Education planning and administration handbook - Chapter 6

Last changed: 03 September 2025

Course syllabuses and course instances

6.1 Starting points
6.2 Course syllabuses
6.3 Grading system
6.4 Course instances
6.5 Cancelling a course instance
6.6 Course modules
6.7 Discontinuing a course
6.8 External work experience courses and placements

Shortcuts to other parts of the handbook

6.1 Starting points

Policy

In order to give students good conditions to carry out their studies with good results, it is important to provide them with clear information early on.

SLU rules

In order to carry out a course, the following is required:

an approved course syllabus – see Section 6.2 Course syllabuses
an approved course instance – see Section 6.4 Course instances and
planned implementation – see Chapter 7. Before and when a course starts.

Who is responsible for what?

The department in question is responsible to implement a course. There may be one or more departments that are jointly responsible to implement a course.

To the start of the chapter

6.2 Course syllabuses

Policy

It is important to have joint timeframes for courses (start and end dates). This enables students to choose courses more freely and to jointly study various courses.

National regulations

'A course shall have a course syllabus.'

SLU rules

SLU’s guidelines are based on the Higher Education Ordinance and the recommendations issued by SUHF. A course syllabus at SLU must include the following:

course code
course title
credits
subjects
cycle
specialisation
grading scale
language
entry requirements
objectives
content
assessment format and requirements to be awarded a pass grade
any transitional provisions
responsible department and any jointly responsible departments.

Some of these are described in more detail below.

The course title should relate to the content.

Credits

The scope of the course must be indicated in credits. A course normally comprises 15 credits and is taught full-time for one study period (i.e. half a semester). If justified, two courses of 7.5 credits can make up one study period. See Section 2.4, Academic year and semester dates.

For distance learning courses and freestanding courses not given full time, and summer courses, the scope may be different. Provided it is justified, the Board of Education can grant exemptions from the joint timeframes for individual programmes (The Veterinary Medicine programme and the Equine Science (BSc) are currently exempt). There are specific rules for independent projects, see Chapter 9, Independent projects (degree projects).

Subjects

Subject classification depends on the course content. Annex 3a: First- and second-cycle subjects at SLU contains a list of subjects and main fields of study. A course at SLU can be classified in one or two subjects (double classification). An independent project (degree project) can only be classified in one subject.

Double classification should not be used in a perfunctory manner; a course should only have a double classification if its content makes up a clear and important part of both subjects, and if there is substantial progression in both subjects/main fields of study. Double classification can be used when a course contains both a traditional subject discipline and a synthesis and/or sector-related application.

A course with double classification can be included in the qualification requirements for both subjects/main fields of study. If a course with double classification is divided into modules, this should not be used to divide the course into two subjects. In such cases, it is better to set up two separate courses.

Educational level

SLU has the following level classification:

access course or programme
first-cycle level
second-cycle level
third-cycle level (not included in the handbook).

Specialisation

The progressive specialisation of the course within the main field of study for general qualifications should be indicated using the codes recommended by SUHF (G1N, G1F, G2F, G2E, A1N, A1F, A1E, A2E, GXX, AXX – see the instructions for course syllabuses). A single course can only be available at one level and include one specialisation.

Grading scale

See Section 6.3 Grading system. In addition, the following standard text is automatically displayed in the course and programme database:

'The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.'

Language

The course language can either be Swedish or English.

For courses at the first-cycle level, the general entry requirements state that the student must understand both Swedish and English. This means that those courses may include content in English even though the course language is Swedish.
For courses at the second-cycle level, the language requirements are part of the specific entry requirements. This means that second-cycle courses taught in English cannot have Swedish content unless Swedish is listed as a specific entry requirement. The same applies to courses taught in Swedish with English content.
Unless the course syllabus states otherwise, exams are held in the course language. See also Section 8.2 Assessment and grading.

