Decisions and guidelines

The programme is primarily aimed at students wanting to work for non-profit organisations, business companies, social movements and society at large to enable a transition toward a sustainable future. Sustainability challenges for governance, businesses and other types of organisations are studied. The programme aims to inspire students to participate in their community to work to improve the environment and transition toward sustainability - collaboration and co-creation are at the heart of the programme.

Together with researchers and societal actors, students are invited to be part of a learning process through critical thinking about current systems and challenging and creating the potential for renewal. The programme engages in knowledge development relevant and valuable for a transformation towards a more sustainable future, whether the students wish to become self-employed, entrepreneurs or as part of public or private organisations. Within the programme, management is studied from a broad perspective, emphasising organisations and markets through a political, critical, and reflective inquiry.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Aims

The Master's Programme in Sustainable Management is a one-year programme (60 credits) that integrates several fields of study among other business and cultural geography studies. The programme focuses on sustainability and responsibility in contemporary private and public organisations. The programme aims to train students into responsible citizens who can work in private and public sectors and other collectives or be self-employed.

Learning outcomes

Goals as expected outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

After completing the program, students should

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sustainability challenges to contemporary organisations and business studies, including both broad knowledge and specialised expertise in areas of sustainability as well as insight into current research and development work.
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in social science.

Skills and abilities

After completing the program students should be able to

• independently seek, critically evaluate and integrate information to analyse issues in specific areas of sustainability and participate in problem-solving on complex challenges in organisations even with limited information.
• critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate issues relevant to the topic and plan and use appropriate methods within a set timeframe.
• participate in research and development work to contribute to qualified knowledge development and collaborate in problem-solving.
• demonstrate skills to make assessments concerning scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research.
• both orally and in writing, communicate in English, in areas the programme concerns, with different groups, and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based.

Judgement and approach

After completing the program students should be able to

• demonstrate an awareness of social and ethical issues and make assessments relevant for sustainable organising.
• demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work.
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of science as well as the individuals' responsibility for its use in different contexts.
• demonstrate an ability to identify the need for further knowledge.

Layout of the programme

All courses within the programme are compulsory and common to all students. The programme's first semester contains separate courses. Starting with the self and the historical context of issues related to sustainability and business, then expanding to community-building in a local context, and finally towards the organisation and governance of society and natural resources for the common good. During the spring semester, students work on their projects. Philosophy of science and methodology will be studied, and during the second semester, the students will write a thesis.

The language of instruction is English. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite.

The programme has a set curriculum, which means that the courses should be studied in a set order.

Instruction

Knowledge is acquired through independent study, seminars and lectures. Students will work in groups as well as individually. The student should, during training, acquire an enhanced scientific approach, such as the ability to plan, conduct, analyse and present scientific data and informed conclusions. The student's ability to analyse and apply theoretical knowledge will be continuously developed. Increased autonomy will be obtained as the student gradually takes greater responsibility for their learning during the programme. Training in cooperation and oral and written communication and seminar/meeting culture will be deepened, and national and international contacts will be encouraged. Students present their knowledge and skills through various forms of examination. In the final thesis, the student will demonstrate that they have achieved the goal of integrating advanced skills autonomously.

Degree

The programme leads to a Master of Science in Business and Economics (60 credits) with Business Studies as the main field of study.

Other directives

Students who do not hold the required degree, but are registered for the last semester of a programme leading to such a degree can apply for the programme. The entry requirements must be fulfilled when the semester starts.

The programme is taught in English. Proficiency in English is therefore required.