Master's Programme in Demography
How does migration affect society? What are the links between female employment, family policies and childbearing? In this one-year programme, you will learn about these and other major future challenges related to the changing structure of populations.
Fertility, mortality and migration are the three pillars of Demography. Photo: Mostphotos
Learn the major parts of population dynamics
Your studies will cover all major parts of population dynamics. These include fertility, mortality and migration patterns, population aging and health transitions, family change, and demographic inequalities.
Study at one of the highest ranked institutions
You will be learning alongside international, cutting-edge research, since all of our teachers are active researchers at the renowned Stockholm University Demography Unit. Demography at Stockholm University is recognised as one of the best in the world – ranked 3rd in Europe and 4th globally in 2025 by the SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR).
Gain solid knowledge of quantitative methods
Quantitative methods and data science are key components of the programme, but we also welcome students with limited backgrounds in statistics. You will gain solid knowledge of statistical methods, as well as learn practical skills in the management of quantitative data and planning of demographic and statistical analyses.
By acquiring strong skills in quantitative methods and learning to understand population change, you will build a solid base for a career in various types of organisations.
The programme teaches the skills to describe, analyse and explain population development in its various aspects.
Courses in the so-called demography block of 22.5 credits are compulsory, 22.5 credits are elective (at least one of the elective courses has to be a course within demography) and the programme ends with a 15-credit thesis with demographic implications.
Year 1
Semester 1
- Basic Demographic Methods 7.5 credits. From autumn 2026, the course will be replaced by: Demographic Data Analysis, 7.5 credits
- Population Processes 7.5 credits. From autumn 2026, the course will be replaced by: Population change: fertility, mortality and migration, 7.5 credits
- Elective course 7.5 credits
Semester 2
Master’s programmes at the Department of Sociology will only have one admission round for all applicants. This means that if you want to apply to one of our master´s programmes starting autumn 2026, the application opens October 16, 2025 and the deadline is January 15, 2026.
When applying to our master's programmes, it is required that you also submit a motivation letter including your research ideas. You must use the webform in the link below to create your motivation letter.
Webform to create your motivation letter
Once completed you will receive an e-mail with a pdf to upload with your application at universityadmissions.se. If you do not upload your motivation letter it will not be assessed. The last day to upload the motivation letter is 2 February 2026. A new motivation letter must be submitted each semester you apply for.
Any questions related to this can be directed to master@sociology.su.se
Selection process
In ranking the applicants for programmes at the Department of Sociology the following components are used to assess the merits of applicants:
- Grades of academic courses (1-50)
- Motivation letter (1-50)
- Relevance of previous studies in relation to the programme in question (1-100)
Research based on unique population data
Research at the Stockholm University Demography Unit is based on unique Swedish population data, allowing us to draw conclusions from our studies with high accuracy.
Sweden, along with other Nordic countries, is also known to be a fore-runner in emerging family forms and behaviors like divorce, childbearing and family reconstitution. Studies on Swedish population data is therefore relevant for policy makers in many countries.
Meet our teachers
The Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA) has a strong research profile in all three processes of population change – immigration, fertility, and mortality. All of our teachers are also active researchers.
Meet our researchers
We maintain a strong publication record in international peer-review journals with high impact.
Skills in quantitative methods and data science are in high demand. As a demographer, you can work in a variety of organisations, including as a researcher for governments, ministries, municipalities, charities and international organisations; or as a community planner, forecaster or analyst at organisations like Statistics Sweden, SIDA, and the UN.
Demographers' skills are also useful at insurance companies, investment organisations, and a range of other businesses.
Some of our former students continue to study for a PhD after the Master's programme.
For questions about this master's programme – please contact programme coordinator Sven Drefahl.
Questions about master's studies
For questions about the master’s programmes in Demography and Sociology or our master’s courses, such as admissions, registrations, study breaks and transfer of credits, you are welcome to contact the master's assistant directors.
Anna Borén, Anna Carin Haag
Study counsellor
For guidance on study techniques, academic planning, grade transfers, certificates, and more.
If you run into problems with your studies, you are welcome to contact the counsellor, who works under a duty of confidentiality.
You can also book a meeting with the counsellor if you need long-term study and career planning.
