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*[image: Students]Q: What do I need to enroll?*
*A:* To qualify all international applicants must first meet the minimum
requirements for entry into higher...
15 years ago
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
University and university college: What’s the difference?
Two slightly different terms are still used in Sweden to describe institutions of higher education: universitet (university) and högskola (university college). The formal difference is that the former enjoys the unrestricted right to award Licentiate and PhD degrees while the latter does not. Most university colleges do not award PhDs.
However, the government can decide, on application by a university college, whether it should be permitted to confer doctoral or licentiate degrees. Some university colleges have been granted the right to do so in specific fields of study.
As for the right to award lower level degrees there is normally no difference between a university or university college. A degree conferred by a university college is equivalent to a degree awarded by a university.
Although there is a formal distinction between a Swedish university and university college, the name of the higher education institution may not always indicate whether it is a university (universitet) or a university college (högskola). Some university colleges call themselves “universities”, and conversely, some universities are called “högskola” in Swedish, even though they have university status.
What does differ from institution to institution, however, is the ‘product’, i.e. what is on offer in terms of programs, departments and faculties. The specialization of each institution has often developed as a result of close, long-standing collaboration with local industries and the business community, and this can provide unique experiences not matched by other places.
Read more...
However, the government can decide, on application by a university college, whether it should be permitted to confer doctoral or licentiate degrees. Some university colleges have been granted the right to do so in specific fields of study.
As for the right to award lower level degrees there is normally no difference between a university or university college. A degree conferred by a university college is equivalent to a degree awarded by a university.
Although there is a formal distinction between a Swedish university and university college, the name of the higher education institution may not always indicate whether it is a university (universitet) or a university college (högskola). Some university colleges call themselves “universities”, and conversely, some universities are called “högskola” in Swedish, even though they have university status.
What does differ from institution to institution, however, is the ‘product’, i.e. what is on offer in terms of programs, departments and faculties. The specialization of each institution has often developed as a result of close, long-standing collaboration with local industries and the business community, and this can provide unique experiences not matched by other places.
Recognition of foreign diplomas and degrees
There is no special recognition procedure for foreign students who want to study in Sweden. Your education and eligibility are assessed by the university or university college you apply to on the basis of the information given in your application and the attached documents.
If the latter are in any language other than English, authorized translations will normally be required. Some universities and university colleges may accept documents in other major European languages as well.
If you are living in Sweden and looking for work, written, formal recognition of your foreign diplomas or degrees may be helpful. Recognition of foreign upper-secondary diplomas is undertaken by the National Admissions Office for Higher Education.
Recognition of general academic degrees is undertaken by the Swedish National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC), a section of the National Agency for Higher Education. The Agency is also the first point of contact for general EU directives on recognition of professional qualifications in the EU.
Read more...
If the latter are in any language other than English, authorized translations will normally be required. Some universities and university colleges may accept documents in other major European languages as well.
If you are living in Sweden and looking for work, written, formal recognition of your foreign diplomas or degrees may be helpful. Recognition of foreign upper-secondary diplomas is undertaken by the National Admissions Office for Higher Education.
Recognition of general academic degrees is undertaken by the Swedish National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC), a section of the National Agency for Higher Education. The Agency is also the first point of contact for general EU directives on recognition of professional qualifications in the EU.
Credits and degrees
Starting with the 2007 academic year, Swedish higher education institutions have switched to a new degree structure that conforms to the Bologna Process, a Europe-wide standardization drive for higher education.
The new degree structure creates three levels of higher education – a first level, second level, and third level, each with minimum requirements for entry. Degrees awarded at each level are defined in terms of the expected results and abilities of students (“learning outcomes”). Higher education institutions should specify objectives for all courses at the first and second levels, describing the student’s expected learning outcomes at the conclusion of the course. This clarifies the knowledge each student is expected to possess at the end of the course in order to pass the course.
Sweden has also introduced a new credit system, “högskolepoäng” (higher education credits), which replaces the old Swedish system and which is compatible with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit system. Under the new Swedish system, one academic year of full-time studies is equivalent to 60 higher education credits. Forty old Swedish credit points equal 60 new higher education credits (and 60 ECTS).
