The course deals with both international and comparative education. International education includes intercultural understanding and country-studies. Comparative education includes an analytical working method for different types of comparative research studies. The course includes different types of comparative studies ranging from large scale and statistically oriented studies of student achievement to small scale studies of educational systems in few countries.

The course contains compulsory instruction which combines lectures, workshops, discussions and group work to achieve the learning outcomes. Students are required to attend 80% of the compulsory course sessions, such as lectures, group work, group work presentations and seminars. Assessment is based on (a) active participation in the course, discussions, and seminars, (b) presentation and defence of a course paper, and (c) critical examination of at least one other course paper and active participation in the course examination sessions. Course attendance is required for a student to be examined.

In order for a student to be examined, they must have attended at least 80% of all compulsory course sessions, such as lectures, group work, group work presentations, and seminars. Student absences of more than 20% of the course sessions must be compensated via additional course assignments. If a student has attended less than 60% of the course sessions they have to re-take the course. For detailed information, see the course description.