Sport Sciences: Sport in Society, Master's Programme (One-Year)
Do you want to tackle sports' challenges? At Malmö University, we turn challenges into opportunities.
Thomas Persson, Associate Professor in Sport Management and programme coordinator
Film Sport Sciences
About the education
What is the role of sport in a world facing pressing social challenges? How do we understand the opportunities and challenges of sport and sport sciences as a means for social change? How can we look critically at the development of sport in relation to social processes such as globalisation, migration and urbanisation?
Sport Science: Sport in Society is a one-year master’s programme that tackles these questions and prepares students to work with sport and sustainable development. Throughout the programme, students develop applied skills and perspectives to work with sport, leisure and health industries as platforms for social change.
The programme is tailored for those who have undergraduate experience in sports science, physical education, health science and management. During the programme, you will be schooled in the latest theories and given the opportunity to apply these theories and concepts to real-life projects through individual assignments and group projects.
Located in the dynamic Öresund Region, the programme is linked to Malmö's urban environment and its position as a multicultural, innovative and sustainable city. Throughout the programme, both Scandinavian and international contexts are used as case studies, and the programme is carried out in close collaboration with industry partners and external organisations.
The programme strives to offer an international classroom environment and bring together students from different backgrounds and experiences. This allows students to deepen their knowledge and gain an overview based on the academic backgrounds and practical experience of other students. This will allow the students to work transculturally in their future professions.
After completing the programme, you will have significantly deepened your knowledge and understanding of sport in relation to society's changing processes, and have the competence, knowledge and understanding required to work with sport in relation to sustainable development and social change.
The education is relevant for a wide range of jobs and roles where sport is used in the context of change, ranging from working with elite athletes to sporting federations or public health sectors.
Courses within the programme
Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
- Sport and Sustainable Development (IV605G), 7.5 credits
- Sport in Society - to Address Challenges (IV601G), 7.5 credits
- Perspectives on Sport in a Changing World (IV603G), 7.5 credits
- Sport Governance – from Local to International Level (IV604G), 7.5 credits
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
- Sport and Sustainable Development (IV605G), 7.5 credits
- Sport in Society - to Address Challenges (IV601G), 7.5 credits
- Perspectives on Sport in a Changing World (IV603G), 7.5 credits
- Sport Governance – from Local to International Level (IV604G), 7.5 credits
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
Syllabus and courses
In the syllabus, you can see the courses offered during the different semesters of the programme.
Entry requirements and selection
Here you can find the entry requirements, as well as how the available study places are distributed between applicants in the selection.
If you have any questions about general admission, you are welcome to contact us.
Entry requirements
Basic Requirements and Special Eligibility:
A Bachelor degree with at least 180 credits or an equivalent foreign degree, a minimum of 90 credits in sport science, sport studies, sport and exercise science, sport management, sport business, human movement studies, kinesiology, physical education, sport politics, sport coaching, sport psychology, public health, exercise and nutrition, leisure studies/sciences, recreation management or equivalent.
The equivalent of English 6 / English B in Swedish secondary school.
Selection
100% University credits completed
Riding towards a career in research
Lovisa Broms grew up on horseback. When the time came to step down, it felt natural for her to use her experience of equestrian sport in her future work. Today, her interest is moving towards research, and there is no more important time to study sports science than now.
Riding towards a career in research
Lovisa Broms grew up on horseback. When the time came to step down, it felt natural for her to use her experience of equestrian sport in her future work. Today, her interest is moving towards research, and there is no more important time to study sports science than now.
Alongside her studies at Malmö University, Lovisa also works as a project manager and administrator at Flyinge AB, a horse centre focused on equestrian sport.
"I began my studies in sport science at a bachelor’s level after having worked with horses and horse-riding abroad for a while. It was important to me that I could use my background in sports in my education.
"I chose to continue my studies at a master’s level because of my interest in research. It became clear to me that there is a lack of knowledge of equestrian sport from a social science perspective. I also find that higher education has really given me an advantage in the labour market.”
“To study an international programme is a huge benefit”
During her studies, Lovisa and one of her classmates attended the European Association for Sport Management Conference (ESAM) in Bern, Switzerland.
“International context is important in sport science since it’s quite a small field. It’s important to have an international perspective, talk to people with different backgrounds and exchange experiences.
“English is the dominant language in international collaborations, so to study an international programme at an advanced level is a huge benefit, as you get the language with you from the get-go.”
Keeping up with societal changes
Lovisa emphasises that her master’s studies have allowed her to develop a critical approach and analytical proficiency — skills she hopes to apply in a future career as a researcher. With societal changes affecting most research fields, sport science is no exception.
“There is a lot happening right now in the world of sports. For example, if you look at the relationship between the history of non-profit work in the Nordic countries and the professionalisation and commercialisation processes going on in Europe and America. I think it’s important to keep up with these developments, and people with an education in sports science have a lot to contribute in this regard.”