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements must be listed, and the following applies:

'Any specific entry requirements imposed shall be totally essential for a student to be able to benefit from the course or study programme.'(Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 7, Section 8)
To be admitted to a second-cycle course, the student must have obtained at least 120 credits.
For courses at the second-cycle level taught in English, the entry requirements must be English 6 taught at upper secondary school in Sweden, or equivalent. According to a local SLU decision, this requirement is fulfilled by applicants who have a first-cycle degree (180 credits) or a professional qualification from a Swedish university, or who have completed 120 credits at SLU.
For first-cycle courses taught entirely in English, Swedish as an entry requirement does not apply. This must be stated in the course syllabus.

Objectives

Objectives for a course must:

describe the competencies the student is expected to have acquired (learning outcomes) upon completing the course; see the instructions for course syllabuses;
clearly describe subject and general competencies, as well as any professional competencies;
be written to match the course level, specialisation and entry requirements and be structured as bullet points;
contribute to the overall objectives listed in each programme syllabus, if the course is included in one or several degree programmes;
be considered when assessing student performance.

Content

The content must include a short description of both the subject content and course implementation.

Examination format and requirements to be awarded a pass grade

The forms for assessing student performance concern how to carry out examinations and what is required to be awarded a pass grade for a course. If the course contains compulsory components, this must be indicated.

In addition, the following standard text is automatically displayed in the course and programme database:

If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.”

Transitional provisions

Transitional provisions must be established when a course syllabus is withdrawn (see Section 6.7).

Department responsible

The department coordinating the course, and any other jointly responsible departments, must be listed.

Additional information

Certain additional information, although not formally part of the course syllabus, is displayed on the course pages.

If the course is included in one or several degree programmes, this connection must be listed, but it is not part of the actual course syllabus. It should also state whether the course is offered as a freestanding course.

If another course takes the place of, is replaced by or overlaps with the course in question, this information must also be included.

Any other information not covered in other parts of the course syllabus must be included if necessary, e.g. if students can expect to have to pay for travel or accommodation. In addition, the following standard text is displayed for all courses:

'The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.'

Who is responsible for what?

The responsible department documents the course syllabus in both Swedish and English in the course and programme database.

For inter-faculty cooperation, the parties must be consulted in the manner agreed upon by the programme boards in question.

The programme board approves (SLU Board’s delegation of authority) course syllabuses and any programme connections. The course syllabus must include the decision date and decision-making body as well as when the course syllabus begins to apply.

The programme director of studies or the programme board decides (Vice-chancellor’s delegation of authority) on revisions of the course syllabus. When a course syllabus is revised, a new version with the same course code is created. The following remains unchanged:

course code
course title
credits
subject
level and specialisation
grading scale
entry requirements
objectives

Editorial changes clarifying entry requirements or objectives can be made as part of a revision. The programme board can decide to change the responsible department without changing the course code.

The faculty office supporting the programme board in question must submit the following for archiving:

course syllabus as an annex to minutes
minutes from the programme board
decision to revise the course syllabus.

Instructions

There are instructions on how to write uniform course syllabuses. See Links.

The course syllabus must be available on the SLU web and universityadmissions.se as soon as possible – when course applications are open at the latest. SLU applies joint time frames for planning and decisions on the offered course and programmes. See 2: Annual cycle for course and programme planning.

6.3 Grading system

National regulations

'Unless otherwise provided by the higher education institution, a grade shall be awarded on completion of a course. The higher education institution may determine which grading system is to be used.'

SLU rules

Grading scales

SLU uses a four-point criterion-referenced grading scale (vice-chancellor's decision, SLU.ua.FE.2010.3.0-1440):

5 (Pass with special distinction)
4 (Pass with credit)
3 (Pass)
U (fail)

If a programme, course or course module has been exempted from this rule, a two-point criterion-referenced grading scale is used (vice-chancellor's decision, SLU.ua.FE.2010.3.0-1440):

G (Pass)
U (fail)

SLU follows SUHF recommendations regarding the application of the ECTS Grading Table by:

compiling the percentage allocation of pass grades per grade for each course;
listing, in the transcript of records, the number of students awarded each pass grade for each completed course, together with information on the grading system used;
listing, in the transcript of records, the number of students awarded each pass grade from the date the course was set up with the current course code until the date the student completed the course;
reporting on the distribution of grades only for courses where data is available for at least two years from the date the course was set up until the date the student completed the course.

