Second Cycle Qualifications

Second cycle (Masters') programmes in Sweden are taught programmes and last for one or two years. Second cycle programmes build on the knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding acquired in first cycle programmes. In addition, they further develop the students' ability to independently apply knowledge, deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and acquire the skills for future careers in the professions or within academia.

The University of Borås has applied to Högskoleverket (Swedish National Agency for Higher Education) for the entitlement to award two-year Masters' degrees. The university has received rights for the following major subjects:

• Library and Information Sciences
• Energy- and Material Recovery
• Informatics
• Education Work
• Fashion- and Textile Design
• Textile Management
• Textile Technology

All higher education institutions must apply to the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Agency) for the entitlement to award professional or vocational degrees. The university has received right for the degree:

• Master of Science in Business and Economics
• Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery
• Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing
  • For further information contact the School of Health Sciences
• Master of Arts in Education
  • For further information contact the School The School of Education and Behavioural Sciences

General Qualifications

Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) [Magisterexamen]

Scope
A Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) degree is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 60 credits with a defined specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, of which at least 30 credits are for specialised study in the principal field (main field of study) of the study programme. In addition the prior award of a Bachelor's degree, Bachelor's degree in fine arts, professional or vocational qualification of at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad is required.

The requirement of the prior award of a qualification may be waived for a student admitted to the programme without the basic entry requirement in the form of a qualification. This does not, however, apply if a waiver was granted during admission pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 28 of the Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) on the grounds that the qualification had not yet been issued.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 15 credits in the main field of study.

Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) [Masterexamen]

Scope
A Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 120 credits with a defined specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, of which at least 60 credits are for specialised study in the principal field (main field of study) of the study programme. In addition the prior award of a Bachelor's degree, Bachelor's degree in fine arts, professional or vocational qualification of at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad is required.

The requirement of the prior award of a qualification may be waived for a student admitted to the programme without the basic entry requirement in the form of a qualification. This does not, however, apply if a waiver was granted during admission pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 28 of the Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) on the grounds that the qualification had not yet been issued.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 30 credits in the main field of study. The degree project may comprise less than 30 credits, however no less than 15 credits, if the student has already completed an independent project in the second cycle for at least 15 credits in the main field of study or the equivalent from a programme of study outside Sweden.

Qualifications in the Fine, Applied and Performing Arts

Master of Fine Arts (60 credits) [Konstnärlig magisterexamen]

Scope

A Master of Fine Arts (60 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 60 credits with a defined specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself. In addition the prior award of a Bachelor's degree, Bachelor's degree in fine arts, professional or vocational qualification of at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad is required.

The requirement of the prior award of a qualification may be waived for a student admitted to the programme without the basic entry requirement in the form of a qualification. This does not, however, apply if a waiver was granted during admission pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 28 of the Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) on the grounds that the qualification had not yet been issued.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Master of Fine Arts (60 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 15 credits in the main field of study.

Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) [Konstnärlig masterexamen]

Scope
A Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 120 credits with a defined specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself. In addition the prior award of a Bachelor's degree, Bachelor's degree in fine arts, professional or vocational qualification of at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad is required.

The requirement of the prior award of a qualification may be waived for a student admitted to the programme without the basic entry requirement in the form of a qualification. This does not, however, apply if a waiver was granted during admission pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 28 of the Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) on the grounds that the qualification had not yet been issued.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Master of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 30 credits in the main field of study. The degree project may comprise less than 30 credits, however no less than 15 credits, if the student has already completed an independent project in the second cycle for at least 15 credits in the main field of study or the equivalent from a programme of study outside Sweden.

Professional Qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery [Barnmorskeexamen]

Scope
Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 90 credits. In addition the student shall have been registered by Socialstyrelsen [Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare] as a nurse.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project).

Master of Science in Business and Economics [Civilekonomexamen]

Scope
A Master of Science in Business and Economics is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 240 credits.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Master of Science in Business and Economics is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 30 credits.

Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing [Specialistsjuksköterskeexamen]

Scope
A Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing with a defined specialisation is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 60 credits, with the exception of the specialisation in Primary Health Care when the diploma is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 75 credits.

In addition the student shall have been registered by Socialstyrelsen [Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare] as a nurse.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project).

Qualifications awarded in the first or second cycle

Master of Arts in Education (Teaching qualifications)

Scope
Teaching qualification is awarded in the first or second cycle depending on the number of credits attained, the degree of specialisation demanded in a subject or a disciplinary domain and the extent to which second-cycle study is required.

A teaching qualification is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain either 180 or 210 credits (first-cycle) or 240, 270, 300 or 330 credits (second-cycle). A requirement for a teaching qualification awarded in the second cycle is inclusion in the programme of at least 60 credits of second-cycle study. Otherwise a first-cycle qualification is awarded.

The programme shall consist of the following three integrated fields that may comprise both first and second-cycle courses: studies in general education for 90 credits consisting of interdisciplinary courses, one or more specialisations of at least 60 credits in a subject or subject area and advanced study for at least 30 credits. At least 15 credits for the studies in general education shall be awarded for a placement. At least 15 credits for each specialisation shall also be for a placement.

At least 180 credits are required to teach vocational subjects in the upper-secondary schools. Instead of a specialisation and advanced study, extensive vocational experience and a relevant higher education qualification of at least 90 credits or the equivalent is required.

At least 210 credits are required to teach or undertake other educational tasks in early years education and extended school programmes as well as for teaching home languages. A specialisation of at least 90 credits in a relevant subject area is required for teachers of home languages.

At least 210 credits are required to teach at  primary level. For the award of a second-cycle qualification at least 240 credits are required,  including second-cycle courses for at least 60 credits.

At least 270 credits including one or two specialisations of at least 90 credits in a relevant subject, subjects or subject areas are required to teach at secondary and upper-secondary level, although not, however, to teach vocational subjects. For the award of a second-cycle qualification the inclusion of second-cycle courses for at least 60 credits is required.

To teach Swedish or the social sciences at secondary level at least 90 credits in subject areas that are relevant for these subjects are required, and at least 120 credits to teach at upper-secondary level.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a teaching qualification comprising 180 credits or 210 credits is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 15 credits.

A requirement for the award of a teaching qualification comprising 240, 270, 300 and 330 credits is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 30 credits or two such projects for at least 15 credits each.