The Curriculum for Master of Arts (MA) in English
Master of Arts (MA) in English and [minor subject]

Academic Study board for English and American studies
Programme titles:
  • cand.mag. i engelsk
  • Master of Arts (MA) in English
  • cand.mag. i engelsk og [sidefag]
  • Master of Arts (MA) in English and [minor subject]
ECTS value: 120
Cities: Odense
Semesters: Autumnx
Effective date: 01-09-2023
Effective for students enrolled as of: 01-09-2017

Version: Archive

§ 1 - Description of the Programme

§ 1.1 - Programme

Ministerial orders

Ministerial Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment of Study Programmes Offered under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (the Grading Scale Order) (BEK nr 114 af 03/02/2015)

Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 880 af 26/08/2019)

Bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 1517 af 16/12/2013)

Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om adgang til universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (BEK nr 505 af 23/03/2021)

Bekendtgørelse om adgang til universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (BEK nr 104 af 24/01/2021)

Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om adgang til universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (BEK nr 1773 af 05/09/2021)

Bekendtgørelse om universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (BEK nr 2285 af 01/12/2021)

Bekendtgørelse om eksamener og prøver ved universitetsuddannelser (BEK nr 2271 af 01/12/2021)

Language

Danish, English

§ 1.2 - Aim of Programme, including any professional profile and specialisations

The Master´s degree program in English

The Masters’ degree programme in English is offered in two forms: as a single-subject or dual-subject programme. For the dual-subject Master’s degree programme, the two years of study are spent on the two subjects such that 70 ECTS points are afforded to English, and 50 ECTS points to one subject other than English. The single-subject Master’s degree programme corresponds to 120 ECTS points for English.

The objective of the programme is to give students a range of discipline-specific and discipline-related competences – including joint competences in [the humanities, logopaedics, audiology, business languages and business economics].

All master´s degree programmes permit successful graduates to apply to a PhD programme.

Competence description for the single-subject Master´s degree programme

The Master´s degree programme in English us a 2-year full-time programme representing 120 ECTS. 

The aim of the programme is to provide students with a range of subject-specific and subject-related competences. The Master's degree programme corresponding to 120 ECTS points also aims to present students with a scientific dimension. The disciplines are organised in such a way as to ensure students’ academic progression from general knowledge of the humanities to more specific elements of English. In addition to strengthening the academic knowledge and specialisations that students gain and promoting independence and other general competences, this Master’s degree programme also gives students the qualifications to perform and partake in research work, as well as other business functions that require the ability of abstraction, planning and insight into theoretical methods, as well as targeted and innovative communication and dissemination of knowledge in fluent and correct English at a high level.

The Master’s degree programme represents a more in-depth, scholarly exploration of the student’s entire course of study. Graduates will have acquired academic and professional competences that will make them qualified to handle a broad spectrum of business functions.

The programme´s competence objectives are divided into general and discipline-specific competences. The general competence objectives are the broad competences the newly graduated student has acquired following completion of the programme, while the discipline-specific competence objectives relate to the programme´s core academic competences. With reference to the "New Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education", objectives are divided into knowledge, skills and competences.

General competence objectives:

The candidate must:

  1. be able to delimit and define an academic issue at a high academic research level
  2. be able to exhaustively examine, analyse and resolve academic issues utilising relevant academic theories and methods, while incorporating current international research
  3. be able to systematize complex knowledge and data, as well as critically select and prioritize factors that are significant for the subject
  4. critically master the subject's various theories and methodologies
  5. demonstrate a precise and consistent application of concepts
  6. be able to reason at a research level
  7. be able to initiate and implement an academic dialogue
  8. be able to focus and establish coherence in the resolution of tasks
  9. take a critical stance on sources used and document these using references, notes and bibliography
  10. employ language - in writing and/or verbally - that is subject-oriented, precise and correct
  11. communicate research-based knowledge and discuss complex scientific issues in a way that is relevant to and comprehensible for various target groups.
  12. be able to manage work and development situations that are complex and that demand innovative approaches and be able to cooperate, including being able to receive and give constructive criticism
  13. be able to work independently, disciplined, structured and targeted, including complying with deadlines and formal requirements
  14. employ IT as a tool for both information retrieval as well as verbal and written communication

The coherence between the qualifications framework for higher education, the competence objectives of the course of study and the individual subject element learning objectives are set out in appendix 1 . The the discipline-specific competence objectives are set out in the section Course of study.

Competence description for the two-subject Master´s degree programme

The two-subject Master’s degree programme with a major subject in English is a full-time programme representing 70 ECTS. Concurrently, the minor subject is studied in another subject of 50 ECTS.

If the Master’s degree programme with a major subject in English is combined with a minor subject at another faculty at SDU, the Master’s degree programme in English  represents 75 ECTS: 70 ECTS within the major subject and a 5 ECTS elective relevant to the major subject (English). The elective must be approved by the Board of Studies for the major subject.

The aim of the programme is to provide students with a range of subject-specific and subject-related competences. The disciplines are organised in such a way as to ensure students’ academic progression from general knowledge of the humanities to more specific elements of English. In addition to strengthening the academic knowledge and specialisations that students gain and promoting independence and other general competences, this Master’s degree programme also gives students the qualifications to handle a broad spectrum of business functions that require the ability of abstraction, planning and insight into theoretical methods, as well as targeted and innovative communication and dissemination of knowledge in fluent and correct English at a high level.

A Master's degree programme corresponding to 70 ECTS points combined with a major subject from the Bachelor programme corresponding to 135 ECTS points within the same subject area as the Master's degree programme and a relevant minor subject worth 95 ECTS points provides students with relevant teaching qualifications for upper secondary education.

The master's degree programme represents the full academic expansion of the student's overall course of study. Qualified candidates will have achieved academic and professional competencies, which will qualify the students to carry out a wide range of business functions, as well as targeted and innovative communication and dissemination of knowledge in fluent and correct English at a high level.

