Introduction to the programme
Many modern organisations have the explicit goal to change the world for the better, socially, financially, and environmentally – and to reach that goal, they need to function as professional businesses, driving the change process effectively. The Social Entrepreneurship and Management programme teaches you to navigate these dualities and lead social innovation processes.
Our profile
This programme is the only one of its kind in Denmark, and one of very few in Europe: A full-time academic programme focusing exclusively on social entrepreneurship, social innovation, and management. Our focus is to equip you to lead social innovation and entrepreneurship processes in socio-economic enterprises, public, private, and civil society organisations, all of which aim to address societal issues arising from globalisation and changes in welfare systems. Such challenges can be related to for example unemployment, social inequality, green producing as well as various social and sustainability issues, calling new democratic and socially responsible forms of organising.
As a student, you will learn how socially innovative organisations operate and how they can be managed. We take you through the different theoretical traditions and definitions of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship, as well as different models and techniques for business development to about social enterprise. You will learn to manage complex and multi-stakeholder work situations and to plan processes and strategies on issues like the social economy, new forms of economic organising, Corporate Social Responsibility, co-production processes and democratic forms of organising and sustainability-related initiatives. Drawing on perspectives from both the social sciences and organisational management, we give you unique training in creating real social change and impact from within social enterprises.
We work extensively through problem-oriented group projects, where you will train in applying theories, using complex analytical tools, and communicating your results. During your time with us, you will often work closely with actual organisations and companies, for instance through our Innovation Labs, where you analyse and offer solutions to real-life problems in the sector. You can also choose to do an internship.
Study environment
This programme attracts students from all over the world, many highly experienced in social and volunteer work, and all driven by a desire to create meaningful change. This makes for a truly international study environment, where upwards of 25 nationalities come together to analyse and discuss some of the “wicked problems” of our time. Roskilde University has a strong tradition of international programmes, so if you are joining us from abroad, you will be welcomed with several social and academic events that, helping you to find your place in our community.
You will meet academic researchers with many different backgrounds and interests, from business and management over civic society to social design. Our unique environment is further powered by our extensive collaboration with purpose-driven external partners, be they companies, organisations, or foundations. You will have a wide array of choices in collaborators, based on your professional interests – and regardless of your background, you will be challenged to broaden your perspective and learn new skills.
Career and qualifications
Our candidates go on to manage and lead social innovation processes in private companies, public authorities, and organisations in the third sector at the national and international levels. Job titles include analyst, consultant, specialist, manager, and personnel manager, working with issues such as social impact, CSR, sustainability, business development, fundraising, volunteer management and project management. The programme qualifies you to enter a PhD-programme.
Examples of employment include:
- Project Manager at Den Sociale Kapitalfond, working with social investments
- Project Consultant at The Danish Refugee Council, managing volunteer communities
- Managing Director at Impact Hub Munich, developing co-working spaces in Munich
- Community and Office Manager in Maker, establishing fablab UnderBroen in Copenhagen
- Strategy and documentation consultant in public sector organisations
Brochure about the programme
Study programme
| 1. year | 2. year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. semester | 2. semester | 3. semester | 4. semester |
| Course
Entering the field, methods and philosophy of science 5 ECTS |
Course
Track E-students * Financial Accounting 5 ECTS or Track S-students * Social Accounting 5 ECTS |
Choose A or B
3. semester variant A Courses Business understanding and doing social entrepreneurship 5 ECTS Management and leadership of social entrepreneurship in a multi-stakeholder context 10 ECTS Project or Internship - Project - Project-oriented Internship 15 ECTS or 3. semester variant B Internship Project-oriented Internship 30 ECTS |
Master Thesis
Thesis in Social Entrepreneurship and Management 30 ECTS |
| Course
Theory and cases of social enterprise in the context of social transformation 10 ECTS |
Course Social innovation, social change and sustainable transition 10 ECTS |
||
| Project Social transformation, social entrepreneurship and social enterprise 15 ECTS |
Project Social innovation, social change and sustainable transition 15 ECTS |
||
* The course in the top row of the 2. semester column is determined by which track you are admitted to. Track E is for students with a background in broad social science bachelor's programmes. Track S is for students with a background in business economics bachelor's programmes.
Study regulations: Study regulation for Social Entrepreneurship and Management (pdf)
The Interplay Between Employees and Volunteers in a Hybrid Organization
The Urban Honey Producer Bybi as a Driver of Transformative Social Innovation
The challenges of social innovation in a non-profit organization: HackYour- Future Copenhagen
The Role of Networks for Circular Economy
Organizational sustainability in social enterprises: A case study of Oceans of Hope UK
The Workers in Charge: Emancipation and Workers Self-Management
Internship and stay abroad
You can choose to spend a semester travelling with your education. Either as an internship at one of our partner companies or at a company that you find yourself. You test your academic and procedural skills in a job, make valuable contacts, and find out whether it is a future career path for you. You can also choose to take a semester of exchange at a partner university abroad, where you can gain international outlook, experience and network.
Master’s degree from Roskilde University - why?
You will be part of a strong academic environment where you will be in close contact with researchers, in dialogue about everything from academic issues, possible methods and theories, ways to create new insights and your wishes for the academic direction of your master’s degree study. You will become part of a social environment typically centred in one building on campus, where researchers and students work next door to each other. You will study within the university's project format, where identification of a problem, in-depth analyses, choice and implementation of a methodological approach, as well as setting up a strong theoretical framework are your responsibilities under academic guidance from a researcher. You will participate in a number of courses which expand your methodological and theoretical knowledge. During a semester, you will identify a significant problem within your subject field and develop the knowledge to produce scientific arguments for possible solution(s). You will gain concrete experience with the entire scientific process.
Student life
Roskilde University’s Campus
The university is situated on one single physical campus. There are multi-purpose sports courts, a football field, a disc golf course, nature trails along the lake, stream and the fields, a training centre, innovation workshops, a canteen, and a cinema. Our joint meeting place is called Student House RUC, where there is a student-run café and lounge. Both outdoors and indoors, we work to make the campus as sustainable as possible. Among other things, we have reduced energy consumption by 38 percent over the last 5 years and are converting our outdoor areas to wild nature.
Be inspired: Other options
Other international master's programmes
Other enrolment opportunities at Roskilde University
Roskilde University welcomes both exchange and guest students and you will find suggestions for semester packages taught in English.
Do you want to know more?
Contact the Study Guidance office
Contact us if you need advice on choosing a course of study, more information about the content of a degree, or about applying and admission to Roskilde University.
Contact the Study Guidance office
Meet us
See if there are current events that might be something for you. For example, participate in Open House, see the campus, and meet teachers and students.
Ready to apply?
Read all about requirements and admission to Roskilde University's master's programmes.