The Master's Programme in Business Studies offers you theoretical classes with practical exercises based on the needs of local and international companies. Core courses focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and Knowledge Management are combined with your choice of specialisation – Accounting and Control; Marketing and International Business; or Human Resource Management. The capstone of your 10-month study period will be a thesis project in which you examine how a specific real-world research problem relates to one of the focus areas of the programme.
Business Theory, Modern Realities
Building on your previous academic studies in the field of Business (or related field), this master programme, which is taught in English, will give you the knowledge, critical-thinking and communication skills, and intercultural understanding that employers of today seek. By the time you graduate, you will have developed the abilities needed to launch or upgrade your career as a Human Resources Specialist, Marketing Manager or Accountant.
The Master’s Programme in Business Studies is a 60-credit programme (two semesters, approx. 10 months) taught in English. You’ll combine core courses in responsible management and knowledge practices with one elective that aligns with your interests in International Business & Marketing or International Human Resource Management. In the second semester, you’ll deepen your research skills and complete a master’s thesis.
Semester 1 (Autumn, late August – mid-January)
In the first semester, you take two compulsory courses plus one elective:
- Corporate Social Responsibility in an International Perspective (FÖ3042) – 7.5 credits
- Knowledge Management (FÖ3034) – 7.5 credits
Elective courses (choose one)
- International Business and Marketing (FÖ3036) – 15 credits
- Accounting and Control in Global Enterprises (FÖ3032) – 15 credits
Note: Not offered in Autumn 2025. - Studies of International Human Resource Management (FÖ3040) – 15 credits
Semester 2 (Spring, late January – mid-June)
The second semester focuses on research design and your thesis:
- Research Design, Theory of Science and Methods (FÖ3043) – 15 credits
- Master’s Thesis in Business Administration (AFÖ26H) – 15 credits
Note: 1.5 credits equals one week of full-time study.
Degree awarded
Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a Master of Science (60 credits) in Business and Economics, Main Field of Study: Business Administration and Management. This degree may also qualify you to apply for PhD studies in Sweden.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the Master’s Programme in Business Studies is 96,000 SEK in total (48,000 SEK per semester).
Note: EU/EEA citizens are not required to pay tuition fees.
Tuition fees are paid in two installments of 48,000 SEK and the first payment should be made as soon as possible after you have received your invoice and no later than the deadline on the invoice. This allows for reasonable processing time for a residence permit application.
For details about what is included in the tuition fee, visit our Tuition Fees webpage. If you have questions, please contact support@du.se.
Scholarships
Students admitted to the Master’s Programme in Business Studies may be eligible for two scholarships offered by Dalarna University.
Choose Dalarna First Scholarship
If you apply on time and are admitted to this programme as your first choice on UniversityAdmissions.se, you are eligible for a one-time scholarship of 5,000 SEK. This amount is deducted from your first semester tuition fee, provided you also apply for the scholarship no later than February 15 (autumn intake).
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Students in the Business Studies programme can also qualify for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, which recognises outstanding academic achievement during the programme.
- Semester Award: Receive 10,000 SEK per semester when you meet the criteria for outstanding academic results.
- Programme Distinction: An additional 10,000 SEK may be awarded if you receive the Semester Award in every semester of the programme.
To qualify for the Semester Award, you must:
- Complete all 30 credits that are part of the programme curriculum for that semester.
- Earn at least 15 credits with grades of A or VG (pass with distinction) and B (pass with merit) — at least one course must have a final grade of A or VG.
- Have all course results reported within 6 weeks after the semester ends.
The Semester Award is evaluated independently for each semester, meaning you may receive it for one semester even if you do not qualify in the other.
Swedish Institute Scholarships (SISGP)
A limited number of students from select countries may be eligible to apply for the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) – external link, a national scholarship programme managed by the Swedish Institute. This scholarship is highly competitive and awarded independently of Dalarna University.
For full eligibility details and how to apply for Dalarna University’s own scholarships, visit our Scholarships Overview webpage.