The programme´s competence objectives are divided into general and discipline-specific competences. The general competence objectives are the broad competences the newly graduated student has acquired following completion of the programme, while the discipline-specific competence objectives relate to the programme´s core academic competences. With reference to the "New Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education", objectives are divided into knowledge, skills and competences.

General competence objectives:

See above under General qualification objective under Qualification description for the single-subject Master’s degree programme.

Competence description for the minor subject in English

The minor subject in English is a full-time programme representing 50 ECTS in the Master’s degree programme, and which is a natural continuation of the minor subject of 45 ECTS in the Bachelor programme. A Master’s degree programme with a major subject of 70 ECTS and a minor subject of 50 ECTS provides teaching competence in the upper secondary sector. 

For students with a major subject in one of the upper secondary subjects in natural science, technology (+ physical education), as well as social sciences, the minor subject in English consists of 75 ECTS. The 50 ECTS mentioned above are extended by an additional 25 ECTS, which are distributed in the disciplines of Upper Secondary Internship (10 ECTS), as well as Theory of Science, Interdisciplinarity and Research Dissemination (15 ECTS).

The programme´s competence objectives are divided into general and discipline-specific competences. The general competence objectives are the broad competences the newly graduated student has acquired following completion of the programme, while the discipline-specific competence objectives relate to the programme´s core academic competences. With reference to the "New Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education", objectives are divided into knowledge, skills and competences.

General competence objectives:

See above under General qualification objective under Qualification description for the single-subject Master’s degree programme.

§ 1.3 - Didactic, pedagogical basis and contact to research environment

Students' opportunities for contact with relevant research environments
The disciplines of the program each have a researcher responsible for the subject assigned, who is rooted in research environments at the Faculty of Humanities. Current research is frequently included in teaching and supervision, and the research groups host regular events, which the students are invited to participate in when relevant.
The opportunities English Studies students have to contact researchers and participate in research-related activities depend on the following:
  • whether the teaching in the course is highly research-based 
  • the guidance given for thesis writing by researchers who teach in the programme
  • the opportunities students have to speak with and get guidance from researchers who regularly teach in the programme during their weekly office hours

Humanities model for active learning and activating teaching
The Humanities model is a platform for the development and design of active teaching and active learning at the Faculty of Humanities. With this, the Humanities model expresses the University of Southern Denmark´s educational principles - activating teaching and active learning. The model takes as its point of departure the insight that active learning is achieved through participation in several different forms of instruction and activities. It also shows how teaching can be activating in various ways.

The Humanities model is based on various forms of teaching activities being held in different learning spaces or “rooms”, defined by university teachers´ and students´ respective roles and responsibilities.  The model highlights that students have different tasks and roles in the course of their studies, including participation in various activities and submission of a variety of projects/deliverables.

Student study activities are organised and framed in four rooms:



The university teacher plans and performs activating teaching, including 
  • the incorporation of all four rooms, taking into account the particular subject's learning objectives
  • clarification of the responsibilities students have in relation to their participation in the different rooms
  • supporting students´ acquisition of the study skills required to work in the different rooms

The teacher thus reflects over which activities take place in each of the four rooms, and how those activities link to the subject's objectives and testing. Program leaders will ensure that, overall, students have activities in all four rooms in each semester, as well as that teachers´ specialised skills and areas of strength are exploited in the best possible way in the implementation of the model.

The model highlights that students have various types of responsibilities, tasks and roles associated with participation in different study activities. It is expected that students deliver/submit various types of products and output in the different rooms. Students thus become aware of and familiar with different study activities and assignment forms.

Classrooms where the teacher has planning responsibility and is present
This learning space will typically host lectures and group lessons with activating elements, field trips and workshops in which students are actively involved, for example, through asking questions, reflection, note taking, and contributing to discussions in groups and in plenary sessions.

Here, for example, brainstorming, reflection questions, quizzes, preparation of concept maps, may be activating elements that the instructor can make use of.


Study rooms where the teacher has planning responsibility but is not present

This study room will typically encompass group work, exercises, problem-solving and similar activities, the frame for which will be set by the teacher and where students actively participate.

Examples of activities include work with working questions about the examination syllabus, logbooks, contributions to blogs or wikis, gathering material for individual or group portfolios, fieldwork, etc.


    Classrooms where the teacher is present, but students have planning responsibility for concrete component activities

    This learning space will typically encompass group presentations, guidance and question and answer sessions and similar activities within the framework of the course. Students actively participate by, for example, presenting student papers, responding to their fellow students´ papers and if applicable taking varying oppositional roles, initiating and preparing guidance. In all cases there may be individual as well as group-based work.

    This learning space can, for example, accommodate group presentations, flipped classroom, peerfeedback, case- and problembased learning, project guidance and question and answer sessions.


    Study room, where students have responsibility for planning, and the teacher is not present

    This study room includes the students' independent studies, active participation in self-organized reading groups and joint exam preparations, preparation of assignments and other study products.


    The Humanities model is a general model that applies to all courses of study that belong under the Faculty of Humanities. The model is both a description of existing practices on humanities courses, where activating pedagogical forms already play a major role, and a point of reference in relation to the further evolution of teaching at the faculty. The study board for the individual course of study will determine in detail how the model is to be embodied for the particular course.

    § 2 - Enrollment

    § 2.1 - Legal claim for admission to the Master´s degree programme

    A passed bachelor degree programme at the University confers the right of admission to the master's degree programme that is a natural continuation of the undergraduate course subject area(s), at the same university and in direct continuation of the final bachelor degree programme.

    For the single-subject Master’s degree programme in English (120 ECTS), this includes the following Bachelor programmes:

    • A Bachelor programme with a major subject (135 ECTS) in English. 
    For the two-subject Master’s degree programme in English (70 ECTS), this includes the following Bachelor programmes: 

    • A Bachelor programme with a major subject (135 ECTS) in English. 

    § 2.2 - Admission requirements

    It appears from the Executive Order on Admission that admission to the master's education presupposes that the applicant has completed an admission-granting bachelor's degree, including professional bachelor's degree, or other Danish or foreign study programme at the same level.