Course exceptions

Exceptions from the four-point grading scale can for e.g. be made for introductory, short courses (so-called display courses) and practical skill training courses, excursions, etc. when assessment is primarily based on student participation.

The amount of courses with allowed exceptions:

Up to 25 per cent of courses within a first-cycle programme, including first-cycle courses within long professional programmes (5 years) may be assessed in accordance with the two-point scale. However, this does not include independent projects.
Up to 10 per cent of courses within a second-cycle programme, including second-cycle courses within long professional programmes (5 years) may be assessed in accordance with the two-point scale. However, this does not include independent projects.

Course module exceptions

The grading scale for course modules (previous modules or tests) may differ from the scale that applies for the course in general. See Section 6.6 Course modules.

Programme exceptions

Valid reasons to be exempted from the four-point grading scale that applies for all courses within a degree programme is that there is no need for grading scales. The reasons are:

to facilitate student mobility between programmes and sites;
make selections within programmes;
attract foreign students;
strengthen student employability;
facilitate cooperation with other education providers and joint studies with other programmes, and/or
the programme leads to a qualification that includes a certification.

The following degree programmes are currently exempted from the four-point grading scale:

the Veterinary Nursing programme, 180 credits
the Veterinary Medicine programme, 330 credits.

Who is responsible for what?

The Board of Education decides if a programme will be exempted from the four-point grading scale.
The programme board decides if a course will be exempted from the four-point grading scale.
The examiner decides on the grading scale for modules of individual courses.

To the start of the chapter

6.4 Course instances

Important concepts

A course instance is a course delivery with a start date and an end date.

The course instances over an academic year, or for an entire degree programme, are listed in a course schedule. Example:

Year	Period I	Period II	Period III		Period IV
1	Course α, 15 credits	Course β, 15 credits	Course η, 7,5 credits	Course θ, 7,5 credits	Course δ, 15 credits
2	Course γ, 15 credits	Course ζ, 15 credits	Independent project, 30 credits

Course package

A course package refers to two or more courses that together comprise 30 credits and are given during one semester. Independent projects are not included in course packages.

Policy

The basic idea is that courses are open to freestanding students.

Programme courses can be exempted if it is difficult or unsuitable to offer the course in question to freestanding students, e.g. capacity limitations, content and/or entry requirements.

Courses taught in English may be exempted from the UHR’s English web, if it is difficult or unsuitable to offer the course to freestanding, international students. It is important to make a conscious choice of which courses will be advertised on the English web.

SLU rules

Information regarding which courses will start in the coming academic year must be available on the SLU web and antagning.se no later than when the admission period for the autumn semester begins. However, summer courses may be added later.

A course should be advertised as soon as possible in order to provide information before each admission period. At this time, both the course syllabus and course date must be approved. See Annex 2: Annual cycle for course and programme planning.

Who is responsible for what?

The programme board decides on:

the course instances offered during the academic year;
which courses are open to freemovers;
which courses are taught in English and will not be pubished on the UHR English-language website.

A course may be included in several degree programmes and therefore affect different programme boards. However, there must always be a responsible programme board for each course. This must be documented in the course and programme database.

If cooperation stretches over faculties, the participating parties must be consulted in the manner agreed upon by the programme boards in question.

SLU applies joint timeframes for planning and decisions on the offered course and programmes. See Annex 2: Annual cycle for course and programme planning.

Links

First-cycle and second-cycle courses

To the start of the chapter

6.5 Cancelling a course instance

Important concepts

A course instance is the start and end date for a course.

Policy

It is important for the students to have access to a predictable set of offered courses. Therefore, programme boards must aim not to cancel course instances.

SLU rules

General information

A course instance included in an established range of courses offered may only be cancelled d in exceptional cases, and only if the decision can be justified.

The same decision-making body that established the range of courses offered must decide whether to cancel a course instance. See Section 6.4 Course instances. A decision to cancel a course must be made by 1 June before the autumn semester begins and by 15 November before the spring semester begins.

Programme courses – compulsory

Compulsory programme courses may not be discontinued if there are programme students who plan on taking the course at a regular rate of study. This includes students who return following granted deferment/approved leave from studies.

