Degree Certificate & Diploma Supplement

Degree certificate

The degree certificate is issued upon your request by the Degree Office once your studies are completed. The degree certificate is a document written in both Swedish and English. It shows the title of your degree (e.g. Bachelor of Science) and your major field as well as all the courses included. An appendix called the diploma supplement, is also enclosed.

Degree requirements

Swedish higher education is structured into three distinct cycles: first, second and third cycle. Each cycle builds on studies at the previous cycle. All degrees are placed within one of these cycles. In order to obtain a certain degree at Lund University, you need to fulfil the specific requirement for this degree, as detailed below:

Bachelor's degree (first-cycle degree)

A Bachelor of Arts/Science requires 180 credits (three years of full-time study) of completed courses, whereof at least 90 credits are first-cycle (Bachelor's) courses in the main field of study, including a thesis of at least 15 credits. At least 30 credits are required in at least one minor field of studies.

Master's degree (60 credits) (second-cycle degree)

A Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) requires 60 credits (one year of full-time study) of completed courses, whereof at least 30 credits are second-cycle (Master's) courses in the main field of study including a thesis of at least 15 credits.

In order to be awarded a Master's degree (60 credits), a Bachelor's degree or a professional degree, or equivalent, of at least 180 credits is required.

Master's degree (120 credits) (second-cycle degree)

A Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) requires 120 credits (two years of full-time study) of completed courses, whereof at least 60 credits are second cycle (Master's) courses in the main field of study, including a thesis of at least 30 credits or two of 15 credits each.

In order to be awarded a Master's degree (120 credits), a Bachelor's degree or a professional degree, or equivalent, of at least 180 credits is required.

Professional degrees (first-cycle degree/ second-cycle degree)

Professional qualifications are placed either within the first or the second cycle. Programmes leading to a professional degree vary in length depending on their content, comprising from 90 credits to 330 credits at Lund University. The professional degrees require enrolment in a full programme.

Licentiate (third-cycle degree)

A Licentiate requires at least 120 credits in total, including a thesis of at least 60 credits.

Doctor (third-cycle degree)

A Doctoral degree requires 240 credits in total, including a thesis of at least 120 credits. The thesis must be defended publicly.