Degree requirements
On this page you find information about all the different degrees available, as well as their rules and requirements. There are both national and local degree rules, System of qualifications for the University of Gothenburg cover both. Exact requirements for specific degrees are given in qualification descriptors.
Degrees, also called higher education qualifications, are divided into three main categories: professional qualifications, general qualifications and qualifications in the fine, applied and performing arts. At the University of Gothenburg, all these different degrees are available. All higher education is divided into first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle level. Each cycle is a continuation of the level below.
All degrees awarded have a precise scope, with the exception of the Licentiate degree. For example, a Bachelor's degree requires 180 credits. One semester of full-time study corresponds to 30 credits. A bachelor's degree thus corresponds to six semesters of full-time study.
As a student you have a right to apply to have credits transferred from previous studies. This applies to both Swedish and foreign studies. About credit transfer
National and local rules
The Swedish Government decides which higher education qualifications may be awarded by the various institutes of higher education. This is regulated by The Higher Education Ordinance. Each higher education institution may then decide on local provisions, for example about which main fields of study there may be and what each higher education qualification should be called.
This means that the requirements for higher education qualifications may differ between different higher education institutes, but there is always a common core of rules applicable to all of them. System of qualifications for the University of Gothenburg encompasses both national and local rules.
The Higher Education Ordinance on the Swedish Council for Higher Education's web
Qualification descriptors
At the University of Gothenburg, we use qualification descriptors. A qualification descriptor contains information about the requirements for a specific degree, such as a Degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Business Administration.
For example, it states how many credits the degree must contain and which courses in the main field of study must be included. There can be both optional and compulsory courses. If you want to know more about what must be included in a degree, you can contact a study counsellor.
There are qualification descriptors for general degrees and for degrees in the fine, applied and performing arts, but not for professional degrees and degrees of doctor/ licentiate (scroll down for more information about different qualifications).
Older degree rules
As a result of the Bologna process, a new structure for education and higher education qualifications was introduced in Sweden on 1st of July 2007. Degree rules before the Bologna process are called older rules. Since 1st of July, 2015, we no longer issue degrees according to older rules but only according to new rules (The Swedish Higher Education Act, Swedish Code of Statutes - SFS 2006:173).
Professional qualifications
A professional qualification is a degree with a focus on a specific profession. In order to obtain such a qualification, you must study a professional study programme. In some cases, those who meet the requirements for a professional qualification can also receive a general degree. Below you can see which professional qualifications are currently awarded at the University of Gothenburg.
Please note that the teaching at professional study programmes is conducted mainly in Swedish
General qualifications
General degrees are awarded at three levels: first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle level. The general qualifications awarded are Higher Education Diploma, Degree of Bachelor, Degree of Master (60 credits), Degree of Master (120 credits), Degree of Licentiate and Degree of Doctor.
A general degree on first-cycle or second-cycle level always has a main field of study. The main field of study is the subject area that your studies focus on.
List of main fields of study on University of Gothenburg's web
Below you can see which general degrees are available at first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle level, and the requirements for each degree.
Designations
Most general qualifications has a designation. The designation is the middle part of the title of a degree. An example of a title of degree is “Degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism”. Most common designations are ”of Science”, but there are several others, including ”of Arts”, ”of Medical Science” and ”of Science in Political sciences”.
The designation of a degree is determined by the main field of study. Sometimes a main field of study can lead to different designations, one of which involves additional degree requirements.
Qualifications in the fine, applied and performing arts
Qualifications in the fine, applied and performing arts are awarded at three levels: first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle level. The qualifications in the fine, applied and performing arts awarded are Higher Education Diploma, Degree of Bachelor, Degree of Master (60 credits), Degree of Master (120 credits), Degree of Licentiate and Degree of Doctor.
A Degree of Fine Arts always have a specialization. The specialization is the subject that the studies focus on.
List of Degrees of Fine Arts on University of Gothenburg's web
Below you can see which Degrees of Fine Arts are available at first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle level, and the requirements for each degree.
Questions and answers
Contact
Phone hours
You can reach us at +4631-786 1850 on
Monday–Wednesday, 9–11 am.
Postal address
University of Gothenburg
Educational Affairs
Section of Degrees
Box 100, SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Official documents
The University of Gothenburg is a public authority and documents received by post and via the contact form are considered official. An official document is public, unless it is considered to be classified.