Innovation and Societal Change - Master of Science programme

Society is facing many severe challenges, such as environmental degradation and climate change, large inequalities between people and places, as well as changing geographies of innovation and production caused by geopolitical frictions. Contemporary societal challenges are complex, fundamental, and enduring, and innovation can contribute to mitigate them. The programme will give you a systemic perspective on innovation, meaning that you will learn about the full process from idea to development, the diffusion of new products, services, solutions and processes, and evaluate their intended and unintended societal impacts.

The Programme will prepare you to become a driving force of change. During the programme you will meet students from different disciplinary backgrounds, and together build knowledge and skills within:

• Innovation processes in different organisations – such as firms, public sector, and civil society - as well as cooperation between different actors.
• How innovations impact society – both intended and unintended effects and how impact may differ between places and societal groups.
• How innovation processes can be governed – and the opportunities and limitations for policy actors at local, regional, national and international levels.
• Methods to study and work with innovation – including practical tools to understand, follow, and promote innovation processes.

The programme is suitable for you who want to work with societal change. You will get practical knowledge in how innovation can be planned, governed, and implemented. The teaching builds on interdisciplinary research and provides multiple perspectives on social, environmental, and economic change. This is conducted partly through traditional teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars, and workshops, and partly through collaborations with organisations where you as a student get to practically engage with real-world challenges.

Examples of external actors that you may encounter in the programme are the city of Helsingborg, Region Skåne, Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova, and firms from different sectors.

In the program, you will meet teachers who conduct research on different aspects of innovation and who come from different disciplinary backgrounds. This interdisciplinary team of teachers is in various ways connected to CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research at Lund University.

The coursework consists of both individual components and group work. Working in groups will prepare you for working with different societal actors in your working life.

During the programme, you will develop a range of generic competences such as critical analysis, problem solving, written and oral presentation skills, information gathering, teamwork, evaluation skills and ethical judgment. These are all important when working with innovation in a reflective and responsible way. You will also develop competences related to working in interdisciplinary teams. These competences are attractive to many employers.

The job market will look different for you and your fellow students depending on your previous studies. There are two main career paths after completing the programme. The first track is to join employers who focus on societal development. These are found in the private sector, among NGOs as well as in public authorities at municipal, regional and national level.

The second track is to continue in academia. After completing the programme, you are eligible to apply for education at postgraduate level.

The programme is aimed at both Swedish and international students and the job market, whether inside or outside academia, is broad and international.

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the programme, the student must hold a Bachelor’s degree corresponding to at least 180 ECTS. English course 6/English level 2 (advanced proficiency).

Selection criteria

The applicant’s estimated capacity to complete the programme is the primary criterion for selection. Students are selected on the basis of their previous study results (grades on courses and thesis in the Bachelor’s degree), and a statement of purpose (according to the template provided).

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 135,000
First payment: SEK 67,500

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Lund University Global Scholarship Programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship

Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities. 

ARUA Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarship: Global professionals

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden. 

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website 

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries. 

External scholarships