Swedish education - a quick overview
Get an introduction to the Swedish education system, key agencies working with higher education and where to find more information about studying in Sweden.
The Swedish education system
Compulsory school (förskoleklass och grundskola)
Children in Sweden are required to attend school. Compulsory school consists of preschool, called förskoleklass, and grades 1 – 9, called grundskola.
Find out more about the Swedish school system at the Swedish National Agency for Education's (Skolverket) website.
Upper secondary school (gymnasiet)
After compulsory school, students have the option to continue their studies at an upper secondary school, called gymnasiet. There are 18 national upper secondary programmes - 6 higher education preparatory and 12 vocational.
Universities and university colleges (universitet and högskolor)
Sweden has two types of higher education institutions (HEIs) - universities (universitet) and university colleges (högskolor). While the quality of education has no relation to the type of HEI, they do differ in what types of degrees they're allowed to award.
Degree-awarding powers
Before a university or university college can award a degree, they must be granted degree-awarding powers by the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ).
Universities have a general right to award doctoral (PhD) degrees. University colleges can only award doctoral degrees if they are granted special permission for a specific subject by UKÄ.
Some insitutions have the words “university” or “university college” in their name but haven't been granted degree-awarding powers. Their offerings are not considered to be higher education courses and, as such, the credits they award can’t be used for further university studies.
Public and independent institutions
There are about 50 universities and university colleges in Sweden. Most are funded by the government (public), but have autonomy over what they teach.
There are also independent (private) institutions. These receive their degree-awarding powers from the Swedish Parliament instead of the Higher Education Authority (UKÄ). As a student, this means, among other things, that you may not have the same right to appeal decisions.
Contact information for Sweden's universities
Municipal adult education (komvux)
If you don't meet the entry requirements for university studies in Sweden, you can study the courses needed at a municipal adult education school. At komvux, you can study courses required for both general and specific eligibility.
Basic adult education offers courses at the compulsory school level.
Upper secondary adult education provides adults knowledge and skills at the upper secondary (gymnasiet) level. This type of education offers courses at different upper secondary levels. You receive a grade after each completed course.
Municipal adult education also offers adult education for mentally and intellectually handicapped (komvux som anpassad utbildning) and Swedish for immigrants (SFI).
More information about adult education is available on your municipality's website. You can also contact a guidance counsellor for more information.
Folk high school (folkhögskola)
There are currently about 150 folk high schools (folkhögskola) in Sweden, most located in the countryside. You can study courses at a folk high school as an alternative to municipal adult education (komvux). Courses can provide eligibility for studies at a university or university college. After the completion of each course, the student receives a student assessment (studieomdöme).
Education at a folk high school is based on the students’ needs, previous knowledge and experience. Every folk high school decides what courses they'll offer and how they'll plan their teaching.
Find out more about the Swedish folk high school
Higher vocational education (yrkeshögskolan)
Higher vocational education, yrkeshögskolan, is a form of higher education that combines hands-on experience with theoretical knowledge. If you're interested in combining theory with practical experience, it may be just the right option for you.
Students at a school of higher vocational education learn the skills needed to enter the workforce right after graduation. Higher vocational schools have close contact with companies and assist in helping students further themselves professionally.
Find out more about higher vocational education
Different education agencies working together
A number of different public agencies have responsibilities in the higher education sector. Here's a quick guide on where to turn for your specific questions.
Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR)
The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) is a public agency that facilitates skills attainment for Sweden’s current and future needs. UHR is responsible for this website, among others.
UHR's main tasks are to:
- provide information about education and higher education studies
- coordinate the admissions process to higher education
- manage for the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (SweSAT), Högskoleprovet
- promote and support international cooperation and exchange for the entire education sector
- present opportunities for continued professional development and employment in a foreign country
- facilitate for people with foreign qualifications to begin studies and enter working life
- develop digital services together with higher education institutions (for example the admissions website Antagning.se and Universityadmissions.se)
- contribute analyses and recommendations that promote Swedish education
Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ)
UKÄ oversees Sweden's universities and university colleges and ensures that they comply with regulations and provide quality education. The authority is also responsible for statistics and follow-up for the higher education sector in Sweden.
The Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN)
CSN is responsible for providing financial support to students - in the form of grants and loans - for their university studies.
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (MYH)
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (HVE) has regulatory oversight of higher vocational education. The Swedish National Agency for HVE inspects and audits the quality of the programmes and handles student feedback and complaints.