Degree Regulations at Karolinska Institutet
Here you will find information about the degrees awarded by Karolinska Institutet and the local Degree Regulations at Karolinska Institutet.
All higher education is divided into first-, second- and third-cycle studies. Each cycle builds upon the previous one. At the first- and second-cycle levels, both general degrees and professional degrees may be awarded.
- First cycle: Higher Education Diploma (120 credits), Degree of Bachelor (180 credits)
- Second cycle: Degree of Master (60 credits), Degree of Master (120 credits)
- Third cycle: Degree of Licentiate (120 credits), Degree of Doctor (240 credits)
The scope of studies is indicated in credits. One semester of full-time studies corresponds to 30 credits, and one academic year of full-time studies corresponds to 60 credits. All degrees awarded have a precise scope, meaning you cannot include more credits in a particular degree than the scope specified in the Higher Education Ordinance (with the exception of licentiate degrees). For example, exactly 180 credits are required for a Bachelor's degree.
For a second-cycle degree to be issued, a prior Bachelor's degree, a professional degree of at least 180 credits, or an equivalent foreign degree is required.
Degree Regulations
The Government determines which degrees may be awarded at universities and university colleges. This is regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance. In addition to the national regulations, each higher education institution may establish local rules and regulations, within the framework of the national System of Qualifications.
The following document sets out the Degree Regulations that apply at Karolinska Institutet.
Degree Regulations at Karolinska Institutet (in Swedish)
Degree Regulations as of 1 July 2007
On 1 July 2007, a major higher education reform was implemented in Sweden. Consequently, new degree regulations came into effect on 1 July 2007. Read more about the degree regulations as of 2007.
Degree Specifications
The requirements for a degree awarded upon completion of a study programme are described in the programme syllabus. For degrees not linked to a specific study programme, a separate degree specification outlining the course requirements may be established.
First cycle, second cycle and third cycle
Karolinska Institutet is entitled to award the following degrees:
| First-cycle degrees | Second-cycle degrees | Third-cycle degrees | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General degrees: | General degrees: | Licentiate degree | ||
| • Higher Education Diploma | • Master's degree, 60 credits | Doctoral degree (PhD) | ||
| • Bachelor's degree | • Master's degree, 120 credits | |||
| Professional degrees | Professional degrees |
Professional degrees
A professional degree is a degree oriented towards a specific profession. To be awarded a professional degree, you must follow a structured study programme. In some cases, students who meet the requirements for a professional degree may also be awarded a general degree.
The following professional degrees are awarded at the first-cycle level at Karolinska Institutet (please note that these programmes are only taught in Swedish):
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Audiology
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Optometry
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Radiology Nursing
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Degree of Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
The following professional degrees are awarded at the second-cycle level at Karolinska Institutet (please note that these programmes are only taught in Swedish):
- Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery
- Degree of Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology
- Degree of Master of Science in Medicine
- Degree of Master of Science in Psychology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Pre-hospital Emergency Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Anaesthesia Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Primary Health Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Paediatric Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Intensive Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Surgical Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Medical Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Oncology Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Theatre Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Mental Health Care
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing – Elderly Care
- Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery
Main fields of study for Bachelor's and Master's Degrees
According to the System of Qualifications in effect as of 1 July 2007, a general degree must include a main field of study. Below are the main fields of study that may be awarded by Karolinska Institutet for each respective degree.
K: can be the main field of study for a Bachelor's degree (kandidatexamen)
Mg: can be the main field of study for a Master's degree, 60 credits (magisterexamen)
Ms: can be the main field of study for a Master's degree, 120 credits (masterexamen)
| Main field of study | K | Mg | Ms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work and Health | Mg | ||
| Occupational Therapy | K | Mg | |
| Audiology | K | Mg | |
| Bioentrepreneurship | Ms | ||
| Biomedicine | K | Ms | |
| Biomedical Laboratory Science | K | Mg | |
| Biostatistics and Data Science | Ms | ||
| Diagnostic Cytology | Mg | ||
| Public Health Sciences | K | Mg | Ms |
| Physiotherapy | K | Mg | |
| Insurance Medicine | Mg | ||
| Global Health | Mg | Ms | |
| Health Informatics | Mg | Ms | |
| Public Health in Disasters (Erasmus Mundus Programme) | Mg | Ms | |
| International Health (Erasmus Mundus Programme) | Mg | ||
| Clinical Medical Science | Mg | Ms | |
| Speech and Language Pathology | Ms | ||
| Pharmaceutical Medicine | Mg | ||
| Medical Management | Mg | Ms | |
| Medical Education | Mg | Ms | |
| Molecular Life Science | Ms | ||
| Nutrition Science | Mg | Ms | |
| Odontology | Ms | ||
| Odontological Prophylaxis | K | Mg | |
| Nursing | K | Mg | |
| Optometry | K | Mg | |
| Oral Health | K | Mg | |
| Podiatry | K | ||
| Psychology | K | Ms | |
| Psychotherapy | Mg | ||
| Radiography | K | Mg | |
| Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Health | Mg | ||
| Dental Technology | K | Mg | |
| Toxicology | Ms | ||
| Translational Physiology and Pharmacology | Ms |