Regulations concerning first-cycle and second-cycle degrees at Uppsala University
These guidelines replace the Regulations concerning first-cycle and second-cycle degrees (UFV 2007/212, as amended by UFV 2010/168).
The guidelines shall be revised no later than 31 December 2028.
Pursuant to authorisations in the Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100, as amended by SFS 2006:1053, hereinafter “the Ordinance”) and the Qualifications Ordinance set out in Appendix 2 thereto, the Vice-Chancellor hereby decides on the following local regulations. These regulations apply at Uppsala University in addition to the provisions of the Higher Education Ordinance.
1 General provisions
1.1 A course is the largest unit for which a grade is awarded. A freestanding course shall normally comprise at least 5 higher education credits and at most 60 higher education credits. In special cases, deviations from this minimum scope may be decided by the area/faculty board.
1.2 If the substantive content of different courses coincides to a significant extent, i.e. overlap, they may not simultaneously be included in the same degree. Overlapping credits shall then be deducted when the degree certificate is issued. If the content of courses at Uppsala University overlaps, this should, where possible, be stated in the course syllabi.
1.3 A degree certificate shall list the courses included in the degree together with their number of credits, grades and dates of grading. Where applicable, prior education or professional experience that has been credited shall also be stated in the certificate.
2 General degrees
2.1 The orientation of a Degree of Bachelor, Degree of Master (Magister), or Degree of Master (120 credits) is indicated by formulating the degree title as the designation of the degree together with one of the following prefixes:
- farmacie (for the Faculty of Pharmacy),
- filosofie (for the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences and Languages, and for other faculty areas following a decision by the Vice-Chancellor),
- juris (for the Faculty of Law, not for a Degree of Bachelor),
- medicine (for the Faculty of Medicine),
- naturvetenskaplig (for the Faculty of Science and Technology),
- teknologie (for the Faculty of Science and Technology), or
- teologie (for the Faculty of Theology).
The choice of prefix is normally governed by the faculty area to which the main field of study belongs. The Vice-Chancellor decides on the prefix when establishing a main field of study. In addition to the above, the prefixes ekonomie and politices may be used, provided that the specific requirements decided by the Faculty of Social Sciences for these orientations are fulfilled. Further specifications of the orientation of the degree shall not be stated as a suffix to the degree title, but shall be indicated elsewhere in the certificate.
The orientation of a Degree of Higher Education is not indicated by a prefix but by a suffix specifying its orientation.
2.2 In accordance with the recommendation of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF) of 27 February 2010 (UFV 2010/143), the prefixes shall be translated into English as follows.
Prefix | English degree title |
|---|---|
Ekonomie | of Science in Business and Economics |
Farmacie | of Pharmaceutical Science |
Filosofie | of Arts; of Social Science; of Science |
Juris | of Legal Science |
Medicine | of Medical Science |
Naturvetenskaplig | of Science |
Politices | of Science in Political Sciences |
Teknologie | of Science |
Teologie | of Arts in Theology |
The Vice-Chancellor decides on the English translation for each main field of study when it is established.
2.3 Main fields of study for Degrees of Bachelor, Master (Magister) and Master (120 credits) are decided by the Vice-Chancellor upon proposal from the area/faculty board. Main fields of study for Degrees of Bachelor also constitute main fields of study for the Degree of Higher Education.
2.4 For a Degree of Bachelor (180 credits), progressive specialisation within a main field of study of at least 90 credits is required, including a degree project comprising at least 15 credits.
A Degree of Bachelor may, in addition to courses at first-cycle level, include a course or courses at second-cycle level; however, such course(s) may not then constitute the basis for a Degree of Master (Magister) or a Degree of Master (120 credits).¹
2.5 For a Degree of Master (Magister) (60 credits), courses comprising at least 45 credits at second-cycle level are required, including a degree project comprising at least 15 credits. At least 30 credits, including the degree project, shall be within the main field of study for the degree.
A Degree of Master (Magister) may, in addition to courses at second-cycle level, include a course or courses at first-cycle level comprising no more than 15 higher education credits. The course(s) should concern complementary competences required for specialisation in the main field of study and may not have been included in the student’s first-cycle degree.²
2.6 For a Degree of Master (120 credits), courses comprising at least 90 credits at second-cycle level are required, including a degree project comprising at least 30 credits. At least 60 credits, including the degree project, shall be within the main field of study for the degree.
A Degree of Master (120 credits) may, in addition to courses at second-cycle level, include a course or courses at first-cycle level comprising no more than 30 higher education credits. The course(s) should concern complementary competences required for specialisation in the main field of study and may not have been included in the student’s first-cycle degree.³
2.7 A degree project for a Degree of Master (120 credits) shall comprise at least 30 higher education credits. The area/faculty board may decide that the degree project within a main field of study may comprise fewer than 30 higher education credits, but at least 15 higher education credits, for students who have already
completed an independent project at second-cycle level comprising at least 15 higher education credits within the main field of study.
2.8 For a Degree of Higher Education (120 credits), courses comprising at least 60 credits within the main field of study of the programme are required, of which at least 7.5 higher education credits shall consist of an independent project.
¹ This paragraph applies until 31 December 2028.
² This paragraph applies until 31 December 2028.
³ This paragraph applies until 31 December 2028.
3 Professional degrees
3.1 Specified requirements for a particular professional degree, or a professional degree with a specific orientation, are decided by the area/faculty board and shall be stated in the programme syllabus.
3.2 For professional degrees, the degree titles specified in the Qualifications Ordinance, Appendix 2 to the Higher Education Ordinance, shall be used. Any orientation shall be stated in direct connection with the degree title in the certificate.
3.3 Translations into English of titles for professional degrees shall be made in accordance with the Swedish Council for Higher Education’s Regulations and General Guidelines on the translation into English of Swedish qualifications (UHRFS 2013:6, as amended by 2019:6).