Admission

Here you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding admission to higher education in Sweden.

  • The national regulations on admission to higher education can be found in Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). Universitets- och högskolerådet (The Swedish Council for Higher Education) is responsible for admissions and information about studies and has issued regulations on general entry requirements and selection. Each HEI must also have its own admission regulations laying down its own requirements.

    To the regulations on the Swedish Council for Higher Education’s website

  • General entry requirements

    Certain prior knowledge is required for access to higher education and this is specified in the entry requirements. Entry requirements are divided into general entry requirements and specific entry requirements. The general entry requirements apply for all higher education programmes. But many programmes also have additional requirements, which are called specific entry requirements. Requirements of this kind must be totally necessary for students to benefit from the programme.

    Selection

    When there are more applicants to a programme than the number of places available selection has to take place. The applicants are first divided into different selection groups. The students in each selection group are ranked on the basis of their qualifications, for instance their upper-secondary school grades. The ones who are ranked highest are then admitted to the programme they applied for.

  • Entry requirements

    General entry requirements also apply for second-cycle programmes. Requirements differ depending on whether courses form part of a degree programme or are freestanding. Some second-cycle programmes that lead to the award of a professional qualification may require possession of a specific degree or professional status qualification. HEIs may also lay down their own specific entry requirements. Requirements of this kind must be totally necessary for students to benefit from the programme.

    Selection

    Selection may also take place for admission to second-cycle programmes. This is carried out in the same way as for admission to first-cycle programmes.

  • Yes, HEIs may base selection on special examinations for no more than one-third of the places offered in a programme. When admission applies to programmes that lead to the award of a qualification in the fine, applied and performing arts, all the places may be allocated on the basis of a special entrance examination.

  • Appeals against decisions that an applicant does not fulfil the entry requirements for first or second-cycle programmes and decisions not to allow exemption from the entry requirements may be made to the Higher Education Appeals Board. No appeal may be made about selection decisions to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

    To the Higher Education Appeals Board's website

  • UKÄ refers questions concerning admission to higher education to the Swedish Council for Higher Education. The council’s task is to be responsible for admissions and information about studying. It can also provide information about the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test and how qualifications are assessed.

    To the Swedish Council for Higher Education's website