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Society is facing many severe challenges, such as environmental degradation and climate change, large inequalities between people and places, as well as changing geographies of innovation and production caused by geopolitical frictions. Contemporary societal challenges are complex, fundamental, and enduring, and innovation can contribute to mitigate them. The programme will give you a systemic perspective on innovation, meaning that you will learn about the full process from idea to development, the diffusion of new products, services, solutions and processes, and evaluate their intended and unintended societal impacts.
The Programme will prepare you to become a driving force of change. During the programme you will meet students from different disciplinary backgrounds, and together build knowledge and skills within:
Innovation processes in different organisations – such as firms, public sector, and civil society - as well as cooperation between different actors.
How innovations impact society – both intended and unintended effects and how impact may differ between places and societal groups.
How innovation processes can be governed – and the opportunities and limitations for policy actors at local, regional, national and international levels.
Methods to study and work with innovation – including practical tools to understand, follow, and promote innovation processes.
About the programme
The programme is suitable for you who want to work with societal change. You will get practical knowledge in how innovation can be planned, governed, and implemented. The teaching builds on interdisciplinary research and provides multiple perspectives on social, environmental, and economic change. This is conducted partly through traditional teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars, and workshops, and partly through collaborations with organisations where you as a student get to practically engage with real-world challenges.
In the program, you will meet teachers who conduct research on different aspects of innovation and who come from different disciplinary backgrounds. This interdisciplinary team of teachers is in various ways connected to CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research at Lund University.
The programme consists of two semesters. During the first semester, the focus lies on building your knowledge base on innovation, innovation processes and their governance. During the second semester, your new competences will deepen and be put into more practical use in collaboration with external actors. The coursework consists of both individual components and group work. Working in groups will prepare you for working with different societal actors in your working life.
Society is facing many severe challenges, such as environmental degradation and climate change, large inequalities between people and places, as well as changing geographies of innovation and production caused by geopolitical frictions. Contemporary societal challenges are complex, fundamental, and enduring, and innovation can contribute to mitigate them. The programme will give you a systemic perspective on innovation, meaning that you will learn about the full process from idea to development, the diffusion of new products, services, solutions and processes, and evaluate their intended and unintended societal impacts.
The Programme will prepare you to become a driving force of change. During the programme you will meet students from different disciplinary backgrounds, and together build knowledge and skills within:
Innovation processes in different organisations – such as firms, public sector, and civil society - as well as cooperation between different actors.
How innovations impact society – both intended and unintended effects and how impact may differ between places and societal groups.
How innovation processes can be governed – and the opportunities and limitations for policy actors at local, regional, national and international levels.
Methods to study and work with innovation – including practical tools to understand, follow, and promote innovation processes.
About the programme
The programme is suitable for you who want to work with societal change. You will get practical knowledge in how innovation can be planned, governed, and implemented. The teaching builds on interdisciplinary research and provides multiple perspectives on social, environmental, and economic change. This is conducted partly through traditional teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars, and workshops, and partly through collaborations with organisations where you as a student get to practically engage with real-world challenges.
In the program, you will meet teachers who conduct research on different aspects of innovation and who come from different disciplinary backgrounds. This interdisciplinary team of teachers is in various ways connected to CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research at Lund University.
The programme consists of two semesters. During the first semester, the focus lies on building your knowledge base on innovation, innovation processes and their governance. During the second semester, your new competences will deepen and be put into more practical use in collaboration with external actors. The coursework consists of both individual components and group work. Working in groups will prepare you for working with different societal actors in your working life.
Admission Requirements
90+
6.5+
To be admitted to the programme, the student must hold a Bachelor’s degree corresponding to at least 180 ECTS. Oral and written proficiency in English equivalent to English 6 (advanced) from Swedish upper secondary school is a requirement. International qualifications will be assessed in accordance with national guidelines.
15 Jan 2026
1 Year
Aug
Tuition fees
International
67,500 SEK
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
Innovation and Societal Change - Master of Science programme
Lund, Lund, Sweden
12 monthsProgramme duration
67,500 SEKTuition Fee/year
15 Jan, 2026Application Deadline
Community DevelopmentMain Subject Area
Programme overview
Main Subject
Community Development
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Society is facing many severe challenges, such as environmental degradation and climate change, large inequalities between people and places, as well as changing geographies of innovation and production caused by geopolitical frictions. Contemporary societal challenges are complex, fundamental, and enduring, and innovation can contribute to mitigate them. The programme will give you a systemic perspective on innovation, meaning that you will learn about the full process from idea to development, the diffusion of new products, services, solutions and processes, and evaluate their intended and unintended societal impacts.
The Programme will prepare you to become a driving force of change. During the programme you will meet students from different disciplinary backgrounds, and together build knowledge and skills within:
About the programme
The programme is suitable for you who want to work with societal change. You will get practical knowledge in how innovation can be planned, governed, and implemented. The teaching builds on interdisciplinary research and provides multiple perspectives on social, environmental, and economic change. This is conducted partly through traditional teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars, and workshops, and partly through collaborations with organisations where you as a student get to practically engage with real-world challenges.
In the program, you will meet teachers who conduct research on different aspects of innovation and who come from different disciplinary backgrounds. This interdisciplinary team of teachers is in various ways connected to CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research at Lund University.
The programme consists of two semesters. During the first semester, the focus lies on building your knowledge base on innovation, innovation processes and their governance. During the second semester, your new competences will deepen and be put into more practical use in collaboration with external actors. The coursework consists of both individual components and group work. Working in groups will prepare you for working with different societal actors in your working life.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Community Development
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Society is facing many severe challenges, such as environmental degradation and climate change, large inequalities between people and places, as well as changing geographies of innovation and production caused by geopolitical frictions. Contemporary societal challenges are complex, fundamental, and enduring, and innovation can contribute to mitigate them. The programme will give you a systemic perspective on innovation, meaning that you will learn about the full process from idea to development, the diffusion of new products, services, solutions and processes, and evaluate their intended and unintended societal impacts.
The Programme will prepare you to become a driving force of change. During the programme you will meet students from different disciplinary backgrounds, and together build knowledge and skills within:
About the programme
The programme is suitable for you who want to work with societal change. You will get practical knowledge in how innovation can be planned, governed, and implemented. The teaching builds on interdisciplinary research and provides multiple perspectives on social, environmental, and economic change. This is conducted partly through traditional teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars, and workshops, and partly through collaborations with organisations where you as a student get to practically engage with real-world challenges.
In the program, you will meet teachers who conduct research on different aspects of innovation and who come from different disciplinary backgrounds. This interdisciplinary team of teachers is in various ways connected to CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research at Lund University.
The programme consists of two semesters. During the first semester, the focus lies on building your knowledge base on innovation, innovation processes and their governance. During the second semester, your new competences will deepen and be put into more practical use in collaboration with external actors. The coursework consists of both individual components and group work. Working in groups will prepare you for working with different societal actors in your working life.
Admission Requirements
Tuition fees
International
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
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