Joint and Double degree
From 1 July 2010, it is possible for Swedish universities to arrange PhD 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
Joint degrees refers to two degrees that are based on one PhD 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 documents.
| Joint degree | Double degree | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree requirements | The student must meet the degree requirements of both HEI:s | The student must meet the degree requirements of both HEI:s |
| Diploma | Diplomas for two degrees are issues in two separate documents. | Diplomas for two degrees are issues in two separate documents. |
| Enrollment | The student is formally enrolled at only one of the HEI:s | The student is formally enrolled at both HEI:s |
| Status as student at Lund Unviersity | The student has status as a student at LU only during limited periods agreed upon. | The student has status as a 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 be enrolled in a aspecific subject (doctoral programme) |
| Individual study plan | Should be set up and updated according to LU regulations. | 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 students at LU | The rules of LU are in effect during the students' entire education. |
| Public defence | LU may approve a public defence carried out 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 other HEI, but all rules of LU apply. |
| Agreement | An agreement must be set up. | A double degree agreement may be set ut, 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 cerresponding degree has been awarded by the other HEI. | The DS should state that a part od the education has formed the basis of a corresponding degree awarded by the other HEI. |