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Master's Programme in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation 120 credits

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Image: Malin Grönborg

About the programme

Would you like to help shape a more sustainable future? The Master's Programme in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation equips you with the knowledge and tools to address complex environmental and societal challenges through entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. You will develop the ability to identify opportunities, initiate change, and lead transformation processes in collaboration with others. The programme prepares you to work with sustainable transformation in businesses, public sector organisations, and civil society. Upon graduation, you will be well prepared for roles such as change manager, project manager, innovation manager, consultant, analyst, entrepreneur, or researcher.

While studying

The programme comprises two years of full-time study and is delivered in English within an international, research-oriented learning environment.

During the first semester, you will build a solid foundation in sustainable transformation, entrepreneurial leadership, ethics, decision-making, and self-leadership. You will develop a critical and reflective approach while deepening your understanding of the opportunities, trade-offs, and dilemmas that characterise sustainable transformation, as well as your capacity to address them effectively.

The second semester focuses on sustainable innovation and the development of sustainable organisations. You will work with real-world cases, projects, and assignments in collaboration with businesses, public organisations, and other external stakeholders. Through creative learning methods, workshops, and experiential learning, you will translate theory into practice and strengthen your ability to drive change together with others.

The third semester gives you the opportunity to shape your own profile through an internship, project work, elective courses, or exchange studies.

The programme concludes with a Master's thesis, allowing you to specialise in an area related to sustainable transformation and entrepreneurial leadership. The combination of sustainability, entrepreneurship, leadership, and close engagement with external organisations gives the programme a distinctive profile. You will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, preparing you to lead change and play an active role in future transformation efforts.

Research-Based Education

The programme is grounded in a strong research environment in entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable transformation at the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics. Research areas include green transition, sustainable business models, social innovation, the circular economy, and socio-ecological transformation. This research is conducted in close collaboration with businesses, municipalities, innovation systems, and international universities. As a student, you will learn from active researchers and engage with the latest developments in research and knowledge creation. This strong research foundation enables you to critically analyse both established solutions and emerging ideas for addressing sustainability challenges and contributing to sustainable societal development.

Programme coordinator is Magdalena Markowska.

Applies to all 120 credit Master's Programmes in business administration subjects

We integrate competencies in our programmes

In our programmes and courses we focus on competencies that are needed for your future professional life.

Read more about integrated competencies

Internship

You have the opportunity to do an internship for ten weeks in Sweden or abroad. This possibility is only available at a few business schools in the country. The internship gives you a good opportunity to put theoretical knowledge and experience into practice and show off your skills to potential employers. You will arrange your internship yourself in a company you find interesting. This way you are able to find an internship position that meets your expectations and provides more opportunities for you to use the internship as an entry to the labour market.

Studies abroad

Studying abroad is not only fun and challenging for you as a student but also a welcomed experience with future employers. Internationalization is an important area for us and we are working continuously to offer you as a student many opportunities for an adventure in Europe or further away on another continent. In our programmes you therefore have the opportunity for studies abroad for a semester or two.

We have about 60 partner universities, mainly in Europe, but also in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and China - all of them selected especially for our students. Students who would like to study farther away can avail themselves of Umeå University's university-wide agreements in North America, Oceania, and Asia.

Read more about studies abroad

Sustainability perspective all the more important

Sustainability get a whole lot bigger attention in today's firms and organizations and we lifted these questions up early in our educational programmes. Together with our students are we working for a more sustainable business school and to revise the courses to improve the education about, and for, sustainable development at the program. Our work on sustainability takes as a starting point the 17 sustainable development goals and Agenda 2030.

We are certified by the environmental management system ISO 14001 and we are members of the international networks GBSN, PRME and SDSN.

Read more about our work on sustainability

Academic quality, international recognition, and education with purpose

At Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, your master’s studies are part of something larger – a commitment to academic excellence, societal relevance, and sustainable development. Our quality assurance system, grounded in both Swedish national standards and leading international frameworks, ensures continuous improvement of our programmes. We are accredited by AACSB, one of the world’s most respected accreditations for business schools.

Through student-centred learning, active collaboration with business and society, and an integrated sustainability perspective, you will develop the skills and insights needed to lead change and contribute to a better future.

