The master’s degree reform

A 1-year master's programme at SDU is for those who want a focused and targeted master's programme that provides a faster transition to the labour market.

It is organised as an intensive full-time programme of 75 ECTS credits with a fast pace, which makes it important that you can prioritise your studies. You will gain solid professional competences, developed in a research-based environment at SDU with a focus on quality and social relevance.

The reform allows graduates to supplement their master's degree with an additional 45 ECTS through continuing education courses when the national framework is in place.

You can apply for SU (the State Education Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark) while studying a 1-year master's programme.

A 2-year Master's programme at SDU is for those who want to specialise in a subject area and develop research-based skills.

The 2-year Master's programme is a full-time programme of 120 ECTS that combines high academic quality with the opportunity to become a value-creating graduate who can actively contribute to society.

You can be admitted to a 2-year Master's programme if you meet the admission requirements and have a relevant bachelor's degree or other relevant Danish or foreign education at the same level, such as a bachelor's degree from a business academy or university college.

You can apply for SU (the State Education Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark) throughout the course of study.

A master for working professionals at SDU is for those who want to link their academic skills and competencies directly to relevant work tasks. All master’s programmes for working professionals will help bridge the gap between the university's knowledge and the needs of the labour market to produce graduates who are in demand and create value.

You can be admitted to a master for working professionals if you meet the admission requirements and have a relevant bachelor's degree or another relevant Danish or foreign degree at the same level, such as a bachelor's degree from a business academy.

SDU offers four types of master’s programmes for working professionals - get an overview of the different options here:

Master for working professionals, flexible

A master for working professionals, flexible at SDU is for you if you want to do a master's programme alongside a job. The teaching is flexibly structured, where theory, methods, and professional competences can continuously be brought into play in your working life.

The programme is part-time and consists of 75 or 120 ECTS depending on the field of study/programme. Therefore, it typically lasts longer than a full-time programme. It is a requirement that you are in a relevant job or are an entrepreneur throughout the programme. The programme requires you to be able to plan your time and prioritise both work and studies.

The programme combines flexibility with professional development, where you strengthen your skills in interaction with the labour market.

You cannot apply for SU (the State Education Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark) while studying a master for working professionals, flexible.

Industrial master

An industrial master at SDU is for those who want a clear academic start to their master's programme while building work experience, networks, and skills along the way.

The programme is 120 ECTS credits, starting with 1 year of full-time study, followed by 2 years of part-time study combined with relevant employment in a company. The full-time year gives you a solid academic foundation, while the following two years closely link theory, methods, and learning objectives with work assignments in the company. During the part-time period, it is a requirement that you are in a relevant job or are an entrepreneur.

At SDU, the industrial master has been developed as an attractive and flexible learning environment that follows the development of society - with a special focus on the Region of Southern Denmark.

You can apply for SU (the State Education Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark) in the year in which the programme is organised as full-time study.

Master for working professionals, alternative combination (coming in 2028)

A master for working professionals, alternative combination at SDU is a master's programme where a shorter full-time study is followed by part-time studies combined with relevant employment, where you can link theory and learning objectives with practice.

The programme is 75-120 ECTS credits, and the length and distribution between full-time and part-time study will vary depending on the field of study/programme. It is a requirement that you are in a relevant job or are an entrepreneur during the period of part-time study.

The programme combines flexibility with professional development, where you strengthen your skills in interaction with the labour market.

You can apply for SU (the State Education Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark) for the part of the programme that is full-time study.

Master for working professionals, 4 years (phased out in 2028)

A 4-year master for working professionals at SDU is an extension of your bachelor's degree from the university or a relevant bachelor's degree that combines the programme of study with relevant work or entrepreneurship.

The programme combines flexibility with professional development, where you strengthen your skills in interaction with the labour market.

You cannot apply for SU (the State Education Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark) during the programme.