Ordinance on supplementary teacher education (2011:686)

Department/Agency: Ministry of Education and Research, Sweden
Issued 26 May 2011 

This translation is for information purposes only and has no legal force. In the event of discrepancies, the Swedish-language version takes precedence.

Introductory provisions

Section 1

This ordinance contains provisions on first and second-cycle higher education programmes that aim to supplement previously acquired subject knowledge in teaching subjects other than vocational subjects, so the student can be awarded a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education/Upper Secondary Education in accordance with Annex 2 to the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).

The use of higher education institution in this ordinance covers both universities and university colleges.

Ordinance (2021:1341).

Relationship to other legislation

Section 1a

The first and second paragraphs in Section 4 of Chapter 6 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) state that the only qualifications that may be awarded in higher education are those stated in Annex 2 (System of Qualifications) to the ordinance may, and that the System of Qualifications states the level at which a particular qualification must be awarded and the requirements that must be fulfilled for the award of a particular qualification (qualification descriptor).

The third paragraph in Section 4 of Chapter 6 in that ordinance states that this ordinance contains divergent provisions on which requirements must be fulfilled for the award of pre-school, primary, secondary and vocational teaching qualifications and the levels at which such qualifications are awarded. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Section 1b

Section 5 of Chapter of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) states that the Ordinance (2021:1335) on education for qualification as a teacher/pre-school teacher contains provisions on requirements for education leading to pre-school, primary, secondary and vocational teaching qualifications. The second paragraph in Section 1 Chapter 1 and the third paragraph of Section in the latter ordinance states that education that leads to a teaching qualification under that ordinance includes education under this ordinance, and that this ordinance contains provisions on divergent requirements for education that leads to a teaching qualification .

The qualification descriptors for the Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education/Upper Secondary Education in Annex 2 to the Higher Education Ordinance state that there are two specialisations for the Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education/Upper Secondary Education.

The Ordinance (2011:326) on qualification and certification for teachers and pre-school teachers includes provisions on which qualifying education is required to teach various subjects and subject areas. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Educational specialisations and intended eligibility for teaching

Section 2

Under this ordinance, education that leads to the award of a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education/Upper Secondary Education may be provided with a specialisation in secondary education or in upper secondary education.

The programme is intended to lead to a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education/Upper Secondary Education, in the manner stated in Sections 9-12, providing qualification to teach one, two or three teaching subjects. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Programme content

Section 3

Education that leads to the award of a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education/Upper Secondary Education covers 90 credits under Chapter 2 of the Ordinance (2021:1335) on teacher and pre-school teacher education, but with exceptions from Chapters 3 and 4 of that ordinance. This refers to

• studies in core educational sciences worth 60 credits, and
• placement worth 30 credits.

This education may also, as part of studies in core educational sciences under the first paragraph, include an independent project (degree project) worth 15 credits where this is necessary for the award of a degree. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Admission to the programme

Exception from the Higher Education Ordinance for specific entry requirements

Section 4

For specific entry requirements for the programme, Sections 5-7 apply instead of the provisions on specific entry requirements in Sections 8-11 and 25 in Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100).

The provisions on waiving one or more of the entry requirements in Section 3 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance also apply to the entry requirements stated in this ordinance. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Specific entry requirements for the programme

Section 5

Those who have subject knowledge of at least 90 higher education credits in a teaching subject in grades 7–9 in the compulsory school system have the specific entry requirements for admission to supplementary teacher education leading to the award of the Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education, i.e. with a specialisation in teaching in grades 7-9 of the compulsory school system.

The higher education institution may itself determine which teaching subject the requirement in the first paragraph above comprises. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Section 6

Those who have subject knowledge of at least 120 higher education credits in a teaching subject in the upper-secondary school have the specific entry requirements for admission to supplementary teacher education leading to the award of the Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Upper Secondary Education, i.e. with a specialisation in teaching in the upper-secondary school.

The higher education institution may itself determine which teaching subject the requirement in the first paragraph above comprises. However, this subject may not be a vocational subject. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Section 7

The specific entry requirements for admission to the programme covered by Sections 5 and 6 are also fulfilled by someone who

• has subject knowledge in a teaching subject in the secondary or upper-secondary school that is of such relevance to the teaching subject as stated in Sections 5 or 6 that it may be considered equivalent to the credit requirements stated there, or
• through education in Sweden or abroad, practical experience or some other circumstance has the potential to benefit from the programme. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Selection

Section 8

During selection for the programme, Section 8 a applies instead of the provisions on selection in Sections 12-19, 23, 26 and 27 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100). Ordinance (2021:1341).

Section 8a

During selection, the applicant’s qualifications and capacity to benefit from a programme must be considered.