    See admission-granting bachelor's degrees below.

    In addition, the applicant must meet the following language requirements
    • English B-level
    Students entering the programme in 2024:
    In addition, the applicant must meet the following language requirements
    • English A-level

    Reference is made to section 28 paragraph 3 of the Executive Order on Admission

    § 2.3 - Admission requirements to the Master´s degree programme

    The following Bachelor programmes from the University of Southern Denmark and from other universities also provide admission to the Master’s degree programme:

    For the single-subject Master’s degree programme in English (120 ECTS), this includes the following Bachelor programmes:

    • A Bachelor programme with a major subject (135 ECTS) in English equivalent to the Bachelor's degree in English at the University of Southern Denmark 
    • A Bachelor programme equivalent to the Bachelor's degree in English at the University of Southern Denmark 

    For the two-subject Master’s degree programme in English (70 ECTS), this includes the following Bachelor programmes:

    • A Bachelor programme with a major subject (135 ECTS) in English equivalent to the Bachelor's degree in English at the University of Southern Denmark combined with a minor subject (45 ECTS) that can be continued at the master's level.

    For the Master’s degree programme with a minor subject in English (50 ECTS/75 ECTS), this includes the following Bachelor programmes:

    • A Bachelor programme with a minor subject in English (45 ECTS) equivalent to the Bachelor programme with a minor subject in English (45 ECTS) at the University of Southern Denmark.

    § 2.4 - Other grounds for admission to the Master´s degree programme

    General provisions:

    The university can admit applicants on a different basis from those set out in the sections

    if it is considered that the applicant has academic qualifications comparable with this.

    § 2.5 - Supplementary studies

    General provisions

    The university can decide, that the applicant must complete supplementary programme activities either before the commencement of studies or at latest during the first year after admission.

    Reference is made to § 33 in the ministerial order on enrolment. 

    § 3 - Structure and Progression

    § 3.1 - Overall construction and structure

    The single-subject Master´s degree programme in English (120 ECTS) consists of

    • Constituent subject elements, 110 ECTS
      - including Master´s thesis, 30 ECTS
    • Elective subjects, 10 ECTS

    The two-subject Master´s degree programme in English (70 ECTS) consists of

    • Constituent subject elements, 70 ECTS
      - including Master´s thesis, 30 ECTS 

    If the two-subject Master´s degree programme with a major subject in English is combined with a minor subject at another faculty at SDU, the Master´s degree programme in English constitutes 75 ECTS:

    • Constituent subject elements, 70 ECTS
      - including Master´s thesis, 30 ECTS
    • Elective, 5 ECTS, which is relevant to the major subject. The elective(s) must be approved by the Board of Studies for the major subject. 

    Minor subjects in English (50 ECTS) are placed in the 1st and 2nd semester of the Master’s degree programme and consist of

    • Constituent subject elements, 40 ECTS
    • Elective subjects, 10 ECTS

    For students with a major subject in one of the upper secondary subjects in natural science, technology (+ physical education), as well as social sciences, the Master’s degree programme with a minor subject in English  consists of 75 ECTS, according to the following model:

    • Constituent subject elements, 65 ECTS
    • Elective subjects, 10 ECTS 

    § 3.2 - Course of study

    Major subject in English (120 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Major subject in English (120 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022

    Major subject in English (120 ECTS) Enrolment: 2021

    Major subject in English (70 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Major subject in English (70 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022

    Major subject in English (70 ECTS) Enrolment: 2021

    Major subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Major subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022

    Major subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2021

    Minor subject in English (50 ECTS)

    Minor subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Minor subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022 and earlier

    § 3.3 - Connection between admission requirements and the first year of the programme

    Teaching for both the single-subject and dual-subject Master's degree programmes in English (120 ECTS points and 70 ECTS points) is organised such that it builds on the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of the knowledge, skills and competence levels that students have acquired from the Bachelor programme in English. The disciplines are organised for the single-subject Master’s degree programme in such a way as to ensure students’ academic progression from general knowledge of the humanities to more specific skills and competences in English during the first two semesters of their studies. Dual-subject Master’s degree programme students are ensured the highest level of core academic competences in the three main areas of English: language, literature and society/history through the disciplines of Advanced Studies in the Literatures of the English-Speaking World, Advanced Studies: History Workshop: History in Practice, Advanced Studies in English: Professionalizing English: A discipline of ideas and methods and Second Language Acquisition.

    § 4 - Course descriptions

    § 4.1 - Course Descriptions

    Profile divided course descriptions 

    Major subject in English (120 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Major subject in English (120 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022

    Major subject in English (120 ECTS) Enrolment: 2021

    Major subject in English (70 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Major subject in English (70 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022

    Major subject in English (70 ECTS) Enrolment: 2021

    Major subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Major subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022

    Major subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2021

    Minor subject in English (50 ECTS)

    Minor subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2023

    Minor subject in English (75 ECTS) Enrolment: 2022 and earlier

    § 5 - Examination provisions

    § 5.1 - Study Commencement Test

    The two-subject Master´s degree programme in English (70 ECTS) consists of

    The Study commencement test consists of the following elements:

    • Participation in and completion of an e-learn course


    The single-subject Master´s degree programme in English (120 ECTS)

    The Study commencement test consists of the following elements:


    • Participation in and completion of an e-learn course
    • Participation in the first lesson of the semester in Core Concepts and Research Practices in the Human Sciences
    General provisions concerning the Study Commencement Test
    The Study Commencement Test must take place no later than two months after programme start, and the result must be reported to the student no later than 2 weeks after the test. If the test is not approved the student has the option of participating in a re-test that will take place no later than 3 months after programme start. The student has two attempts to pass the test at the beginning of the programme.

    According to section 28 of The Executive Order on Examination the Study Commencement test must clarify whether the student has actually begun the education. The study commencement test can therefore not be credit transferred from previous programs.

