War and Defence - two year Master's Programme
This Master’s Programme is a unique two-year programme in War Studies that gives students an advanced, broad and deep understanding of matters relating to war, security and defence.
The various modules explain how different modes of warfare are conducted, how modern defence systems are built and organised, and how security policies are designed and the impact they have on the world around us.
Degree in War Studies
This course leads to a Master’s Degree in War Studies: a degree course that is the only one of its kind available in Sweden.
The programme provides both advanced training in critical thinking, independent judgement, and tools to help you analyse complex processes, at the same time giving you deeper insight into how war, peace and security policies come to be shaped by different actors. This programme will boost your theoretical knowledge and provide training in both advanced scientific methods and analytical skills.
The programme also gives you the opportunity to take part in international student exchanges at highly reputed universities in Europe via the Erasmus programme, and you will also be able to enter the internship programme which provides relevant practical experience at public agencies, international organisations and private sector security companies.
About the programme
War Studies is the multi-disciplinary study of war. It explores the ways in which war and defence are conducted and organised. Some of the central issues addressed by the programme include military strategy and organisation of a country’s defence systems. The use of military force and the organization of military structures often play an important role in security and peace missions and the course also deals with such topics as humanitarian interventions, peace keeping, and security policy. As a participant in the programme you will have access to a broad range of elective courses, for example from political science, crisis management and of course war studies. You will participate in these together with students from other programmes, which makes for an interesting and valuable blend of perspectives.
The programme will give you rigorous training in scientific methods to promote advanced analytical skills. Scenario-based roleplay, war gaming and a semester devoted to practical training also form part of the programme. In other words, the programme will give you not only theoretical and case-based knowledge of war and defence but also relevant practical and vocational skills.
At the Swedish Defence University students have access to Sweden’s foremost experts in war studies; lecturers and researchers who are not only leaders in their field, but who also frequently act as consultants to the media. The research conducted in the the field of war studies covers a broad range of subjects from military strategy, total defence, and civil war, to peacekeeping operations and war and gender.
Structure of the programme: overview by semester
In the second and fourth semesters there are opportunities for studies abroad via our exchange agreements with partner universities.
Student exchange schemes
The Swedish Defence University takes part in the Erasmus programme, which allows our students to spend a semester of their master’s training at a university abroad. Being an exchange student is an excellent ways of broadening one’s perspectives and acquiring new experiences at prestigious universities such as the University of St Andrews (Scotland), Sciences Po (France) and the University of Bologna (Italy). Our partner universities offer a wide selection of relevant courses, which means that your master’s degree may come to include several different specialties. Read more at our study abroad webpage on the Student Web.
Application fee and scholarships
Students coming from a country outside the EU must pay an application fee of 900 Swedish kronor and a tuition fee of 105,000 Swedish kronor per year. However, students from outside the EU may also apply for scholarships to cover the cost of tuition. Read more about the scholarships available at the Stockholm Defence University.
Checklist for complete application
- Degree certificate, transcript/grades and supporting documents must be uploaded on www.universityadmissions.se with your application. All documents must be in Swedish, English, Danish or Norwegian or translated to any of these languages by an authorised translator. Please note that the original documents should be uploaded as well.
- If you are in your final Bachelor year, you can still apply. Please provide a signed and stamped document from your home university stating that you are likely to graduate before the semester start at SEDU. Please read more and use the statement of enrollment status form and upload it under your personal account on universityadmissions.se. If admitted, you will be admitted with the condition that you submit proof of your degree before the start of term.
- Upload your Bachelor's thesis, you must upload a graded, written independent work (Bachelors's thesis) in its entirety together with your application. If your thesis was co-written, please also upload a graded independently written essay related to the subject of Politics, security and crisis as well as your thesis.
An extended deadline is given until February 14, 2025 for students within their final Bachelor year. Please note that the official grade must be clearly visible and documented in your application. The thesis must be written in Swedish, English, Danish or Norwegian, or translated into one of these languages. - If your Bachelor's does not include a thesis or if you are in your final year and have not completed your thesis yet, you are given the option to attach two relevant independent works such as course essays. These works must be connected to war and defence, and have obtained an official grade which must be clearly visible in your application. (Only those who are in the final year of a bachelor's program ((or are in a program that does not include a bachelor's thesis)) can refer to other academic works).
- Upload your proof of English eligibility (equivalent to English 6/English B in Sweden) on universityadmissions.se To find out if your upper secondary studies meet the requirements check here on the universityadmissions webpage. Check your specific country's requirements on the same webpage here. Please consult universityadmissions.se for rules and regulations regarding Toefl, IELTS or other systems.
- All supporting documents must be submitted by February 3, 2025.
- Admission results will be posted on universityadmissions.se on March 27.
- Accepting your offer. If admitted, we will email you with an offer to confirm or decline your seat. Note that you cannot accept your seat through Universityadmissions.
Selection of eligible candidates
Selection is based on a comprehensive assessment of previous studies and the relevance of previous studies. Particular importance is given to the quality of the Bachelor’s thesis (or academics works) in terms of grade and subject relevance.
Application and Tuition Fees (for applicants outside the EU)
- Application fee for citizen outside of EU/EEA/Switzerland: SEK 900
- Tuition fee for citizen outside of EU/EEA/Switzerland: SEK 105 000 per year (60 credits)
Application code
P2513
Program code
2PSC1
Type
Programme
Starting Term
Autumn Term 2025
Study period
2025-09-01 - 2027-06-06
Level
Second cycle
Scope
120.0 credits
Study pace
100%
Study mode
Campus
Location
Stockholm
Language of instruction
English
Entry requirements
A graded, independent research project (BA thesis) or the equivalent (for applicants with foreign academic qualifications).
In addition, a level of proficiency in the English language, corresponding to English 6/English B or equivalent (for example, IELTS level 6.5 and above) is required. Students applying with a Swedish Bachelor's degree meet this language requirement.
Certain elective courses may have additional entry requirements in order to ensure students can properly benefit from the course.
Application opens
2024-10-15
Application closes
2025-01-15
Admissions round
International Master's Programmes Autumn Semester 2025
Programme syllabus
Elective Courses
In the program there are several elective courses available. A selection is listed in the box "Semester 2" and "Semester 4".
Contact
If you have questions about the course, please contact the Study Counsellors.
You can reach us by e-mail: masterprogramme@fhs.se
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