Autumn 2022 - Semester 1
Spring 2023 - Semester 2
- Theory of Science and Research Methodology (IM626L), 15 credits, compulsory
- Migration and Citizenship (IM633L), 15 credits, compulsory
International Migration and Ethnic
Relations, two-year master's programme
Meeting international students from places like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East enriched my experience as a master’s student. We could share our different experiences and opinions, and that diversity was really valuable.
Haneen Abdel Khaleq, alumni
About the education
This programme develops your skills in critically examining and evaluating research in relation to international migration. The programme focuses on:
- current international developments and research perspectives in migration and ethnic relations;
- the effects of globalisation and human mobility on societies, groups and individuals;
- the social and political adaptation and integration of ethnic minorities in different societies;
- issues of inclusion and exclusion of immigrants;
- majority-minority relations; and
- philosophical and ethical perspectives on life in diverse and complex societies.
Potential working fields include international organisations, academia, national and local government, NGOs or the media. Graduates are also eligible for PhD studies.
Malmö University offers a one-year and a two-year programme in International Migration and Ethnic Relations. The one-year programme provides advanced level specialisation in the field of International Migration and Ethnic Relations. The two-year programme prepares students for future research opportunities and enables further specialisation within one of two themes: migration and integration or migration and social theory.
The master's programme teaches you how to conduct in-depth analysis, evaluate policies and criticise and critique migration-related policies. You should expect research-based training and an interdisciplinary outlook that links social sciences with humanities.
As a student in the IMER master’s programme, you become part of a multidisciplinary learning environment that is closely connected to ongoing research at Malmö University and the world of migration and ethnic studies. You will be an active producer and critical reviewer of new knowledge. During your studies, you will be encouraged to be independent and creative and to develop your own areas of expertise and interest. The programme offer a comprehensive overview of the IMER research field and areas of specialization that you select yourself.
You are expected to contribute to the shared learning environment. Reading and discussing course material with other students is an essential part of the programme. It is therefore important that you are able to take personal responsibility for your own learning. You should have the capacity for independent work and methodological reasoning and a strong drive to continue developing these abilities. Good command of English in academic speech and writing is expected.
Study methods include lectures and discussions, group projects, study visits, thesis work and self-study of literature.
Within the framework of the programme you have the opportunity to do an internship with a relevant national or international organisation, authority, association or company, giving you practical experience outside the traditional classroom setting. You will also get the chance to study abroad for one semester; Malmö University cooperates with a large number of universities to provide exchange opportunities for our students.
This programme offers the opportunity for a Double Degree in Migrations Studies. As a Double Degree student, you will spend the entire second year of your master’s studies at an institute in another country. During this year, you will attend courses and write your master’s thesis.
Upon successful completion, you will be issued a master’s degree by both Malmö University and the host institution. In addition to a valuable international experience, this allows you to get to know other academic and disciplinary perspectives on migration and related topics. It also gives you an edge on the increasingly integrated European labour market.
Within the EuMIGS network (European Master in Migration Studies), Malmö University’s International Migration and Ethnic Relations programme has joined forces with some of Europe’s best master’s programmes in Migration Studies to offer a Double Degree programme.
The programme and teaching are in English, and the language of the master’s thesis is English by default.
Understanding the complexities of international migration and ethnic relations is essential to ensure reflective decision-making in a variety of fields, for example, international organisations, academia, national and local governments, NGOs, and media. Students who have completed the programme are also eligible to apply for PhD studies.
Courses within 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.
For general admissions enquiries please contact the Admissions Office: admissions@mau.se
Entry requirements
1. Degree of Bachelor in Social Sciences or Humanities
2. General eligibility + the equivalent of English 6 from Swedish secondary school.
Selection
University credits completed 100%
The former refugee working with asylum seekers
After a family history of forced migration, Haneen Abdel Khaleq knew that she wanted to help others in similar situations. Having studied International Migration and Ethnic Relations at Malmö University, she now works with refugees as a Protection Officer in Lebanon.
The former refugee working with asylum seekers
After a family history of forced migration, Haneen Abdel Khaleq knew that she wanted to help others in similar situations. Having studied International Migration and Ethnic Relations at Malmö University, she now works with refugees as a Protection Officer in Lebanon.
From Kuwait to Malmö
Haneen and her family were living in Kuwait when the Gulf War erupted in 1990, forcing them to flee along with an exodus of other Palestinians. By the time she was ten, she had already moved from Syria to Jordan to Qatar, before finally settling in Australia.
As an adult, Haneen began working with Palestinian refugees in Jordan and knew that she’d found her calling. Then, at the height of the ‘refugee crisis’ in Europe, she was offered a scholarship to study International Migration and Ethnic Relations at Malmö University.
Diversity in and outside of the classroom
“Being in Malmö, where a lot of refugees were arriving from places like Syria, I was able to see the effects of war on displacement and migration first hand, and could then go to class where we discussed this in an academic way.
“Meeting other international students from places like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East enriched my experience as a master’s student. We could share our different experiences and opinions on the kind of things that were going on. That diversity was really valuable.”
Reflecting on her outlook, she says learning about things like the economy, migration flows, and integration has allowed her to think more practically about ongoing injustices and how she can make a change.
“In the future, I would like to work to change migration policies. It might be a bit cliché, but the most important thing to me is to make some sort of difference, even if it’s in a small way.”
Identity and personal growth
As well as an important part of Haneen’s journey towards supporting others, the master’s programme has also helped her to come to terms with certain parts of her own life and identity.
“My studies helped me to understand that my identity doesn’t have to be so rigid,” she explains.
“Who I am doesn’t have to be based on being either Australian or Palestinian. I’ve lived in so many countries up until now and the more I learn and experience, the freer I feel to live and identify the way that I want.”