    § 5.2 - Spelling and writing skills (major written assignments)

    When grading Master’s theses and other major written assignments, in addition to their academic content, emphasis must also be placed on students' spelling and formulation skills, irrespective of the language the assignment is written in. 
     
    The spelling and formulation skills applied in examinations, theses and thesis summary must be included in the overall assessment of the assignment in question, but academic content must be given the greater emphasis.

    § 5.3 - Internal and external examinations

    Examinations can be either internal or external.

    External examinations are graded by one or more examiners and by one or more external examiners appointed by the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education.

    Internal examinations are graded by one or more teachers (examiners) appointed by the university from among teachers at the university. 

    § 5.4 - Teaching and examination language

    For subjects that are offered in Danish, the language used for teaching and examination purposes will be Danish, unless another language is mentioned in the examination requirements for that discipline. If the teaching of the course requires it, or it is necessary to take account of the participation of international students in the teaching programme, the Board of Studies can decide that the teaching and/or the language of the examination in certain circumstances can be a foreign language. 

    The language of teaching and examination is English for those courses that are offered in English, unless another language is named in the individual course description.

    In subjects offered in Danish, the examination will be in Danish, unless the objective of the examination is to document the student’s ability in a foreign language. The examination can take place in Swedish or Norwegian instead of Danish, unless it is an aim of the examination to document ability in Danish. 

    If subject teaching has taken place in a foreign language, the examination will be held in that language, see the examination requirements for the specific discipline, unless it is an aim of the examination to test the student’s ability in Danish. The Board of Studies can make an alternative decision regarding this, see the examination requirements for the specific discipline. 

    The Board of Studies can, where possible, allow a student, to take an examination in a foreign language. This does not apply if the aim of the examination is to document the student’s ability in Danish or a specific foreign language.

    § 5.5 - Forms of teaching and examination

    Principles for choise of teaching and examination forms
    The choice of forms of teaching and examination for each discipline of the Master’s degree programme in English (120 ECTS points, 70 ECTS points and 50 ECTS points) is based on the general aim to coordinate the learning objectives and forms of teaching and examination and is based on the humanities model for active learning and activating teaching.

    All courses in the Master's degree programme consist of the student’s study activities reflecting the competences required by the examination, so as to alternate between the strengthening of written and oral, and informative and scientific competences, all of which provide the best basis for educational progression.

    The aim of the course is to foster the student's abilities in written dissemination, oral dissemination and collaboration based on a high academic level. The student will therefore experience a continuous interaction between the various study activities between the courses, but also within a given course. It is the responsibility of the individual university teacher to ensure that the activities are related to the objectives and method of assessment of the course, while study management shall ensure that the student is generally activated in all study activities during each semester.

    The method of assessment is chosen according to the following criteria:
    1.The oral method of assessment will be chosen in cases where the student's ability to assess a broader subject area needs to be determined. This method of assessment also tests the student's ability to make oral presentations and disseminations.
    2.The written method of assessment will be chosen in cases where the student's ability to immerse themselves in a narrower subject area needs to be determined. This method of assessment also tests the student's ability to make written presentations and disseminations.

    Description/definition of teaching and examination methods

    Participation in classes: 
    Examinations, which are given based on participation in classes, require active, regular and satisfactory participation in the course of study in question. By active is understood participation in the compulsory activities connected with the teaching (general preparation, oral presentations, minor written assignments, etc.). The university teacher specifies at the start of the course what is meant by active participation, including how many assignments must be prepared. By regular is understood participation in at least 80 % of the classes offered. By satisfactory is understood that the written presentations and assignments are evaluated as passed.

    Registration of participation in the course takes place via the e-learning system. Students may only register participation in a given class if they have been physically present in the room during the entire class.

    § 5.6 - Specific regulations regarding examinations

    General provisions
    Reexamination takes place in the same way as the ordinary examination unless specific requirements concerning the re-examination are stated.

    Transfer of spent examination attempts upon enrollment at SDU
    Upon re-enrollment at a programme at SDU, previously spent examination attempts will be transferred to the resumed enrollment if courses are identical. If the allowed number of examination attempts have been exhausted enrollment cannot be granted unless the relevant academic study board grants a new examination attempt.

    Examinations forms for English Option

    The teacher announces in the curriculum which of the following forms of examination are used in the course and this will stay the same for the entire course. The form of examination for the course must be approved by the Study Board. 

    Examination form type 1: 

    • Method of assessment: Individual set written examination under supervision
    • Duration: 4 hours 
    • Examination aids: English-English dictionaries 
    • Grading: Internal examination, two examiners 
    • Assessment: 7-point grading scale. Students’ use of language will not be graded on, but they can only pass the examination if they score at least a 02 on their written language skills and presentation. 
    • Weighting: 10 ECTS points 

    Examination form type 2: 

    • Method of assessment: Individual oral examination 
    • Length per student: 30 minutes including deliberation 
    • Preparation: No 
    • Examination aids: Synopsis 
    • Grading: Internal examination, two examiners 
    • Assessment: 7-point grading scale. Students’ use of language will not be graded on, but they can only pass the examination if they score at least a 02 on their language skills and presentation
    • Weighting: 10 ECTS points 

    Examination form type 3: 

    • Method of assessment: Individual set home assignment 
    • Duration: 7 days
    • Length per student: 15 – 17 standard pages, excluding bibliography 
    • Possible for more students to contribute to the test response: No 
    • Grading: Internal examination, two examiners 
    • Assessment: 7-point grading scale. Students’ use of language will not be graded on, but they can only pass the assignment if they score at least a 02 on their written language skills and presentation. 
    •  Weighting: 10 ECTS points

    Language of instruction and examination for the programme

    For general provisions, reference is made to Teaching and examination language.

    Regardless of the form of examination for the discipline 'English Option' of the Master's degree programme in English (120 ECTS points), separate grades are not given for language, but rather the examination can only be considered passed if the students score at least a 02 on their language skills and presentation. Upon applying to the Study Board for English and American Studies, this rule may be waived for students who take one or more disciplines as part of another programme without obtaining a degree in English at SDU or another Danish university. 

