The Swedish school system consists of nine years at a ‘grundskola’ (comprehensive school), which is compulsory, and three years at a ‘gymnasium’ (upper secondary school), which is voluntary. Most practical vocational training also takes place within the framework of upper secondary education, providing qualification for higher education. Most pupils from comprehensive school carry on to upper secondary school. Compulsory schooling starts at the age of seven. Almost all municipalities offer a ‘starting school’ scheme in a pre-school class from the age of six.

Compulsory comprehensive schools (grundskolor) and upper secondary schools (gymnasier) are operated by municipalities, but are subject to national curricula and government supervision. Skolverket (Swedish National Agency for Education) has more information about the Swedish school system. For information about schools and upper secondary schools in your municipality, see the green pages in your local phone book. 

International schools/Independent schools 
There are a growing number of independent schools (friskolor), which are also financed to a greater or lesser extent from public funds. For more information, please contact Skolverket (the Swedish National Agency for Education), where you can obtain more information about boarding schools (internatskolor) and international schools. These are found mainly in the large cities. 

Higher education
Applicants to university or college are normally required to have completed upper secondary school education in Sweden or abroad. Certain prior knowledge in one or more subject areas is almost always required. 

Most universities in Sweden are operated by the State. There are universities and colleges in more than twenty locations around the country. It costs nothing to study at Swedish universities and colleges, but you must pay a registration fee. You are expected to buy your own course books and pay your own living costs. You can contact CSN (the Swedish Board for Study Support) to see whether you are entitled to a grant or a study loan from the Swedish State. 

Adult education
All Swedish municipalities provide adult education, which is equivalent to comprehensive school and upper secondary school and also includes a number of supplementary courses. The municipalities also provide basic adult education for immigrants. Tuition is free, but a charge may be made for teaching materials. 

Folkhögskolor (folk high schools)
A specifically Scandinavian form of adult education is the ‘folkhögskola’ (folk high school), which is primarily operated in the form of boarding schools. The schools are owned by county councils or by non-profit organisations such as trade unions, churches and temperance societies. They set their own curricula and can offer a wide range of theoretical courses, artistic subjects, international affairs and environmental protection.

Text last edited on: 11/2009