Master's Programme (120 credits) in Digital Service Innovation, 120 credits

Bachelor's degree 180 credits within the field of Informatics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Interaction Design, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Service Science, Innovation Management, Business Administration, or equivalent. 15 credits in courses within the field of Information Technology or Informatics. The degree must be equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen and must have been awarded from an internationally recognised university.

Applicants must have written and verbal command of the English language equivalent to English course 6 in Swedish Upper-Secondary School.

The primary objective of the education is that the student develops in-depth knowledge of digital service innovation. This includes a deeper knowledge of the area's multidisciplinary nature and the research conducted in the field, as well as providing theoretical explanations of phenomena as well as events relevant to digital service innovation. The objective is also that the student develops an ability to identify problematic issues that are appropriate to address through design research.

Further the objective is that the student can analyse and conceptualise how digital service innovation can contribute to sustainable social development on a scientific basis. The aim is that the student develops qualified ability to critically analyse and design digital services that take sustainability, gender, diversity as well as ethics into account.

The master's degree prepares students for research and development work in the IT sector, mainly in digital service innovation. Education will help promote employment and mobility in the international labour market. The degree gives the student the right to study a postgraduate (doctoral) education.

On completion of the programme, student shall be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• based on previous and current research within informatics, innovation science and service studies, identify and account for knowledge problems within digital service innovation
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in informatics in ways that demonstrate breadth, but also substantially in-depth knowledge in digital service innovation
• propose methods, techniques and tools for the design of innovative digital services, as well as demonstrate in-depth knowledge of methods and knowledge of informatics design research methods

Competence and skills

• systematically integrate knowledge concerning digital technology, innovation and services, as well as with limited information critically analyse, assess and work with complex issues and design phenomena
• independently, creatively and with a critical approach identify and formulate research questions
• plan and within given timeframes carry out and evaluate qualified design studies that contribute to knowledge development in informatics and digital service innovation
• in national and international contexts, give an oral and written account as well as discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments they are based upon in dialogues with other groups
• actively participate in design research and development work or independently work in another qualified area

Judgement and approach

• make assessments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects of informatics and digital service innovation, as well as evaluate design research and development work from an ethical, equality and sustainability point of view
• evaluate and relate to the design research of informatics, its possibilities, limitations and role in society, as well as the responsibility of informatics for how it is applied
• identify your own need for additional knowledge and independently take responsibility for your own knowledge development.

The education is an international master’s programme. The Content consists of courses on advanced level aiming at the students to broaden and deepen their knowledge in informatics focusing on digital service innovation. There is also content from the related academic subjects of innovation science and service science. Throughout the education, critical perspectives such as sustainability, equality, and ethics are applied. During the education there are practical assignments in collaboration with researchers as well as external actors. There is also the possibility to study abroad. During the last term, an examination work (30 credits) is conducted in collaboration with research work at the university or with external actors. There is also the possibility to study abroad. Before departure, the student must have a written agreement with the Program Director (a so-called Learning Agreement) that clarifies which courses, read abroad, can be credited in current education and degree. During the last term, an examination work (30 credits) is conducted in collaboration with research work at the university or with external actors.

The courses below are included in the education programme

(A - the course is at advanced (second) level)

Courses marked with asterisk (*) are included in the programme main area - informatics.

Year 1

Services in the Digital Society 15 credits* (A)

Academic Communications and Emergent Themes in Digital Service Innovation Research 15 credits* (A)

Design Research Methods 15 credits* (A)

Intelligent services 7,5 credits* (A)

Ethics and Sustainability in Digital Service Innovation 7,5 credits* (A)

Year 2

Research Placement 15 credits* (A)

Design studio Digital Service Innovation 15 credits* (A)

Master Thesis Project in Informatics 30 credits* (A)

The course Research Placement can be exchanged for other courses at advanced (second) level. This is to be done in consultation with the programme co-ordinator.

Teaching language is English.

Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Informatics (Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområdet informatik).

Progression requirements apply in order to participate in the next level of the programme.

From study year 1 to study year 2 a total of at least 45 credits from study year 1 must be completed.

The programme is continuously monitored and evaluated through course evaluations conducted after the completion of each course. Course evaluations serve as a tool to, based on students' experiences and feedback, make changes to the content and delivery of courses. Upon completing their studies, all students are offered the opportunity to participate in a programme evaluation by completing a final-year survey. The results of this survey can lead to changes in the programme. The programme is associated with a programme council that addresses quality and development issues. The council includes representatives from the industry, programme students, alumni, and others. The students are, through the Halmstad Students’ Union, represented in the university's decision-making bodies as well as in the committees that evaluate programs in accordance with the university's quality system.