The aim of this paper is the critical discussion of different data mining methods in the context of the demand-oriented development of bachelor and master study courses at german universities. The initial point of the investigation was the question, to what extent the knowledge concerning the selection of the so-called “Fachkernkombinationen” (major fields of study) at the Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften of the Technische Universität Dresden, could be used to provide new important and therefore demand-oriented impulses for the development of new bachelor and master courses. In order to identify these entrainment combinations it is obvious to examine the combinations of the major fields of study by means of different data mining methods. Special attention applies to the association analysis which is classical used within the ranges trade (basket analysis) or e-business (web content and web Usage mining) — an application in the higher education management is missing until now.