Frequently asked questions about degrees

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

You can apply at any time during the year once you have completed your studies. There is no deadline. Processing your applicaion can take up to 8 weeks, but the waiting time is often shorter. If you need to apply for a professional status qualification from the Swedish Board of Agriculture, we will prioritise your application. If your application for a certificate involves transferring credits, processing may take longer.

Where can I find the degree requirements?

The degree requirements for your programme are listed in the programme syllabus, where you will also find information on the degree(s) the programme will lead to. Programme syllabuses are available on the student web programme pages.

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

If you have a temporary identity number, please contact the degree officer: degree@slu.se

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

Can I get my degree certificate in paper format?

From 2020 onwards, SLU will only issue digital degree certificates. Your degree certificate will be sent to the email address you have registered in Ladok for students.

You can send your degree certificate digitally directly to employers and other higher education institutions. You can get a new original if you lose your degree certificate.

The degree certificate is a file in PDF/A format and contains e-signatures. To open the degree certificate correctly, you must first download it to your computer and then open it with a PDF reader. As it is not permitted to edit the document, it may not be possible to open it in a PDF editor.

Certificates issued before 2 March 2020 are only available in paper format. 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.

• You can include courses from other Swedish higher education institutions in general qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s) without needing to apply for a credit transfer. If the higher education institution uses the Ladok for student registry system, you can select these courses when you apply for your degree certificate. If the courses are not available in Ladok for students, when you apply for your degree, you will need to include a transcript or course certificate in both English and Swedish.
• Regulations are less flexible for what can be included in a professional qualification. You will need to apply for a credit transfer for any courses you have taken that are not included in the programme. Remember, your credit transfer must have been approved before your degree can be awarded.
• You can only include courses from international higher education institutions if a credit transfer has been approved. Read more about credit transfers and how to apply.

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

No, this is not a requirement. However, it may be the case that certain courses are only available for students on degree programmes. This means that it may be very difficult to issue degrees for certain qualifications (particularly professional qualifications) if you are not admitted on a programme.
If you wish to apply for a general qualification (Bachelor’s or Master’s), you can combine your choice of courses. However, these courses must meet the degree requirements stipulated in the System of Qualifications. It is a good idea to contact a study counsellor for help with combining your own choice of courses.

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

Yes, you can. For example, you already have a Bachelor’s degree with biology as your main field of study. This degree also includes several credits from courses in environmental sciences. You later decide to specialise in environmental sciences, take more courses and finish with a total of 90 credits in the subject – including a Bachelor’s degree project. You can combine these credits with 90 credits taken from your biology degree to make up the 180 credits you need for your 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 degrees. To be able to do this, you need to have completed a minimum of 180 credits, of which 90 in one main field of study and 90 in the other. You also need to have completed a degree project in both main 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 specific number of credits. This means your certificate will only state the number of credits needed for that degree. If you have transferred credits towards your degree, you may have more credits than needed; these extra credits will not be listed on the certificate.

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

The digital degree certificate is issued in Swedish and English. If you need your certificate in another language, find out what the requirements are for authorised translations in the country where the language is spoken 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 via 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 the decision. The appeal must be sent to SLU, but the 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 2000´s. I did not graduate. The programme is not one of the programmes listed for syllabus withdrawal – 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 ended in 2015. However, if you completed courses after 1 July 2007, you may be able to obtain a general degree. Please contact degree@slu.se for more information.