Forensics & Crime Analysis, M.Sc. (Part-time)
Charakter Fresenius Hochschule · Köln, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Forensik & Kriminalitätsanalyse (M.Sc.) is a part-time, career-integrated master that prepares you for work in a future-proof field by combining forensic topics with criminality analytics, modern technologies, and practice-focused teaching.
You study through a virtual live study model with block weeks for on-site teaching and examinations, and you build skills for analysing evidence and crime patterns, including applications of machine learning and AI in crime fighting.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- You build interdisciplinary foundations for Forensics & Crime Analysis with practical, technology-supported teaching.
- You learn ethical and legal aspects of crime analysis as part of your study direction.
- You start working with data and AI-related approaches for identifying patterns in criminality.
- You deepen knowledge in digital forensics and cybercrime, including the analysis of evidence.
- You work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial-temporal crime analysis.
- You study modern analytical methods in forensic chemistry and biology and how machine learning and AI can support crime prevention and investigation.
- You complete practice-oriented projects in forensic laboratories as part of the applied study approach.
- You strengthen your ability to develop investigation strategies and recognize even complex criminal patterns.
- You apply your learning using modern analysis tools used in forensic practice today.
- You consolidate your specialized knowledge into a final academic thesis.
- You apply what you learned across forensic methods, data analysis, and crime analysis topics.
- You present and document analytical findings as a structured part of the final assessment.
Career outcomes
- You qualify for responsible roles that connect forensic methods with evidence-based crime analysis, including positions in forensic labs and investigative organizations.
- The program is designed for you to become job-ready for data- and AI-enabled crime analysis roles, including work as a data scientist in forensics.
- You gain practical capabilities that support careers in IT security and in private security companies, where modern analytical tools are needed for investigations and prevention.
- You can pursue work in research, development, and university teaching, giving you a path beyond operational analysis.
- Through practice projects in forensic labs and cooperation with investigative institutions and forensic institutes, you build applied, employer-relevant experience while studying.
Employability rate
Graduates of Forensics & Crime Analysis-related master’s programs in Germany typically have an employability rate of around 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15%, reflecting steady hiring demand for qualified specialists in investigation support, security analysis, and data-driven forensic work.
Overall, this points to a relatively stable career outlook with reliable opportunities in public and private security-related employers as well as research and applied development roles.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with required credits | For the 120 CP variant: international applicants need a first academic degree with at least 180 CP, including at least 60 CP from STEM fields (for example forensics, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering). Alternatively, a degree in a police bachelor program for the higher intermediate civil service with at least one year of relevant professional experience can meet the entry requirement. |
| STEM bachelor equivalent for the 60 CP variant | For the 60 CP variant: students with foreign qualifications need a first academic degree with at least 240 CP in STEM subjects. |
| Exceptions and credit recognition (international applicants) | Applicants with fewer than 240 CP may be admitted under certain conditions if they provide evidence of relevant professional experience and/or further training. The module “Berufspraktischer Transfer” can be credited through at least one year of relevant professional experience in a forensics environment. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Direct match | The program requires a STEM-focused first degree for entry, with at least 60 CP from STEM fields for the 120 CP variant. If your foreign degree transcript shows relevant STEM coursework, it is typically considered for admission review. |
| Law | Partial match | Applicants with a police bachelor degree for the higher intermediate civil service plus relevant work experience can meet the entry conditions. For other law-only backgrounds, admission depends on whether your foreign qualifications include the required STEM credit components. |
Language requirements
The program is taught in German (main teaching language). You will need to provide proof of German language proficiency as required during the admission process. If your education was completed in another language, submit the supporting documents requested by the admissions team so they can review language adequacy.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | EUR 0 / per year | Semester fee shown on the program page: 650 EUR per month (online campus). |
| Semester fee | EUR 0 / per semester | 650 EUR per month is listed as the program semester fee on the official page; the page does not provide a per-semester or per-year total breakdown. |
| Application fee | EUR 250 / one time | Application fee (Anmeldegebühr): 250.00 EUR. |
Proof of financial resources
For study in Germany, you may be asked to prove that you can cover your living costs and tuition/fees. Prepare documents showing your funding source according to German immigration requirements (for example, the blocked account concept used for student visas) if you need a student visa.
- Proof of sufficient financial resources for your stay in Germany (as requested by the German visa/residence process)
- Funding plan documents that match your actual study costs for this private university (tuition and required contributions)
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
🎓 Scholarship
| Provider | Scheme name | Coverage | Eligibility notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD | EPOS — Development-Related Postgraduate Courses | Tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel allowance, health insurance | EPOS supports participants from developing countries to take selected development-related postgraduate Master’s programs in Germany, which fits an M.Sc. Master level program in Forensics & Crime Analysis. |
| DAAD | DAAD Study Scholarships — Master Studies | Monthly stipend, travel allowance, health insurance, study and research allowance | If your profile meets DAAD’s eligibility for Master studies, DAAD Study Scholarships can support international students pursuing a Master’s program in Germany. |
📝 How to Apply
Apply online and upload your documents
Submit your application via the university’s online application process. After you apply, you receive access details to an upload area where you upload your certificates and documents relevant for admission. Upload your documents within the timeframes indicated in the application instructions you receive after submitting your application.
Admission review for the right entry variant
For this part-time master, admission depends on your credits and study background (including STEM credit requirements) for either the 120 CP or 60 CP variant. The university reviews your submitted documents to check whether you meet the admission requirements. If needed, an interview or admission assessment may be arranged for applicants in this category.
Personal admission communication and next steps
After the admissions team reviews your application and, if applicable, conducts a discussion, you receive feedback on whether you are admitted. If admitted, the university sends you the study contract. Return and complete any remaining steps for enrolment as instructed so you can start your program.