The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Establishment and discontinuation of courses and study programmes

Here you can read more about establishment and discontinuation of courses and 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.

Management rules for the establishment and discontinuation of study programmes at Lund University (PDF, 225 kB, new tab)

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:

1. Preregistration of establishment of a study programme 

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 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 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.

2. Registration of 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 time to review the material, conduct a dialogue with the faculty and produce documentation for the Education Board.

The importance of scheduling 

Remember to start well in advance for 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

Current information on Lubas schedule

Current schedule for rounds of admissions

Newly established programmes 2022–2023

  • Bachelor Programme in Acting
  • Complementary Programme for individuals with a foreign psychology degree

  • Bachelor’s Programme in Comparative Literature
  • Master’s Programme in Applied Computational Science
  • Master's Programme in Computational Science
  • Master's Programme in Membrane Engineering
  • Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering
  • Supplementary Teacher's Education (music)

Decision on discontinuation

A decision to discontinue a study programme must also be thoroughly considered. For example, consideration must be given to students enrolled in the programme, but also to the range of education at the University and its assignment as a whole. 

In order for the decisions to have legal security and to be transparent, regulations have been drawn up by the education board and the research programmes board. 

Establishment 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 specified in Regulations for third-cycle education.

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.