Should you apply?
If you are interested in combining core knowledge in business administration with a focus on international perspectives, management, and research methods, this programme could be a good fit for you. If you have previously majored in Social Sciences or Technology with a social science focus and can document your knowledge of spoken and written English, you are encouraged to apply.
How to apply
You apply to the Master’s Programme in Business Studies in two steps:
- Click on the green "Apply" button to create a user account and add the programme to your account in the online application portal (UniversityAdmissions.se).
- Submit the required documents to verify that you fulfill the entry requirements listed below. It is usually possible to upload the required documents directly to your user account.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
In order to be eligible for the Master’s Programme in Business Studies, you need to have:
- A completed Bachelor’s degree majoring in Social Sciences or a Bachelor’s degree in Technology with a social science focus, equal to a Swedish Bachelor’s degree.
Applicants in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree are also welcome to apply, but proof of degree completion will be required before the start of the programme.
Your studies must include at least 30 credits in Business Administration (for example, accounting, marketing, or organisation theory), including a minimum of 7.5 credits in research methods applicable to social science or business, or equivalent knowledge.
English language requirements
You must also demonstrate English language proficiency. You should check the UniversityAdmissions.se information about English language proficiency to see if your previous studies fulfill this requirement. If you need to take an IELTS or TOEFL, the following minimum results are required:
- IELTS (academic training): 6.5 overall (with no part below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Internet-based): 90 (with a minimum of 20 on the written part)
For more details, see the English documentation webpage (UniversityAdmissions.se).
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of the programme, you will be prepared for employment in a diverse job market that includes corporations and banks, and marketing and accounting firms. The career opportunities that will be available to you are too vast to list; however, the most common areas of employment are:
- Marketing
- International Business
- Human Resources
- Accounting
- Production Management
Examples of job titles held by our alumni include:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Financial Controller
- Principal Product Manager
- Market Analyst and Social Media Specialist
- Group HR Development Specialist
- Talent Acquisition Partner – Tech Delivery
- Store Manager
- Strategist in Rights and Integration Issues
- Graphic and Video Editor
Apply to PhD studies
The programme also prepares you for further academic studies in a wide range of PhD programmes in Business Studies.
Stay in Dalarna and look for a job after graduating
You can apply for a 12-month residence permit to stay in Sweden and look for work after you complete a degree programme of at least 60 credits. International students are encouraged to stay in Dalarna and Sweden and look for a job after graduating from the Master's Programme in Business Studies with an International Focus
Using your degree overseas
The degree awarded by Dalarna University for this programme is internationally recognized and has been used by previous students to attain employment or pursue further studies outside of Sweden.
You can also apply to receive an Erasmus+ grant for an internship, even up to 12 months after completing your studies. This opportunity is available to all students in the programme, regardless of nationality, who pursue an approved internship within an Erasmus+ programme country other than Sweden.
Research within business studies is linked to the specializations within the programme and also includes innovation.
Our lecturers are also active with research in diverse business areas. Some examples of their research projects are:
- Hybrid working as a practice
Lenka Klimplová and Carina Holmgren focus their research on hybrid working in organizations, what tensions this relatively new phenomenon brings about and how it impacts the working environment. - Human Resource Analytics in public sector organisations
Yanina Espegren studies how HR departments in Swedish public administrations work with HR-related data and analysis as a result of HR digitalization. - Creative innovations in firms
Peter Hultén examines factors affecting creativity in innovative processes in firms and public organizations. - Management accounting methods for climate action
Ravi Dar carries on research projects on management accounting methods for climate action and on conceptual space around IT terminology. - Accounting and management control
Klas Sundberg’s research focuses on Accounting, Management Control, Information Systems, Project Management, Strategic Development and Sustainability. - Financial and non-financial accounting
Asif M Huq investigates the effects of various accounting and auditing reforms, e.g., the effect of mandatory audits on the cost of capital, growth, investment decision choices, etc.; direct and indirect effects of mandatory sustainability reporting such as NFRD and CSRD; effects and determinants of auditors issuing various key audit matters. He also works to develop objective methods based on text analytics to evaluate companies’ sustainability disclosure. - B2B sharing of personal data and the GDPR
Hajo Michael Holtz is conducting legal research on the questions of when and how innovative companies may buy and sell personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation regulatory regime for purposes related to i.a. the development of AI systems, IoT products or Big Data analysis.
