Adopted: 2012-05-03

Jnr: FAK 2012/128

Revised 2016-06-02
Jnr: 2016/1556-4.1.1.2

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Appendix 1, Extract from Higher Education

Ordinance

Appendix 2, Meeting degree objectives

Third-cycle education at Linnaeus University is regulated by the Swedish Higher Education Act and
Higher Education Ordinance and local guidelines for third-cycle programmes adopted by the
University. The relevant decision-making bodies are set out in the University’s decision-making and
delegation policy.

General study plan for third-cycle programmes in

Psychology
The general study plan for third-cycle programmes in Psychology was adopted by the Faculty Board
for Health and Life Sciences on 2016-06-02 and came into effect on 2016-06-02.

1. Subject area
Psychology is a discipline that studies people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour, as well as the
mutual connections between these and their underlying patterns and mechanisms. Psychological
research is primarily empirical and includes studies of biological as well as social-cultural aspects of
the human psyche. At Linnaeus University research is conducted in, among other areas, biological
psychology, clinical psychology, work and organizational psychology, health psychology,
gerontological psychology and educational psychology.

2. Programme objectives
General objectives for the awarding of a doctoral or licentiate degree are regulated by the Higher
Education Ordinance, see Appendix 1a.

3. Eligibility
3a. General entry requirements
General entry requirements are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance, see Appendix 1b.

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3b. Specific entry requirements
Rules on permissible specific entry requirements are set out in chapter 7, section 40 of the Higher
Education Ordinance, see Appendix 1b.

The specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in psychology are:

- At least 90 higher education credits in the subject of psychology or in other subjects
closely associated with the third-cycle studies in psychology, or equivalent skills acquired
in some other way inside or outside the country
- Essential language skills or other requirements necessary for completing the programme

4. Assessment and selection criteria

General rules on selection criteria and the basis of assessment are regulated by the Higher Education
Ordinance, see Appendix 1c.

The assessment of the applicant’s ability to benefit from the third-cycle programme takes into account
the research expertise as evidenced in academic work, with particular regard to the quality of theses at
first and second-cycle level, as well as other academic work. The assessment also takes into account
the breadth and composition of the first-cycle degree as well as the general picture of the applicant’s
background formed by the preparatory body. The assessment is also based on the relevance of the
thesis research plan, its originality and whether it can be completed within the given time frame, that
is to say the equivalent of 4 years of full-time studies for a doctoral degree and the equivalent of two
years of studies for a licentiate degree.

5. Content and design of the programme

An individual study plan shall be drawn up for every doctoral student (see the Higher Education
Ordinance, chapter 6, § 29, Appendix 1e).

The individual study plan is a working plan for the study programme, thesis work and supervision until
such time as a degree has been awarded. The plan is drawn up by the main supervisor and the student in
consultation with the examiner and shall be followed up/revised at least once a year. The revision should
clearly show how the studies are progressing.

It is the responsibility of the main supervisor to ensure that an individual study plan is drawn up and
followed up.

5a. Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree normally requires four years of full-time study and is awarded on completion of a
240-credit programme, comprising a course element of 90 credits and the successful completion of an
academic thesis (doctoral thesis) worth at least 150 credits.

Courses
The selection of elective courses that can be included in the degree is decided by the examiner in
consultation with the student and main supervisor.

Courses and seminars

The programme is conducted in the form of individual supervision, courses and seminars. Scheduled
teaching in the form of courses is given according to a plan drawn up each year, based on need and
resources available. During the entire course of the programme, the student shall participate actively in
research seminars on scientific issues within the subject area and practice his/her ability to discuss
scientific questions. The course component of the programme consists of compulsory and elective
courses. The purpose of the courses is twofold; they are designed to provide support for the thesis
work by providing the doctoral student with a theoretical and methodological basis, and they provide a
theoretical and methodological breadth in the subject area. The courses are normally given
concurrently with the thesis work.
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The compulsory courses shall be completed during the first terms. The elective courses are designed to
provide the student with the opportunity to acquire special knowledge with relevance for the thesis
work as well as to broaden the student’s knowledge within the subject area. Each course is examined
by an oral or written examination, in the form of an oral presentation at a research seminar or reports
presented at the seminar. Each of these examinations is graded using the grades “pass” or “fail”.
Which elective courses can be included in the degree is decided by the examiner in consultation with
the doctoral student and the main supervisor. The doctoral student can apply to receive credit for
courses taken at other universities that are not listed in the individual study plan but which can be
considered equivalent to those in the plan. If a course at another university is already listed in the plan
as a part of the programme, no application for credit is needed. It is recommended that the doctoral
student reads courses at universities abroad.

