University of Southern Denmark
Master in Population Studies
Odense, Denmark
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Mar 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 15,000 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Application deadlines: EU/EEA or Swiss applicants: September intake: 1 March Non EU/EEA or Swiss applicants: September intake: 1 February
Key Summary
About: The MSc in Population Studies at the University of Southern Denmark trains you in demographic theory, quantitative methods and R programming. You study migration, fertility and mortality, learn to compute and communicate demographic statistics, and choose one of three specialisations: Population Economics, Population Politics or Population Health. The programme links you to a leading population research centre and awards the title Cand.scient.dem.
Career Outcomes: Graduates become demographers skilled in quantitative analysis and R. They work in national statistical offices, governments, municipalities, consultancy, life sciences, insurance, NGOs and international organisations, supporting policy, planning, population forecasting and healthcare and pension analysis.
Learn about populations and societal challenges brought on by population changes.
Gain a unique education fusing social sciences, quantitative methods, and programming and graduate with a widely demanded skillset.
Are you interested in understanding and analysing population changes and how they are challenging contemporary societies? Population issues, like ageing and population growth, are the results of changes in three key demographic behaviours: migration (when people move from one place to another), fertility (how many babies are born), and mortality (how long people live).
By studying Population Studies, you will gain knowledge on these three pillars of demography and how their interplay leads to population changes. You will also gain the skills needed to address demographic challenges and make a meaningful impact on society.
The Master of Science (MSc.) in Population Studies consists of courses in demographic theories and methods, with a focus on quantitative and programming skills.
You will graduate with a fundamental understanding of population changes, their causes, and consequences, but also with the skills to compute, interpret and communicate relevant demographic statistics.
Learn quantitative methods through programming
Quantitative methods and skills in programming are essential to Population Studies, but students with a limited background in statistics and programming are nonetheless encouraged to apply.
You will learn the fundamentals of data handling, preparation and application of quantitative analysis by working with the statistical programming language R.
Study populations with an interdisciplinary perspective
The understanding and capability to address population challenges require insight from multiple disciplines. For example, population ageing leads to challenges for both the Danish pension system and the healthcare system. When enrolled on the programme you have the option of selecting one of three specialisations:
- Population Economics
- Population Politics
- Population Health
Why you should apply for the MSc. in Population Studies
- You will learn the theories, methods and skills required to become a well-trained demographer.
- You will get a unique education and skillset which fuses social sciences, quantitative methods and programming, which is widely demanded by the private and public sectors.
- You will graduate with the competencies to understand contemporary population issues like ageing and population growth.
- You will be linked to one of the world’s leading research centres in population dynamics and forecasting.
- You will study the first education of its kind in Denmark and gain the unique title of "Cand.scient.dem".
1st Semester
- Introduction to demography (10 ECTS)
- Demographic methods and analysis 1 (10 ECTS)
- Specialisation course (10 ECTS). The students select one of the following:
- Population economics,
- Population politics, or
- Population health
2nd Semester
- Research design and data management (10 ECTS)
- Demographic methods and analysis 2 (10 ECTS)
- Applied demography (specialisation-specific) (10 ECTS)
3rd Semester
Study abroad, internship or elective courses (30 ECTS)
4th Semester
Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
Knowledge and understanding
The master's programme in Economics and Business Administration supplies knowledge that, within the focus area of the profile, is based on the highest international research within a field of study. The graduate can understand and, on a scientific basis, reflect on the knowledge of the field/fields of study and be able to identify scientific issues of relevance
Skills
The graduate can, in a qualified manner, select and apply scientific methods and theories for the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data for description and complex analysis of internal and external conditions of the firm as well as theoretical issues related to these areas.
The graduate can set up new models of analysis and solutions for problems based on the performed analyses. The graduate can communicate his/her knowledge and discuss professional and scientific issues with colleagues, management, and the surrounding society.
Competences
An MSc in Economics and Business Administration can, within the area of the profile, manage work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new models for solutions. The graduate can independently initiate and implement professional and interdisciplinary cooperation and take on professional responsibility.
The graduate can independently take responsibility for their professional development and specialization.
An MSc in Economics and Business Administration allows graduates to work at solving specialist tasks within the functional areas of organizations with the public and private sectors.
Graduates of the programme become demographers skilled in quantitative methods and theories that enable them to study, quantify and predict demographic changes and trends.
The research and analytical skills of demographers are needed in many fields and institutions. Graduates of the program can find job opportunities in:
- National statistical offices
- Governments
- Ministries
- Municipalities
- Consultancy sector
- Life sciences
- Insurance companies
- Non-governmental and international organisations
The interdisciplinarity structure of the master's program enables graduates to understand and view demographic processes and their effects on the economy, pension reform, welfare politics and policy, and current and future provision of healthcare. This knowledge and insight are needed for public planners, policymakers and private companies needing population-level analyses.
Moreover, with a strong foundational basis in programming and applications of quantitative methods, graduates will have a skill set that is demanded by a larger part of the private and public sectors.