Transfer of credits
Courses taken at a Swedish or a foreign university normally qualify for credit towards a degree. The Higher Education Ordinance sets out rules on the right to transfer credit for previous studies. For an assessment to be made, you must have been admitted to the University and be currently studying. A decision to grant a credit transfer is valid at the university where this decision has been made.
Swedish higher education
Students who have studied at another university in Sweden can generally include these studies towards a general degree (Bachelor's degree and Master's degree) without a decision of transfer of credits. However, in a professional degree, courses that are not included in the programme's curriculum must be transferred to be included in the degree.
Foreign higher education
Courses taken at foreign universities can usually be credited towards a degree at Uppsala University. The higher education institution/university where the studies have been conducted must be recognised by the country’s education authority or an equivalent organisation. The studies to be credited must have been completed with a passing grade.
The University is not able to give advance decisions on credit transfers. However, the university can provide information on how many foreign credits correspond to Swedish higher education credits, if you want to make sure that you are studying full-time.
Application
Applications can take up to three months to process. Therefore, you should apply well in advance, before planning to use the credit transfer.
What is tried in an application?
The main points assessed when processing an application for a credit transfer are
- whether the course is equivalent to Swedish university level
- the scope of the studies
- their level and contents, and
- whether the course overlaps with previous studies.
What should the application contain?
Applications must contain:
- An official transcript of grades in the original, showing the name, credit of the course and the grade awarded.
- Course descriptions/course syllabuses specifying the contents, intended learning outcomes, mode of examination and, if relevant, the level and admission requirements. In some cases, the reading list for the course is also required for an assessment.
- If the documents are in a language other than Swedish or English, an authorised translation is needed.
Please note that the transcripts must contain a verification tool, such as a link or code, otherwise, the original must be sent by post. Alternatively, the university can email the documents directly to Uppsala University.
How do I apply?
The application for transfer of credits is managed in different ways and is processed by different bodies depending on whether the credit transfer applies to
- a whole course or part of a course
- a foreign or Swedish education
- a general degree (for example, a Bachelor's, Master's or doctoral degree) or a professional degree (for example, a medical or psychological degree).
Transfer of credits towards a general degree
Bachelor's and Master's level:
Part of a course: you apply to your subject department.
A whole course, Swedish studies: An application for transfer of credits is not necessary. You specify which courses you want to be included in your degree when you apply for a degree in Ladok.
A whole course, foreign studies: you apply in Ladok.
Doctoral level:
Decisions on credit transfers for Swedish and foreign courses or other activity within a doctoral subject, are made by the doctoral supervisor.
Transfer of credits towards a professional degree
Part of a course: you apply to your subject department.
A whole course, Swedish studies: you apply to your subject department.
A whole course, foreign studies: you apply in Ladok.
Decisions and appeals
The credit transfer decision specifies how many credits the foreign courses are assessed to correspond to. If necessary for the degree, the decision specifies the subject and/or level of the courses included. For professional degrees, the decision specifies which parts of the programme the courses taken replace. Grades are not converted to the grading scales employed at Uppsala University. The foreign grade is not stated. If there is any overlap, this is indicated.
Credit transfer decisions are issued in writing. Save the decision. If the decision is favourable, it is proof that a credit transfer has been granted for the courses.
If you are not satisfied with the decision, you can appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board. Submit your appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board via the Registrar at Uppsala University.
Any oral or written information about a transfer of credits given in advance, before the grades achieved are known and an assessment has been made, is not legally binding and therefore not subject to appeal.
Advice for outgoing exchange students from Uppsala University
- Try to choose courses that you judge to be at Swedish university level if you want to be able to transfer credit for the courses.
- Obtain the documents that are needed for a transfer of credits during your stay abroad: an official transcript of records in the original, course descriptions or syllabuses, and, if relevant, reading lists. It can be more difficult and take considerably longer to get hold of these documents afterwards.
- Be in touch with your department at Uppsala University if you choose courses other than those you originally planned to take. Find out whether any agreements on credit transfer that you may have received will be affected if you choose other courses.
Contact
If you have questions about transfer of credits of a Swedish course within a professional degree or part of a course, as well as transfer of credits within a doctoral degree, please contact the department responsible for the course:
If you have questions about transfer of credits of a Swedish course within a general degree (undergraduate and graduate level) or a foreign course, please contact the Student Affairs and Academic Registry Division:
Email: tillgodo@uu.se