First level
At the first level of study, there are two degree options: the “högskoleexamen”, achievable after two years of study (120 ECTS), and the “kandidatexamen”, or bachelor's degree, achievable after three years (180 ECTS). One prerequisite for starting higher education studies at the first level is the successful completion of an upper secondary school education.
Second level
At the second level of study, there are also two degree options:
There is a new two-year master’s degree - Degree of Master (Two Years), called “masterexamen” in Swedish (120 ECTS). Authorization to award “masterexamen” is given to state universities and other higher education institutions that are approved for research in one or more disciplinary domains, and to private education providers that are authorized to award doctorates and licentiates in a disciplinary domain. Other higher education institutions have to apply to the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (state education providers) or the Government (private education providers) for authorization to award the degree.
The Degree of Master (One Year), “magisterexamen” in Swedish, is limited to one-year study programs only (60 ECTS).
A prerequisite for studying at the second level is the completion of at least three years at first level at a Swedish higher education institution, or the international equivalent – such as a three-year bachelor’s degree (180 higher education credits). Specialized knowledge may also suffice.
Third level
At the third level of study, students are eligible for a Degree of Licentiate, “licentiatexamen”, after two years of research (120 ECTS), and a Degree of Doctor (PhD), “doktorsexamen”, after fours years of research (240 ECTS).
A prerequisite for studies at the third level is possession of a second-level degree – a Degree of Master (Two Years) or a Degree of Master (One Year) – or the completion of four years of full-time studies – three at the first level and at least one year at the second level. Comparable international degrees are also admissible, and specialized knowledge may suffice as well.
Read more...
The new degree structure creates three levels of higher education – a first level, second level, and third level, each with minimum requirements for entry. Degrees awarded at each level are defined in terms of the expected results and abilities of students (“learning outcomes”). Higher education institutions should specify objectives for all courses at the first and second levels, describing the student’s expected learning outcomes at the conclusion of the course. This clarifies the knowledge each student is expected to possess at the end of the course in order to pass the course.
Sweden has also introduced a new credit system, “högskolepoäng” (higher education credits), which replaces the old Swedish system and which is compatible with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit system. Under the new Swedish system, one academic year of full-time studies is equivalent to 60 higher education credits. Forty old Swedish credit points equal 60 new higher education credits (and 60 ECTS).
First level
At the first level of study, there are two degree options: the “högskoleexamen”, achievable after two years of study (120 ECTS), and the “kandidatexamen”, or bachelor's degree, achievable after three years (180 ECTS). One prerequisite for starting higher education studies at the first level is the successful completion of an upper secondary school education.
Second level
At the second level of study, there are also two degree options:
There is a new two-year master’s degree - Degree of Master (Two Years), called “masterexamen” in Swedish (120 ECTS). Authorization to award “masterexamen” is given to state universities and other higher education institutions that are approved for research in one or more disciplinary domains, and to private education providers that are authorized to award doctorates and licentiates in a disciplinary domain. Other higher education institutions have to apply to the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (state education providers) or the Government (private education providers) for authorization to award the degree.
The Degree of Master (One Year), “magisterexamen” in Swedish, is limited to one-year study programs only (60 ECTS).
A prerequisite for studying at the second level is the completion of at least three years at first level at a Swedish higher education institution, or the international equivalent – such as a three-year bachelor’s degree (180 higher education credits). Specialized knowledge may also suffice.
Third level
At the third level of study, students are eligible for a Degree of Licentiate, “licentiatexamen”, after two years of research (120 ECTS), and a Degree of Doctor (PhD), “doktorsexamen”, after fours years of research (240 ECTS).
A prerequisite for studies at the third level is possession of a second-level degree – a Degree of Master (Two Years) or a Degree of Master (One Year) – or the completion of four years of full-time studies – three at the first level and at least one year at the second level. Comparable international degrees are also admissible, and specialized knowledge may suffice as well.
programs and courses
study program at a Swedish university consists of a number of courses in a particular field of study – such as business, humanities or natural sciences - leading to a specific degree. These programs vary in length – most English language master’s level programs in Sweden are one- or two-year full-time study programs.
The academic year is divided into two terms. The autumn term begins at the end of August and lasts until mid-January with a short break at the end of December. The spring term runs from mid-January to the beginning of June. Full-time studies correspond approximately to a 40-hour work week. Students normally study only one course at a time. Exceptions include technology subjects, where several courses may be studied simultaneously.