One unique aspect of the programme is the research conducted by our students through the Master's Thesis course. The following Master's level theses were presented and defended at the end of this one year master's programme. You can write a thesis on your own or with one other student (this is recommended). Students decide on a topic themselves in consultation with their teachers and fellow students.
- "Career progression in a remote working context" - Gabriel J. Kleinke & Sebastian Ruotsalainen (2024)
- "Standardization and customization of the international recruitment and selection process: A study from the cultural and institutional perspective" – Nicole Bergman (2022)
- "Attracting and retaining talent: A qualitative study about Talent Management within the knowledge-intensive organizations in Sweden" – Kate Smirnova (2022)
- "Consumer preferences for graphic, structural, and information elements on recycled paper-based package: Gender, age, and education differences" - Andrea Èabajová & Jakub Ko¹ík (2022)
- “Knowledge Management and ICT Adaptions as a Result of Pandemic Workplace Restrictions: A Case Study at a SME in Germany” - Tobias Baesch (2021)
- “Impacts of the Level of Swedish Language Knowledge on Refugees’ Employment and Occupational Matching” – Omar Abualhayjaa & Yaman Srour (2021)
- "Employment in Sweden from the International Students' Perspective" - Graciela Llácer Ventura and Juste Svazaite (2018)
A close-knit study environment
Typically, about 15–20 students enroll in the Business Studies programme each year, coming from all over the world. Since the programme admits only a limited number of students, you will soon get to know your classmates and become involved in activities in and around Dalarna and Sweden with your new-found friends. The knowledge you gain and the experiences you share with your classmates will prepare you to join our alumni who go on to find their ideal jobs within the field.
During your studies, you will attend lectures, participate in seminar discussions, enjoy study visits, and, of course, take exams. You can expect between 6 and 10 hours of class time each week, as well as a weekly study time of between 25 and 35 hours.
A modern campus in Borlänge
In autumn 2024, Dalarna University’s new Campus Borlänge opened. The campus has a strong focus on sustainability and offers many modern study environments for our students inside and outside the classroom. The new campus is located in Borlänge town centre with immediate access to parks, restaurants and bars, gyms, financial services, and fika, and is less than 5 minutes’ walk to the Borlänge train station.
Dalarna University is a small university, which allows you to develop personal relationships with your classmates and teachers.
Business and industry context
You will study in Borlänge, a town characterised by thriving business and industry, surrounded by nature and the charming Swedish countryside. The town is two hours north of Stockholm and only 20 km from the historic town of Falun, the political centre of Dalarna County. Borlänge is home to major Swedish corporations such as SSAB and Borlänge Energi, and within a short commute to another large corporation, namely Hitachi Energy.
What do students say about the programme?
To present an accurate picture of what students have to say about the Business Studies programme, we have published their comments from the end-of-programme evaluation.
What students liked:
- Teaching methods (presentations and seminars) that helped students share their opinions and facilitated their learning
- Development of critical thinking through article discussions — not accepting findings from previous research as granted
- Small classes and good relationships with teachers
- Events: Uppsala trip, SSAB visit, Dalarna Science Park visit
- Guest lectures and invitations to different research seminars
- Small-group seminars that were very helpful for developing critical thinking
- An international perspective that is beneficial on many levels — cultural, language, and experiences
What students thought could be improved:
- More cooperation with companies and possibilities for internship
- More support to conduct case studies (as students come from different countries and may have no connections with businesses in Sweden)
- Networking with alumni
