Social Scientific Data Analysis - Master of Science programme

At the Master of Science in Social Scientific Data Analysis you prepare yourself to become a skilled data analyst and researcher. This programme focuses on social research methods, research design, and applied theory. You will receive extensive training in research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, including the use of the programming language 'R'. The main goal is for you to develop, refine, and carry out social scientific research projects. Whether you’re a beginner or have more experience with quantitative research and statistics you will find a challenging and supportive home in the programme.

Become a professional researcher or analyst  

At the programme you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in quantitative and qualitative methods. These skills will help you conduct research, analyse data, and assess existing studies for policy and programme design. Ideal job markets include data science, market research, IT companies, consultancies, risk management firms, and intelligence analysis. The programme is also a good foundation for doctoral studies. 

Coursework includes extensive training in social research, research design, methodology, qualitative and quantitative methods, and applied theory. You will gain programming skills in the programme ’R’, a flexible, powerful, and open-source statistics-oriented programming language. You will also learn how to publish research.  

This is an international programme and all lectures and seminars will be given in English. This also means that you will complete examinations and the master's thesis in English. 

Internship or elective courses 

The third semester consists of an elective period that you may use in a range of ways, including an academic internship, a non-academic internship, or elective courses. You will be given ample opportunities for developing your intellectual capacities, expanding your skills and competences, building your network, as well as preparing for your life after your master's. The courses are chosen with the approval of the programme coordinator and enables you to tailor the programme to suit your particular interests. 

Campus Paradis: a central study environment in Lund

Campus Paradis is where most of Lund University's social science programmes are taught. The campus is centrally located in Lund, in a historic neighborhood. Many of the buildings here were formerly hospitals, which is why they have been given names such as Gamla kirurgen (Old Surgery) and Gamla barnsjukhuset (Old Children's Hospital). The buildings were constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries and are valuable from a cultural and historical perspective, giving the area a unique character.  

Another thing that distinguishes Campus Paradis from other parts of Lund University is the proximity between different study environments, libraries, and cafés, all surrounded by lush greenery and pleasant outdoor areas. In the area, you will find the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), where you can borrow course literature and find a quiet place to study. Next to Sambib is Micrologen, where you can easily heat up your own lunch box. On campus, you will also find Samvetet, where the student union for social scientists is located. There are two cafés here: Café Eden and Karnas café. Here you can have a coffee, eat lunch, or take a break between lectures. Since Campus Paradis is centrally located in Lund, you are also close to restaurants, other cafés, and the central station.

Degree 

After completing the programme, you will acquire a degree of Master of Science in Social Scientific Data Analysis (120 credits), with a major in one of the following disciplines:  

• Gender Studies 
• Development Studies 
• Human Geography 
• Political Science 
• Social Work 
• Social Anthropology 
• Sociology, or 
• Sociology of Law.  

The major corresponds to the major in your Bachelor's degree. 

Career

The programme will prepare you for postgraduate studies. It is also well suited for research and research management in a variety of fields linking data science with social scientific training. This could for example be conducting data analysis or market research for research organisations, IT companies, consultancies, risk management firms, intelligence analysis, or other private companies. 

Prerequisites

A Bachelor’s degree with a major (i.e. at least 90 ECTS credits) in Development Studies, Gender Studies, Human Geography, Political Science, Social Anthropology, Social Work, Sociology or Sociology of Law, or the equivalent. English course 6 (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 Bachelor’s degree essay), proficiency in English, statement of purpose which shall also include a brief statement on previous experience/knowledge in methods and methodology. Since this is a multidisciplinary programme it is essential to attain an even distribution among different majors within the group. The number of admitted applicants from one major shall not exceed 30 % of all students admitted to the programme. Hence the applicant’s major will be used as a selection criterion in the case of many applicants from one major.

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 270,000
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