Adult Learning and Global Change

In every part of the world, governments are urging citizens to train and educate themselves in order to stay competitive in the global economy.

Advocates of this argument claim that regional or local trade arrangements are no longer viable in a world where connective technologies can influence resources and purchasing power with a simple mouse click. However, critical discourses on globalisation require the ability to learn in situations that span vast cultural and geographic divides. Moreover, working globally calls for “fluency” in several cultures.

Four universities - one programme

The programme is designed as a unique collaboration between four universities on four different continents:

• Linköping University, Linköping (Sweden)
• University of British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada)
• University of Western Cape, Cape Town (South Africa)
• Monash University, Melbourne (Australia).

All four universities are equal partners. Students at Linköping University learn together with students from the other partner universities as a global class and go through courses provided by the partner universities, making the programme truly international. The different partner universities provide courses such as:

• Adult learning: contexts and perspectives
• Work and learning
• Fostering learning in practice
• Global/local learning.

The programme won the 2005 Curriculum Innovation Award, granted by the Commission of Professors of Adult Education of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education.

Career opportunities

Following the final examination, students will have gained the theoretical knowledge and the practical experience needed to work in different formal and informal adult learning organisations. Alternatively, students may continue their academic career in further projects.

Learning outcomes

The programme is intended for students who wish to understand adult learning in the framework of global change. The content will benefit people working in formal, as well as informal, educational settings, such as business and industry, activist organisations, government institutions or administration, non-governmental organisations, healthcare and numerous other settings where discourses on globalisation influence people’s lives.

Graduates of the programme will be able to:

• learn and teach globally
• use global connective technologies
• understand knowledge-based societies and their implications for learning
• understand globalisation discourses
• develop cultural sensibilities and sensitivities
• develop an equality perspective for learning and re-framing their own professional practices.

Programme specific requirementsA bachelor's degree, including a bachelor’s essay or project, with a major in education, adult learning or another subject relevant to the field of adult learning.Each applicant must enclose a letter of intent written in English, explaining why they want to study this programme, and a summary of their bachelor's essay or project. If applicants hold a degree that does not include a bachelor's essay or project, then their letter of intent should describe previous studies and any other academic activities related to the master's programme.All supporting documents, including the letter of intent and the specific paper, should be sent to University Admissions in Sweden, FE 1, SE–838 73 Frösön, Sweden. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 575 TOEFL iBT® test: 90

Scholarships

LiU International Scholarships

Linköping University offers scholarships to new students with excellent academic results. Scholarships within the programme LiU International Scholarships will result in a tuition fee waiver.

Who is eligible?

• Students who have applied for master’s programmes at Linköping University in time (before 15 January)

• AND who have chosen a programme at Linköping University as the first priority (ranked as No.1 out of 4)

• AND who are required to pay tuition fees

Accreditation

Linköping University is a research-based university with excellence in education. International rankings, such as Times Higher Education top 100 universities under 50, have placed Linköping University among top higher education institutions in the world.

Studying at Linköping University means student-centred learning, an interdisciplinary approach and close collaboration with the business world. It also means high student satisfaction, as the International Student Barometer - the world's largest survey comparing graduate schools, institutes of higher education and universities - showed in the past few years.

Our international master’s programmes equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary in today’s competitive job market. Whether you choose academia or the industry, a master from Linköping University is a big step in the right direction for your future career. Read more about each programme and decide which one is best for you.