    § 5.7 - Irregularities during examinations

    Disciplinary measures may be taken in cases of examination cheating or disruptive behaviour during exams, cf. Rules regarding disciplinary measures for students at the University of Southern Denmark.

    § 5.8 - Special examination conditions

    The university may offer special examination conditions to students with physical or mental disabilities and to students with a mother tongue other than Danish when the university finds it is necessary to equate these students with others in the examination situation. It is a prerequisite that the offer does not change the examination level. Reference is made to § 6 in the the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    § 5.9 - Conditions for participation in classes and examinations

    There are no conditions for participation in classes or examinations unless otherwise stated in the description of the individual discipline.

    If a given course description states that a prerequisite exam is included in the subject in question, the following applies:

    A prerequisite exam is a condition for being able to take the final exam in the subject in question. The student must therefore pass the prerequisite exam before being allowed to take the final exam in the subject. Students who do not pass their prerequisite exam will have used an exam attempt in the final exam. 

    The same applies to the re-examination:

    The replacement (re-examination) for the prerequisite exam must have been passed in order to be able to participate in the re-examination in the final exam. If the student has registered for the re-examination in the final exam without having passed the replacement for the prerequisite exam, the student has used an exam attempt for the re-examination in the final exam.

    Please refer to Rules for registration for classes and examinations at SDU.

    § 5.10 - Digital examinations and aids during examinations

    In general, you are not allowed to interact with others during the examination, either physically or digitally, including via file sharing services e.g. Google Docs

    Oral examinations:

    It is stated in the examination regulations in the subject description for the individual subject which aids may be used. It is also stated whether the aids may be used during the preparation time and / or during the examination.

    If no detailed provisions on aids appear in the subject description, the following applies:

    • No aids: You are allowed to bring writing materials and a calculator.
    • All written aids as well as All aids minus the internet: You are allowed to bring books, articles, compendia, notes, assignments, dictionaries and calculator in printed or online format. Use of internet is not allowed.
    • All aids: You are allowed to bring books, articles, compendiums, notes, assignments, dictionaries and calculator in print or online format. Use of internet for information retrieval is allowed.

    Written in situ examinations:

    All written in situ examinations at the university are digital. Written in situ examination are thus conducted on a computer, unless otherwise stated in the course descriptions. For written in situ examinations that are conducted on a computer, the University of Southern Denmark's set of rules for written campus-based examinations applies. The use of headphones is not permitted unless stated as part of the test or a waiver has been granted. Note that other rules may apply to online exams.

    It is stated in the examination regulations in the subject description for the individual subject which aids may be used. If no detailed provisions on aids appear in the subject description, the following applies:

    • No aids: You are allowed to bring writing materials and a calculator
    • All aids minus the internet: You are allowed to bring writing materials as well as in printed or online format books, articles, compendiums, notes, assignments, dictionaries, calculator. Use of internet is not allowed.
    • All aids: You are allowed to bring writing materials as well as printed or online format books, articles, compendiums, notes, assignments, dictionaries, calculator. Use of internet for information retrieval is allowed

    § 5.11 - Individual examinations and group examinations

    Examinations are arranged individually or as group examinations. Notwithstanding the arrangement of the examination, an assessment of the student’s individual performance must be given, and an individual grade must be given.

    It will be apparent from the academic part of the curriculum, if an examination is arranged as a group examination. If an examination is arranged as a group examination, the examination requirements for the specific disciplines will also clearly state what the maximum number of students participating in the group may be and whether students have the option of choosing an individual examination.  

    If a written assignment does not meet the requirements relating to individualisation or other formal requirements laid down in the individual course descriptions, the assignment can be rejected. In case of an assignment is rejected, an assessment will not be given and the student has used an examination attempt, reference is made to § 22 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    The reader is referred to §§ 13 - 15 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading and to the examination requirements for the specific disciplines.

    § 5.12 - General regulations concerning form

    Written assignments 

    It is stated in the examination requirements of the specific discipline how long the individual written answers to the examination questions should be. The length is given in number of pages or in the number of characters: One standard page is equivalent to 2400 characters, see below.

    In the calculation of the number of standard pages in an examination answer, the characters are counted from the first character in the introduction up to and including the last character in the conclusion. Footnotes are included. Tables are also included in the number of characters.

    The following are not included:

    • The front page
    • Table of contents
    • Abstract (summary)
    • References
    • Appendices
    If the minimum number of characters is not reached, or the maximum number of characters is exceeded, (see the examination requirements of the specific discipline) the written assignment is rejected and the student will have used one attempt, see § 22 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    Standard cover page for examination assignments
    Standard cover pages must be used for all written assignments (including written home assignments). The cover page is available at SDU´s e-learn platform in connection with delivery of the assignment. Failure to use the standard cover page leads to rejection of the assignment and the student will have used one examination attempt, see § 22 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    § 6 - Credit transfer and exemptions

    § 6.1 - Pre-approval of credit transfer prior to enrollment

    As part of the enrolment process, the Board of Studies must consider applications for credit transfers cf. § 37 of the ministerial order on enrollment.

    § 6.2 - Pre-approval of credit transfer

    The Board of Studies shall examine applications for credit transfer in advance if a student, as part of his/her education, wishes to:

    1. take courses at a foreign institution of higher education,
    2. take courses at other Danish universities or
    3. take other courses at SDU than those included in the programme regulations in which the student is enrolled and which have not already been approved by the Board of Studies as part of the elective offer.

    Reference is made to § 55 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities.

    § 6.3 - Credit transfer

    In individual cases, the Board of Studies can grant credit transfers for subjects taken, for instance, at another university. General provisions regarding credit transfers must be submitted to the Dean.

    A credit transfer for a Master’s thesis that constitutes the foundation for a designation in a graduate programme cannot be granted for a new designation in another graduate programme.

    The reader is referred to § 54 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities.

