Degree programmes designed to prepare students to teach at upper-secondary school level consist of a core subject and a supplementary subject. The core subject constitutes the main focus of such programmes, requiring a minimum of 210 ECTS credits. If the supplementary subject is in the same subject area as the core subject, it must constitute at least 90 ECTS credits. If the supplementary subject is in a different subject area, the Master’s degree programme will be extended by 30 ECTS credits. These will be added to the supplementary subject, which will then amount to at least 120 ECTS credits.
So one of the main tasks involved in the preparation of academic regulations relating to upper-secondary school subjects is to ensure that the qualification profile, content and scope of the academic regulations comply with the minimum academic requirements.
The minimum academic requirements (see more here) are a list of qualifications which graduates must possess on conclusion of their degree programme to ensure that they have the academic qualifications needed to teach one or more upper-secondary school subjects.
Academic qualifications needed to teach upper-secondary school subjects |
When students have proved that they meet the minimum academic requirements in the relevant upper-secondary school subjects, they have acquired the academic qualifications to teach. In order to achieve teaching qualifications, students must gain a postgraduate certificate of education, involving a one-year programme incorporating both theory and practice and providing graduates with the basic skills needed to work as teachers at upper-secondary school level. The postgraduate certificate of education is taken after completion of a Master’s degree programme and in connection with a teaching appointment. In connection with the appointment of teachers according to the applicable rules, the principals of upper-secondary schools decide whether graduates have the qualifications needed to be able to teach. |
Minimum academic requirements and transitional rules |
Certificates issued within the upper secondary school subject area state that the student has acquired the academic qualifications needed to teach, cf. the Examination Order. In connection with changes to academic regulations and the preparation of new academic regulations, it is necessary to consider whether transitional rules are needed. The purpose of such transitional rules is to ensure that students – no matter which academic regulations they have been studying under – end up acquiring the academic qualifications needed to teach in upper-secondary education and thus meet the minimum academic requirements. |
