Programme structure

Generally, a Master's Programme comprises 120 ECTS points.

Structure for students enrolled in September 2020 or later

Find the programme structure for students enrolled before 2019 here
Find the programme structure for students enrolled in September 2019 here

The Master programme includes four semesters over a two-year period. In the first two semesters you will enroll in mandatory courses, while in the third semester you can choose courses according to your interest.  In the first two semesters, you take 60 ECTS in compulsory courses. First semester courses give a broad overview of the evolution, challenges and perspectives on public policies and welfare studies, addressing classical topics as well as contemporary issues. Second semester courses focus on specific issues related to the formulation and implementation of welfare-related policies. 
 
The courses in the first two semesters are organized in such a way as to offer students the possibility to choose courses from two specializations: one that emphasizes the politics side of public policies, and one that emphasizes processes of social change and their consequences for public policies. 
Students will be informed that the two specializations have in common the courses “Quantitative methods” (semester 1), “Research design” (semester 2), “The Nordic model of governance” (semester 1), “Public policy/Offentlig politik” (semester 1) and “Economics for policy evaluation” (semester 2) – which provide them with essential tools to understand public policies. Altogether, the common courses give 20 ECTS each semester.

Students will be informed and advised that they can form the desired specialization by choosing the following specialization courses: 
•Specialization “Social justice” (orange color): courses “Social policy: challenges and solutions” (semester 1) and “Ethics and public policy” (semester 2)
•Specialization “Social change” (green color): courses “Science, technology and society” (semester 1) and “Global issues and development” (semester 2).

Specialization courses give students 10 ECTS each semester.  

The specialisations do not constitute compulsory tracks. Students who choose courses which make up a specialisation can choose courses belonging to the other specialisation as electives. 

 
In the third semester, you have the opportunity to continue you specialization by choosing between courses (in Denmark or abroad) or internships, while in the fourth semester you write your Master thesis on a topic of your choice.