Master in Adult Learning and Global Change
Linköping, Sweden
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 109,600 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* only to students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Key Summary
In today’s rapidly changing world, lifelong learning is more important than ever. This international master’s programme explores how adult learning can make a difference in times of global transformation. You will study asynchronously with professionals from around the world in a digital environment that promotes reflection and collaboration across borders.
The programme is designed for those who work, or wish to work, with adult learning in education, business, or organisations. You will gain new perspectives on how learning can contribute to social, cultural, and organisational change, while developing your own professional practice.
An online programme in an international context
Our programme is a collaboration between three universities on three continents: Linköping University (Sweden), the University of British Columbia (Canada), and the University of the Western Cape (South Africa).
All course activities take place on a digital learning platform, where you will study together with students from all participating universities in a global class.
The programme comprises eight course modules, each comprising 7,5 credit points. The introductory module deals with integration of the course and leads up to the development of a capability envelope, which continues over the two years. Four of the modules focus on different content themes or ‘perspectives’, designed to be applicable to students with interest or background in any context. One module focuses on research methods and is followed by a research project in those universities where this is required for a Master's degree. If this is not applicable, the research project is replaced by local optional courses, relevant to the programme.
The name and sequence of course modules over the programme is shown below:
- Locating oneself in Global Learning, part 1, 4,5 ECTS
- Adult Learning: Perspectives and Contexts, 7, 5 ECTS
- Work and Learning, 7,5 ECTS
- Fostering Learning in Practice, 7, 5 ECTS
- Understanding Research, 7,5 ECTS
- Global/Local Learning, 7, 5 ECTS
- Locating oneself in Global Learning, Part II, 3 ECTS
- Researching Adult Learning: Project work, 15 ECTS
Content, modes of presentation, learning objectives, and examination for each course module are described in more detail in separate course outlines.
The aim is to provide a high quality Master’s degree in Adult Learning, which in both content and process gives students an insight into globalisation and cross-cultural collaboration. The programme should also enhance the understanding of different contexts and provide experience of working in a variety of study modes.
Aim
Knowledge and understanding
- to encourage understanding of commonalities and differences across different contexts for adult learning
- to understand knowledge based societies and the implications for learning
- to develop understanding of the globalisation discourses
- to appreciate the historical context of present developments and link these to one’s own sites of practice
- to challenge orthodoxies in adult learning theory and practice
Skills and abilities
- to learn to use teaching and learning technologies globally
- to learn how to learn and work globally
Values and attitudes
- to develop cultural sensibilities and sensitivities
- to adopt a multifaceted equity perspective on all issues of learning
- to engage in reframing of one’s own professional practice
- to create networks of relationships across countries and help establish a global community of adult learning practitioners
Following the final examination, you will have theoretical knowledge of globalisation and its impacts in different locations. This knowledge that is needed when you work in different formal and informal adult learning organizations.
Graduates of the programme will be able to: learn and teach globally, use global connective technologies, understand knowledge-based societies and their implications for learning, understand globalisation discourses, develop cultural sensibilities and sensitivities and develop an equality perspective for learning and re-framing their own professional practices.
Students may also continue their academic career in further projects.