Study a master’s degree in Work-Integrated Learning

Why study a master in WIL?

The Master in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is a two-year, full-time programme that brings together academic study and authentic workplace experience to explore how learning happens in and through work. Rooted in the social sciences and the humanities, the programmes examines the conditions, processes, and practices that shape working lifebroadly defined to include not only formal employment but also the wider contexts in which people contribute, learn, and develop. Through a combination of research-based teaching, projects, and reflective learning, students develop the ability to connect theoretical perspectives with authentic challenges and opportunities. 
 
At the heart of the programmes is the belief that learning becomes deeper, more relevant, and more transformative when it is anchored in practice. Students study in an international environment and engage with scholars from University West’s established WIL research community, which brings together expertise in digitalization, political studies, sustainability, professional learning, higher education, and co-creative societal development.

This interdisciplinary environment supports students in cultivating the analytical, critical, and practical skills required to understand and act within complex contemporary contexts. 
 
The programme leads to a Master of Arts (120 credits) in Work-Integrated Learning with a choice of three specializations. Each programme links WIL to a specialization and allows students to tailor their studies toward the field in which they wish to continue their studies or working life.

Three specializations to choose from 

The programme offers three specializations to reflect the diverse contexts in which Work-Integrated Learning makes a difference. Leadership in digitalized organizations, Sustainable development, and Political science are three areas where learning in and through work is central to societal development. By choosing a specialization, students can focus their studies on the field that best matches their interests, career ambitions, and the societal challenges they want to engage with. 

Programme structure 

The programme is full-time, on-campus, and structured over four semesters. You begin with shared foundational studies in Work-Integrated Learning. In the second term, you complete either a research internship or a prototype course. The third term focuses on advanced studies within your specialization and applied research methods. Your final semester is devoted to your master’s thesis. All courses are 15 ECTS credits, except the thesis course, which is 30 ECTS. 

What you will learn

As a Master's student in WIL, you develop a nuanced understanding of how learning unfolds in and through work and how workplaces and societies respond to contemporary challenges. You learn to apply social science theories to authentic situations, collaborate with organisations through internships and practice-ased projects, and work with analytical and methodological tools suited to complex environments. Through your chosen specialization, you strengthen your expertise in a field where learning and development play a crucial role, preparing you to engage critically in professional and societal contexts.

Research Internship opportunity 

As part of the programme, you have the opportunity to engage in a research internship or an authentic workplace practice module during the second term. These internships allow you to apply your knowledge in real organisational settings and gain valuable experience in your chosen field.  

Career and alumni 

Alumni are well prepared to step into roles that require critical thinking, applied analysis, and an understanding of how learning takes form and is shaped in practice. Several build careers in roles that shape workplaces and communities, working in public administration, NGOs, international organisations, and the private and public sectors, often in roles related to organisational development, administration, sustainability, public governance, or project coordination for digital transformation. The combination of academic depth and practice-based experience makes graduates well-suited for positions that require navigating complex contexts and supporting learning development processes at work. Some also pursue doctoral studies, including the PhD in Work-Integrated Learning at University West.