The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at UIC Barcelona has presented a new master's degree in Cooperation, Development and Social Economy. The master’s course will be offered from next year onwards. The programme is open to students and professionals from different degrees and sectors who want to specialise in social welfare.

The new programme offers specialised and multidisciplinary training. Nina Magomedova, director of the master's degree, explains that "we want to focus on professional and management excellence, combined with the utmost technical rigour. The master's degree is also aimed at professionals and recent graduates of Business, Communication, Law and Engineering. It is for anyone who wants to look beyond company profitability and put their technical knowledge to use for social change.”

UIC Barcelona professor Fernando Sánchez Costa, coordinator of the master's degree, explains that one of university’s main aspects is its commitment to improving society, especially for the most vulnerable. The professor goes on to highlight that, “the best way to contribute to this social transformation is to train current or future professionals in social welfare, ensuring they have the best skills".

“The master's degree will be taught in English so that international and local professionals can take advantage of Barcelona's appeal as one of the leading global hubs for the social economy. The master’s programme will offer two study paths: One focused on development and cooperation in non-profit entities, such as NGOs and foundations, and another focused on the third sector for companies with a focus on social welfare,” adds Magomedova.

In a programme that covers three phases, students will be able to understand how this complex sector works (Understand), analyse more specific situations related to different types of organisations (Transform), and carry out field work that puts their knowledge into practice in specific scenarios (Impact). These phases will allow students with a social vocation to specialise and gain professional skills. The coordinator of the master's degree, Fernando Sánchez Costa, believes that “improving society requires good will and a good heart, but that alone is not enough. People also need to have the best professional skills in management, leadership and direction".

By launching this master's degree, UIC Barcelona once again highlights its commitment to social improvement and excellent, useful management that has a real impact on society. The master's degree will begin next October, will be taught from Monday to Friday, and will last for two semesters.