Higher Education Degree Programs in Sweden
The are many colleges, universities and institutes of higher education in Sweden to offer post secondary education. Degree Programmes in Sweden are offered at the Undergraduate level, Advanced level and Doctoral level.
Undergraduate Level Degree Programmes in Sweden
First Level Education (First Cycle)
The first level education focuses on imparting the basic knowledge and skills. It provides students with an ability to develop and exchange knowledge with people without expertise in the field. In order to be accepted at the first (basic) level, it is mandatory to have finished a high school education or equivalent.
The first level education comprises of the:
- Higher Education Diploma (Hogskoleexamen): This programme is of two years and requires at least 120 credits along with a diploma project.
- Kandidatexamen (Degree of Bachelor): This degree programme encompasses three years of full-time study and requires 180 credits in a specific specialisation decided by each higher education institution itself. At least 90 credits, including an independent project of 15 credits, with in-depth studies must be finished in the main area of study.
Degrees awarded at the undergraduate level are split into general degrees, professional degrees and artistic degrees.
- General degrees: General degrees comprises of college degrees and bachelor degree. College degree requires at least 120 credits, while the bachelor's degree requires 180 credits.
- Artistic degrees: Artistic degree comprises of arts degree and Bachelor of Fine Arts. An arts degree requires at least 120 credits, while the bachelor of Fine Arts requires 180 credits.
- Professional degrees: Such degrees are offered only at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. It includes degree in biomedical laboratory sciences, Occupational therapy, dental, dietitian degree, and so on. And all these degree have varying credit points requirement.
Advanced Level Degree Programmes in Sweden
Second level education (Second Cycle)
Second level education expands the knowledge, skills and abilities that students have obtained at the basic level. Second level education enhances and advances the knowledge and capability of the students to deal with complex matters. It provides them an opportunity to work independently on the research and development. Swedish universities offer master’s programmes in English in a broad array of fields of study: science, business administration, humanities, technology and engineering, healthcare and medicine, fine arts, and so on.
Second level education comprises of:
- Degree of Master (Magisterexamen) (One year): The duration of this study programme is one year and requires 60 higher education credits along with a specific specialisation decided by each higher education institution itself. At least 30 credits must be finished in the major area of study, inclusive of an independent project of at least 15 credits. Additionally, students must have either a Degree of bachelor or a professional degree of at least 180 credits or an equivalent foreign degree for admittance to this degree programme.
- Degree of Master (Masterexamen) (Two years): (Degree of Master (120 credits) requires a defined specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself. At least 60 credits have to be completed in the main field of study including an independent project of at least 30 credits. Additionally, students must have either a Degree of bachelor or a professional degree of at least 180 credits or an equivalent foreign degree for admittance to this degree programme.
Study at the advanced level is split into two general degrees, professional degrees and artistic degrees.
- General degrees: The general degree comprises of master's degree of at least 60 credits, and a master's degree of 120 credits.
- Artistic degrees: The artistic degree comprises of the artistic master's degree of 60 credits, and Master of Fine Arts of 120 credits
- Professional degrees: The professional degrees are offered only at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Courses of study leading to professional degrees may vary in length depending on their subject matter.
Doctoral Level (Third Cycle) Degree Programmes in Sweden
Studies at the third cycle advance the knowledge, skills and abilities required to be able to independently carry out a research activity.
Studies at the doctoral level are two or four years and leads to the degree of licentiate and a doctorate. The PhD is the highest academic degree in Sweden. The course of study consists of coursework and a thesis that contributes to the field of study.
Two degrees are offered at this level:
- Degree of Licentiate (licentiatexamen): The duration is of two years and requires 120 higher education credits, including a thesis of at least 60 credits.
- Degree of Doctor (PhD, doktorsexamen): The duration of this degree program is four years and requires 240 higher education credits, including a thesis of at least 120 credits. It follows the licentiatexamen and is awarded after research and public defense of a thesis.
Exchange Studies
Apart from regular degree programmes, international students are welcome to come to Sweden Institutions as part of an exchange programme for one or two semesters. Exchange programmes are managed and regulated by the individual Swedish and foreign universities that have exchange agreements with each other.