Programme courses – elective

An elective programme course may be discontinued if, e.g., it is expected that a maximum of 10 students will participate. In these cases, an alternative course must be offered. The alternative course must primarily correspond to the applied course in regard to entry requirements, and also contribute towards the fulfilment of the degree requirements in a corresponding manner.

Freestanding courses

Courses without a programme connection may be discontinued if it is expected that a maximum of 15 students will participate. An alternative course cannot always be offered.

Discontinuing a course following an admission decision

In exceptional cases, SLU can discontinue a course after admission decisions have been sent to students, but only if one of the following requirements are met:

None of the admitted students demand their place on the course.
In the first selection, the admission decision stated that the course may be discontinued. In those cases, this reservation must be decided by the same body that established the offered course.

Who is responsible for what?

The responsible department must carry out a compulsory programme course even if the examiner or other teacher resigns, takes sick leave or equivalent.

The programme board must ensure that there is an alternative course instance that corresponds to a cancelled, elective programme course instance.

Instructions

If a responsible department wishes to cancel a course instance, it must submit a request to the programme board in question, which makes the decision. If a course instance is cancelled, the programme board must quickly notify both the students who applied to the course and the Division of Educational Affairs.

The faculty office which supports the programme board in question must submit the decision to cancel a course instance for archiving.

To the start of the chapter

6.6 Course modules

Important concepts

A course module is a part of a course in the form of credits. It was previously called a module or test in Ladok.

everal results notes relating to a course module can be entered in Ladok. When all results have been reported, the course module is listed as passed in Ladok.

Policy

Normally, courses of 15 credits or more must include course modules.

Course module advantages:

The student receives credits for modules they pass and subsequently student finance payments from the Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN).
CSN does not accept manual certificates but bases its assessment on information in Ladok.
Registered results facilitate entry requirements checks, for example if the student has enough credits to take the next course.

SLU rules

Course modules must be listed for each course instance:

Autumn semester modules must be added in Ladok no later than 31 May.
Spring semester modules must be added in Ladok no later than 30 September.

Who is responsible for what?

The examiner decides how to divide a course into modules. For programme courses, this must be agreed with the programme director of studies. The responsible department must enter the modules in Ladok before the deadline.

Instructions

Course modules from previous course instances remain if no new modules are added.

SLU applies joint timeframes for planning and decisions on the offered course and programmes. See Annex 2: Annual cycle for course and programme planning.

6.7 Discontinuing a course

Policy

It is important that the students have a predictable course offering. Therefore, the programme boards must strive not to discontinue courses without having valid reasons to do so. In these instances, forward planning is key.

National regulations

Established course syllabuses are legally binding and higher education institutions are obligated to follow them. Students who have been admitted and subsequently registered on a course have long-term rights in regard to completing their studies.

Transitional provisions must be established in connection with a decision to discontinue a course. These rules must be documented in the course syllabus – see Section 6.2 Course syllabuses.

SLU rules

Reasons to discontinue a course:

It needs to be replaced by another course with updated content and/or altered implementation.
Too few students have registered for it in relation to the resource requirements.

The need for forward planning depends on the following circumstances:

A compulsory course on a degree programme can only be discontinued if it is replaced by a new course with a corresponding function – unless the whole degree programme in question is discontinued.
A non-compulsory course in a degree programme can be discontinued without being replaced by a new programme course, under the condition that there are enough programme courses left that enable admitted students to meet the qualification requirements in question without having to extend their study period. In these cases, specialisations (equivalent) stated in the programme syllabus must also be taken into consideration.
In connection with a decision regarding course offerings for the coming academic year, a course only given to freestanding students (i.e. with no programme connection) can be discontinued without being replaced with a new course.

Note that discontinuing a degree programme does not automatically mean that the courses included in the programme are discontinued. If the courses are to be discontinued, this must be done in a particular order, and the decisions to do so must comply with the applicable delegation of authority.

