Sweden – NORRIC

1. Diagram of the Swedish higher education system

2. Types of higher educational institutions

Type of institution in original language	English name	Accreditation	NQF level	Types of qualifications offered
Universitet	University	The Swedish Higher Education Authority	6-8	University Diploma, Bachelor’s degree), Professional Bachelor’s degree, Master degrees (one year) Master degrees (two years) Professional Master degrees, Licentiate Degree, Doctoral Degree
Högskola	University colleges	The Swedish Higher Education Authority	6-7 (8)	University Diploma, Professional Bachelor’s degree, Master degree (one year), Other degrees after successful application to the Swedish Higher Education Authority
Enskilda utbildnings-anordnare	Independent colleges/university colleges/universities	The Swedish Higher Education Authority	6-7 (8)	University Diploma, Other degrees after successful application to the Swedish Higher Education Authority,

List of recognized Swedish HE institutions – Swedish Higher Education Authority

3. Types of higher education

Qualification	Qualification in English	NQF level	Duration, högskolepoäng (ECTS)	Access requirement	Access to further study
Högskoleexamen	Higher Education Diploma	6	120 hp	Upper Secondary	May give access to top-up bachelor’s programmes
Konstnärlig högskoleexamen	Higher Education Diploma in Fine Arts	6	120 hp	Upper Secondary
Kandidatexamen	Degree of Bachelor	6	180 hp	Upper Secondary	Master’s degrees, Diploma and Master programmes
Konstnärlig kandidatexamen	Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts	6	180 hp	Upper Secondary	Master’s degrees (in Fine arts or general)
Yrkesexamen på grundnivå (t. ex. högskoleingenjörs-examen, socionomexamen, sjuksköterskeexamen)	Professional qualifications in the first cycle (ex. B.Sc in Engineering, B.Sc. in Social Work, B.Sc. in Nursing)	6	180-210 hp	Upper Secondary	Master’s degrees, Diploma and Master programmes
Magisterexamen	Degree of Master (60 credits)	7	60 hp	First cycle degree	Ph.D.
Masterexamen	Degree of Master (120 credits)	7	120 hp	First cycle degree	Ph.D.
Konstnärlig magister / masterexamen	Degree of Master (60 credits) or (120 credits) in Fine Arts	7	60-120 hp	First cycle degree	PhD or PhD in Fine Arts
Yrkesexamen på avancerad nivå (t.ex speciallärarexamen apotekarexamen, arkitektexamen, juristexamen)	Professional qualifications in the second cycle (ex. PGD in Special Needs Training, M.Sc in Pharmacy, M.Architecture, Master of Laws)	7	75-300 hp	A first cycle degree, or, if the programme is a one tier, integrated programme: Upper secondary	Ph.D and Master programmes
Licentiatexamen	Licentiate degree	8	120 hp	A second cycle higher education qualification	Continuation to PhD
Konstnärlig licentiatexamen	Degree of Licentiate (fine arts)	8	120 hp	A second cycle higher education qualification	Continuation to PhD
Doktorsexamen	Degree of Doctor	8	240 hp (or 120 after Licentiate)	A second cycle higher education	n/a
Konstnärlig doktorsexamen	Degree of Doctor (fine arts)	8	240 hp	A second cycle higher education	n/a

The Swedish credit system högskolepoäng (hp) is based on the ECTS, whereas one week of full-time studies represent 1.5 hp, and one year of studies represent 60 hp.

All degrees are awarded within the first, second or third cycle of the Bologna Higher Education Qualifications Framework.

The title of a general qualification (kandidatexamen, magisterexamen, masterexamen) consists of a qualification preceded or followed by a designation indicating the area of specialisation. Each higher education institution determines which designations shall be used. Examples are ekonomie, filosofie, politices, teologie, teknologie kandidatexamen i [specialisation].

Professional qualifications are awarded in the fields of engineering, health care, agriculture, law, education, etc. Professional qualifications may be offered within either the first or the second cycle. Programmes leading to professional qualifications may vary in length depending on their content and may stretch over two cycles. Some professional degrees (approximately 15) are awarded only after one-tier integrated programs.

For access to programmes in Fine Arts, an additional requirement is proof of artistic skills.

