Writing a course syllabus
These webpages are a resource for those writing course syllabuses. The material provided includes general advice and suggestions as well as information about important rules and guidelines for course syllabuses that can be found in local regulations and the Higher Education Ordinance.
Each section of the course syllabus corresponds to one of the pages in the menu (which you will find to the left if you are using a computer, or above if you are using a smartphone or tablet).
What is a course syllabus?
A course syllabus is a pedagogic tool for teachers and students. It comprises a description of the course’s content, teaching methods, learning outcomes, examination formats, etc. The course syllabus also provides the basis for an agreement between the student and university about how a course is to be conducted and has an important role to play in the students’ legal security.
Under the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), all first cycle and second cycle courses and study programmes shall be offered in the form of courses. A course must have a course syllabus. Course syllabuses are to be confirmed at the departmental level, which is regulated by the Vice-Chancellor's Delegation of Authority Policy. The formulation is regulated by Rules for course syllabuses at first and second cycle levels.
Ladok Plans
When creating and revising a course syllabus, the national system Ladok is used. To create a new course and syllabus in Ladok, one needs to follow a guide in the system which does not follow the same order as is presented in this resource nor in the final course syllabus.
Quality assurance and review
The course syllabus undergoes a quality assurance process prior to confirmation. Many departments have course syllabus committees that prepare syllabuses for approval. If you are unsure how the approval and quality assurance process for course syllabuses works at your department, please contact your Director of Studies or Programme Director, or the Education Coordinator/Vice or Deputy Head of Department responsible for education.
Student representatives must, at some stage of the process, have had the opportunity to provide comments on the course syllabus.