Discontinuing a course means that the course syllabus ceases to apply after the period stated in the transitional provisions. Resit opportunities are usually offered for two years after the last course instance. As long as the course has not been discontinued, and any transitional provisions are still in force, additional resit opportunities may be offered if requested by students. Section 8.5 Compulsory components and 8.9 Resits have information on the minimum number of resit opportunities that must be offered for a course that has been discontinued.

Who is responsible for what?

The programme boards decide whether to discontinue a course, which usually occurs in connection with a course schedule or course instance decisions for the coming academic year.

The faculty office that supports the responsible programme board is responsible for adding the below information to the discontinued course syllabus.

The responsible department must provide affected students with relevant information.

Instructions

Decision to withdraw a course syllabus

A proposal to withdraw a course syllabus (with a course code) must contain the following:

a short justification
information on how the department(s) concerned has/have been consulted
a proposal for transitional provisions.

The reason(s) for discontinuing the course must be given in the decision. The following must be added to the course syllabus for a discontinued course:

The date of the decision to withdraw the syllabus.
Transitional provisions for how students who are already registered but have not yet completed all course components can do so. A general transitional provision is that at least three resit opportunities must be offered within two years after the last course instance or the date of the decision to discontinue the course, depending on what is most favourable to the student. All in all, students from the last course instance must be offered a total of at least five resit opportunities for each exam (test) included in the course they were admitted to, e.g. one regular resit and at least an additional three resits during two years as per the transitional provisions. In addition, students must be offered at least one opportunity to fulfil compulsory requirements within two years after the final course instance or the date the decision to terminate the course was taken, depending on what is most favourable to the student.
The date as of which the course syllabus ceases to apply.
Any course that replaces or overlaps with the discontinued course.

Information to the students concerned

Students must be informed in writing. This can be by email or letter, and must be entered in the register. The following must be included:

The date as of which the course syllabus ceases to apply.
That the university will offer registered students who have not yet completed the course opportunity to do so.
How students can contact the university to report that they wish to resit an exam and/or take part in compulsory components.
Information explaining that students risk missing the opportunity to complete the course if they contact the university too late.

'Students concerned' means:

Students who have been registered on the course during the past five academic years, up until the date it was decided to discontinue the course.
Students who have successfully completed the course, or who have applied for non-completion, are not included.

Course syllabuses in the administrative education systems

When a decision has been taken to withdraw a course syllabus (with a course code), the following applies:

The decision date and the transitional provisions are added to the course syllabus in the course and programme database.
No more course instances can be created for the course.
After the last course instance, students can no longer be registered on the course for the first time.
Students can be re-registered as long as the syllabus still applies.

6.8 External work experience courses and placements

Starting points

SLU offers several programmes where some courses, compulsory or elective, are placements provided by external partners such as businesses, organisations and public authorities.

SLU rules

No conflict of interest
There is a risk that placements lead to conflicts of interest, which in turn may lead to the student finding themselves in a vulnerable situation if they, e.g., want to bring up shortcomings. When a placement is approved, the risk of conflicts of interest must be assessed. Any conflicts of interest must be investigated.

Written agreements are required
A written agreement between SLU and the placement host, signed by both parties, must always be in place before the placement starts.

SLU has a template for agreements with placement hosts. You will find the template on the information page (see link below). The responsible department should use the template, adding details about the placement. All agreements must cover responsibility for the work environment in general and in case of incidents (near-accidents, accidents, harassment), introduction for students and insurance cover for students, both domestic and when abroad.

Information/training for supervisors
SLU is responsible for providing information/training for placement supervisors. The Division of Learning, Media and Digitalisation can offer support in publishing information and training material.

Visiting placement locations
Below is a link to procedures and a checklist for if and when visits to placement locations should take place.

Who is responsible for what?

Programme boards have an overall responsibility for ensuring placement procedures work and are complied with.

The department running a course assesses the risk of conflict of interest as part of approving a placement. The department must investigate any conflicts of interest.
The department running the course is responsible for drawing up an agreement which must be signed by the manager responsible or someone appointed by them.
The department is also responsible for providing information and training for placement supervisors for all placement courses.
The course coordinator decides if and when to visit the placement location (based on a checklist, see link below).

Länkar

Procedures for and information on external placement courses and placements

To the start of the chapter

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