Upper Secondary Vocational Diploma (Yrkesexamen)

Key features

Qualification: Yrkesexamen

Qualification in English: Upper Secondary Vocational Diploma

Educational level: Upper Secondary Vocational Education

NQF level: 4

EQF level: 4

Nominal length/ workload: 3 years full time studies/ at least 2,500 credits (gymnasiepoäng)

Work-based learning: Not defined by legislation.

Access requirement: 9 years compulsory education

Access to further studies: Higher education (with passing grades in specific Swedish and English courses) and Higher Vocational Education.

Programmes and mode of education

There are 12 vocational national programmes, each focusing on a different vocational field. Upper secondary VET programmes are offered either as school-based education or apprenticeship education. Both pathways incorporate mandatory training at the workplace; in school-based programmes the overall share of work-based learning is at least 15%; in apprenticeship the minimum is 50%.

The structure of the vocational programmes, comprising 2500 credits, is divided into Foundation subjects, Programme-specific subjects (900 credits), a compulsory Diploma project (100 credits), and Individual choice (200 credits). The remaining credits are allocated to Orientation subjects and Orientation extension subjects.

Programme-specific subjects consist of general subjects such as languages, mathematics, and social science, while Orientation subjects consist of vocational courses related to the programme.

Within Orientation extension and Individual choice, students can select from a wide range of both general and vocational courses.

National vocational programmes:
  • Child and Recreation Programme (BF)
  • Building and Construction Programme (BA)
  • Electricity and Energy Programme (EE)
  • Vehicle and Transport Programme (FT)
  • Sales and Service Programme (FS)
  • Handicraft Programme (HV)
  • Hotel and Tourism Programme (HT)
  • Industrial Technology Programme (IN)
  • Natural Resource Use Programme (NB)
  • Restaurant Management and Food Programme (RL)
  • HVAC and Property Maintenance Programme (VF)
  • Health and Social Care Programme (VO)

Diploma/Certificate provided

Gymnasieexamen/Yrkesexamen (Upper Secondary Diploma/Upper Secondary Vocational Diploma)

Certificate Supplement

Skolverket/ Europass: https://www.skolverket.se/skolutveckling/anordna-och-administrera-utbildning/administrera-utbildning/europass—ett-tillagg-till-yrkesexamen-pa-gymnasial-niva