Nordic Master in Public Administration, Leadership, and Digitalization
Summary
The Nordic master programme in public administration, leadership, and digitalization is a research-based programme for the next generation of academics and practitioners. The programme will prepare you with theoretical understandings and practical know-how of how control and organization within the public sector is exercised in a distinct Nordic perspective.
About
The Nordic master program in public administration, leadership and digitalisation is a two-year master's program (120 credits), which is given in collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, NORD University in Bodø and Åbo Akademi University.
The program focuses on how the public sector in the Nordic region and globally is affected and transformed by ongoing digitalization processes. The program is to a large extent based on the Nordic experience of governance and management models observed in Sweden, Norway, and Finland and offers an understanding of national, local, and global traditions, contexts, and cultures and also how these have been affected and developed over time. The program challenges and engages students' critical thinking and assessment of public leadership, with a direct link to economic and political idea traditions.
The program is given at full speed in collaboration between the University of Gothenburg (GU), the NORD University of Bodø in Norway (NORD) and the Åbo Akademy University in Finland (ÅA). The overall structure of the program requires students to participate in at least 30 ECTS at at least two of the collaborative educational institutions within the framework of their two-year master's program. At least one semester (30 ECTS) at the University of Gothenburg is mandatory within the program.
The program is further characterized by a high degree of flexibility. A total of 60 ECTS in the program consist of elective courses (second courses; presented in appendix). Students are given the opportunity, in consultation with the student councillor, to create individual focus areas within the program in order to be able to meet individual wishes, needs, and thoughts on future career goals.
Programme structure and content
The Nordic Master in Public Administration, Leadership, and Digitalization is given in collaboration between three different universities; University of Gothenburg, NORD University, and Åbo Akademi University. This means that mobility forms a focal part of the programme, demanding that students partake in at least 30 ECTS from one of the host universities in addition to the mandatory 30 ECTS at University of Gothenburg. The Nordic Master in Public Administration, Leadership, and Digitalization programme is highly flexible, allowing for students to choose between a high variety of different courses. All admitted candidates are offered an exclusive one-to-one consultation with a study counsellor at University of Gothenburg during the first semester. This consultation aims at ironing out which thematic profile that is best suited for the individual candidate.
Who should apply?
The Nordic Master in Public Administration, Leadership, and Digitalization is directed at students coming from a social science background (minimum requirement of a bachelor degree of 180 ECTS) aiming at preparing for professional work in academia as well as within public sector organizations. The programme will provide students with valuable insights into theory and practice, focusing on public administration, public finance and budgeting, and governance. The Nordic welfare models is highly integrated throughout the programme, together with a distinct perspective on how public sector organizations are affected by and adjusts to processes of digitalization.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
The applicant must have obtained a bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS in the social sciences education field or equivalent Swedish or foreign degree, including at least 7,5 ECTS in research methods. Applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English at the level of at least English 6 / English B or equivalent at an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or IELTS.
The applicant will be asked to submit a letter of motivation with an account of academic background and work experience as well as a reflection on how the program will advance their stated career goals.
After graduation
The programme offers a possibility for a multiple master’s degree through our exclusive collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, Nord University and Åbo Academy University. After the programme, you will be prepared to work with advanced analytical tasks within the public or private sector. After completing their studies, students are eligible to apply for postgraduate education at the three collaborating higher education institutions (please note that admission to postgraduate education is not guaranteed after graduation).
