The international Master's Programme in Information Systems at the Department of Informatics, Lund University School of Economics and Management, is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge within the field of Information Systems. As part of the commitment to enhancing career prospects, the programme offers students the opportunity to earn industry-recognised certificates. These certificates are available through partnerships with KNIME and Qlik. While they are not mandatory to complete the programme, they allow students who are interested to gain valuable credentials.
KNIME and Qlik certificates
During the course Business and Artificial Intelligence, students get to explore the KNIME analytics platform. The KNIME basic certificate is free and accessible by anyone. However, as the department is part of the KNIME Educators Alliance, students have the opportunity to also obtain more advanced certificates for free.
Similarly, during the course Business Intelligence, the Qlik Academic Programme provides students access to the software Qlik Sense and courses to obtain Qlik certificates for free.
The certificates can be translated into badges on LinkedIn. These digital badges, issued by Credly, can be added to students' LinkedIn profiles, making their achievements visible to recruiters and potential employers. This visibility can provide an advantage, helping students stand out in the job market.
Thoughts from the students
Erik Påander, Jordina De Sousa, Iván Ortiz Del Noval and Alfriyadi Rafles are all students on the Master's Programme in Information Systems. They shared their thoughts on the benefits of business analytics certificates and the process of receiving them.
“When applying for work after your studies, recruiters oftentimes ask what you can bring to the organisation. Using Qlik and KNIME has given me hands-on experience with tools used in the industry. These tools have made my studies feel much more connected to the workplace.“ – Erik Påander
“I believe that being offered access to official certificates for the skills we develop during our courses is highly valuable. They may show that you have a special interest in a specific field and help stand out from others, as certificates are more noticeable than simply listing completed courses. In my case, the course already covered the required knowledge for the certification, so getting it was a great addition to the course with minimal extra effort. At the same time, I believe they are beneficial for companies too as offering certifications attracts new users to their tools.“ – Iván Ortiz Del Noval
I believe that being offered access to official certificates for the skills we develop during our courses is highly valuable.
“Getting the KNIME L1 and L2 certificates was a great experience! The process is super hands-on, you go through structured courses, work on real-world data challenges, and take an exam to test your skills. These certifications are a great way to show that you know your way around analytics and automation. Since many companies look for experience in platforms like KNIME and Qlik, having these certificates really boosts your resume. Plus, they give you the confidence to tackle data projects more efficiently. It’s definitely worth the effort!“ – Jordina De Sousa
“The certification offered as part of the Master of Information Systems program at Lund University is an invaluable opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts immediately. Courses such as Business Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence provide essential theoretical foundations, and certification further reinforces these competencies by validating students’ skills in a tangible and recognized manner. This initiative enhances professional credibility and career prospects, making it a highly beneficial addition to the academic experience. I truly appreciate the inclusion of these certifications and strongly encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity.” – Alfriyadi Rafles
Thoughts from the course director
We spoke to Senior lecturer Blerim Emruli, course director for both Business Intelligence and Business and Artificial Intelligence.
What is distinct for both courses?
“With a strong emphasis on practical application, both courses immerse students in hands-on learning, requiring students to analyse real business cases, interact with datasets, and apply analytical thinking. For example, students engage in data modeling, data exploration, workflow design, and building machine learning models, actively seeking solutions from real-world industry practices and professionals rather than relying on pre-made/pre-generated answers.“
How can the certificate courses enhance the learning experience for students?
“The certificate courses enhance students' learning by providing additional hands-on experience with world-leading business analytics and machine learning platforms from industry vendors, reinforcing key analytical concepts, and providing recognised credentials that boost students' employability and demonstrate expertise to potential employers.“
What benefits do you see in these certificates?
“Our students can gain several benefits from industry-recognised certificates issued by platforms like Credly and others. These certificates, often backed by major industry vendors (e.g., KNIME and Qlik, and others), provide tangible advantages for students in both academic and professional settings, such as: enhanced employability, career readiness, increased networking, and professional opportunities. “
