Campus Helsingborg International Student Career Programme
In the spring of 2025 a brand new career programme aimed at international students was launched at Campus Helsingborg. The programme consists of a series of events specifically designed to equip international students with the tools to navigate the Swedish labour market, apply for jobs and internships, visit local companies, and build valuable professional networks.
Organised in collaboration between the Department of Communication, the Department of Service Studies, and Helsingborg International Connections (HIC), the initiative is funded by Pioneer Funds from Lund University. It is the result of a long-standing partnership between the Master’s programmes at Campus Helsingborg and HiC, involving stakeholders from the business community in Helsingborg, public and private actors from the region of Skåne, and various parts of the university.
Campus Helsingborg receives around 300 international Master’s students each year, with a large number aspiring to stay in Sweden to build their careers after graduation. However, for many of them finding a job remains a significant challenge, due to several barriers such as limited knowledge of the Swedish labour market, a lack of understanding of Swedish workplace culture, insufficient familiarity with the recruitment and application process and limited access to a professional network.
This programme aims to support students in overcoming some of these challenges by offering insights into the Swedish job market, providing knowledge about job search strategies, and creating opportunities to connect with some of the most prominent employers in the Helsingborg region. In this sense, the initiative illustrates how academia and local community organisations can join forces in the attempt not only to attract, but also to retain international talent in the region.
Partners in the project:
Helsingborg International Connections (HIC) is an independent organisation founded in 2013, working in partnership with Helsingborgs stad and Region Skåne to provide a warm welcome, support, and guidance for international talents living in the area. This is achieved through social and informative events, which provide many networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing. HIC also runs regular drop-in sessions, where internationals can seek advice about living and working in Sweden. International master’s students from Campus Helsingborg regularly attend HIC events and volunteer with the organisation.
Web: www.hiconnections.se (external webpage)
The Department of Communication is an interdisciplinary, international, dynamic teaching and research environment, located in Malmö, Lund and Helsingborg, including journalism, media and communication studies, and strategic communication. The Department offers a MSc in Strategic Communication at Campus Helsingborg taught in English, which attracts students from all over the world.
The Department of Service Studies is a unit for education and research within service organisations, that offer management education with a cutting-edge competence in retail, health, logistics, supply chain management, sustainability, culture and creativity, tourism and hotels. The Department runs the MSc in Service Management with five different specialisations: Culture and Creativity Management, Retailing and Consumption, Supply Chain Management, Sustainable Service Management or Tourism. The programme is taught in English and attended by students from across the globe.
Web: www.ses.lu.se
Collaborate with us!
Would you like to collaborate with Campus Helsingborg International Student Career Programme?
Contact: master-stratcom [at] iko [dot] lu [dot] se
Laman Magsudlu, MSc in Strategic Communication, Azerbaijan
Participating in the Career Programme is a truly valuable experience. During our visit to Nederman, one phrase particularly resonated with me: 'We value people, not titles.' I think, it perfectly captured the essence of Swedish corporate culture. The in-depth presentations and open Q&A sessions gave us a clear understanding of how companies in Sweden operate. Our session with IKEA further deepened this perspective - their values and hiring processes were both practical and eye-opening. These experiences definitely equipped me with a stronger understanding of the Swedish job market and how to navigate it more confidently.
Upcoming event
Autumn semester kick-off
Date: September, 23
Time: 17:30-19:30
Venue: Mindpark auditoriet
Guest lecture by Elin Perttu, LU alumna and behavioural scientist, who works with change management, transition, and leadership. Panel with alumni.
Sally Russell, CEO HIC
Sweden is an attractive destination for many young international talents, and there is a clear need to support those who wish to remain in Sweden after their studies. The Career Programme helps to create a dynamic ecosystem of actors such as the university, social impact organisations, businesses, and public authorities, strengthening talent retention, reducing the skills gap, and bringing fresh perspectives to Sweden. We are very grateful to the companies and individuals who have so graciously given their time and support to the programme!
Frida Hessel, Master Coordinator, Department of Communication
The Career Programme is a good example of how university and organisations from the local community can combine their expertise and perspectives by collaborating on projects that address common challenges. It is a privilege to work with HIC, an organisation with extensive experience in supporting internationals in Sweden and broad understanding of the local business community. This programme serves as a bridge between academia and the surrounding society, offering local businesses the opportunity to connect with a highly qualified international workforce, while also giving students a unique chance to gain insights into various companies in the Helsingborg region, understand Swedish job culture, and improve their job-seeking skills.
Britta Persson, Master Coordinator, Department of Service Studies
This initiative gives our students a great chance to get a better understanding of the Swedish job market, workplace culture, and how recruitment and applications work. At the same time, it forms part of Campus Helsingborg’s ongoing work to strengthen connections with local companies and organisations, helping make both the campus and the city more attractive to international students. By supporting students in their career journeys and boosting their chances of staying in Sweden or achieving their goals after graduation, we also strengthen their bond with Lund University and Campus Helsingborg, helping us build a strong network with our alumni.