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University or University College?
The Government decides which universities and university colleges are to exist. The Government also determines whether a higher education institution is entitled to call itself a university. The Government also decides whether an independent course provider is to be empowered to award degrees or diplomas.
Whether a higher education institution is a university or a university college does not mean that there is a difference in quality. Instead, the difference is that a university can always offer postgraduate studies for students who have completed their first degrees. A university college can only offer postgraduate studies (Degree of Master (Two Years), Degree of Licentiate, Degree of Doctor) if it has received one or more so called areas of research from the Government.
Halmstad University College has taken a decision to use the term "Halmstad University" in all international communication, to avoid misunderstandings in countries (i.e. the US) where the term "college" is not defined as higher education.
The right to offer postgraduate programs
Universities and university colleges have the general right to award undergraduate degrees (Diploma and Bachelor). They also have the general right to award the Degree of Master (One Year) (postgraduate level).
Halmstad University has the general right to award a Degree of Master (One Year).
The universities have the general right to award the Degree of Master (Two Years) as well as university colleges who are entitled to conduct research in a particular discipline. Other university colleges have to apply to the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education to get the right to award Degree of Master (Two Years) in a subject/discipline. This is were Halmstad University fits in.
Halmstad University has the right to award a Degree of Master (Two Years) in the following disciplines:
- Degree of Master of Science (Two Years) in Business and Economics with a major in Management of Innovation and Business Development
- Degree of Master of Science (Two Years) with a major in Computer Science and Engineering
- Degree of Master of Science (Two Years) with a major in Electrical Engineering
See Swedish National Agency for Higher Education
for more information.
Halmstad University College has taken a decision to use the term "Halmstad University" in all international communication.
