Society is undergoing digital transformations. Across sectors, digital technologies are transforming the way we work, communicate, and participate in society. More information to follow.
2 years / 4 semesters
English
120
August every year
Check www.uis.no/whenapply to see if you are considered a local applicant

As we move towards a securing a more sustainable future, digitalisation represents challenges as well as opportunities. We therefore need more interdisciplinary competences about how technologies affect political processes, social relations, identity, and sustainability.
The MA in Digital Society and Societal Transformations educates social scientists that also understand how technology works. Digitalisation is not just a technical challenge that we need engineers to solve. We also need to understand how the digital impacts on our everyday lives.
The programme gives students insight into how datafication is changing public administration, how social media transform the way we communicate, and how algorithms and automation alter the conditions for organised working life. Students will tackle key issues in sociology, political science, media studies and data science to understand how the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation affects society as a whole. The programme prepares students for work in all sectors undergoing digital transformation, including in organisation and management, civic and cultural sectors, public administration, and in media and communication.
You will study theoretical approaches to living in the digital society. You will learn to think critically and analytically about the challenges and opportunities of the digital transformation. You will train in methods for researching digital environments, and gain the technological, practical, and interdisciplinary skills to work in digitising sectors.
Academic Requirements
A bachelor's degree with a specialization of at least 80 ECTS credits in one or more of the following subject areas or equivalent is required: social science, political science, media studies, sociology, psychology, pedagogics, anthropology, law, human and social geography, history, hotel management, hospitality, administration or economics.
Professional bachelor degrees in the following areas also qualify for admission: journalism, police, teacher education and social care
Quota: A quota of up to 3 study places is reserved for qualified applicants from partner institution (Stavanger Smart City).
Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in the bachelor's degree.
Supplementary rules for admission to the Master in Digital Society and Societal Transformations
Application and admission
Deadlines
and other admission requirements
This programme will not be open for international applicants in 2023. Check here if you can be considered a local applicant: www.uis.no/whenapply
For local applicants the application period will be:
- 1 February - 1 March: local applicants with a bachelor's degree from outside the Nordic countries
- 1 February - 15 April: local applicants with a bachelor's degree from one of the Nordic countries.
Apply through Søknadsweb.
For inquiries regarding admission to local Master's programmes, send an email to: masteropptak@uis.no
Programme structure
Year 1, autumn semester (obligatory):
- DIG 501 Media, Data and Society
- DIG 502 The Digitalisation of Politics
- MEE 140 Philosophy of Science and Research Methods
Year 1, spring semester (obligatory):
- SVDAT 503 Technological Foundations
- DIG 504 Digital Culture and Everyday life
- MEE 115 Social Science Research Methods
Year 2, fall semester (electives):
Choose between:
- Work Experience (30 ECTS)
- Student Exchange (30 ECTS)
Or the following recommended electives:
- MEE128 Digital Societies for Sustainable Energy Transitions
- RIS505 Risk Analysis and Risk Management
- GEN570 Global Sexualities: Theories, Methodologies, Practices
- BYG655 New technologies and ideas for sustainable city development
- SAM550 Energy, societal safety and sustainable development
Year 2, spring semester (obligatory):
- Master thesis