Joint and double degrees in doctoral education

From 1 July 2010, it is possible for Swedish universities to arrange doctoral education in cooperation with one or more Higher Education Institutions (HEI:s) that leads to joints degrees (Swedish: gemensamma examina). Within Europe there are different definitions of joint degrees and national rules and regulations may limit the possibilities in this respect. If a potential partner HEI is subject to such limitations, then it is easier to opt for a double degree arrangement.

Working definitions of joint degree and double degree are:

• Joint degrees refers to two degrees that are based on one doctoral programme leading to one publically defended thesis and one diploma document.
• Double degrees refers to two degrees that are based on two partially overlapping doctoral programmes leading to at least one publically defended thesis and two diploma document.

Comparison between joint and double degrees

	Joint degree	Double degree
Degree requirements	The students must meet the degree requirements of both HEI:s.
Diploma	Diplomas for two degrees are issued in one document.	Diplomas for two degrees are issued in two separate documents.
Enrollement	The student is formally enrolled at only one of the HEI:s.	The students is formally enrolled at both HEI:s.
Status as student at Lund University	The student has status as student at LU only during limited periods agreed upon.	The student has status as student at LU during the entire education.
Subject (doctoral programme)	The student should meet the requirements of a specific subject (doctoral programme).	The student should should be enrolled in a specific subject (doctoral programme)
Individual study plan	Should be set up and updated according to LU regulations.
Endorsement of credits	Examinations passed at one HEI should automatically be approved by the other HEI.	Examinations passed at one HEI may be approved by the other HEI after review and decision.
Financial support	The rules of LU are in effect only during the periods that the student is defined as a student at LU.	The rules of LU are in effect during the students’ entire education.
Public defence	LU may approve a public defence carried out according to the procedure of the other HEI, but the general requirements in the Higher Education Act (§40-42) must be fulfilled.	The public defence can be located to the either HEI but all rules of LU apply.
Agreement	An agreement must be set up.	A double degree agreement may be set up, primarily to ensure the students’ rights.
Diploma Supplement	The DS should state that the education has been carried out as a joint degree programme and that a corresponding degree has been awarded by the other HEI.	The DS should state that a part of the education has formed the basis of a corresponding degree awarded by the other HEI.

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