The higher education institution may issue regulations on which selection criteria are to apply. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Specific qualification requirements and degree level

Section 9

After completing a programme under this ordinance, the applicable requirements for a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary/Upper Secondary Education are as stated in Sections 9 a and 9 b and

• Section 10 if the degree will include one teaching subject,
• Section 11 if the degree will include two teaching subjects, and
• Section 12 if the degree will include three teaching subjects.

A degree is awarded at the level stated in the third paragraph of Section 10, the second paragraph of Section 11, or the second paragraph of Section 12. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Core qualification requirements

Section 9a

Under this ordinance, for a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary/Upper Secondary Education the student must have completed 90 credits of supplementary teacher education in accordance with Section 3, in addition to their previous subject studies.

The requirements in the qualification descriptor for a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary/Upper Secondary Education in Annex 2 of the Higher education Ordinance (1993:100) apply, except for the requirement regarding a degree project, which has no equivalent on the programme under the first or second paragraph of Section 10.
Ordinance (2021:1341).

Degree project

Section 9b

For the award of the degree, the student must also have completed a degree project before, or as part of, the supplementary teach education. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Further qualification requirements and degree levels when the degree includes one teaching subject

Section 10

A Degree of Bachelor of Arts/Science in Secondary/Upper Secondary Education that is intended to provide qualification for teaching one subject is achieved if the total credits for the supplementary teacher education and previous subject studies are

• 180 credits, if the degree is awarded with a specialisation in Secondary Education, or
• 210 credits, if the degree is awarded with a specialisation in Upper Secondary Education.

The required credits in the first paragraph must also be considered fulfilled if the student, in addition to that stated in Section 9 a, has completed a degree project worth at least 15 credits and was admitted with the support of Section 7.

A degree under the first or second paragraph is awarded at first-cycle level. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Further qualification requirements and degree levels when the degree includes two teaching subjects

Section 11

Section 11 /Enters into effect: 1 July 2022/ A Degree of Master of Arts/Science in Secondary/Upper Secondary Education that is intended to provide qualification for teaching two subjects is achieved if the total credits for the supplementary teacher education and previous subject studies, including one or two degree projects worth a total of at least 30 credits, are those stated in Annex 2 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), which is the case if

1. the previous subject studies are of the scope stated in Chapter 3 Section 7 or 8 of the Ordinance (2021:1335) on teacher and pre-school teacher education, or
2. the student, in addition to that stated in the first paragraph of Section 9 a, has completed one or two degree projects worth a total of at least 30 credits and was admitted with the support of Section 7.

A degree under the first paragraph is awarded at second-cycle level. Ordinance (2021:1341).

Further qualification requirements and degree levels when the degree includes three teaching subjects

Section 12

A Degree of Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education that is intended to provide qualification for teaching three subjects is achieved if the total credits for the supplementary teacher education and previous subject studies, including one or two degree projects worth a total of at least 30 credits, are those stated in Annex 2 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), which is the case if

1. the previous subject studies are of the scope stated in Chapter 3 Section 7 or 8 of the Ordinance (2021:1335) on teacher and pre-school teacher education, or
2. the student, in addition to that stated in the first paragraph of Section 9 a, has completed one or two degree projects worth a total of at least 30 credits and was admitted with the support of Section 7.

A degree under the first paragraph is awarded at second-cycle level.

Section 13

Ceased to apply through Ordinance (2021:1341).

Section 14

Ceased to apply through Ordinance (2021:1341).

Transitional provisions

2014:1070

1. This ordinance enters into effect on 1 January 2015.
2. Persons who have started a programme under the older provisions before 1 January 2015 and persons who have previously been admitted to such a programme but have received a respite for starting the programme, are entitled to complete the programme under the older provisions.

2017:894

1. This ordinance comes into effect on 2 July 2018.
2. Persons who started a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary/Upper Secondary Education before 2 July 2018 pursuant to the older provisions and persons who have previously been admitted to such a programme but have received a respite until a time after this for which to start the programme, are entitled to complete the programme to receive a qualification according to the older provisions, however this is only applicable until the end of December 2024. 

2018:1508

1. This ordinance enters into effect on 1 January 2022.
2. The ordinance is first applied to admissions to courses and programmes that start after the end of May 2022.

2021:1341

1. Sections 4-8 a of this ordinance enter into effect on 1 February 2022 and the remainder on 1 July 2022.
2. Older provisions still apply to qualifications awarded after the end of June 2022, if the programme covered by the degree certificate was previously completed in its entirety.
3. Someone who started a programme that leads to a Degree of Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education/Upper Secondary Education prior to 1 July 2022 under the older provisions, and someone previously admitted to such a programme but who deferred the start of their studies, is entitled to receive a qualification under the older provisions for the degree requirements, but no later than the end of June 2026.