Master in Computer Science: Innovation for Change in a Digital Society
Malmö, Sweden
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
31 Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 275,000 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* first admission round; we recommend international students apply in this round
** full tuition fee
Key Summary
Are you looking to combine the engineering practices of computer science with a focus on innovation, business, and management? Computer Science: Innovation for Change in a Digital Society is a two-year master’s programme that integrates these different disciplines to train future innovation leaders in a digital society.
Digitalisation has a major impact on society, industry, and individuals and comes with several opportunities as well as challenges. Fully reaping the benefits and successfully addressing the challenges on a global and local level requires both innovative technical solutions and skilled business leaders who understand and can engage with the rapid and continuous changes that characterise the digitalised society.
Rather than only pursuing advanced skills in computer science, the programme complements students’ prerequisite knowledge with its emphasis on skills in innovation, business, change, and sustainability management. The programme focuses on user-centric innovation and change management within new and existing organisations and markets. Graduates of the programme will find job opportunities either as change agents in organisations, as entrepreneurs in the start-up sector, or as researchers in academia.
To survive the rapid change of digitalisation, organisations today need new capabilities and competencies in fields such as software engineering, business development, innovation, technology management, and leadership. Organisations are therefore looking for people who understand both technologies as well as business and managerial aspects. By integrating advanced computer science knowledge with skills in innovation and business, as well as change and sustainability management, the master’s programme prepares students for future careers as drivers of innovation. The programme is relevant for students who have studied computer science as part of their undergraduate degree.
Collaboration with industry and research
The programme is built around the research environments at the Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, including the Internet of Things and People research centre, the Software Centre, and the new Data Society Research Programme: Advancing Digitalisation Studies. The teaching staff includes experts in software engineering, business and innovation, digital innovation, research methods, and design. The programme involves senior researchers, involved primarily as teachers during the first year and as supervisors during the second year.
Prepared for a career as a digital change agent
Students in the programme have many opportunities for interaction and collaboration with external partners and client organisations through, for example, thesis projects and internships. Graduated students will be well prepared for work in any number of industries currently undergoing a rapid digital transformation, as well as for continued PhD studies at Malmö University or other universities.
Challenge-based curriculum and real-world cases
During the programme, students learn theories and practices within software technologies, innovation, entrepreneurship, and digitalisation. There is a specific focus on organisational theory, change and sustainability management, sustainability, and ethics. An overall challenge-based pedagogical approach allows students to work with real-world cases from client organisations as well as their entrepreneurial projects.
The programme’s four semesters are organised around a series of sequential learning goals, starting with foundational courses during the first semester. The second semester’s theme includes practical courses and opportunities for applying different theories. The third semester focuses on specialisation, offering elective course options in the student’s areas of interest. The third semester also includes a research course in preparation for the master’s thesis, which is the focus of the fourth semester.
Knowledge and understanding
In order to complete a master’s degree in Computer Science, the student must:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of computer science, incorporating broad knowledge within the field as well as substantial, specialised knowledge within certain aspects of innovation in a digital society, and also demonstrate in-depth insight into relevant research and development work.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of methodologies within computer science.
Competencies and skills
In order to complete a master’s degree in Computer Science, the student must:
- Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess, and handle complex phenomena, issues, and situations, even with limited information.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically, independently, and creatively identify and formulate questions, to plan and execute – using appropriate methods – advanced assignments within specific deadlines, and thus contribute to the development of knowledge, and to evaluate such work.
- Demonstrate the ability in both national and international settings to orally and in writing describe and discuss his/her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which these are based, in dialogue with different groups.
- Demonstrate the skills that are required to take part in research and development work or for independent work in other qualified activities.
Evaluation and approach
In order to complete a master’s degree in Computer Science, the student will:
- Demonstrate the ability within computer science to make assessments about relevant scientific, social, and ethical aspects, as well as demonstrate awareness of ethical issues in research and development work.
- Demonstrate insight into the opportunities and limitations of science and innovation, their role in society, and the human responsibility for how this is used.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify their own need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for their knowledge development.