Structure of the MSc in Social Sciences in Comparative Public Policy and Welfare Studies

The Master's programme includes four semesters over a two-year period. In the first two semesters you will enroll in mandatory courses, while in the third semester you can choose courses according to your interest. 

In the first two semesters, you take 60 ECTS in compulsory courses.
- First semester courses give a broad overview of the evolution, challenges and perspectives on public policies and welfare studies, addressing classical topics as well as contemporary issues.
- Second semester courses focus on specific issues related to the formulation and implementation of welfare-related policies.

The courses in the first two semesters are organized in such a way as to offer you two specializations to choose from right from the start of your studies. This allows you to build skills for your future career. One specialization emphasizes the politics side of welfare state policies, and the other emphasizes processes of social change and their consequences for welfare provision. 
 
The two specializations (see also the tables below) have in common the courses “Quantitative methods for public policy”, “Research Design”, “The Nordic model of governance”, “Public policy/Offentlig politik ” and “Economics for policy evaluation” – which provide you with essential tools to understand and analyze public policies.  

You can choose the desired specialization by opting for the following courses:
• Specialization “Social Justice”: courses “Social policy: Challenges and solutions” (sem 1) and “Ethics and public policy” (sem 2).
• Specialization “Social Change”: courses “Science, technology and society” (sem 1) and “Global issues and development” (sem 2).

The two specializations are not mutually exclusive: Students following one specialization can take courses from the other specialization as electives. You will receive more information on the selection of courses upon accepting a place in the programme. 

In the third semester, you have the opportunity to continue you specialization by choosing between courses (in Denmark or abroad) or internships, while in the fourth semester you write your Master's thesis on a topic of your choice.

Please read the course descriptions for information on the language in which a course is taught.