Reading list, course and programme syllabuses
The reading list shows the course literature you need. The course syllabus describes the content of a course, and the programme syllabus describes your whole programme. Read them before your studies start, so you know what to expect – and what we expect from you.
Find your reading list or syllabus
On My Page in the Student Portal, you find reading lists, course syllabuses and programme syllabuses for your studies:
- Log in to the Student Portal and go to My Pages.
- Under My Studies, select the course or programme you want information about.
- Open the reading list, course syllabus or programme syllabus you want to read.
This is unusual, but you may sometimes not see the document on My Pages. If so, try instead:
- Reading list: It is sometimes part of the course syllabus. Check there if you do not see a separate reading list.
- Programme syllabus: Look at the programme page in the Student Portal.
- Course syllabus and reading list: Visit the course room in Canvas, where the teacher often publishes the documents that apply to the course.
- All three documents: Use the search service Find Syllabus and reading list on gu.se.
If you still cannot find the document, contact your study administration.
Always check the semester. Reading lists, course syllabuses and programme syllabuses can differ between semesters. If you search for a document outside My Pages, check that it applies to the correct semester.
Reading list
The reading list shows the course literature and other material you need for your course. The information must be available no later than eight weeks before the course starts.
Once you have found the reading list, check:
- Which literature is obligatory and which is recommended.
- Which edition you need.
- How you can get access to the literature.
You can borrow or buy the literature you need. If you want to borrow, it is a good idea to start early, as there can be a queue. If you plan to buy the literature, it can instead be worth waiting until the first lecture before you buy everything. The teacher usually goes through the reading list and tells you which material matters most.
The rules for course literature are part of a larger set of regulations. Read more in:
Tips for different ways to get hold of course literature:
- Borrow from the University Library. The library often has several copies of the course books used in the University's programmes, sometimes also as e-books. Read more about borrowing on the library's website.
- Buy second-hand. Second-hand books are often a cheaper option. Compare a few sellers, as prices and availability can vary, and check that the book is the correct edition.
- Buy new from a bookshop. Prices can vary between shops, so compare a few before you buy. Check which shops offer student discounts too.
- Borrow from a city library (sometimes). If there is a long queue at the University Library, it can be worth checking what is available at a city library, such as Biblioteken i Göteborg or Library in the West. They sometimes have books used in our courses.
Course syllabus
The course syllabus sets out what applies to the course. It includes, among other things, entry requirements, intended learning outcomes, content, forms of teaching and examination, and the main field of study. The course syllabus is binding and must be followed by both teachers and students.
You can see the course syllabus well in advance, normally no later than eight weeks before the course starts. In exceptional cases, a course syllabus can be changed up to two weeks before the course starts.
Always read the course syllabus before the course starts and check in particular:
- Entry requirements – that you meet them.
- Forms of examination – how your knowledge will be assessed.
- Compulsory elements – which elements you must attend or complete.
It is a good idea to save the course syllabus as soon as the course starts. You may need it much later, for example for credit transfer or if an employer wants to see exactly what the course covered.
The full regulations for course syllabuses are set out in:
Programme syllabus
The programme syllabus describes the whole of a programme's education and what is required for you to obtain your degree. If you instead study freestanding courses, for example to put together your own degree, there is no programme syllabus.
The syllabus describes, among other things, which courses are included and which entry requirements apply. It also states the programme's main field of study and which department is responsible for the programme.
Read the programme syllabus when you start the programme and use it during your studies to check:
- Which courses are included and in what order.
- Entry requirements for later courses in the programme.
- Which department is responsible for the programme.
The full regulations for programme syllabuses are set out in: