Sweden’s higher education system

Higher education in Sweden is divided into first, second and third cycle, which corresponds to the European standard. This includes bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes.

Degrees, credits and levels

A fulltime workload is 30 credits per semester and 60 credits in a normal, 40 week academic year.

First cycle

Higher Education Diploma 120 credits
Bachelor's Degree 180 credits

Second cycle

Master's Degree 60 credits
Master's Degree 120 credits

Third cycle

Licentiate Degree 120 credits
Doctoral/PhD Degree 240 credits

Grading system

There is no national grading system in Sweden. Higher education institutions may determine which grading system is to be used. No overall grade is awarded for a degree and students are not ranked. For example, Grade Point Average (GPA) and other ranking systems are not used in Sweden.

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