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Ageing and Social Change, Master's Programme

120 credits

Do you want to contribute to the sustainability of an ageing society and the well-being of an ageing population? Then this is your master’s programme. You can choose either on-campus learning or distance learning with on-campus periods each year. 

Ageing and Social Change, Master's Programme, Distance - First and main admission round

Autumn 2025 / Full-time / Norrköping

Closed for late application

Ageing and Social Change, Master's Programme, on Campus - First and main admission round

Autumn 2025 / Full-time / Norrköping

Closed for late application
Population ageing and rising inequalities are marked trends around the world, while globalisation, digitalisation, urbanisation, migration and changing gender relations are having profound effects on our lives. A longer living population presents global challenges and opportunities that affect every aspect of our lives such as welfare, the environment, health, finance, housing, and employment. Gaining a profound understanding of the potentials and challenges of ageing, is crucial for the well-being of mankind and the sustainability of society. Skilled experts to tackle the global social, economic, health, political and cultural issues of ageing will be needed to support public agencies, civil society and private corporations in addressing the challenges of an ageing population.

Longevity, policies and social change

The interdependencies between policies, welfare institutions, populations’ dynamics and individual lives are at the heart of this programme. It offers a broad curriculum in policy-oriented ageing research and addresses several policy areas such as the welfare state, life- course policies, pensions, health and care, family, and intergenerational relations. Teachers from a range of academic backgrounds will enable you to acquire a globally attractive and unique education. Together we will seek answers to the complex questions facing society today with regards to both individual and population ageing. As a student on the new Ageing and Social Change master’s programme, you will gain a broad understanding of the relationships between longevity and social change through a truly interdisciplinary perspective, combining up-to-date research and methodology.

On-campus or distance learning

The approach taken during the programme emphasises interactive teaching and communication, based on a hybrid model of digital learning that includes simultaneous classroom teaching and distance learning. You can choose either on-campus learning or distance learning with a few on-campus periods. The programme is offered as a one-year option, 60 credits, and as a two-year option, 120 credits.

Generate social impact 

Regardless of whether you are about to start a career or to further develop your professional expertise, the programme will offer you the ability to generate social impact. You will be well-prepared for a professional career in either the public or the private sector, and for further studies and research at PhD level and beyond. The Ageing and Social Change master’s programme will lead you, and your fellow students, to become the next generation of managers, advisors, decision-makers, experts, and researchers.

Syllabus and course details

The programme runs over two years and encompasses 120 credits, including a thesis.

In the first and second semester, students will follow mandatory courses that contain an historical and theoretical introduction of the ageing societies. Moreover, the course content provides insight into policy-oriented ageing research and introduce students to data and methods for policy oriented social science research on Ageing and Social Change. The courses inform about increasing economic inequality and accelerated population ageing as key features of contemporary societies between regional and global perspectives by looking into intersections between gender, social class and ethnicity. Students that decide to take the one-year option, devote the second half of the second semester to the composition of the master’s thesis and participation in regular colloquium meetings.

In the third semester, the programme leads to individual specialisation through studies abroad, internships, intensive research and reading courses as well as elective courses on an advanced level in the field of ageing, policy analysis.

The fourth semester is devoted to the composition of the master’s thesis and to the participation in regular thesis colloquium meetings. The master’s thesis regularly involves a small-scale research study. In addition to their thesis and course work, students will follow a schedule of thematic seminars.

Link to film about how the hybrid model used in the master's programme in Ageing and Social Change

A hybrid learning model

Learn more about the hybrid learning model used in the programme!

Further information

A detailed syllabus, curriculum, and information on the courses you may take can be found in our study information database via the link below. Entry requirements and tuition information can be found by selecting the drop-down ”Admission requirements” available under the Autumn 2025 tab.
Syllabus and curriculum

Webinar

Link to recorded webinar about the master's programme in Ageing and Social Change

This webinar covers the programme structure, the master’s thesis, examination forms, job opportunities, related research, and what it’s like to live in Sweden.

Meet the expert

Link to recorded interview with George Pavlidis

Exploring Ageing and Social Change with professor George Pavlidis

Join us as we delve into his inspiring journey from professional basketball to academia and discover why Assistant Professor George Pavlidis is passionate about researching and teaching at Linköping University in the Division of Ageing and social Change on key social, political and cultural issues of ageing.

Research

The Ageing and Social Change research environment

The Ageing and Social Change research environment conducts leading-edge research on key social, political and cultural issues of ageing.
EIWO - exklusion and inequality in later working life.

Exclusion and Inequality in Late Working Life - EIWO

EIWO pushes the boundaries of knowledge about late work and the potential of its inclusive and equal prolongation - it provides evidence for ageing work and life course policies.

GENPATH - GENdered PATHways of social exclusion in later life

GENPATH analyses gender differences in social exclusion across Europe. It asks for its roots and consequences in health and wellbeing in old age.

EuroAgeism (ITN EuroAgeism)

EuroAgeism is a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectorial, science-policy international research network. Advanced research and the training of a new generation of Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the field of ageism are key for this endeavour.

EuroAgeism (ITN EuroAgeism)

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on working life in Sweden from a social risk and inequality perspective

The project aims to understand the effects and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on working life in Sweden from a social risk and inequality perspective, considering age and gender factors in particular.
Photo on a rainy lit up street, taken through a window.

Ageing in a Changing Society

A research data infrastructure, life course analyses and projections for future later life with an emphasis disadvantage, exclusion and inequality are at the heart of the project.
DigiNord - Older workers and the digitalization of work in Nordic countries.

Older workers and the digitalization of work in the Nordic countries

The network and workshop action DigiNord addresses aims at improving the understanding of how the digitalization of work affects older workers and late work. It takes an exclusion and social risk perspective on late working life

Studying at LiU

Read more about the campus, student life and distance education.

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Campus Norrköping

Campus Norrköping is centrally located next to the town’s old industrial precinct, alongside the Motala River. Old buildings have been filled with new contents, and the waterway adds an atmosphere to the area.
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Student life

There is a lot more to do as a student than attending lectures and studying. Here you can find out about your life as a student including leisure and sports, our campus cities and student associations at LiU.
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Distance education

Linköping University offers several international courses and programmes via distance education.

Application and admission

Application document checklist

  1. Diploma(s) of your degree(s) from an internationally recognized university, or a Final year certificate.
  2. Transcripts of completed courses and grades for each semester included in your degree. If you have had courses credited/transferred from previous studies, you must also submit official transcripts for those courses.
  3. Proof that you meet the specific entry requirements, for example relevant pages of course syllabuses (course descriptions), if the required courses/subjects are not clearly stated on your transcript.
  4. Proof of English language proficiency.
  5. A copy of your passport.


Much of what you need to submit – and how – is based on where you completed your studies. Find out how to do things right on University Admission: Country instructions!

University Admissions: Provide application documents

Letters of intent or recommendation are not required.

Related information

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How to apply for master's degree studies at LiU

A step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about applying for LiU's international master's degree programmes using the application system in Sweden.
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Master's level requirements

In order to be considered for admission for a master's degree programme at Linköping University you must meet certain general and specific entry requirements.
Illustration about distance learning.

Supporting documentation

Along with submitting an online application, you must submit a number of supporting documents that show that you meet the general and specific entry requirements.

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