In total the programme emcompasses 240 higher education credits (hec) of which courses make up 90
hec and are divided as follows:

Compulsory courses
Philosophy of Science 7.5 hec
Qualitative Methodology 7.5 hec
Quantitative Methodology 15 hec

Elective courses
Courses at second-cycle level within the subject area or which are of relevance for the thesis work, 60
hec. Active participation in seminars and at scientific conferences can also provide credit towards the
elective course component. Such activities can provide a maximum of 7.5 hec. For a detailed
description of seminar and conference participation see Appendix 2.

Doctoral thesis
The thesis encompasses 150 higher education credits. For the doctoral degree the student shall write a
scientific thesis (doctoral thesis). The thesis shall be based on an independent research project and be of
significance for research in the chosen subject area. The requirement of independence does not preclude
the thesis being included in a larger research project.

The thesis can either consist of a compilation thesis or a monograph.

A compilation thesis should normally include three separate substudies (papers) as well as a summarizing
section (kappa). The substudies should be of a quality considered high enough to be accepted for
publication. At least two of the substudies should have been accepted for publication in peer-reviewed
journals or a high quality anthology. The summarizing section should, aside from a summary, include a
discussion on the theoretical basis of the thesis as well as how it relates to previous research. The
relationship between the scientific papers should also be discussed in the summarizing section.

The same scientific criteria applied to a compilation thesis are applicable to a monograph.

The thesis may be written in Swedish or English. A thesis written in Swedish shall have a summary in
English. A thesis written in English shall have a summary written in Swedish.

Quality assurance of the doctoral thesis project

The thesis work shall be reviewed every year in conjunction with the review and revision of the
individual study plan as well as through a midterm seminar and final seminar.

5 b. Licentiate degree
A licentiate degree normally requires two years of full-time study and is awarded on completion of a
programme of at least 120 higher education credits, comprising a course element of 60 credits and
the successful completion of an academic thesis worth at least 60 credits. A licentiate thesis shall be
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defended at a public seminar.

Courses
The selection of elective courses that can be included in the degree is decided by the doctoral student
examiner in consultation with the student and main supervisor.

Licentiate degree
The programme consists of a total of 120 hec of which courses make up 60 hec. The courses are divided
as follows:

Compulsory courses
Philosophy of Science 7.5 hec
Qualitative Methodology 7.5 hec
Quantitative Methodology 15 hec

Elective courses
Courses at second-cycle level within the subject area or which are of relevance for the thesis work, 30
hec. Active participation in seminars and at scientific conferences can also provide credit towards the
elective course component. Such activities can provide a maximum of 7.5 hec. For a detailed
description of seminar and conference participation see Appendix 2.

Licentiate thesis
For the licentiate degree the student shall write a scientific thesis (licentiate thesis) encompassing 60
higher education credits. The thesis shall be based on an independent research project and be of a high
scientific standard. The thesis can either consist of a compilation thesis or a monograph. The same
scientific criteria applied to a compilation thesis are applicable to a monograph.

The thesis may be written in Swedish or English. A thesis written in Swedish shall have a summary in
English. A thesis written in English shall have a summary written in Swedish.

Quality assurance of licentiate thesis projects

The licentiate thesis work shall be reviewed continuously in conjunction with the review and revision
of the individual study plan as well as through a final seminar with an external reviewer.

The licentiate thesis is examined according to Alternative 1:

An opponent, examination committee and chairperson for the licentiate seminar are appointed. The
licentiate thesis is graded by the examination committee.

6. Title of degree
For third-cycle degrees in the subject of Psychology the title of the degree is “Philosophy”.

7. Transitional rules relating to earlier general study plans

A doctoral student admitted to study following an older general study plan can complete the
programme in accordance with this plan provided that the current Higher Education Ordinance is
complied with.

Doctoral students admitted to study in accordance with the older study plan for third-cycle studies
in Psychology, Jnr FAK 2012/128, may change to the current general study plan.

8. Possibility to obtain a partial qualification

In the subject of Psychology it is possible for students studying towards a doctoral degree to obtain a
licentiate degree.
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Appendix 1. Extract from Higher Education Ordinance
1a) Qualifications ordinance
1b) Eligibility
1c) Assessment and selection criteria
1d) Admission
1e) Individual study plan

1a) Qualifications ordinance

Higher Education Ordinance Annex 2 – Qualifications Ordinance

For a doctoral degree to be awarded, the following objectives must be met:

Knowledge and understanding

For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall
- demonstrate broad expertise in and systematic understanding of the research field as well as
advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a defined area of this field, and
- demonstrate familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific
field of research in particular.

