10 - Sweden - Branches of study, specialisation
Mainly as a result of the Bologna process, legislation for a three-cycle structure
of
higher education was adopted in January 2007 and applied since 1 July
2007. The new structure replaces the former system and is the only
structure for all higher education institutions (HEIs). This will
improve international comparability of Swedish education in accordance
with the Bologna process. A new credit point system in line with ECTS
has been introduced. The former degree system has been reformed and
structured to fit the new three-cycle system.
All higher education is pursued in courses and
programmes. The courses can be taken independently or as part of a
study program to form degrees. The scale of a course or study programme
is measured in 'higher education credits'. Full-time studies during one
term equals 30 higher education credits. Universities and university
colleges decide about the organisation of their courses.
Summary of the new structure:
The
credit system for higher education has been brought into line with that
of ECTS so that each academic year corresponds to 60 higher education
credits.
Higher education is divided into three cycles building
on each other. First-cycle qualifications give access to second-cycle
studies, and second-cycle studies give access to third-cycle studies.
At first and second level there are general degrees, artistic degrees
and professional degrees. There are more than 40 professional academic
degrees that have been revised and integrated into the new structure.
First level qualifications(120-180
higher education credits): For admittance to first level studies,
education at upper secondary level or equivalent is required.
General qualifications
- University diploma (högskoleexamen) (2 years, 120 higher education credits)
- Degree of Bachelor (kandidatexamen) (3 years, 180 higher education credits)
Qualifications
in the field of Arts (konstnärliga examina) (2-3 years, 120-180higher
education credits) Exceptions: Folk high school teachers (60 credits).
There are also vocational degrees at the undergraduate level covering
210 higher education credits.
Professional degrees (yrkesexamina) (2-3 years, 120-180 credit points)
Second level qualifications(60-120
higher education credits): For admittance to second level studies,
education corresponding to 180 higher education credits at first level
is required.
General degrees
- Degree of Master (magisterexamen) (1 year, 60 higher education credits)
- Degree of Master (masterexamen) (2 years, 120 higher education credits)
- Qualifications in the field of Arts
- Degree of Master of Arts (konstnärlig magisterexamen)(1year , 60 higher education credits)
- Degree of Master of Arts (konstnärlig masterexamen) (2 years, 120 higher education credits).
- Professional qualifications (yrkesexamina) (1-5.5 years, 60-330 higher education credits)
- First level or second level qualifications
- Degree of Bachelor/Master of Education (Lärarexamen)
The new Master's degree is the equivalent of two years full-time studies and is closely related to education at third level.
Third level(120-240
higher education credits): Third level studies requires a degree at
second level, at least 4 years of studies whereof at least 1 year at
second level, corresponding to foreign education or equivalent
knowledge.
- Degree of Licentiate (Licentiatexamen 2 years, 120 higher education credits)
- Degree of Doctor (Doktorsexamen) (4 years, 240 credit points)
The
Government has decided on new degree descriptions, in line with the
overarching Qualifications Framework of the European higher education
Area (EHEA). A description of the different degrees, their scope and
the learning outcomes expected can be found in the Higher Education
Ordinance and in the ordinance for The Swedish University of
Agricultural Sciences. Decisions governing which universities and
university colleges should be entitled to award a particular
qualification are made by the National Agency for Higher Education
(Högskoleverket), except concerning the Swedish University of
Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, SLU) and the
private educational providers for which the Government makes such
decisions.
Long-study programmes of 4-6 years are maintained for
professional degrees in e.g. medicine, pharmaceutical studies,
psychology, dentistry, architecture, civil engineering and law. Higher
education leading to degrees that are normally shorter than 3 years and
require less than 180 ECTS is offered at ISCED level 5B. Examples are
dental hygienist and a number of shorter general, professional or
artistic programmes. Credits from ISCED 5B studies can be transferred
to first-cycle programmes and degrees at ISCED level 5A (course by
course or as an alternative part of an ISCED 5A programme.) This is not
centrally regulated but is handled by each HEI.
First and second
level education is referred to as undergraduate education whilst third
level education is referred to as post-graduate education.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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