hovedfagligt

Hovedfagligt is an adjective used in Danish and Norwegian educational contexts to describe matters related to a student’s hovedfag, or major subject, and the main field of study. The term is formed from hovedfag (major subject) and the suffix -ligt, indicating a relation or characteristic. It is commonly employed to denote activities, competencies, and content that center on the principal subject of study.

In higher education and teacher education, programmes often require students to choose a hovedfag. Hovedfagligt competence thus refers to depth and mastery within the main subject, including theoretical foundations, specialised methods, and subject-specific applications. Curricula, assessments, and learning outcomes are frequently organized around the requirements and standards of the hovedfag.

The concept is distinct from broader or interdisciplinary approaches. It emphasizes depth within a single main subject rather than integrating multiple disciplines. While intersubject collaboration exists in many curricula, hovedfagligt highlights proficiency and research within the principal field.

Translations into English vary, with equivalents such as “major-subject related” or “main-field related.” In practice, the term helps educators and students articulate the focus and expectations associated with the central subject of study, particularly in programmes that designate a hovedfag as the core of professional training or academic work.