Work Integrated Political Studies

Work integrated learning meets political studies

University West is the leading university for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The university was tasked with the development of WIL by the Swedish government 15+ years ago and continues to lead the field today. WIL is the practice of moving from academic and theoretical learning to real-world applications within the duration of your programme.

No other international, interdisciplinary programme offers a master's degree in WIL with a specialisation in political studies. On graduation, you are prepared for professional work across cultural and national borders to develop, implement and lead projects handling politically and economically oriented issues for societal change.

One semester work placement

In the second year of your programme, you will through a research placement in Sweden or abroad work together with NGO’s, institutions, organisations or companies facing real-life challenges. The networks, skills and experiences you gain will be key in your future working life.

The research internship project will also be the foundation of your master's thesis, all conducted under the continuous supervision given by the programme staff and internship hosts.

International yet intimate

In this fully English-taught programme, students and staff come from a wealth of different cultures and regions around the world, creating a rich learning environment and student life.

Delivered in close collaboration with the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa, your programme gives you the opportunity to work on research projects at organisations and institutions in Sweden, South Africa and at other locations around the world.

Additionally, University West offers an intimate campus environment without barriers between academic staff and students. Here, your professors are easily accessible to answer questions, hold discussions and provide individual feedback. This, together with our close connections to organisations, institutions and companies in surrounding society, puts a wealth of experts at your fingertips.

Programme contents, structure, and progression

University West is the leading university for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). This is a unique two-year international master's programme (120 credits) that leads to an MA degree in Work Integrated Learning with a specialization in political studies. The work integrated applied research approach provides you with training in how to have a direct impact on societal change through your work.

The programme is particularly useful for political-economic oriented professions in public administration, NGO´s and private corporations, in Sweden as well as internationally. The studies prepare you for professional work across cultural and national borders to develop, implement and lead projects handling politically and economically oriented issues for societal change.

The programme is divided into two progressively challenging phases:
In the 1st year you study a set of compulsory courses focusing on WIL in theory and practice, in total 30 credits. These courses are combined with a selection of elective courses focusing on applied political studies and/or societal change. You can choose electives course according to your interest, building up your own educational profile.

In the 2nd year you will use the knowledge from your theoretical studies, applied through a research internship placement with a host organization in Sweden or abroad, with continuous supervision by the programme staff and internship host. You can, depending on your interest, work with NGO’s, public or private institutions, organisations or companies, performing research tasks dealing with real-life challenges. To further focus your education and degree towards your interest, the research internship also forms the foundation of your master's thesis.

Programme syllabus

The labour market, collaboration, and work-integrated learning

This programme responds to an outspoken need by societal actors to find graduates with inter-disciplinary knowledge, experience and understanding, relevant to take on complex real societal challenges in an increasingly diversified world. Hence, the programme integrates WIL, as a form, educational and research approach, as part of developing WIL as a unique field of study within its own right.

The entire programme is built upon a WIL approach and provides a degree in WIL. This becomes perhaps most prominent in the 2nd year when the student conducts a research internship, integrated with reflective course, and concluded in a master’s thesis. The research internship placements are secured through a close formal collaboration with a number of local, national and international hosts, enabling the students to choose a placement and field of research of their interest.

Through the programme, blending theoretical and practical knowledge, with understanding and reflective abilities, graduates foresee various work opportunities and career paths, as planners, project leaders, administrators and analysts in municipalities, regional authorities, state- and international organisations, NGOs, as well as banks and private companies.

You will be considered for admission to Work Integrated Political Studies if you fulfil the following entry requirements. 

Also, see programme syllabus. 

Previous education

Bachelor’s degree of 180 credits within the field of social science or equivalent.

English language requirement

The English language requirement is the equivalent of English studies at the upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden. Learn about proof of English proficiency.

If you have any questions, please send us an email at study@universitywest.se

Application procedure

University West uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application period, which starts from mid-October. The application procedure basically consists of three steps:

• Apply online on www.universityadmissions.se
• Submit your documents on www.universityadmissions.se . (Deadline will be confirmed in your application confirmation, generally around two weeks after the application deadline.)
• Pay the application fee (if applicable) on www.universityadmissions.se . (Deadline will be confirmed in your application confirmation, generally around two weeks after the application deadline.)
• Students covered by bilateral student exchange agreements with University West can apply through a local system as exchange students. For more information, contact us.

More detailed information about the application procedure.

We follow the documents that are written at Universityadmissions.se (no additional specific documents besides that).

Application fee

Students with citizenship in countries not within the EU/EEA or Switzerland are required to pay an application fee in order to get their application processed. The application fee is SEK 900 (Swedish kronor). 

Students covered by bilateral student exchange agreements with University West are generally exempted from paying application fee.

Not sure if you need to pay the application fee? This list of questions will help you.

Tuition fee

For the academic year 2026/2027 the tuition fee for this programme will be SEK 120,000 per year. You will pay the tuition fee per semester (in four installments).

Students with citizenship in countries not within the EU/EEA or Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees for university studies in Sweden. Students covered by bilateral student exchange agreements with University West are generally exempted from paying application fee.

For more information about tuition fees and exceptions you can check Universityadmissions.se.

University West Scholarship Programme

The University West scholarship programme is open for fee-paying students admitted to specified master's programmes. The scholarship will fully or partly cover the tuition fee for the programme (so not costs for travel or living expenses).

Swedish Institute Scholarships

Students admitted to master's programmes in Sweden can apply for a scholarship to cover their tuition fee. There is a national scholarship programme administrated by the Swedish Institute towards specific countries.

For more information about these scholarships, visit www.studyinsweden.se

Name of the programme

Work Integrated Political Studies

Degree

Master of Arts (MA) with a major in Work Integrated Learning with a specialization in political studies

Duration

2 years, 120 credits

Pace of instruction

Full-time

Type of instruction

On campus

Teaching hours

Daytime

Tuition fee*

SEK 120,000 per year

Scholarship available

Yes

* EU/EEA citizens and students covered by bilateral student exchange agreements with University West are generally exempted from paying tuition fee.

Do you want to learn more about living costs, student accommodation, getting a residence permit and many other practical matters? Then read our section about Practicalities.