Master's Programme in Business and Management – Organisation

Virtually all social activities – such as economic, political or cultural – are carried out within and between organisations. How organisations are governed, what they take responsibility for, and what they choose not to take responsibility for, becomes one of the most critical issues of our time. This is an issue we take seriously.

What distinguishes the specialisation in organisation from other similar programmes is that responsibility, governance, and sustainability are integrated as overarching perspectives throughout the entire programme. You will be trained to make and communicate responsible decisions, produce decision-making documents and recommendations, and understand how governance models are created, diffused, and shape the landscape in which organisations operate.

The programme addresses major societal and global transformations, exploring how different organisational roles can contribute to a more sustainable society. It also examines how external actors – such as consultants, lobbyists, think tanks, and media – operate and influence modern organisations, offering a unique perspective.

The programme include:

• courses that offer a solid theoretical foundation and practical experience, through case studies based on Uppsala University's strong research tradition;

• varied teaching formats, including student-led discussions and close interaction with researchers and practitioners; and
• optional internship or the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities.

The programme is run by the Department of Business Studies, home to leading researchers in international business, entrepreneurship, industrial marketing, institutional analysis, and more. You will also benefit from Sweden’s stellar reputation for social responsibility - values that inform all of our Master’s programmes.

Student profile

Our students have an interest in issues related to companies and organisations in a global context. Applicants thrive in an international environment with representatives from different academic, cultural and professional backgrounds.

Career

The organisation specialisation prepares you for a variety of career paths. It provides a good basis for working on strategic and analytical issues as a consultant, analyst, investigator, researcher or in decision-making positions in various types of activities that require high analytical skills.

The companies and organisations where our alumni have found employment include, for example:

• Accenture
• Deloitte
• EY
• Facebook
• Attendo
• H&M
• SAAB
• BMW Financial Services
• Ragn-Sells
• Didner & Gerge Fonder AB
• Unilever
• L'Oréal
• Sandvik.

Content

The programme follows a fixed study route, which means that courses must be taken in the prescribed order. During the first year, you will take courses with all the students in the Master's programme. These cover strategy, business theories, scientific method, and contemporary societal challenges such as digitalisation, globalisation and sustainability.

You will also take courses that are specific to your organisation's specialisation. These courses are tied together by overarching themes that provide you with perspectives on organisations’ ethical behavior, social responsibility, transparency, and sustainable development. If you choose to finish your studies after one year, you will instead complete a 15-credit Master's thesis in the second semester.

In your third semester, you will choose between an internship at a commercial organisation, elective courses at Uppsala University, or an international exchange at one of our partner universities around the world.

You will spend the fourth and final semester writing your 30-credit Master's thesis. It is an in-depth study on a topic in the field of organisation.

Courses within the programme

First semester

• Strategy and contemporary issues, 15 credits
• Theories in business and management, 7.5 credits
• Scientific methods in business research, 7.5 credits

Second semester

• Contemporary leadership challenges, 7.5 credits
• Advanced organisational theory, 7.5 credits
• Institutional analysis of organisations, 7.5 credits
• Consulting, communication and change, 7.5 credits

Third semester

• Elective courses, internship or an international exchange, 30 credits

Fourth semester

• Master's thesis, 30 credits

Learning experience

The Master's programme in Business and Management takes a comprehensive and practical instructional approach, with a variety of teaching methods. These include lectures, seminars and case studies, and give you insights into industries.

You will work in teams and learn to manage group dynamics, which is a critical skill for your future career. You will also have the opportunity to present and lead your own discussions in both small and large groups. Scheduled teaching is only a small part of your studies, which means you need to study a lot on your own outside the classroom and take personal responsibility for your learning.

The programme also gives you experience with multiple assessment methods, oral and written, individual and group, preparing you to work at a management level within the private or public sector.

The programme is offered in Uppsala and all courses are taught in English.

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics (120 credits) with Business Studies as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics (60 credits).