Rational and cost-effective production systems have been vital to industrialisation and wealth for decades. However, the area is experiencing changes and pressures across different dimensions, altering the role of production systems. Requirements for greater renewable energy use and circular material flows, 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 part of the solution towards a sustainable society, attractive workplaces, and competitive industries.
Rooted in mechanical engineering, the programme focuses on developing the sustainable production systems of the future by combining expertise in production management, production logistics and industrial dependability. The programme’s courses are structured around the interaction between the development and operation of production systems. Digitalisation and sustainability are central themes that shape both the content and progression of the programme.
Teaching is student-centred and combines a range of learning formats. Industry involvement is a key component of the programme, supported by KTH’s proximity to leading manufacturing companies and production facilities in the Stockholm region. Through guest lectures by industry professionals and course projects based on real challenges provided by companies, you gain insight into current industry practices and experience applying your knowledge to authentic production challenges.
As the programme is run within the research environment at the Department for Production Engineering, the programme closely interacts with industrial-academic research projects and research labs. You are also encouraged to take elective courses to enhance knowledge and skills in complementing 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 comprises of 99 ECTS credits of mandatory courses and 21 ECTS credits of elective courses. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given at KTH Campus by the School of Industrial Engineering and Management (at KTH).
Programme structure and progression
During the first year, you build a foundation in sustainable production development through mandatory courses in sustainable production, production management, production logistics, industrial analytics, modelling and simulation, and digitalisation. You can also broaden your studies through elective courses related to sustainable industrial development.
In the second year, you continue with mandatory courses in scientific methodology and sustainable production development. A central component of the programme is the CDIO course in Sustainable Production Development, where knowledge and methods from across the programme are integrated and applied to challenges within the field. The programme concludes with a degree project carried out during the final semester.
Courses in the programme
The courses in the programme cover topics such as sustainable manufacturing, production development, production systems, production management, production logistics, industrial dependability, sustainability and digitalisation.
Courses in the master's programme in Sustainable Production Development
Meet students from the programme
"The programme in Sustainable Production Development has pushed me to think beyond just engineering design to consider the environmental and systems-level impact of manufacturing decisions."
Sudarshan from India
"Compared to my previous studies, the pace in KTH is fast since it divides on