Program Overview
Master's Programme in Sociology of Education 120 credits Education, and the way students should be educated, is a heavily debated and political subject. The Master's Programme in Sociology of Education focuses on the analysis of what education really is and what functions it fulfils. As a student in the programme, you will acquire the means to make independent and advanced analyses of education as a social phenomenon, shaped by historical, cultural and economic conditions. Application and entry requirements Expand the information below to show details on entry requirements, programme-specific documents, selection criteria and tuition fees. Autumn 2026 Autumn 2026, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English Location Uppsala Pace of study 100% Teaching form On-campus Instructional time Daytime Start date 31 August 2026 Language of instruction English Entry requirements Academic requirements A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at Uppsala University.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Social Sciences.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 24 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Career
In contemporary society, education assumes a key role and is also crucial for how countries cope with global competition. During the last half-century, educational systems have expanded dramatically, and more people than ever are engaged in some kind of educational training. This expansion, along with decentralisation and deregulation in terms of governance, has made the landscape of educational programmes and institutions increasingly complex, both at national and international levels. As a consequence, there is a demand for analytically advanced knowledge of education, both within the educational system itself and within organisations and companies oriented towards education. Upon completion of the programme, you should have gained both broad and specialised knowledge and skills in the sociology of education, with the capacity to critically examine various types of studies on education and its social role. You should also have gained advanced knowledge and skills in formulating scientific problems, conducting studies and communicating results both verbally and in written form. The Master's Programme in Sociology of Education prepares you for a professional career where such knowledge is particularly important. The programme opens the door to PhD studies in sociology of education and future positions in academia as a lecturer, professor or researcher, as well as to professions related to the planning, design, organisation, administration and evaluation of education. Previous graduates of the programme have become PhD students in different subjects, as well as research assistants, administrators and analysts. Career support During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career. Learn more about UU Careers .
Program Curriculum
Courses within the programme
Core courses in sociology of education
- Sociology of Education, Traditions, 7.5 credits
- Sociology of Education, Methods, 7.5 credits
- Sociology of Education, Research Techniques, 7.5 credits
- Current Transformations of Educational Systems, 7.5 credits
- The History of Educational Systems, 7.5 credits
Additional courses in sociology of education
- Sociology of Education, Internship, 7.5 credits or 15 credits
- Sociology of Power, Elites and Elite Education, 7.5 credits
- Transnational Educational Strategies, 7.5 credits
- Gender and Education, 7.5 credits
- Geometric Data Analysis, 7.5 credits
Final research project
- Master's Thesis in Sociology of Education, 30 or 15 credits
Admission Requirements
Application and entry requirements
Expand the information below to show details on entry requirements, programme-specific documents, selection criteria and tuition fees. Autumn 2026 Autumn 2026, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English Location Uppsala Pace of study 100% Teaching form On-campus Instructional time Daytime Start date 31 August 2026 Language of instruction English Entry requirements Academic requirements A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. Also required is 90 credits in the humanities or social sciences and documented written independent academic work (i.e. one or several academic essays or papers). The essays should be written in either Swedish, English, French, Norwegian or Danish or translated to one of these languages. Language requirements Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se . Selection Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies with emphasis on the quality of the Bachelor's thesis (or equivalent project work) and a statement of purpose. Fees If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees. First tuition fee instalment: SEK 57,000 Total tuition fee: SEK 228,000 Read more about fees. Application deadline 15 January 2026 Application code UU-M4311 Supporting documents In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit the following programme-specific documents: a statement of purpose (1 page) your Bachelor's thesis, or equivalent academic writing sample(s). The statement of purpose must include a description of your previous university studies, academic interests, future plans, and the reason you are interested in this Master's programme. If you do not submit a Bachelor’s thesis, you may instead submit one or more academic writing samples. These writing samples must comprise approximately 8,000 words in total. Academic essays submitted in undergraduate courses, Master’s theses, and articles published in academic journals are examples of accepted writing samples. Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit. Apply now
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
EUR 20931
Fees
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees. First tuition fee instalment: SEK 57,000 Total tuition fee: SEK 228,000 Read more about fees.
Application deadline
Application code
Supporting documents
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit the following programme-specific documents: a statement of purpose (1 page) your Bachelor's thesis, or equivalent academic writing sample(s). The statement of purpose must include a description of your previous university studies, academic interests, future plans, and the reason you are interested in this Master's programme. If you do not submit a Bachelor’s thesis, you may instead submit one or more academic writing samples. These writing samples must comprise approximately 8,000 words in total. Academic essays submitted in undergraduate courses, Master’s theses, and articles published in academic journals are examples of accepted writing samples. Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities
A range of funding options may be available to students enrolling at Uppsala University. Explore all options early — many scholarships have deadlines months before programme start.
- University Scholarships: Uppsala University may offer merit-based, need-based, or programme-specific scholarships for postgraduate students. Contact the international or financial aid office for current awards.
- Government Scholarships (): National governments often fund outbound and inbound student mobility. Check your home country's government scholarship schemes (e.g., national student loan bodies, ministry of education awards).
- International Scholarships: Major funders include: Commonwealth Scholarships, Fulbright (USA programmes), Chevening (UK), Erasmus+ (Europe), DAAD (Germany), Campus France, Australia Awards, and many more.
- Employer Sponsorship: Professionals returning to study may negotiate tuition sponsorship with their employer, particularly for MBA or executive programmes.
- Graduate Assistantships / Fellowships: Some universities offer funded research or teaching assistant positions that include a stipend and partial or full tuition waiver.
- External Foundations: Rotary Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, Ford Foundation, and many discipline-specific bodies fund postgraduate study globally.
- Payment Plans: Flexible instalment plans may allow you to spread tuition payments across the academic year.
About Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala, Sweden
Uppsala University is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Application Deadline 15 January 2026
- Start Date August 2026
- Language English
- Duration 24 months