Master in Work Integrated Political Studies
Trollhättan, Sweden
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 120,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU/EEA citizens and students covered by bilateral student exchange agreements with university west are generally exempted from paying tuition fee
Key Summary
The program is deeply embedded within the University West's academic framework and profile of work-integrated learning. Throughout the program, students engaged in a research internship in direct collaboration with the surrounding community, aiming to address societal challenges and find sustainable solutions.
In addition to equipping students with relevant theoretical and practical skills, the program provides valuable work experience and professional networks that enhance their employability.
Programme contents, structure, and progression
University West is the leading university for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). This is a unique two-year international master's programme (120 credits) that leads to an MA degree in Work Integrated Learning with a specialisation in political studies. The work-integrated applied research approach provides you with training in how to have a direct impact on societal change through your work.
The programme is particularly useful for politically and economically oriented professions in public administration, NGO´s and private corporations, in Sweden as well as internationally. The studies prepare you for professional work across cultural and national borders to develop, implement and lead projects handling politically and economically oriented issues for societal change.
University West Scholarship Programme
The University West scholarship programme is open for fee-paying students admitted to specified master's programmes. The scholarship will fully or partly cover the tuition fee for the programme (so not costs for travel or living expenses).
Swedish Institute Scholarships
Students admitted to master's programmes in Sweden can apply for a scholarship to cover their tuition fee. There is a national scholarship programme administered by the Swedish Institute towards specific countries.
The programme is divided into two progressively challenging phases:
In the 1st year, you study a set of compulsory courses focusing on WIL in theory and practice, for a total of 30 credits. These courses are combined with a selection of elective courses focusing on applied political studies and/or societal change. You can choose elective courses according to your interest, building up your own educational profile.
In the 2nd year, you will use the knowledge from your theoretical studies, applied through a research internship placement with a host organisation in Sweden or abroad, with continuous supervision by the programme staff and internship host. You can, depending on your interest, work with NGO’s, public or private institutions, organisations or companies, performing research tasks dealing with real-life challenges. To further focus your education and degree towards your interest, the research internship also forms the foundation of your master's thesis.
Courses that the study programme comprises
- Political Ideas, Institutions and Issues
- Research Internship
- WIL in Theory and Practice
- WIL: Reflection and Portfolio
- Applied Research Methods
- Contemporary Debates on Global Dynamics
- Thesis: WIL with a Specialisation in Political Studies
Upon completion, students earn a master's degree in arts, focusing on work-integrated learning, specialising in Political Studies. This degree also opens the door to doctoral studies in various social science fields, including the Ph.D. program in Work Integrated Learning at West University.
Degree
Master of Arts (MA) with a major in Work Integrated Learning with a specialization in political studies
Through the programme, blending theoretical and practical knowledge, with understanding and reflective abilities, graduates foresee various work opportunities and career paths, as planners, project leaders, administrators and analysts in municipalities, regional authorities, state- and international organisations, NGOs, as well as banks and private companies.