Competence and skills

For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall
- demonstrate a capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new
and complex phenomena, issues and situations independently and critically,
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically,
independently and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research
and other advanced tasks within predetermined time frames, and to review and evaluate such
work,
- demonstrate through a thesis the ability to make a significant contribution to the advancement of
knowledge through their own research
- demonstrate the ability, in both national and international contexts, to present and discuss
research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing in dialogue with the
academic community and society in general,
- demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge, and
- demonstrate the capacity to contribute to social development and support the learning of others
either through research and education or in another advanced professional capacity.

Judgement and approaches

For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall
- demonstrate intellectual independence and academic integrity as well as the ability to make
judgements about research ethics, and
- demonstrate in-depth insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society
and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.

Higher Education Ordinance Annex 2 – Qualifications Ordinance

For a licentiate degree to be awarded, the following objectives must be met:

Knowledge and understanding

For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall

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 demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the field of research including current specialist
knowledge in a defined area of this field as well as in-depth knowledge of research methodology
in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular.

Competence and skills

For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically,
independently and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake a limited
piece of research and other advanced tasks within predetermined timeframes in order to
contribute to the advancement of knowledge, and to evaluate this work,
- demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts to clearly present and discuss
research and research findings in speech and writing in dialogue with the academic community
and society in general, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate independently in research and development work
and to work independently in some other advanced capacity.

Judgement and approaches

For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall
- demonstrate the ability to judge the ethical aspects of their own research
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the
responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility
for their ongoing learning.

1b) Eligibility

Higher Education Ordinance – chapter 7, section 35

To be admitted to third-cycle programmes, the applicant must

1. meet the general and specific entry requirements laid down by the higher education institution,
and
2. be deemed to have the ability to benefit from the programme in other respects.

General entry requirements

Higher Education Ordinance – chapter 7, section 39

A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle programmes if they
1. have been awarded a second-cycle qualification,
2. have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60
credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
3. have acquired essentially the equivalent knowledge in some other way either in Sweden or abroad.
The higher education institution may grant an exemption from the general entry requirements for an
individual applicant where there are special circumstances.

Specific entry requirements

Higher Education Ordinance – chapter 7, section 40

Any specific entry requirements must be essential to enable students to benefit from the programme.
The requirements may relate to
1. knowledge acquired from one or more higher education programmes or equivalent programmes,
2. specific professional or vocational experience, and
3. language skills or other essential conditions determined by the programme.

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1c) Assessment and selection criteria

Higher Education Ordinance – chapter 7, section 41

When choosing between applicants who meet the requirements laid down in sections 35 & 36, the
institution must take into account the ability of applicants to benefit from the programme.

The institution decides the assessment criteria to be used in determining the ability to benefit from the
programme.

However, the ability of an applicant to transfer credits from previous programmes or to be credited
for professional or vocational experience may not in itself give that applicant priority over other
applicants.

1d) Admission procedures

Higher Education Ordinance – chapter 7, section 37

Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institution. A person wishing to be
admitted to a third-cycle programme shall apply within the time prescribed and in compliance with
the procedures laid down by the institution.

When an institution is in a position to admit one or several third-cycle students, it shall make relevant
information available by advertising or some equivalent method. However, information does not need
to be made available
1. where a doctoral student is to complete the programme in the context of employment with an
employer other than the institution,
2. where a doctoral student has previously commenced third-cycle studies at another institution, or
3. in other similar special circumstances. Ordinance (2006:1053).

Higher Education Ordinance – chapter 7, section 38

A higher education institution that has been entitled to award third-cycle qualifications within an area
may permit a third-cycle student who has been admitted to another university or higher education
institution to transfer without a new admission process to the institution to continue their programme
and be assessed. This only applies, however, if the student has completed the major part of his or her
third-cycle studies at the higher education institution in the study area in which entitlement to award
third-cycle qualifications has been granted.

The statement in the first paragraph is to apply similarly to a higher education institution that in
having been granted the title of university is entitled pursuant to chapter 1, section 11 of the Higher
Education Act (1992:1434) to award third-cycle qualifications. Ordinance (2010:1064).

