Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Master’s Programme (Two -Year)

The programme is designed to provide students with the teaching skills necessary to meet future challenges in higher education. It is the first English-taught master’s programme in Sweden with a focus on teaching for higher education. The programme is part of an active research environment at Malmö University focussing on higher education.

The curriculum reflects the multidisciplinary nature of pedagogy of higher education and this focus shapes the courses and reading lists. The courses address themes such as student-centred teaching, teaching of heterogeneous student groups, challenge-based learning, and the digitalisation and internationalisation of higher education.

The programme provides you with in-depth knowledge of learning theories, teaching methods and adult learning. This also includes the ability to critically analyse learning environments and engage in strategic organisational development efforts. You will learn about central concepts within the field of higher education and related research.

The programme is also closely tied to practice and profession. As a student, you will use your own work experiences as a starting point to investigate and examine differences in teaching environments. 

The programme is developed to be suitable for its professional students. The study pace is half speed (50 per cent). By utilising a full range of digital tools, such as live streaming and webinars, students have the option to participate online, on campus, or both. This allows you to arrange your participation in lectures, seminars and discussions depending on when and where you work.

The programme (120 credits) includes advanced courses (at least 60 credits) as well as a master’s thesis (30 credits) in pedagogy of higher education. The programme also includes developmental projects based on your current professional role.

To be eligible you need to have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience, either from teaching in higher education or from working with competence or skills development in academia. You are also eligible if you have at least 60 credits of coursework in either educational or behavioural sciences.

Eligible Swedish applicants can also include professionals working with adult education in public sector organisations, such as the police, defence, customs, vocational schools, and komvux.

During the programme, you will have opportunities to network with and explore employment opportunities with representatives from different professions and organisations within and outside of academia.

Employment opportunities, open for graduates who wish to continue in academia, primarily include advancing in their teaching careers or moving into managerial positions, such as Director of Studies, Head of Department, Deputy Vice-Chancellor or Dean. However, a master’s degree in teaching and learning for higher education also opens up employment in other public and private organisations focussed on adult pedagogical development.

The programme also allows you to pursue doctoral studies in research fields related to learning and personal development in higher education, such as didactics, pedagogy and pedagogical practice. The programme is offered by the Malmö University Centre for Teaching and Learning at the Faculty of Learning and Society but is taught by researchers from several different departments and faculties. Examples of ongoing research areas within this field are challenge-based learning, learning environments, academic literacy, academic professional development, teacher and supervisor roles in higher education, and inclusive pedagogy.