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Sweden : Education Structure (ages 3-19)

• 3.1 Compulsory education
• 3.2 Educational phases (ages 3 - 19)

Last updated: 31-Mar-2008

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Phase of education							Year /grade key	Typ- ical age
Adult education **** and,   from 18 years of age onwards, advanced vocational training	Higher education - universities and university colleges
	University diploma, 2 to 5.5 years	Professional degrees Master's degrees 4 years
			Bachelors degree 3 years
				Diploma 2 years
						Single course
								19 +
	Upper secondary education						12	18- 19
							11	17- 18
							10	16-  17
	Compulsory education Grundskola						9	15- 16
							8	14- 15
							7	13- 14
							6	12- 13
					After-school childcare***		5	11- 12
							4	10- 11
							3	9- 10
							2	8- 9
							1	7- 8*
	Pre-school class (Förskoleklass) in the Grundskola **							6- 7
								5- 6
	Pre-primary education Forskola **							4- 5
								3- 4
								2- 3
								1- 2
								0- 1

Bold = compulsory phase education

* Compulsory education normally begins at age 7.  However, since 1991, 6-year-olds have also been able to enroll in Year 1 of compulsory education in the grundskola if places are available.  Since 1998 it has also been possible to postpone a child's entry to the grundskola until the child is 8 years of age. Despite both of theses changes, most children still commence school in the autumn of the same year as their seventh birthday.

** Since 1 July 1997, it has been a statutory requirement for all municipalities to provide publicly-funded education, either in a pre-school class in the grundskola, where possible, or in pre-school or childcare institutions otherwise for all 6-year-olds who wish to attend.  In addition, since 1st January 2003, all 4- and 5-year-olds have been entitled to a free place in pre-school for a minimum of 525 hours each year.

***  After-school childcare centres are available for children aged 6 to 12 who are in need of care outside school hours.  These are usually located on school premises, and childcare centre staff collaborate closely, in teams, with teachers and pre-school teachers.  Some municipalities also offer family day nurseries for this age group.

**** Adult education provides opportunities for those who have not completed compulsory or post-compulsory school to finish their education.  Municipalities must offer such provision, which also offers opportunities for broadening qualifications and education and lifelong learning. 

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