Study programs usually contain a mix of compulsory, recommended and optional courses. This system allows institutions to combine courses into full programs, offering varying levels of individual choice.
The structure of individual courses varies with the subject area. Technical programs normally feature courses with a high proportion of scheduled hours. Courses in the social sciences and arts involve approximately 4-15 hours of attendance per week, but you will be expected to read in your own time which adds up to full-time study.
Course activities can include lectures attended by up to several hundred students and smaller seminars where students are expected to play an active part in discussions and express their own views. Classes – composed of groups of 20-30 students (occasionally fewer) – are designed to encourage interaction and discussion with the teacher. The aim is to help you develop your polemical skills and to encourage critical thinking.
The required reading is usually extensive, and you will be responsible for buying your own books, although teachers often prepare and hand out compendia. Courses in technology and the natural sciences involve substantial laboratory work. Practical exercises are a feature of many study programs. Most programs conclude with a degree thesis or project work.
Examinations are usually in the form of written and oral tests. Laboratory work, group work and special projects may be the subject of both oral and written reports. Students are expected to be able to use computers and word-processing programs, e-mail and the internet. Universities and university colleges offer access to computer rooms and internet services.
As a foreign student you may find relations between teachers and students at Swedish universities and university colleges surprisingly informal. It is not unusual to see students and teachers fraternizing outside regular lecture hours.
This makes for a comfortable and stimulating study environment, in which students are encouraged to develop and apply their own critical faculties. Students enjoy a large measure of independence and are expected to do a substantial amount of work on their own initiative. This approach can be demanding and you must be prepared to take a good deal of responsibility for your own studies.
Students are also expected to observe high standards of academic conduct. Academic misconduct, such as cheating and plagiarism, is considered a serious offence and a variety of sanctions can be applied if a student is found guilty. These range from warnings to suspension for a specified period.
Plagiarism and cheating involve presenting as your own work something you did not do yourself. Examples include the use of another author's words or ideas without proper citation, turning in work which someone else did for you, copying from someone else’s paper during an exam, or using notes during an exam (unless approved by the teacher). There are many other examples; when in doubt do not hesitate to consult your professor.
Read more...
The academic year is divided into two terms. The autumn term begins at the end of August and lasts until mid-January with a short break at the end of December. The spring term runs from mid-January to the beginning of June. Full-time studies correspond approximately to a 40-hour work week. Students normally study only one course at a time. Exceptions include technology subjects, where several courses may be studied simultaneously.
Study programs usually contain a mix of compulsory, recommended and optional courses. This system allows institutions to combine courses into full programs, offering varying levels of individual choice.
The structure of individual courses varies with the subject area. Technical programs normally feature courses with a high proportion of scheduled hours. Courses in the social sciences and arts involve approximately 4-15 hours of attendance per week, but you will be expected to read in your own time which adds up to full-time study.
Course activities can include lectures attended by up to several hundred students and smaller seminars where students are expected to play an active part in discussions and express their own views. Classes – composed of groups of 20-30 students (occasionally fewer) – are designed to encourage interaction and discussion with the teacher. The aim is to help you develop your polemical skills and to encourage critical thinking.
The required reading is usually extensive, and you will be responsible for buying your own books, although teachers often prepare and hand out compendia. Courses in technology and the natural sciences involve substantial laboratory work. Practical exercises are a feature of many study programs. Most programs conclude with a degree thesis or project work.
Examinations are usually in the form of written and oral tests. Laboratory work, group work and special projects may be the subject of both oral and written reports. Students are expected to be able to use computers and word-processing programs, e-mail and the internet. Universities and university colleges offer access to computer rooms and internet services.
As a foreign student you may find relations between teachers and students at Swedish universities and university colleges surprisingly informal. It is not unusual to see students and teachers fraternizing outside regular lecture hours.
This makes for a comfortable and stimulating study environment, in which students are encouraged to develop and apply their own critical faculties. Students enjoy a large measure of independence and are expected to do a substantial amount of work on their own initiative. This approach can be demanding and you must be prepared to take a good deal of responsibility for your own studies.
Students are also expected to observe high standards of academic conduct. Academic misconduct, such as cheating and plagiarism, is considered a serious offence and a variety of sanctions can be applied if a student is found guilty. These range from warnings to suspension for a specified period.
