Apply to MSLS

Welcome!

We are excited that you are interested in applying to our Master’s programme in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS).

We have created some simple directions for you to follow to assist you in your application. Please have a read through all the application steps below so that you are familiar with our applications process. We have tried to explain all of our MSLS specific requirements on this page so that you can put in an excellent and complete MSLS application.

We look forward to reviewing your application. Best of luck!

MSLS 2024/2025 applications

First round applications open on 16 October 2023 and close on 15 January 2024. The last day to submit supporting documentation is 1 February 2024. Please note that you can submit documents on an ongoing basis until this deadline. 

Late applications open on 16 January 2024.

For more detailed information on the deadlines, please see the University Admissions website.

Apply

Step one – apply online at University Admissions*

University Admissions is the central University applications body for all Swedish universities. To apply for MSLS you apply and submit all your required documents through their systems. Before applying, make sure you read all instructions listed below, as well as the guidance posted at the University Admissions website.

* Please check that the universityadmission.se page you are redirected to has the correct year of application in the search bar.

Programme ranking on University Admissions

Please be sure when applying online that you carefully rank MSLS as your first priority. If you are accepted by your top-ranked programme, you will not have the option to attend any lower-ranked options, even if you would have been accepted by these lower-ranked programmes. So make sure you put us number one.

Swedish and EU/EEA citizens

For Swedish and EU/EEA citizens, please scan your passport and submit it to University Admissions in order to qualify for free admissions no later than 1 February 2024.

Non-EU/EEA citizens

For non-EU/EEA citizens, please pay the application fee of 900 SEK by 1 February 2024 as is outlined on the University Admissions website for your application to make it to step two below. You are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that your documents can be processed faster and you have a chance to complement the application should something be missing. 

Step two – document your eligibility 

Please ensure that you submit all relevant documents as outlined below (complete with your registration number received in Step 1) to University Admissions. Depending on the country your Bachelor diploma is from, you are able to submit some of your documents online. Please check the University Admissions website to see what you can upload and what you must send by mail. All documents uploaded must be originals. Note that we have specific MSLS requirements. Therefore, please ensure that you submit ALL relevant documents.

Applications by all international students must meet standard requirements established by University Admissions AND specific requirements related to this Master’s programme as listed below. To be considered in the first round, all supporting documentation must be received prior to 1 February 2024. Documents that arrive after this date will be considered as late applications.

We encourage you to submit your documents as early as possible to have the chance to complement them before the deadline should something be missing.

Required documents

University Admissions must receive all documents below. Please note that certain countries have special requirements for how the documents should be sent. For details about the official documents you must submit visit the University Admissions website.

University graduation certificate*

Bachelor´s degree* or higher education (*original certificate)

University transcripts*

Course lists, i.e. subjects from each semester containing marks/grades (*original certificate)

English language requirements

Where English is not your native language, you can provide proof of your English level in one of three ways:

  • high school studies;
  • university studies
  • internationally recognized English test at levels ‘B’ or ‘6’ (for more details see the University Admissions website). Note that there are certain exemptions from the proof of English ability requirements. BTH and the MSLS staff cannot assist with further exemptions, so please contact University Admissions Support Centre to discuss your case.

Passport

A copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photograph, or some other identification document.

Relevant work experience

The MSLS programme requires relevant work experience (internship, volunteer service, full or part time work, extra-curricular activity) over the course of at least 6 months that demonstrates your experience with social and/or environmental causes. We are looking for examples that demonstrate your commitment to social and/or environmental sustainability; examples of meeting the requirement may be:

  • a full or part time internship, volunteer service, job or extra-curricular activity that was a regular activity and spanned the course of 6 months or longer (e.g volunteer service every weekend for 6 months).
  • multiple full or part time internships, volunteer services, jobs or extra-curricular activities that together spanned the duration of 6 months or longer (e.g. multiple summer volunteer services or internships that together span the duration of 6 months).

You can demonstrate that you meet this requirement by submitting the MSLS work experience template. Note that we do not accept self-proclaimed work experience. Please submit 3rd party evidence. In individual cases where this is not possible, you can also submit other forms of documentation, e.g. a letter of confirmation, an employment contract etc.

Recommended document – Curriculum vitae

Resume, maximum two pages, font size 11. This along with your work experience and motivation (part 4 in MSLS work experience template) will be used as a base to evaluate your application in case there are more qualified applicants than available seats.

Get in touch

Explore our FAQ section and get in touch with us via e-mail if you cannot find the answer to your question.

Dr. Merlina Missimer, Co-Director MSLS Programme

msls.admissions@bth.se

 

 

 

Evaluation

In the case of more qualified applicants than available positions for the current programme start, a selection is made. The CV along with your work experience and motivaton (part 4 in the MSLS work experience template) will be used as base. To maximise your chances of getting a place, please make sure you have submitted all application documents as stated above.

Read more

Costs for the MSLS programme

Tuition to study in Sweden has until 2012 been free of charge – even for non-EU/EEA citizens – and thus it is not common for universities to offer scholarships directly. The tuition fee for MSLS is free for EU/EEA citizens and non-EU/EEA citizens are required to pay 120,000 SEK for the entire programme period. You can find out more information about tuition fees and the payment process on this BTH website.

The cost of living in Sweden is high in comparison to many countries around the world, but there are many sources of funding that you can investigate to support you during your studies. However, this requires you plan ahead and be persistent in your investigations. In many cases, you can apply for scholarships without yet being officially accepted – ask the organisation you are applying to if this is possible.

You should also consider bilateral agreements between Sweden and your home country. We recommend you also seek funds from current or prospective employers, as a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability is of high value to any employer. You can read more about this option below. You should also be aware that sometimes scholarships must be applied for well in advance of your application to study (up to one year in advance).

Scholarships

BTH scholarship

There will be a number of scholarships available from BTH covering the tuition fee or part of the tuition fee. You can find out more information about key deadline and the application process on this BTH website.

StratLeade scholarship

Stratleade is a US based not-for-profit that offers up to three grants a year to support aspiring leaders within the Master´s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability Programme at Blekinge Institute of Technology. Grantees may receive full coverage of the programme’s tuition. Read more about the application deadline and process on the Statleade website.

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals

The SI Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals aims to develop future global leaders that will contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contribute to a positive and sustainable development in their home countries and region. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and opens for applications in February 2024. Find out more on the SI website. 

Other scholarships

Remember to look for scholarship opportunities from your Government or from other sources in your country. You can also have a look at the scholarships below:

Other funding options

Sponsorship from an organization or employer

In past years a number of students have been successful in obtaining funds from their employer or other organizations in their home countries. Allowing an employee to study in Sweden and return with new sustainability expertise can be very valuable for an organization, so you shouldn’t be afraid of inquiring with your current employer.

An alternative approach is to find an organization that could benefit from sustainability advice or your assistance on a limited-term basis in exchange for funds to study in Sweden. For example, sometimes course work of the MSLS programme provides the possibility of working directly with an external organization on a Strategic Planning for Sustainability project. Industry Collaboration during thesis projects is also an opportunity where you can combine your studies with direct tangible benefits that an organization may be willing to pay you for.

Student loans

You may be eligible to apply for a student loan if such schemes exist within your country. Unfortunately, we have limited information about such schemes and you should investigate the options that exist in your country.

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