspects of e-commerce such as marketing, retail management, and investment analysis. For example, you will learn how to set up, manage, and optimize online shop systems.

With this interdisciplinary expertise, you will be well prepared to act as a link between different areas within the diverse field of e-commerce.

Career prospects

Online retail continues to grow rapidly, and the demand for skilled professionals in e-commerce is higher than ever. Graduates of this programme therefore benefit from excellent career prospects.

Eine Person sitzt an einem Schreibtisch und tippt auf einer Tastatur vor einem großen Computerbildschirm, auf dem farbig hervorgehobener Programmcode zu sehen ist. Neben dem Monitor stehen ein Tablet, eine Kaffeetasse und weitere Arbeitsutensilien.

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Web Developer

Shape the digital future as a web developer. Create innovative websites and web applications, turn ideas into reality, and reach millions of users in a dynamic and growing industry.

Step into a creative career full of challenges and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Eine Gruppe von fünf Personen sitzt in einem Besprechungsraum an einem Tisch. Eine Person steht leicht nach vorn gebeugt und zeigt mit einem Stift auf Unterlagen auf dem Tisch, während die anderen aufmerksam zuhören. Auf dem Tisch liegen Dokumente und farbige Haftnotizen. — © iStock

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E-Commerce Manager

As an e-commerce manager, you play a key role in connecting companies with their customers in the digital space. Your skills in digital marketing, website optimization, e-commerce strategies, and customer engagement are highly valued in today’s business environment.

Eine Person sitzt an einem Glastisch und arbeitet an einem Laptop, auf dessen Bildschirm Diagramme und Statistiken angezeigt werden. Daneben stehen eine Tasse Kaffee und ein kleiner Teller mit Gebäck.

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Multi-Channel Marketing

Multi-channel marketing focuses on how companies communicate their messages to their customers. It involves reaching the right people at the right time through the right channels. In this role, you develop strategies to promote products and services using social media, email, online advertising, and more.

You analyse data to understand what works and what doesn’t, and adjust marketing campaigns accordingly. Your goal is to engage people on a personal level and ensure that marketing efforts are effective.

Mehrstöckiges, helles Einkaufszentrum mit breiten Gängen und Glasgeländern, auf denen viele Menschen entspannt entlanglaufen und einkaufen; in der Mitte ein offener Lichthof mit weiteren Etagen und einem kleinen Verkaufsstand im Erdgeschoss, darüber ein großes Glasdach, das Tageslicht hineinlässt.

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Retail Management

Retail management, particularly in e-commerce, focuses on organizing and managing online retail businesses. As a retail manager in e-commerce, you are responsible for ensuring that the online shop runs smoothly. This includes maintaining efficient inventory management, designing the website or app to provide an appealing shopping experience, and ensuring effective logistics operations.

Your tasks also include analysing sales data to identify trends and customer behaviour in order to optimise e-commerce strategies. You need to be creative in developing innovative marketing and sales approaches to increase online revenue.

Your study program

The detailed study plan (Studienverlaufsplan) for this degree programme is only available in German.

You can access the full semester overview on the German programme page.

View study plan (German)

What you need to bring along

Language level C1 is required and the language of instruction is German
General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification
Alternatively: entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or a qualification recognized as equivalent in the course of professional qualification
Admission-free

Application process

The application deadlines for this degree programme can be found on our website (note: the website is only available in German).

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact our application support team at bewerbung@hs-ruhrwest.de.

What our students say

Ein Porträtfoto einer lächelnden Frau mit blonden Haaren.

Study E-Commerce!

“I chose to study E-Commerce because I want to work on projects with companies. I’m interested in online retail, social media marketing, and also in learning how to program my own website. The programme combines business administration with computer science. Prior knowledge is not necessarily required, and if I need help, I can always ask our professors or fellow students. A particularly positive aspect for me was the prospect of a well-paid job that I enjoy. Especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, graduates of this programme are in high demand.”

Julia Sperling (23), 3rd semester