Establishment and discontinuation of courses and study programmes
When Lund University establishes or discontinues programmes, it does so through a structured process to ensure quality and strategic planning. Decisions on new and discontinued programmes are taken by the Education Board. You can read about the process and what is required to set up or close down a programme below.
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- Establishment and discontinuation of study programmes
- Establishment and discontinuation of a main field of study for general qualifications
- Establishment and discontinuation of a third-cycle subject
Establishment and discontinuation of study programmes
Decisions to establish or discontinue study programmes are taken by the Education Board to enable university-wide discussion on the quality and range of education offered. This reduces the risk for overlap between different courses and study programmes and strategic educational planning is made possible.
The process to establish new study programmes is guided by management rules.
Guide for establishment of new study programmes
The Education Board has drawn up a guide for the establishment of new study programmes. It is not compulsory but may function as a support tool for the faculties.
Guide for the establishment of new study programmes (PDF 218 kB, new tab)
Decision on establishment
Before a new study programme can be established, the University carries out an assessment of the qualitative conditions required for a study programme to be offered at Lund University. If the validation is successful, it results in a decision to establish the programme. This also applies to new main fields of study that lead to general degrees and to third-cycle subjects, however, the processes are different.
The validation looks at how the programme fits with the needs of students and the labour market, how the programme is to be funded, and how it is linked to existing research in the field.
An establishment item is brought before the Education Board on two occasions:
The aim of preregistration is to create the conditions for strategic education planning at the university-wide level. Preregistration is based on a decision at the faculty level to begin an establishment procedure and is to occur early on in the process. After discussion in the Education Board, the faculty begins the work of producing the documentation required for external assessment and to register the establishment of a new programme. These steps are to take account of any comments received from the Education Board.
Preregistrations are addressed continuously throughout the year by the Education Board. The faculty should contact the Education Strategy Support Office division when preparing a preregistration. Contact the division no later than four weeks before the Education Board meeting at which the preregistration is to be addressed. This gives the officers at Education Strategy Support Office time to respond with any questions or comments.
The official request to register the new study programme is made only after completion of the internal faculty work resulting in external review and assessment, followed by a decision in the faculty board/equivalent to apply to the Education Board for the establishment of a study programme.
Establishment matters are tabled for decision in the board meetings in January, February and March, and August, September and October every year.
The faculty should provide complete documentation at least six weeks before the matter is to be addressed by the Education Board. This gives the officers at Education Strategy Support Office time to review the material, conduct a dialogue with the faculty and produce documentation for the Education Board.
The importance to start well in advance
Remember the importance of planning for the establishment of a new study programme. Expect the process from the decision on establishment to the actual start of the new programme to take at least a year. In order to have time to establish a new programme, other schedules need to be taken into account, such as Lubas and rounds of admissions. Include these schedules in the planning from the outset to streamline the process.
Prior knowledge requirements and selection criteria are to be agreed in consultation with the admissions division before the decision on establishment of a new programme can be taken by the Education Board. Please contact Cecilia Raab at the Admissions Office. Email: cecilia [dot] raab [at] stu [dot] lu [dot] se Telephone: 046-222 42 11
Decision on discontinuation
Decisions on the discontinuation of programmes should also be made on well-considered grounds. For example, consideration must be given to the students on the programme, but also to the offer and mission of the University as a whole. The university-wide Education Board decides on closure upon application by the faculty.
Establishment and discontinuation of a main field of study for general qualifications
Decisions to establish new main fields of study are taken by the Faculty Board. The faculty is to consider the same aspects as for the establishment of new study programmes; however, there are no requirements to use an external assessment group or to submit an application to the Education Board.
Decisions to discontinue a main field of study are taken by the Faculty Board. The faculty should use the same process and documentations as for the discontinuation of a study programme.
Establishment and discontinuation of a third-cycle subject
Decisions to establish new third-cycle subjects are taken by the Faculty Board or the body delegated with the task at the faculty level. There are no requirements to use an external assessment group; however, there are conditions to be met for a new third-cycle programme to be established. These conditions are set out in the university-wide regulatory framework for doctoral education.
The Vice-Chancellor determines the doctoral degrees in the fine, applied or performing arts that can be awarded at Lund University. When a third-cycle arts subject leads to a new fine, applied or performing arts degree, the decision must be preceded by a special establishment review. Contact the Education Strategy Support Office ahead of such a process.
Decisions to discontinue an existing third-cycle subject are taken by the Faculty Board. Before a discontinuation decision is taken, options for current doctoral students to complete their studies are to be investigated.
Contact
Åsa Ekberg
Head of Office
Education Strategy Support
+46 46 222 91 68
asa [dot] ekberg [at] stu [dot] lu [dot] se
Education Strategy Support
Visiting address: Sölvegatan 29, Lund
Postal address: Box 117, 221 00 Lund
Internal mailing code: 13