    § 7 - Provisions on the organisation of the programme

    § 7.1 - Registration for and withdrawal from subjects and examinations

    The rules for application to subjects and examinations at SDU apply to Bachelor, Master’s and vocational Bachelor students at the Faculty of Humanities.

    In addition to this the following applies:
    Master’s students on a Master’s course standardised to 120 ECTS points are automatically enrolled on a dissertation of 30 ECTS which takes place over the 3rd and 4th semester, when they have passed 40 ECTS points of their Master’s programme, see § 3 point 4 in the Regulations for applying to subjects and examinations at SDU. It is not possible to withdraw. Furthermore, see Master´s Thesis.

    Master’s students on a Master’s course standardised to 150 ECTS points are automatically enrolled on a dissertation worth 30 ECTS points. This takes place over the 4th and 5th semester when they have passed 70 ECTS of their Master’s programme, see § 3 point 4 in the Regulations for applying to subjects and examinations at SDU. It is not possible to withdraw. Furthermore, see Master´s Thesis.

    The subject matter offered is always in relation to the most recent curriculum. A common examination is offered and a re-examination in direct relation to the subject matter taught. The third examination attempt is offered after the next usual taught course. The examination is always based on the most recent curriculum, including the most recent syllabus.  

    Following § 8 in Regulations regarding enrolment on subjects and examinations at SDU regulations are established for 2nd and 3rd attempts at subjects that are being phased out or are no longer offered. Students who do not pass the common examination must apply to take the re-examination (2nd attempt) in the same examination term, or in immediate continuation of this. Withdrawal cannot take place. Students who do not enroll themselves will be enrolled by the university. Students who do not pass the subject at the re-examination must enroll for the 3rd attempt in the next examination term after the last common offer of teaching (e.g., if the last offer of teaching was spring 2016, the third examination attempt is offered in the examination term winter 2016/2017.) It is not possible to withdraw. Examination always takes place in relation to the most recent curriculum, including the most recent syllabus. 

    The regulations regarding the withdrawal of subjects and the enrolment onto the 2nd and 3rd attempts apply unless otherwise stated in the specific course description or in the interim provisions of the study programme. See Interim provisions.

    In the case where enrolment on a subject requires that a previous subject has been completed and passed, the student who has not passed at the 1st and 2nd attempts, has the option of enrolling for a re-examination in the same examination term (3rd attempt). The University must ensure that the 3rd attempt in the required subject is examined before the common examination in the later subject.

    § 7.2 - Permission to take courses at postgraduate level

    Students who have not completed their Bachelor programme, can make a request to be enrolled in graduate courses while completing the Bachelor programme if the following requirements are met:

    Single-subject Bachelor programmes:
    • The student lacks a maximum of 15 ECTS from his/her Bachelor programme.
    • The student has passed all subjects in the 1st and 2nd semester and the bachelor project.
    Two-subject Bachelor programmes:
    • The student lacks a maximum of 15 ECTS from his/her minor subject/elective subject.
    • Propaedeutic language must not be part of the missing subjects.
    See Legal claim for admission to the Master´s degree programme, Admission requirements to the Master´s degree programme and Other grounds for admission to the Master´s degree programme.

    § 7.3 - Deadline for completion of the study

    Please refer to § 9 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities.

    For Bachelor students at the Faculty of Humanities, the SDU´s Rules for latest completion of bachelor, professional bachelor and Master´s programmes apply.

    Students admitted to a Master's degree must finish their degree within the timeframe of the programme plus 6 months.

    The university may grant exemption from the above, if the student is a professional athlete, president of a society approved by Danmarks Ungdoms Fællesråd or entrepreneur or in the case of unusual circumstances, incl. disabilities or functional impairment.

    § 7.4 - Requirements for study activity

    Please refer to § 59 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities.  
     
    For Bachelor students and Master’s students admitted to the Faculty of Humanities on September 1st 2015 or later, the SDU's regulations regarding Student activity apply.

    It follows that the university will end the enrolment for students who have not passed at least one examination for an uninterrupted period of at least one year. The Study Start test does not meet this requirement for study activity. The Board of Studies may grant exemption from the above-mentioned requirement for study activity if extraordinary circumstances exist. If it is ascertained that there has been a lack of study activity after the first study-year, the student will be contacted with offers of guidance and possible support measures for resuming study activity.

    § 7.5 - Master´s (candidatus) thesis

    The Master’s thesis is a major, independent home assignment that must document the student's competences in the application of scientific theories and methods when working with a defined academic subject.

    The thesis comprises 30 ECTS points and has a length of 60-80 standard pages. See General regulations concerning form for closer stipulation regarding what is included in the project. 

    The thesis must include an abstract in a foreign language. Reference is made to § 61 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading. Length and language of the abstract, see the discipline description for the Master´s Thesis.

    The thesis must be begun and submitted within the following time frames:

    • The thesis time frame runs from the beginning of the semester (1 September/1 February), even though the thesis statement and supervision plan have not yet been approved. 
    • If a student fails to submit a thesis within the deadline established, he/she will have used one examination attempt. Deregistration is not permitted. 
    • If the student's thesis cannot be approved or he/she fails to submit it within the deadline established, a new deadline of three months will be established. At the same time, a new thesis formulation within the same subject area must be approved. This is described in detail below. If the thesis is not submitted within this deadline, the student will have used another examination attempt.
    • The student may then make a third examination attempt in accordance with the same rules that apply to the second examination attempt. 
    • The Academic Study Board can grant exemption from the deadlines mentioned above when unexpected circumstances occur. 

    The reader is referred to § 30 point 6 - 9 of the Ministerial Order on Bachelor and Master´s Degree Programmes at Universities (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen).

    According to the rules, the head of studies must approve the thesis statement, the deadline and the supervision plan. 

