Organisations face growing and sometimes competing demands from employees, society and other stakeholders. Sustainable organisational development means navigating these demands while considering social and environmental impacts and remaining economically viable.
This programme gives you an advanced understanding of how organisations work, develop and change through this sustainability perspective. You will study organisation theory, strategy, leadership, human resource management and organisational development, and learn to analyse organisational challenges and develop ethically grounded recommendations for change.
Programme delivery
Teaching mode: Campus-based
Study location: Borlänge, Sweden
Language of instruction: English
Duration: Two semesters, 60 credits
Intake: Autumn
Is Sustainable Organisational Development right for you?
This programme is for you if you want to work with organisational development and change, and are interested in how organisations navigate competing priorities around people, performance and sustainability.
The programme is particularly relevant if you have a background in:
- Business Administration
- Human Resource Management or Work Science
- Organisational Studies or Management
- another social science field with a business or organisational focus
You must also meet the programme's entry requirements. Check the requirements below to see what you need.
Throughout the programme, you will explore how tensions between social, environmental and economic sustainability affect organisational decisions, strategy and change. You will examine these questions from different perspectives before applying your knowledge in your master's thesis.
Autumn semester
During the first 10 weeks, you study how organisations work and learn different ways to analyse them, including perspectives on strategic management and sustainability. In the final 10 weeks, the focus shifts to leadership and human resource management, including how organisations can navigate tensions between employee well-being and organisational performance.
- Organisation Theory and Analysis – 7.5 credits
- Strategic Management and Sustainability – 7.5 credits
- Leadership for Sustainable Organisational Change – 7.5 credits
- Human Resource Management and Organisational Performance – 7.5 credits
Spring semester
During the first 10 weeks, you study organisational development and transformation and learn how to design and conduct research. The final 10 weeks are devoted to your independent master's thesis.
- Organisational Development for Sustainable Change and Transformation – 7.5 credits
- Research Methodology and Research Design – 7.5 credits
- Master's Thesis in Business Administration: Specialisation Sustainable Organisational Development – 15 credits
Your knowledge of organisational development, change, leadership, human resource management and sustainability can prepare you for work in private companies, public organisations and consultancies.
Possible areas of work include:
- organisational development
- human resources and people management
- change and transformation
- sustainability and corporate responsibility
- leadership and management
- management consulting
The programme can also prepare you for further academic study and research. Dalarna University offers doctoral education in Sustainable Societies and Organisations, a research area that includes working life and organisations with a particular focus on social and economic sustainability.
Study on our state-of-the-art campus in central Borlänge
You will study at Campus Borlänge, which opened in 2024 in the centre of Borlänge. The campus has flexible, modern teaching spaces designed for different ways of learning and working together, as well as plenty of space for individual and group study. Shops, restaurants, services and public transport are all close by.
A close-knit study environment
The programme is designed for a relatively small group of approximately 20–25 students. This creates plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas, get to know different perspectives and work closely with your classmates through seminars, discussions and group projects. Teaching also includes lectures, presentations, study visits and written assignments.
An international classroom
Students from all over the world come to study at Dalarna University. The programme is taught in English, bringing different academic and international perspectives into the learning environment.
Through classroom teaching, seminars, guest lectures and projects, you will explore organisational challenges from both academic and professional perspectives.
Bachelor‘s degree with a main field of study in the Social Sciences 180 credits, including 22.5 credits in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or Work Science, and 7.5 credits in Social Science Research Methods.
English proficiency requirements
You must meet the English language requirement equivalent to the Swedish upper-secondary course English 6/English level 2.
Common English language tests
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, with no section below 5.5
- TOEFL iBT:
- Tests taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall, with no section below 4
- Tests taken up to 20 January 2026: 90 overall, with at least 20 in writing
You may also meet the English language requirement through previous studies or other approved English language tests.
Selection criteria
Applicants are divided into two selection groups: applicants who are required to pay tuition fees and applicants who are exempt from tuition fees. A number of places on the programme are allocated to each group.
Tuition fees
The total tuition fee for the Master's Programme in Sustainable Organisational Development is SEK 96,000 (SEK 48,000 per semester).
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you do not pay tuition fees.
If you pay tuition fees, you pay them in two instalments of SEK 48,000. You must pay the first instalment by the deadline on your invoice. If you need a residence permit for studies, paying on time is important so that you can start your residence permit application.
Scholarships
If you pay tuition fees, Dalarna University offers two scholarships that can reduce the cost of your studies.
Choose Dalarna First Scholarship
If you rank this programme as your first choice, apply by the scholarship deadline and are admitted, you are guaranteed a one-time SEK 5,000 reduction in your first-semester tuition fee.
Academic Excellence Scholarship
During your studies, you can receive a scholarship for outstanding academic results. Everyone who meets the academic criteria for the scholarship receives the award. The maximum value of the award is SEK 30,000.
