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Personal curriculum: rules and procedures

Master's programmes - general rules and procedures

What are the minimum credit requirements for a master's degree?

The minimum of ECTS credits needed for a master's degree (including mandatory courses, electives, master’s dissertation and exemptions) is as follows:

  • one-year master's programme: 60 credit units
  • two-year master's programme: 120 credit units

Can I take up more than 60 credit units or 120 credit units to complete my master's degree?

Supernumerary courses are not allowed.

A supernumerary course unit is a course unit of which the number of credit units is smaller or equal to the number of credit units above the minimum credit requirement of the master programme (i.e. 60 or 120 credit units).

Example:

  • In your graduation year you select courses that you still need to take up and together with the credit units of the courses you already passed (or were exempted from), you have a total of 123 credit units. In your curriculum proposal for the graduation year the smallest elective course has 3 credit units. This elective course is supernumerary to the normal study load of the master programme and needs to be omitted. 123 - 3 = 120 credit units: so you don’t need this elective course to meet the minimum credit requirements the master's programme.
  • In your graduation year you select courses that you still need to take up and together with the credit units of the courses you already passed (or were exempted from) , you have a total of 123 credit units. In your curriculum proposal for the graduation year the smallest elective course has 4 credit units. This elective course is NOT supernumerary to the normal study load of the master's programme. 123 - 4 = 119 credit units: so you need this course to meet the minimum credit requirements the master's programme.

Am I allowed to choose course units from other master's programmes?

In some master's programmes it is allowed to choose a limited number of course units from other programmes offered by Ghent University or other universities. Check the study guide to see the structure of the programme you are registered for.

To follow courses from other programmes you must always have the consent of the curriculum committee and a positive advice from the lecturer in charge.

As a general rule: It is not allowed to include in the module "open choice" courses that in terms of content/final competences overlap with other courses in your master's programme or with courses from the bachelor's programme that directly precedes your master's programme or from the linking/preparatory programme for the master's programme.

Can courses taken at the Language Centre be validated as electives?

No, language courses offered by e.g.. the University Language Centre (UCT) or Centres for Adult Education (CVO) do not qualify as elective.

When can I register the master's dissertation in my curriculum?

You can only register for the master's dissertation in OASIS in the academic year in which you take up all remaining courses from the master's programme to be eligible to graduate.

Can I make changes to an established curriculum?

If you wish to change your curriculum, i.e. add, delete or switch courses, you should contact your Learning Track Counsellor. Keep these deadlines in mind:

  • changes to first semester courses: 14th of November
  • changes to second semester courses or year courses: 28th of February

When do I have to register 'internship' in my curriculum?

The internship is included in the curriculum of the academic year in which your internship defense takes places:

  • You do an internship in the summer holidays between the 1st and 2nd year master: the internship is included in the curriculum of the Master's programme in the academic year following the summer holidays.
  • You do an internship during the academic year: the internship is included in the curriculum of the same academic year.

Can I attend the classes of course units for which I am not registered for?

No. You can only attend classes and sit exams of course units that you are registered for in OASIS.

Facts

What does MT1 and MT2 in the course catalogue mean?

  • MT1 = full-time standard learning track. In this column it is shown to which year of the standard learning track (first year master or second year master) a course unit belongs. If this column is empty and you are allowed to choose an elective course in first and second year, you may choose in which year you follow that particular course unit.
  • MT2 = part-time standard learning track. This shows how a master programme can be spread over more academic years than foreseen in the full-time standard learning track. This information is intended for students who may wish to combine academic study with work or other commitments, and thus take longer to obtain their degree.

I had to choose a major in my study programme. Will its name be mentioned on my diploma?

No, the name of a major is not mentioned on your diploma. If you have fulfilled all the requirements of a major as indicated in the course catalogue, the name of the major will be mentioned on your diploma supplement.