Education system and teaching style in Sweden

Swedish higher education system has historically been influenced by the social, economic and intellectual forces. It has a long academic tradition, reaching even the fifteenth century. Universities are internationally recognized for strict quality control and encouragement of independent thinking.

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Study system in Sweden is very flexible: you can choose programme and study it for three or two years (bachelor or master) and the other way is to become a “free mover”. It means that you will build your own study programme from the short-term courses.  There is no time limit or obligatory courses. You are allowed study on your own pace, at different universities, take distance courses, but the main goal is to collect required amount of credits for getting your degree.

We could give you an example, for a bachelor's degree you need: 180 credits in total, whereof 90 credits in the main field of subject (e.x Tourism Management). The remaining 90 credits can be almost anything: management, languages etc. It depends on your interests.

If you choose traditional way of studying, to finish Undergraduate Study takes 3 years and  Master lasts 1-2 years. Usually students have one or two subjects at the same time, then they have exam or presentation and begin new courses.

In Sweden school year runs from the late August to the early June.

Study rates. For European Union citizens the undergraduate and master's studies in Sweden are free of charge. While for the others over the years it would cost 8-14 thousand euros. Doctoral studies are free for everybody.

Swedish universities do not gives Scholarship easily, but you may check the options here.

Teaching style

Communication with teachers is very informal, you can call everybody only by name, regardless of what he\she is - a professor or rector of the university. Lectures are very interesting, because in order to explain theory lecturers give much practical tasks, encourage students to discuss or arrange study visits. In Sweden working in groups is very common. Mostly group project’s results comprise a large part of the grade and the group presentation serves as exam.

Often guest lectures are organized, then the professionals in the field talk about their work experience and gives access to the actual work situation. In addition, students are encouraged to ask questions in every way, and if they don’t have time to find out all the answers during the lecture, you can get you answers by email within an incredibly short time.

You will find out more about teaching style in one of our up-coming posts. Keep looking!