     

    Implementing the rules at the Faculty of Humanities 

    1. Deadlines

    1a. Spring semester
    The following deadlines apply to students who are writing theses in the spring semester:

    a) During the enrolment period for the autumn semester (May), the student must enrol himself/herself for the thesis project with a deadline of June 1st of the following year (for example, enrolment in Autumn 2017 leads to a deadline of June 1st 2018). If the student has not enrolled himself/herself, the institution will ensure that the student is enrolled, see Registration for and withdrawal from subjects and examinations. This applies irrespective of whether a contract has been agreed or not. 

    b) The student must apply for subject not later than November 15th, and according to the local rules of the programme state the name of a supervisor. In case the student omits to apply for a subject, the student is contacted and is informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the possibilities of getting the requested supervisor assigned is reduced, the thesis period runs from February 1st, regardless of whether the contract is signed or not, and that the student will use up one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time. 

    c) As soon as possible after applying for subject and not later than December 1st the student is informed on which supervisor he/she has been assigned. The subject, must, in this context be approved by a supervisor. 

    d) On January 15th at the latest a thesis project contract must be agreed. If the contract is not agreed by the deadline, the student will be contacted and be informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the thesis period runs automatically from February 1st, and the student will automatically use up one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time.


    1b. Autumn semester

    The following deadlines apply to students who are writing theses in the autumn semester:

    a) During the enrolment period for the spring semester (November), the student must enrol himself/herself for the thesis project with a deadline of January 2nd of the following year (for example, enrolment in Spring 2017 leads to a deadline of January 2nd 2018). If the student has not enrolled himself/herself, the institution will ensure that the student is enrolled, see Registration for and withdrawal from subjects and examinations. This applies irrespective of whether a contract has been agreed or not.

    b) The student must apply for subject not later than June 1st, and according to the local rules of the programme state the name of a supervisor. In case the student omits to apply for a subject, the student is contacted and is informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the possibilities of getting the requested supervisor assigned is reduced, the thesis period runs from September 1st, regardless of whether the contract is signed or not, and that the student will use up one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time. 

    c) As soon as possible after applying for subject and not later than June 15th the student is informed on which supervisor he/she has been assigned. The subject must in this context be approved by a supervisor. 

    d) On August 15th at the latest a thesis project contract must be agreed. If the contract is not agreed by the deadline, the student will be contacted and be informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the thesis period runs automatically from September 1st, and the student will automatically use one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time. 


    2. The thesis process

    The thesis process is divided into three stages.

    Stage 1 Information and supervision before the thesis semester 
    During the third semester of graduate studies, students are offered a course/workshop that provides general advice on writing a thesis and supervision on the options for specific subject selection. 

    Stage 2 Establishing the subject area of the thesis and contact with the thesis supervisor
    A project description and a supervision plan are established together with the thesis supervisor with the aim of entering into a Masters’ thesis contract. 

    In general terms, a project description includes the following elements:

    • Working title
    • Problem statement
    • Disposition
    • Outline of theories and literature
    • Outline of empirical data
    • Reflection over methods
    • Work plan

    Based on the work plan, the student and the thesis supervisor draw up a supervision plan containing the dates of supervision meetings and milestones for the thesis project. The scope of supervision in a new thesis attempt is agreed between the student and the supervisor on the basis of an individual academic assessment.

    Stage 3 The Masters’ thesis contract

    The Masters’ thesis contract includes the following elements

    • Contract cover page
    • Supervision plan
    • Project description

    The dissertation contract must be submitted via SDU's digital platform.

    When approving the contract, the thesis supervisor certifies that the project description lives up to the requirements in the curriculum. The thesis supervisor is also obliged to ensure that the project description and the supervision plan are not so comprehensive as to make it impossible for the thesis to be written within the stipulated time frame. 

    The head of studies approves the project description, the submission date and the supervision plan.

    By agreement, the student and the thesis supervisor can make minor adjustments to the project description and the supervision plan on condition that the thesis can still be completed within the stipulated time frame. If there are more substantial changes to the project description or a change of supervisor, the student must apply to the study board.


    3. Supervision 

    In accordance with § 30 point 7 of the Ministerial Order on Bachelor and Master´s Degree Programmes (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) a supervision plan must be approved. When writing a thesis in the humanities the student is entitled to 10 hours of supervision. The drawing up of the project description and the supervision plan, the supervision itself and the preparation time of the supervisor are included in the 10 hours.

    How and when the supervision is given is established in the supervision plan. The supervisor and the students must jointly ensure that the supervision is spread across the entire thesis process.

    In the event that the thesis is not submitted or if the thesis does not receive a passing grade the student must contact the supervisor in order to draw up a revised project description. 

    Examples on how to schedule the supervision

    • 5 one-hour meetings spread across the period
    • 1 one-hour meeting before signing the contract, 4 one-hour meeting spread across the period after signing the contract.
    • 2 30-minutes meetings before signing the contract, 4 one-hour meeting spread across the period after signing the contract.  

    Supervision for groups

    The thesis project can be carried out in groups of up to three students. Supervision is given as follows:

    • 2 students: 15 hours
    • 3 students: 20 hours

    An example of a group of two students:

    When two students work on the thesis together the group has 15 hours of supervision combined. If one student receives a tutorial lasting one hour, one hour has been used. If two students receive tuition together for one hour, one hour has been used. Preparation for tuition does not count as double. If the supervisor prepares for one hour for a tutorial, this counts as 1 hour whether there is one student or several in the tutorial.  

    In the situation where a group of students does not hand in a master’s thesis projekt or does not pass the master’s thesis project, the group must contact the supervisor in order to determine the further course of the project. The scope of supervision for a new thesis attempt is agreed between the group and the supervisor on the basis of an individual academic assessment.



    4. If the thesis is not submitted within the deadline or is not approved

    If the thesis is not submitted within the deadline or is not approved, the student will have used up one examination attempt.

    A new contract with a term of three months must be entered into not later than 14 days after the expiry of the deadline or no later than 14 days after the publication of the assessment.

    Regardless of whether or not the student enters into a new contract, the three-month time limit begins no later than the date when the new contract should have been signed.

    According to the ministerial order, the university must approve a changed thesis statement that lies within the same subject area. 