Corporate connections

The business school collaborates in many different ways with companies and organizations. For example internships, guest lectures, company visits, guest lectures, essay assignments and cases from companies.

As a student you might perhaps do an internship with one of our corporate partners. Professionals outside the university are invited as guest lecturers and teachers. Our researchers will in turn contribute with new knowledge to society. A group of advisors consisting of corporate and community representatives are also linked to the business school and they contribute with their knowledge and experience.

Continued studies

You are eligible for doctoral studies after the two years programme with a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits). You are also eligible for doctoral studies if you chose to end the programme already after one year with a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits).

 

Good to know

Thinking about studying at Umeå University? Find out when we attend study fairs, arrange webinars and how you can get in touch with us to book study guidance.

Show programme syllabus

Apply

  • Autumn 2027

    • Master's Programme in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation

      International admissions round

      HT27 / Umeå / English / On campus

      Apply

      Show more Show less

      Start

      Autumn term 2027

      Number of credits

      120 credits

      Type of studies

      On campus

      Study pace

      100%

      Length

      2 years

      Study location

      Umeå

      Language

      English

      Application code

      UMU-M2000

      Eligibility

      A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are at least 90 ECTS in Business Administration or other subject within the Social Sciences as well as 7,5 ECTS Research Methods (quantitative or qualitative). Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

      Selection

      Selection is based on GMAT and academic credits in this order.

      1. Test results from GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test). GMAT Exam (10th edition): minimum 500, GMAT Exam: minimum 485. Percent of test results is the applicants merit rating.

      2. Academic credits accrued by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS).

      For GMAT scores must be submitted directly to Umeå University. You need to indicate Umeå University when registering for the test. You should also upload the test results in universityadmissions.se.

      Degree

      Upon the completion of the study programme (120 credits), a student who has applied for a degree certificate can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) according to the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's web site). The Swedish translation of Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is Ekonomie masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of Business Administration with a specialisation in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation.

      Upon the completion of the study programme's first year (60 credits), a student who has applied for a degree certificate can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) according to the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's web site). The Swedish translation of Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) is Ekonomie magisterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of Business Administration with a specialisation in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation.

      Application

      Online applications are now open. Application deadline is 15 January 2027.

      Application and tuition fees

      As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.

      Application fee: SEK 900

      Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300

      Total fee: SEK 193,200

      Details about tuition, fees and funding

       

    • Master's Programme in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation

      Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens

      HT27 / Umeå / English / On campus

      Application opens 15 March 2027
      Save education at universityadmissions.se

      Show more Show less

      Start

      Autumn term 2027

      Number of credits

      120 credits

      Type of studies

      On campus

      Study pace

      100%

      Length

      2 years

      Study location

      Umeå

      Language

      English

      Application code

      UMU-P2000

      Eligibility

      A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are at least 90 ECTS in Business Administration or other subject within the Social Sciences as well as 7,5 ECTS Research Methods (quantitative or qualitative). Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

      Selection

      Selection is based on GMAT and academic credits in this order.

      1. Test results from GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test). GMAT Exam (10th edition): minimum 500, GMAT Exam: minimum 485. Percent of test results is the applicants merit rating.

      2. Academic credits accrued by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS).

      For GMAT scores must be submitted directly to Umeå University. You need to indicate Umeå University when registering for the test. You should also upload the test results in universityadmissions.se.

      Degree

      Upon the completion of the study programme (120 credits), a student who has applied for a degree certificate can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) according to the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's web site). The Swedish translation of Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is Ekonomie masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of Business Administration with a specialisation in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation.

      Upon the completion of the study programme's first year (60 credits), a student who has applied for a degree certificate can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) according to the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's web site). The Swedish translation of Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) is Ekonomie magisterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of Business Administration with a specialisation in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation.

      Application

      The online application opens 15 March 2027 at 13:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2027. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.

      Application and tuition fees

      As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.

      Application fee: SEK 900

      Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300

      Total fee: SEK 193,200

      Details about tuition, fees and funding

       

How to apply

Apply online via universityadmissions.se  
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results. 
  
Late applications 
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed. 
 
More about application and admission 

Film about the programme

Voices on the Master's Programme in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Sustainable Transformation

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Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE)

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