Preparing for Higher Education in Sweden

Headed to University, in about 12 years!

All Swedish children are entitled to preschool education and playtime for up to three hours per day between ages 1-3. Preschool is free for most Swedish children and is highly subsidized for higher income children (Swedish Preschool, 2019). From ages 6-16 Primary (grundskolan) education is compulsory, with homeschooling being an alternative education for only ill or disabled children. Upon graduating from primary education all students are entitled to the next phase of education with most students opting to continue into one of two choices of upper secondary schools (gymnasieskola) for three years, between ages 16-19. At this juncture students can choose between either a vocational education or they can choose a pre-university (higher ed preparatory) education. A vocational degree generally will not qualify upper secondary students to continue into the higher education system unless they have completed additional, required courses. However, the higher education preparatory route and completion certificate automatically enables students to enter university (Mir-Jabbar, S. 2017). 

This information was gathered from the Swedish National Agency for Education and from Nordic Co-operation.  Mir-Jabbar, S. (2017, November 02). Secondary Education in Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, plus the U.S. Perspective: November 2017 Newsletter. Retrieved from ://www.taicep.org/taiceporgwp/secondary-education-in-scandinavia-denmark-norway- sweden-plus-the-u-s-perspective-november-2017-newsletter/

Swedish preschool. (2019, July 19). Retrieved from https://sweden.se/society/play-is-key-in-preschool/