    In a letter dated 13 July 2007, the Ministry stated that a »changed thesis statement« should be understood as follows: “the student need not restart his/her thesis from the beginning if he/she fails to meet the deadline but, on the basis of an academic evaluation, the university must change the thesis statement in such a way that it corresponds to a workload of a further three months. This shall apply irrespective of the ECTS standardisation for the thesis. The changed thesis formulation must thus be adjusted in the light of the contents of the individual thesis. It may, for instance, comprise a longer or shorter addition, just as (in principle) it is not the intention that the student shall begin from the beginning with new, experimental trials.”

    The student must thus enter into a new Master’s thesis contract and revise his/her project description in accordance with the above.

    If the student at the first attempt has received approval for a contract and a project description the subject area equal to an amount of work of 3 months’ further work is established on the basis of an evaluation by the supervisor and the Head of Studies together. 

    If the student has not at the first attempt, got approval for a contract and a project description, the subject area of work equal to 3 months’ further work is established according to the following:

    2nd attempt: The number of pages are increased to between 90 and 110 pages

    3rd attempt: The number of pages are increased to between 120 and 130 pages


    5. Submitting a thesis:

    A thesis must be submitted in digital form. Standardised cover page for the Master´s thesis has to be used. Once submitted, a thesis cannot be withdrawn from assessment.


    Feedback after submitting:

    The graduate can get 30 minutes oral feedback on his/her thesis. 


    The feedback can be 

    • on the academic quality, the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis and an explanation of the grade given
    • a discussion of specific themes and arguments of the thesis
    • on the process. Methods of working good/unsuitable, use of supervision, organisation of the work 
    • on the linguistic of the thesis, the quality and scope of the language in relation to the target group
    • on the potential of the thesis. Possibilities for publication of articles, job opportunities etc.   

    § 7.6 - Switching between lines/profiles


    § 7.7 - Individually planned activities


    § 7.8 - Compulsory courses with alternating content

    For the single-subject Master’s degree programme in English (120 ECTS points) students take two compulsory courses with alternating content:

    Thematic Courses which takes place in the first and the second semester. 

    The Thematic Courses deals with topics within the three main fields: language, literature and history/society. Each semester, the Study Board offers a number of courses on language, literature and history/social relations. 

    § 7.9 - Electives

    The student must

    • deepen their knowledge of areas relevant to English and/or 
    • strengthen their academic profile and acquire a broader proficiency in English and/or 
    • acquire knowledge, proficiency or skills that otherwise support the student’s employability in their academic field
    In principle, electives can be taken at any institution of higher education in Denmark or abroad, provided the content is of relevance to English. If a student wants to take an elective at another institution of higher education or another Board of Studies in the Faculty of Humanities, he/she must contact the Board of Studies for English and American Studies and ensure that the electives can be approved. 

    § 8 - Exemptions and complaints procedures

    § 8.1 - Exemption from rules established by the university

    If justified by extraordinary circumstances, the Board of Studies can grant exemption from rules in the curriculum that are established solely by the university. 

    § 8.2 - Complaints about examinations

    Complaints about examinations or other assessments included in examinations must be brought before the Dean no later than two weeks after the result of an examination has been published. Complaints must be submitted in writing and substantiated.

    § 8.3 - Complaints about decisions made by the university

    Pursuant to § 64 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities, the university’s decisions, according to this Ministerial Order, may be brought to the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education when the complaint concerns legal questions. The deadline for lodging a complaint is 2 weeks from the date on which the decision is notified to the complainant. The complaint is submitted to the university, who gives their opinion on the matter. The complainant must have the opportunity to comment on the university’s opinion within a period of at least 1 week. The university sends the complaint to the Acency enclosing the opinion and any comments from the complainant.

    § 9 - The affiliation of the programme

    § 9.1 - Legal basis


    § 9.2 - Academic Study Board

    Academic Study board for English and American studies

    § 9.3 - External examiners

    English

    § 9.4 - Effective date

    01-09-2023

    § 9.5 - Effective for students enrolled as of

    01-09-2017

    § 9.6 - Date of Study Board Approval

    02-05-2023

    § 9.7 - Date for Dean\'s approval

    03-08-2023

    § 9.8 - Interim provisions

    Valid interim provisions of the study programme are set out in the section Interim Provisions in the relevant Course Descriptions.

    § 10 - Terminology

    § 10.1 - Terminology of the programme

    Deadline for delivery of written assignments
    All delivery deadlines for examination work, theses, dissertations and BA projects are published in the course´s combined examination timetable. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a Bank Holiday, the deadline will be deemed to be the next working day. 

    ECTS points
    ECTS, the European Credit Transfer System, was introduced under the Erasmus programme. ECTS points are values that are ascribed to a course unit with the aim of describing the overall work required from students in order to complete the course in the form of attending instruction, preparation, writing assignments, where applicable, and preparing for examinations, etc. 60 ECTS points corresponds to one year of full-time study and to 1,680 hours of work. A subject studied at 10 ECTS points therefore corresponds to 280 hours of work.

    Standard page
    One standard page = 2,400 characters incl. blank spaces.

    Written assignments
    It is stated in the examination requirements of the specific discipline how long the individual written answers to the examination questions should be. The length is given in number of pages or in the number of characters: One normal page is equivalent to 2400 characters, see above. 

    In the calculation of the number of standard pages in an examination answer, the characters are counted from the first character in the introduction up to and including the last character in the conclusion. Footnotes are included. Tables are also included in the number of characters. 

    The following are not included:

    • The front page
    • Table of contents
    • Abstract (summary)
    • References
    • Appendices

    If the minimum number of characters is not reached, or the maximum number of characters is exceeded, (see the examination requirements of the specific discipline) the written assignment is rejected and the student will have used one attempt, see § 24 point 3 in the Ministerial Order on University Examinations and Grading (Eksamensbekendtgørelsen).

    Lessons
    One lesson corresponds to 45 minutes. 

    Typed characters
    This is understood as every typographical element, i.e. not only letters and numbers, but also punctuation marks and blank spaces.