4. Qualifications framework

The qualification levels form the basis for the Swedish National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, which is certified in accordance with the overarching Bologna Framework according to the principles adopted by the European Ministers of Higher Education.

The Swedish parliament decided to implement the Swedish Qualifications framework for Lifelong Learning (NQF) – SeQF with eight levels in July 2015. The SeQF will cover all qualifications throughout the public education system as well as non-formal qualifications. The Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (MYH) is the responsible Agency.

The referencing report has been sent to the Advisory Group. Consequently, there is no reference to the EQF, only to the NQF in this description of the Swedish Higher Education System.

5. Quality assurance and accreditation

Quality assurance is the shared responsibility of higher education institutions and the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ). UKÄ replaced the former Swedish National Agency for Higher Education, which was responsible for evaluations up until the end of 2012.

Programmes have to be evaluated on the basis of how well they fulfil the requirements laid down in the Higher Education Act and the Higher Education Ordinance. A new system for quality assurance was introduced at the end of 2016 to replace the old system from 2011. The new quality assurance system follows the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) and has 4 components:

Institutional reviews of the Higher Education Institutions’ quality assurance processes
Programme evaluations
Appraisal of applications for degree-awarding powers
Thematic evaluations

As far as degree-awarding powers are concerned, the following applies:

Universities have the right to award first, second and third cycle general qualifications. State university colleges have the right to award first cycle qualifications and magisterexamen (Degree of Master, 60 credits) but must apply to the Swedish Higher Education Authority for the right to award masterexamen (Degree of Master, 120 credits) and third cycle qualifications. State universities and university colleges have to apply to the Swedish Higher Education Authority for the right to award professional qualifications and qualifications in the fine, applied and performing arts.

Independent higher education providers have to apply to the Government for the right to award degrees.

6. Upper secondary qualifications giving access to higher education

The current structure of upper secondary school was introduced 1 July 2011. For students enrolled in upper secondary education before July 2011, the former structure applied through 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.

Name:	Specialisation	Further study
Gymnasieskola – Higher education preparatory programme (Högskole-förberedande examen / Higher education preparatory diploma) 2500 credits	6 national programmes – General education and general study preparation	All first cycle programmes
Gymnasieskola – Vocational programme (Yrkesexamen / Vocational diploma) 2500 credits	12 national programmes – vocational education and preparation for further vocational education	Conditional. A vocational diploma gives access to higher education (first cycle programmes) only if supplemented with passing grades in the following courses: Swedish, or Swedish as a second language 2 and 3, and English 6. If the diploma fulfills the requirements for access to first cycle programmes this is indicated on the diploma.
Gymnasieskola – Slutbetyg/Final school grades (Former structure)	National programmes/local variations/specially designed programmes (Former structure)	Conditional – all first cycle programmes. General requirements for access to higher education for holders of Slutbetyg issued 2010 onwards: Students must obtain a total of 2 500 credits, of which passing grades provide 2250 credits (90%). The following courses are always required (with passing grade): Swedish or Swedish as a second language A and B, English A and Mathematics A. Slutbetyg issued 2010 onwards from a Reduced programme does not give access to higher education.
Kommunal vuxenutbildning på gymnasial nivå – Municipal adult education – (Högskoleförberedande examen/Higher education preparatory diploma) 2400 credits	General education and general study preparation	All first cycle programmes
Kommunal vuxenutbildning på gymnasial nivå – Municipal adult education (Yrkesexamen / Vocational diploma) 2400 credits	Vocational education and preparation for further vocational education	Conditional. A vocational diploma gives access to higher education (first cycle programmes) only if supplemented with passing grades in the following courses: Swedish, or Swedish as a second language 2 and 3, and English 6. If the diploma fulfills the requirements for access to first cycle programmes this is indicated on the diploma.
Kommunal vuxenutbildning på gymnasial nivå – Municipal adult education – Slutbetyg/Final school grades 2350 credits (Former structure). Last date of issue: 1 July 2025.	General and/or vocational education and general study preparation (Former structure)	Conditional – all first cycle programmes. General requirements for access to higher education for holders of Slutbetyg issued 2010 onwards: Students must obtain a total of 2350 credits, of which passing grades provide 2250 credits. The following courses are always required (with passing grade): Swedish or Swedish as a second language A and B, English A and Mathematics A.