Plagiarism and cheating involve presenting as your own work something you did not do yourself. Examples include the use of another author's words or ideas without proper citation, turning in work which someone else did for you, copying from someone else’s paper during an exam, or using notes during an exam (unless approved by the teacher). There are many other examples; when in doubt do not hesitate to consult your professor.
Why study in Sweden
There are compelling reasons why you should study in Sweden. Innovation and creativity run deep Sweden is a safe and modern country in northern Europe, and it has accrued a spectacular reputation as an innovator and creative force. Sweden’s famed corporate brands – like Volvo, Ikea, Ericsson, H&M and Saab – complement its cultural brands – like Ingmar Bergman, Abba, Astrid Lindgren, Bjorn Borg, August Strindberg, The Cardigans and Greta Garbo.
Standards are high
Sweden has a long and proud history of academic excellence, with outstanding universities dating back to the 15th century. Sweden is the home of the Nobel Prize, the world’s most prestigious academic distinction.
Today, Sweden’s reputation for innovation is built on close cooperation between industry and academia. Swedish universities are renowned for their investigative research and independent thinking, and this reputation is cemented with rigorous quality control and nationally certified degrees. Sweden has one of the most ambitious educational evaluation programs in Europe, aimed at maintaining this competitive edge.
Choice
Swedish universities offer around 500 master’s programs in English, ranging from human rights law to mechanical engineering. Programs are structured in response to student demand – the result is a student-centric education system, with open, informal relations between students and teachers, and where personal initiative and critical thought are prized.
Foreign students are welcome
Many students studying in Sweden come from abroad – 8.5% of the student body, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – making Sweden one of the world’s most inclusive countries for education. But there is room for more: the number grew by over 80% over the last 4-year period. There are now PhD candidates from some 80 countries working towards their degrees in Sweden.
Sweden’s educational policy is based on the recognition that a multicultural student body is a resource. Competition for places is keen, but students of all nationalities may apply, given the right credentials; and degree equivalency for past studies is granted on a flexible basis.
Scholarships are available
The Swedish Institute grants hundreds of scholarships every year to help foreign students make their stay in Sweden more affordable. Currently, tuition fees for everyone are fully subsidized by the state. Sweden’s public spending on education is the OECD’s highest, at 4.9% of GDP. And because it costs to live in Sweden, foreign students can work while studying.
English is spoken by all
Almost all Swedes speak fluent English. Many Swedish companies use English as their official working language. Foreign students find that this prevalence of English makes adapting to their new surroundings much easier.
Read more...
Standards are high
Sweden has a long and proud history of academic excellence, with outstanding universities dating back to the 15th century. Sweden is the home of the Nobel Prize, the world’s most prestigious academic distinction.
Today, Sweden’s reputation for innovation is built on close cooperation between industry and academia. Swedish universities are renowned for their investigative research and independent thinking, and this reputation is cemented with rigorous quality control and nationally certified degrees. Sweden has one of the most ambitious educational evaluation programs in Europe, aimed at maintaining this competitive edge.
Choice
Swedish universities offer around 500 master’s programs in English, ranging from human rights law to mechanical engineering. Programs are structured in response to student demand – the result is a student-centric education system, with open, informal relations between students and teachers, and where personal initiative and critical thought are prized.
Foreign students are welcome
Many students studying in Sweden come from abroad – 8.5% of the student body, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – making Sweden one of the world’s most inclusive countries for education. But there is room for more: the number grew by over 80% over the last 4-year period. There are now PhD candidates from some 80 countries working towards their degrees in Sweden.
Sweden’s educational policy is based on the recognition that a multicultural student body is a resource. Competition for places is keen, but students of all nationalities may apply, given the right credentials; and degree equivalency for past studies is granted on a flexible basis.
Scholarships are available
The Swedish Institute grants hundreds of scholarships every year to help foreign students make their stay in Sweden more affordable. Currently, tuition fees for everyone are fully subsidized by the state. Sweden’s public spending on education is the OECD’s highest, at 4.9% of GDP. And because it costs to live in Sweden, foreign students can work while studying.
English is spoken by all
Almost all Swedes speak fluent English. Many Swedish companies use English as their official working language. Foreign students find that this prevalence of English makes adapting to their new surroundings much easier.
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