Study levels and degrees
There are a total of ten different higher education qualifications and a number of professional qualifications offered in Sweden at the bachelor's (first cycle), master's (second cycle), and doctoral (third cycle) levels.
A higher education qualification is proof that you've studied a subject to a certain level or that you've completed a specific programme.
Education levels
All courses and programmes at universities and university colleges are divided into three levels:
- bachelor's (first cycle)
- master's (second cycle)
- doctoral (third cycle)
All levels build on the level before. Each course or programme has entry requirements. As a beginner, you'll apply to courses and programmes at the bachelor's level.
Study levels (cycles) and the Bologna Process
As a member of the European Union, Sweden conforms to a number of guidelines for higher education in Europe. These guidelines, called the Bologna Process, help all countries describe higher education in the same way.
According to the Bologna Process, courses and programmes are to be organised into three different levels called cycles - first, second and third. First cycle is for the most part equivalent to what is known as the undergraduate level, or bachelor's level of studies. Second cycle corresponds to graduate level or master's level studies. Third cycle corresponds to doctoral or PhD level studies. Different types of qualifications can be offered at all three cycles.
These are unfamiliar terms for the majority of individuals. Here at Studera.nu, we most often use the terms bachelor's, master's and doctoral to describe study levels as we have found that they are the most familiar and make the most sense.
Bachelor's level (First cycle)
At this level, you'll start studying a course or programme in a subject area that doesn't require previous university studies. It is for beginners to higher education. Most programmes offered at the bachelor's level in Sweden are 3 years of full-time studies in length and award 180 credits.
Master's level (Second cycle)
In order to study a programme at the master's level, you must have successfully completed one of the following:
- a Swedish 3-year degree at 'grundnivå' (bachelor's level)
- a bachelor's degree from a foreign country
- a corresponding qualification
If you wish to take freestanding courses (instead of being admitted to a study programme) at the master's level, you must first have studied the course at the bachelor's level. Here, there is no requirement that one must first complete an entire degree at the bachelor's level.
Doctoral level (Third cycle)
In order to study at the doctoral level, you must have completed a degree at the master's level.
Read more about third cycle education
Bachelor's (First cycle) qualifications
At the bachelor's level (first cycle), you can study for:
- a general qualification
- a qualification in fine, applied and performing arts
- a professional qualification
The contents of each qualification are found in the Higher Education Ordinance, annex 2.
Read more in the Higher Education Ordinance, Annex 2
General qualification
Most university and university college programmes lead to a general qualification. It shows that the student has studied a subject or subject area to a certain level and depth.
General qualifications at the bachelor's level (first cycle) are:
- Högskoleexamen (Higher Education Diploma), 120 credits including a degree project
- Kandidatexamen (Degree of Bachelor), 180 credits, at least 90 credits must be in the main field of study, including a degree project of at least 15 credits.
Fine, applied and performing arts qualifications
A fine, applied or performing arts qualification is awarded after studying an artistic higher education programme.
Artistic qualifications at the bachelor's (first cycle) level:
- Konstnärlig högskoleexamen (Higher Education Diploma), 120 credits including a degree project.
- Konstnärlig kandidatexamen (Degree of Bachelor), 180 credits including a degree project of at least 15 credits.
Professional qualifications
There are some qualifications at this level that lead to a specific profession, for example teaching, engineering or nursing. In many cases, you must have completed a specific programme in order to be licensed to work in your profession. These qualifications are called professional qualifications.
Master's (second cycle) qualifications
At the second cycle level - master's - you can earn a general qualification, an artistic qualification or a professional qualification.
The contents of each qualification are found in the Higher Education Ordinance, annex 2.
Read more in the Higher Education Ordinance, Annex 2
In order to study at the master's (second cycle) level, you must have completed a general exam (first cycle qualification), artistic qualification, or professional qualification at the bachelor's (first cycle) level. This usually means a kandidatexamen from Sweden, or a bachelor's degree from another country.
General qualification
At the master's level, there are two general qualifications:
- Magisterexamen (Degree of Master), 60 credits, at least 30 credits in the main field of study, including a degree project of at least 15 credits.
- Masterexamen (Degree of Master), 120 points, at least 60 credits in the main field of study, including a degree project of at least 30 credits.
Fine, applied and performing arts (artistic) qualification
There are two fine, applied and performing arts qualifications at the master's level:
- Konstnärlig magisterexamen (Degree of Master of Fine Arts), 60 credits, including a degree project of at least 15 credits.
- Konstnärlig masterexamen (Degree of Master of Fine Arts), 120 credits, including a degree project of at least 30 credits.
Professional qualifications
There are also qualifications at the master's level that lead to a specific profession, called professional qualifications. Some examples are teaching or midwifery.