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1e) Individual study plan

Higher Education Ordinance – chapter 6, section 29

An individual study plan shall be drawn up for each doctoral student. The plan will contain the
undertakings made by the student and the institution and a timetable for the student's study
programme. It will be agreed following consultation with the student and their supervisors, and will
be regularly reviewed and amended by the university as necessary after consultation with the student
and their supervisors. The period of study may be extended only in special circumstances. Special
circumstances include absence due to illness, leave of absence for military service or for an elected
position in a trade union or student organisation, or parental leave. Ordinance (2010:1064).

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Appendix 2
Meeting the objectives for a degree in the third-cycle program in psychology
The general objectives listed in Appendix 1 are met within the framework of the three main components of
the third-cycle programme: courses, thesis work and seminars.

Courses:
The third-cycle programme in psychology includes three compulsory courses: Philosophy of Science (7.5
hec) deals with such aspects as basic questions of modern philosophy of science and its historical
development, its view of scientific explanation and understanding, the character and function of theories,
etc. The course Quantitative Methodology (15 hec) deals with, among other things, experimental and non-
experimental designs, the construction of measuring instruments, the concept of causality, statistical
concepts and methods, etc. The course also deals with statistical methods that are relevant for research in
psychology, including both descriptive and calculative methods. The doctoral students are here given the
opportunity to practice the use of univariate and multivariate statistical methods. In addition, doctoral
students in psychology shall complete 60 hec in the form of elective courses / activities. The elective
component can include, to some extent, participation in seminars (see the description of seminars below).
Elective courses can include advanced subject studies, research methodology etc. Which elective courses
and/or seminars can be counted towards the third-cycle programme is decided in consultation between
doctoral student, main supervisor and examiner. In case of disagreement, the examiner decides. In relation
to the objectives for a degree, the compulsory and elective courses provide a deeper study of the subject and
methodology which promotes a broad expertise in and systematic understanding of the research field, an
advanced and up-to-date specialized knowledge in a defined area of this field, familiarity with research
methodology, as well as a knowledge base when it comes to scholarly analysis and synthesis and reviewing
and assessing new and complex phenomena, issues and situations.

Thesis work
The doctoral thesis in psychology includes components that in various ways contribute towards meeting the
different degree objectives. The ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically,
independently and creatively is practiced from the beginning of the programme by working with a research /
thesis plan. The ability to identify the need for further knowledge is practiced among other things in
working on the scientific studies in the thesis. By working on the thesis the doctoral student practices
his/her ability to conduct independent research which makes a contribution to the advancement of
knowledge. The student’s ability to plan, understand, evaluate and use the knowledge generated is
practiced, as is conducting research with adequate methods. The research is conducted within given
timeframes among other things through the yearly review of the individual study plan. During the course of
writing a thesis the student presents his/her research at national and international conferences. The ability to
demonstrate intellectual independence and academic integrity as well as the ability to demonstrate a
capacity for scientific analysis and synthesis are practiced during the entire course of the thesis work under
supervision, where the degree of intellectual independence is given the opportunity to gradually increase.

Seminars
The seminars contribute towards meeting the objectives by functioning as control points for certain
occasions in the doctoral programme as well as by giving the doctoral students the opportunity to practice
presenting research in a national and international context as well as discussing research and research results
in a scientific context and in society in general. The control points consist of a midterm seminar and a final
seminar. The opportunity to practice presenting research and discussing the results is provided at so called
“higher seminars” at the student’s home department, where senior researchers and doctoral students
continually present their research, as well as at national and international scientific conferences.

The midterm seminar is conducted when half the thesis work has been completed. When the seminar should
take place is decided by the examiner in consultation with the main supervisor. The main supervisor is
responsible for the running of the seminar and for ensuring that a reviewer, who should be at least associate
professor (docent) and have good knowledge of the subject area, is appointed. At the seminar the reviewer
presents a critical review of the work, assesses its quality and suggests improvements. The doctoral student
5
answers questions and defends his/her work in the same way as at a thesis defense. The final seminar is
conducted along the same lines as described above for the midterm seminar and with the same division of
responsibilities. The midterm seminar and final seminar are compulsory but do not provide credit.

Participation at the department’s internal seminars can provide 5 hec provided that the doctoral student
leads a seminar in which his/her research is presented, acts as reviewer/discussant at another seminar and
participates actively at 10 additional seminars. Participating actively at national or international scientific
conferences where the doctoral student presents his/her research in the form of an oral presentation or poster
presentation can provide an additional 2.5 hec.