Presentation of the country
Sweden

The education system

National characteristics of the education system

   Almost half the Swedish population participates in some form of organized education. All education, from pre-school to higher education, is free. Sweden has one of the highest levels of public spending on education relative to GDP in the EU.

Decentralized education system

Sweden has a decentralized education system, guided by centrally defined objectives and learning outcomes. The government assumes overall responsibility and sets the framework for education at all levels.

In Sweden, the municipalities (kommuner) are responsible for organizing education in the home:

• Pre-school education (förskola)
• Preschool (förskoleklass)
• Compulsory school (grundskola)
• High school (Gymnasieskola)
• Municipal adult education (kommunal vuxenutbildning, Komvux)
• Swedish courses for immigrants (svenskaundervisning för invandrare, sfi)
• Leisure centers (fritidshem)

The majority of funding for schools at these levels, including independent subsidized schools (fristående skolor), comes from municipal tax revenues. Subsidized independent schools are open to all, and follow the same curricula as municipal schools.

Higher education is provided by state universities (universitet) and state university colleges (högskolor), as well as by private institutions. Some private higher education establishments receive state subsidies.

Higher vocational education (yrkeshögskolan) is provided by state universities, state university colleges, municipalities, county councils and independent education providers. Each year, the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (Myndigheten för yrkeshögskolan) issues a call for applications from education providers wishing to have their educational programs included in Swedish higher vocational education. Approved applications are valid for 2-5 education cycles, after which the provider must submit a new application.

Focus on lifelong learning

One of the overall aims of the Swedish education system is to strengthen the basis for lifelong learning for students. This is expressed, for example, in the curricula for compulsory and upper secondary education.

Sweden has a comprehensive adult education system, including municipal and liberal adult education (Folkbildning). Higher education and higher vocational education are free, and Swedish citizens are entitled to post-secondary student aid (studiemedel) up to the age of 60. The student support system is equal for all, and is mainly granted regardless of the financial situation of parents or families.

Organisation of the education system

Preschool (förskoleklass) has been compulsory since 2018 for all children from the year they turn six. Compulsory school (Grundskola) then starts at the age of seven and ends at the age of 16. Pre-school education (förskola) is heavily subsidized and available from around the age of one. Over 90% of children attend kindergarten.

Upper secondary education (gymnasieskola) comprises 18 national programs and five introductory programs (introduktionsprogram) for students who are not eligible for a national program. The national programs include 12 vocational programs (yrkes program) and six preparatory programs for higher education (högskoleförberedande program). Students generally start upper secondary school at the age of 16 and finish upper secondary school at the age of 19.

Students who have not completed upper secondary education can attend municipal adult education (kommunal vuxenutbildning, Komvux) or folk high schools (Folkhögskola). Students who have completed upper secondary education can also apply to universities (universitet), university colleges (högskola) and/or higher vocational education (yrkeshögskola), depending on their choice of program and national upper secondary courses as part of individual options.

Mainly as a result of the Bologna process, higher education in Sweden follows a three-cycle structure. The first and second cycles are called undergraduate education, and the third cycle is called postgraduate education.

For Further Information

• Présentation générale de la Suède et de son système éducatif