MSc Sustainable Production Development

The master’s programme in Sustainable Production Development focuses on the sustainable design and development of production systems. Students acquire skills to create advanced production systems and transition existing systems focusing on circular material flow, increased digitalisation and automation, energy usage, and new manufacturing technologies. Graduates shape the future development of sustainable production with influential roles in industry and consultancy or through PhD studies.

Sustainable Production Development at KTH

Rational and cost-effective production systems have been vital to industrialisation and wealth for decades. However, the area is experiencing changes and pressure in different dimensions, which are altering the role of production systems. Requirements for more renewable energy usage and circular material flow, increased digitalisation and automation, new manufacturing technologies, service integration and the emergence of new business models are among the phenomena shaping the development of future production systems. Based on a systemic organisation of contemporary science and understanding, courses run in close collaboration with manufacturing companies. Programme graduates are equipped to lead the development and design of production systems, as a part of the solution towards a sustainable society, attractive workplaces and competitive industries.

The programme is run within KTH's research and education environment for Sustainable Production Development, with courses targeting the environment's three specific profile areas: production management, production logistics and industrial dependability.

The course content in the programme is based on the close relationship between the  development  and  operation  of production systems in the context of digitalisation and sustainability. Different teaching methodologies that place student-centred learning at the core are applied to the programme. Industrial participation is a key component of this programme, utilising our proximity to the world-leading manufacturing facilities of Scania and AstraZeneca in Södertälje, as well as several SMEs and the infrastructure of Södertälje Science Park. Guest lectures from the industry combined with real-life problems allow course participants to learn from proven practices.

As the programme is run within the expanding research environment at the Department for Production Engineering, the programme closely interacts with industrial-academic research projects and research labs. Programme students are also encouraged to take elective courses both within KTH and externally to enhance knowledge and skills in one’s areas of interest. Methodological teaching and project work also prepare participants for academic and research careers.

This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. It contains 99 credits of mandatory courses and 21 credits of elective courses. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Södertälje by the School of Industrial Engineering and Management (at KTH). Elective courses are also given at KTH Campus Stockholm.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers, and faculty from around the world dedicated to advancing knowledge.

History

KTH is a university with a rich history of pioneering ideas and innovation that dates back to 1827. For nearly 200 years KTH has educated students who have gone on to influence our present and make the technological advances that define modern society. Still today, KTH shapes the talents that will find the solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

Research

KTH is working with industry and society in the pursuit of sustainable solutions to some of humanity’s most significant challenges: climate change, future energy supply, urbanisation, and quality of life for the rapidly-growing elderly population. We are addressing these with world-leading, high-impact research and education in natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as in architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history, and philosophy. Almost two-thirds of the SEK 4 billion turnovers are related to research.

Basic and applied research is performed side-by-side at KTH and interdisciplinary research is conducted in parallel with work in specific fields.

Career

KTH maintains close relationships with an expanding network of international companies and the industrial community in a number of fields, and working and studying here provides access to this network.

The latest career report shows that 94 percent of those who graduated from KTH 2010-2012 have been employed since they finished their degree and a remaining 6 percent have gone on to Ph.D. studies. Of the international student population, 30 percent go on to Ph.D. studies at KTH or other renowned universities. 32 percent of KTH Alumni leave Sweden for work or studies abroad. 13 percent lead others in their work, and 13 percent have already received their first managerial position.