In some cases, you must have already completed a programme from which you received a license to work in that profession.
Doctoral (Third cycle) Qualifications
At the doctoral (third cycle) level, there are general and artistic qualifications.
General qualifications
- Licentiatexamen (Degree of Licentiate), 120 credits including a scholarly academic paper of at least 60 credits.
- Doktorsexamen (Degree of Doctor), 240 credits including a doctoral thesis of at least 120 credits.
Fine, applied and performing arts (artistic) qualification
- Konstnärlig licentiatexamen (Degree of Licentiate), 120 credits including a scholarly academic paper of at least 60 credits.
- Konstnärlig doktorsexamen (Degree of Doctor), 240 credits including a doctoral thesis of at least 120 credits.
List of all qualifications, length, and credits
Bachelor's level (first cycle) qualifications
General qualifications
| Qualification | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Högskoleexamen (Higher Education Diploma) | 2 years | 120 |
| Kandidatexamen (Degree of Bachelor) | 3 years | 180 |
Artistic qualifications
| Qualification | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Konstnärlig högskoleexamen (Higher Education Diploma) | 2 years | 120 |
| Konstnärlig kandidatexamen (Degree of Bachelor) | 3 years | 180 |
Professional Qualifications
| Qualification | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Audiology | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering | 3.5 years | 210 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Dietetics | 3 years | 180 |
| Higher Education Diploma in Veterinary Nursing | 2 years | 120 |
| Higher Education Certificate in Folk High School Education | 1 year | 60 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor in Preschool Teaching | 3.5 years | 210 |
| Higher Education Diploma in Equine Science | 2 years | 120 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Landscape Construction and Management | 3 years | 180 |
| Higher Education Diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management | 2 years | 120 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Optometry | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Radiology Nursing | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science | 3 years | 180 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Forest Management | 3 years | 180 |
| Higher Education Diploma in Forest Management | 2 years | 120 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Social Work | 3.5 years | 210 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Study and Career Guidance | 3 years | 180 |
| Higher Education Diploma in Dental Hygiene | 2 years | 120 |
| Degree of Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology | 3 years | 180 |
| Higher Education Diploma in Horticultural Management | 2 years | 120 |
| Higher Education Diploma in Vocational Education | 1.5 years | 90 |
Master's level (second cycle) qualifications
General qualifications
| Qualification | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Magisterexamen (Degree of Master 60 credits) | 1 year | 60 |
| Masterexamen (Degree of Master 120 credits) | 2 years | 120 |
Artistic qualifications
| Qualification | Length | Högskolepoäng |
|---|---|---|
| Konstnärlig magisterexamen (Degree of Master of Fine Arts 60 credits) | 1 year | 60 |
| Konstnärlig masterexamen (Degree of Master of Fine Arts 120 credits) | 2 years | 120 |
Professional qualifications
Beginners can apply for programmes that award a professional qualification at the master's level, as long as other requirements are not indicated.
| Qualification | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Degree of Master of Science in Agriculture | 4.5 years | 270 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy | 5 years | 300 |
| Degree of Master of Architecture | 5 years | 300 |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery (requires Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and professional status qualification) | 1.5 years | 90 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics | 5 years | 300 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Engineering | 5 years | 300 |
| Degree of Master of Arts in Primary Education | 4 years | 240 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Horticulture | 5 years | 300 |
| Degree of Master of Laws | 4.5 years | 270 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Forestry | 5 years | 300 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Landscape Architecture | 5 years | 300 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology | 4 years | 240 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Medicine | 5.5 years | 330 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Psychology | 5 years | 300 |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy (requires Degree of Master of Science in Psychology, Degree of Master of Science in Medicine with specific specialisation, Degree of Bachelor of Science in Social Work or the equivalent) | 1.5 years | 90 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Medical Physics | 5 years | 300 |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing (requires Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and professional status qualification) | 1 year, 1.25 years for specialisation in district nursing | 60 credits, 75 credits for specialisation in district nursing |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs (requires Bachelor of Arts in Education) | 1.5 years | 90 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery | 5 years | 300 |
| Degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine | 5.5 years |
330 |
| Degree of Master of Arts/Science in Secondary Education, Degree of Master of Arts/Science in Upper Secondary Education (Subject teacher) | 4.5/5/5.5 years | 270/300/330 |
Doctoral level qualifications
General qualifications
| Qualification | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Licentiatexamen (Degree of Licentiate) | 2 years | 120 |
| Doktorsexamen (Degree of Doctor) | 4 years | 240 |
Artistic qualification
| Qualification | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Konstnärlig licentiatexamen (Degree of Licentiate) | 2 years | 120 |
| Konstnärlig doktorsexamen (Degree of Doctor) | 4 years | 240 |
Page last updated 2021-10-13