Welfare Policies and Management - Master of Science programme

The Master’s Programme in Welfare Policies and Management offers you in-depth knowledge of how welfare services are governed, organised and delivered. You will learn to analyse and compare welfare systems across countries and administrative levels – from local governance to the European Union.

The programme combines perspectives from political science, social work, sociology and economics. Teaching is research-based and carried out by active scholars with pedagogical training. You will also meet practitioners through guest lectures and study visits to public agencies and organisations involved in the welfare sector.

The programme equips you with analytical and managerial skills highly valued in both the public and private sectors. It is designed for students who wish to understand the complexity of welfare systems and work with policy development, leadership or evaluation in an international context.

The programme begins with an introductory course covering theories and perspectives on welfare states from different social science disciplines. In the next step you will study courses in organisation and leadership, theories and methods for evaluation, and public economics. During the last part of the first year, you may choose between elective courses, study abroad or undertake an internship in an organisation relevant to your interests.

In the second year, you will specialise within your chosen major, take methodology course/-s and complete a Master’s thesis. You may also choose

Teaching takes place in an international environment that encourages discussion and collaboration across disciplines and national backgrounds. The programme is full-time and taught on campus in Lund. It comprises 120 credits and leads to a Master’s degree in Welfare Policies and Management.

Graduates are prepared for advanced analytical and managerial positions within welfare administration, policy development and evaluation – in both the public and private sectors. You can work at the local, national or international level, or continue to doctoral studies and an academic career.

Prerequisites

A Bachelor’s degree with a major (i.e. at least 90 ECTS credits) in one of the following social sciences disciplines: Political Science, Social Work, Sociology or equivalent. English course 6 (advanced proficiency).

Selection criteria

The applicant's estimated capacity to complete the programme is the major overall criterion for selection. Students are selected according to previous study results (grades on courses and thesis in the BA degree), statement of purpose, proficiency in English and an academic writing sample.

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