This internal regulation is based on:

• The Higher Education Ordinance (SFS; Swedish Code of Statutes 1993:100)
• President’s decision Reg. no. 930-920-95 Dossier 60
• President’s decision Reg. no. 930-1174-96 Dossier 60
• President’s decision Reg. no. 930-743-97 Dossier 60
• President’s decision no. 700/00, reg. no. 930-1138-00, dossier 60
• President’s decision no. 361/2005, “KTH rules of procedure” reg. no. 930-2005-0480, dossier 10
• President’s decision no. 396/2005, reg. no. 930-2005-0553, dossier 60
• President’s decision no. UF-0449-07, reg. no. V-2007-0625, dossier 60
• •President’s decision no. UF 0044-09, reg. no. V-2009-0056, dossier 60

Background

In accordance with Chapter 6, paragraph 26 of the Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100; 2010:1064), there must be a general study plan for subjects at third-cycle level.

Chapter 6, paragraph 27 of the Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100; 2010:1064) sets out the contents of study plans for subjects at third-cycle level. The following must be stated: "the main contents of a course of study, special entry requirements and other regulations necessary"

The objective at KTH is for subjects at third-cycle level to be defined within existing subject areas at the institution. When broad subject areas are established at third-cycle level, specializations may be stated if there are generally-accepted designations for sub-areas within the subject area in question. When revising study plans, the School should always verify whether a broader subject area may be established, e.g. through amalgamations of existing subjects.

The President has resolved that

the following regulations for study plans for third-cycle subjects should apply at KTH. The requirements stated below apply in addition to the requirements for the contents of study plans set out in the Higher Education Ordinance.

The study plan should define and specify how the objectives for doctoral education at KTH will be achieved, see
intra.kth.se/en/regelverk/utbildning-forskning/forskarutbildning.

The study plan should be based on the local regulations for third-cycle qualifications, see
Local regulations for third-cycle qualifications

The study plan should contain a presentation of the research specialization of the subject at KTH.

When a subject covers a broad subject area, the specialization of the course of study is generally clearly stated in the title of the thesis. Nevertheless, if special reasons exist, the subject and the course’s specialization in certain areas of the subject may be stated. This may occur if, for example, there are generally-accepted designations for certain sub-areas within the broad subject area. The specializations must be designated "specializing in..." and given in both Swedish and English. Designations should be short and concise.

The study plan for the subject must state the requirements concerning courses of study that meet both general and special entry requirements for third-cycle courses of study in the subject. The study plan may indicate knowledge from higher education courses of study outside the technology sector that automatically meet both general and special entry requirements (normal requirements).

In connection with "the normal requirements", the study plan must state that persons who have acquired, in another system, largely equivalent knowledge which is essential for the third-cycle studies must also be considered to meet the entry requirements.

The special entry requirements for a third-cycle subject must be precise and relevant and must be specifically stated.

Recommended prior knowledge, for example that certain courses should have been included in the student’s first-cycle and second-cycle courses of study, may be stated. These recommendations may relate to prior knowledge that could help students derive greater benefit from the course of study and take an examination within a standard period. Recommended prior knowledge does not constitute a formal entry requirement and may not be considered as necessary knowledge.

Specific details may also apply to objectives/requirements, for example with regard to how many articles must be included in a licentiate degree or doctorate.

The study plan must describe the design of the third-cycle course of study in the subject in more detail, e.g. types of courses, recommended distribution over the study period between course studies and work on theses, etc.

The requirements for a licentiate degree must be stated.

The study plan must contain a list of compulsory and recommended courses, which could be from the School itself, from other Schools and from other institutions in or outside Sweden.

The following must be stated in connection with the list of compulsory and recommended courses

• the total size of the course component, for a licentiate degree and for a doctorate

• which courses are compulsory or recommended for all students within the subject or for students in a certain specialization.

Should a course from another faculty in Sweden be included in the study plan, the number of credits established by that faculty must apply unless otherwise specifically decided.

Study plans for third-cycle subjects are approved by the Faculty Council in accordance with a proposal from the School in question.

Study plans must be submitted in accordance with the attached template "Study plan for a third-cycle subject” (appendix 1).

The study plans for a subject must be submitted to the Faculty Council and forwarded to the KTH registrar. The Planning and Evaluation Office, UF, prepares the issue prior to a decision by the Council.