Frequently asked questions about degrees

When can I apply for a degree and is there a deadline?

You can apply for a degree once all the courses you want to include in your degree are registered as completed in Ladok.

It's a good idea to apply as soon as you finish your studies. Processing an application usually takes 6–8 weeks. Although sometimes less time is needed. Applications from those applying for a licence from the Swedish Board of Agriculture are prioritised.

If your application involves a credit transfer, processing may take longer.

Can I apply for more than one degree?

As long as you fulfil the requirements, you can apply for more than one degree. You need to make a separate application for each degree.

Where can I find the degree requirements?

You can find the requirements for your degree in your programme syllabus. This document also explains which qualification(s) your programme leads to. All programme syllabuses are available on the student web's programme pages.

I have a temporary identity number in Ladok. How do I apply for a degree?

If you have protected identity via the Swedish Council for Higher Education's confidentiality group, you should submit your application as usual via Ladok for Student.

Can I get my degree certificate in paper format?

As of 2020, SLU only issues electronic degree certificates. Your certificate will be sent to the email address you registered in Ladok for students.

Because the certificate is digital, you can send it directly to employers or other universities. Should you lose the PDF file, you can download it again from Ladok, or contact degree@slu.se and we will resend it. 

Certificates issued before 2 March 2020 are only available as hardcopy. It is not possible to have such a certificate issued digitally.

Can I include courses from other higher education institutions in my degree?

Yes, this is usually possible.

• General qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s): You can include courses from other Swedish universities without applying for a credit transfer. If the other university uses Ladok, simply select these courses when you apply for your degree. If they are not in Ladok, you must provide a transcript or course certificate in both English and Swedish with your application.
  
  
• Professional qualifications: Requirementss are stricter. You must apply for a credit transfer for any courses taken outside of your programme. This transfer must be approved before your degree can be awarded.
  
  
• Courses from universities outside Sweden: Courses can only be included if a credit transfer has been approved.

Read more about credit transfer and how to apply.

Do I need to have studied on a programme to be awarded a degree?

No, this is not a requirement, but some courses are only open to students enrolled in specific degree programmes. This can make it very difficult to obtain certain qualifications, especially professional degrees, if you have not been admitted to a programme.

If you are planning to apply for a general degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s), you can combine various courses. However, these courses must meet the specific requirements set out in the System of Qualifications. Contact a study counsellor for help with choosing and combining courses to ensure you meet all requirements.

I already have a Bachelor’s degree. Can I include these courses in a new Bachelor’s degree?

Yes, you can. For example, if you already have a Bachelor’s degree with biology as your main field of study, it may also include several credits in environmental sciences.

If you later decide to specialise in environmental sciences and complete a total of 90 credits in that subject, including a Bachelor’s degree project, you can combine these with 90 credits from your biology degree. This allows you to reach the 180 credits required for a new Bachelor’s degree with environmental sciences as your main field of study.

Can I be awarded one degree with two main fields of study (double degree)?

No, a degree can only contain one main field of study. However, you can apply for two separate degrees. To do this, you must have completed at least 180 credits, including 90 credits in each of the two main fields of study. You must also have completed a degree project in both fields of study.

It says the degree I want to apply for consists of a specific number of credits. What happens if I have more credits than that?

A degree consists of a fixed number of credits, and your certificate will only list the specific number required for that degree. If you have transferred credits, these additional credits will not be included on the certificate.

I would like my degree certificate translated, how can I do that?

Digital degree certificates are issued in both Swedish and English. If you require your certificate in another language, you should check the requirements for authorised translations in the relevant country and contact a professional translator.

Can I add courses after my certificate has been issued?

No. Once the degree certificate has been issued, it is not possible to make any changes to it. 

I am an alumnus and would like to obtain my degree or print out a certificate of my previous university studies. How do I do this?

You can obtain certificates and apply for a degree by going to Ladok for students. Then select Ladok for alumni. You can log in using BankID or Freja eID+.

How do I appeal my degree decision?

If we assess that your application does not meet the degree requirements, we will contact you.

If we reject your application, you have the right to appeal. Your appeal must be sent to SLU, but the final decision will be made by the Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH). 

Read more about how to appeal a degree decision.

I attended a degree programme in the early 2000s but did not graduate. Can I still complete my degree?

If you began your studies before 1 July 2007, you are no longer eligible to graduate from your original programme. The transitional rules for students admitted before that date expired in 2015.

However, if you completed courses after 1 July 2007, you may still be able to obtain a general degree. Please contact degree@slu.se for more information.