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Level

Master's level

Entry requirements

General entry requirements:

First-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits.

Specific entry requirements:

• at least three years of documented experience of teaching at a higher education level, or working with skills development in an equivalent organisation (for example, the Swedish Police Authority, Swedish Customs, Swedish Armed Forces), in addition to English 6,

OR

• at least one year of documented experience of teaching at a higher education level, and successful completion of courses comprising at least 60 credits in educational sciences or other subjects in the behavioural sciences, in addition to English 6.

Programme structure

The two-year Master’s programme in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education offers those working in higher education the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the research field of teaching and learning in higher education. The programme can be linked to the student's individual teaching activities and organisation, and gives the student the opportunity to develop their competence by working from a research-based approach.

Teaching and learning in higher education deals with adult students' learning within the framework of higher education. The program deals with questions about attitudes to teaching and about methods of teaching at universities or Colleges. The education includes identifying key concepts in the field of adult education and accounting for central aspects of research on adult learning. Theories of adult learning and adult didactics in higher education, linked to lifelong learning, form the core of the main field of study. Academic teaching, learning environments, collaboration, and professional development are key concepts that characterise the main field of study.

The programme studies higher education both from a research-based perspective and through proven experience of teaching in higher education. Great emphasis is placed on the student developing a theoretical framework for in-depth knowledge of key concepts in teaching and learning in higher education and adult learning, as well as a repertoire of analytical tools suitable for work in higher education. The student will deepen their ability to engage in development work in higher education, as well as participate in scientific discussions about higher education.

As the programme is conducted in English, the student is given the opportunity to practise their ability to communicate in international contexts.

Group work, writing, and peer feedback are combined with lectures and seminars.

The students' diversity of experiences and perspectives is highlighted, and collegial conversations and exchange of experiences play a central role in the implementation of the education. The working methods are designed in dialogue with the participants in order to take advantage of experiences and apply newly acquired knowledge in higher education pedagogy.

The program will be linked to practice and profession, and students will write academic papers that explore issues that have arisen during professional activities in higher education. A development project that is closely linked to the research area of teaching and learning in higher education is a mandatory part.

The two-year Master’s programme in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education consists of at least 105 credits in the main field of study of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, of which 30 credits consist of an independent project. 15 credits are elective courses in teaching and learning in higher education at an advanced level, which are chosen in consultation with the programme coordinator.

Semester 1

HP712E - Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Introducing the Field

15 credits (mandatory)

Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

Semester 2

HP714E - Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: How Higher Education can be Developed

10 credits (mandatory) Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

HP713E - Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Inclusive Teaching Practice

5 credits (elective)

Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

Semester 3

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Scholarship and Practice in Higher Education

15 credits (mandatory)

Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

Semester 4

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Introduction to Research in the Field

5 credits (mandatory)

Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

10 credits elective courses

Semester 5

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Methods, Theories, and Ethics

15 credits (mandatory)

Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

Semester 6

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Research Overview

15 credits (mandatory)

Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

Semester 7 & 8

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Thesis II

30 credits (mandatory)

Main area: Teaching and learning in higher education

Programme contents

Semester 1, Autumn 2026

Semester 2, Spring 2027

Qualitative targets

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent. Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

Extract from the Swedish Higher Education Act.

Objectives for the Degree of Master (One-year)

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (two-year) the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (two-year) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information,
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work,
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Master (two-year) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Extract from the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance.

Degree

Degree of Master.

Upon completion of the programme, the requirements for the Degree of Master (two-year) will be fulfilled. Malmö University will issue a degree certificate upon application. The degree certificate will state the titles Masterexamen med huvudområde högskolepedagogik (120 högskolepoäng) Degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) with a Major in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Additional information

The respective course syllabuses state the entry requirements necessary to progress through the programme.

Language of instruction: English.

If applicable, examination tasks may be completed in Swedish.

This is a translation of the original Swedish text.