The Government defines the degrees that may be awarded in undergraduate
education and post-graduate education in the Degree ordinance
(Examensordningen). The ordinance states the scope and goals of each
degree as well as other requirements for receiving certain degrees. A
degree certificate includes results from all courses included in the
course of study with numerical and qualitative grades. There is no
final examination. The higher education institution signs the
certificate.
Degrees in doctoral studies (licentiate degree and
doctor's degree) may be awarded in the four areas of research:
Humanities-Social Sciences, Medicine, Natural Sciences or Technology.
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket)
decides the undergraduate degrees that may be awarded at different
universities and university colleges. However, the Government
determines which degrees may be awarded by the Swedish University of
Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, SLU) as well as
by independent institutions for higher education.
Students who
fulfil the requirements for a degree receive the relevant certificate
by the university or university college. A certificate may also be
obtained for a single course passed.