Upper Secondary School

In autumn 2009 the Riksdag adopted the Government Bill Tougher requirements and higher standards in the new upper secondary school, which entails considerable changes to upper secondary school. Below is a description first of upper secondary school under the provisions that apply to education started after 1 July 2011, then of upper secondary school education started before autumn 2011.

The new upper secondary school

National programmes

Upper secondary school is divided into 18 three-year national programmes, 12 of which are vocational programmes and six of which are preparatory programmes for higher education. The preparatory programmes for higher education provide basic eligibility for further studies in higher education at undergraduate level. Pupils on vocational programmes can obtain eligibility for higher education by studying a few extra courses. All programmes, with the exception of one, are divided up into national specialisations that begin in the first, second or third year. There are 60 nationally established specialisations. Education within the vocational programmes may be offered as upper secondary apprenticeship training, with at least half of the teaching time being placed at one or more workplaces. In certain programmes, there are nationally quality-assured special options that could not be fitted into the regular programme structure but are in demand or needed in certain regions.

Pupils who have completed their final year of compulsory education and have a pass grade in Swedish or Swedish as a second language, English and mathematics, as well as at least five other subjects, are eligible to apply for upper secondary vocational programmes. To be eligible for preparatory programmes for higher education, pupils must have a pass grade in at least nine subjects in addition to Swedish, English and mathematics.

For those not eligible for national programmes, there are five introductory programmes that are adapted to the individual: preparatory education, programme-oriented individual choice, introduction to a profession, individual option and language introduction.

Pupils wishing to study a national programme not offered by their home municipality are entitled to be accepted onto this programme in another municipality that does offer it. These candidates have the same priority as applicants from that municipality. All young people also have equal rights to education in all of the national specialisations.

Upper secondary education results in two types of upper secondary qualification: a preparatory qualification for higher education and a vocational qualification. For a qualification certificate to be issued, pupils must have grades from a programme encompassing 2 500 credits and have pass grades for 2 250 credits, including the upper secondary certificate project and courses in Swedish, English and mathematics.

Education programmes with nationwide recruitment

Some upper secondary education programmes need a larger catchment area than the municipality or local authority partnership area to be feasible. The Government can therefore stipulate that certain programmes are to be open to applicants from anywhere in Sweden (education programmes with nationwide recruitment). In addition to this, all independent upper secondary schools are entitled to recruit pupils from all over the country.

Upper secondary school for pupils with learning disabilities

Upper secondary schools for pupils with learning disabilities offer national, specially designed or individual programmes in a similar way to upper secondary schools. However, the national programmes are fewer in number and are aimed at preparing pupils for an occupation. The programmes at upper secondary school for pupils with learning disabilities last for four years.

Board of Appeal for Education

The Board of Appeal for Education is an agency tasked with examining certain decisions that have been appealed against in accordance with the Education Act, for example decisions concerning admission to upper secondary school programmes.

The former upper secondary school

National programmes

Upper secondary school is divided into 17 three-year national programmes, 13 of which are vocational preparatory programmes and four of which are preparatory programmes for higher education. All these programmes provide basic eligibility for higher education. Eleven programmes are divided up into specialisations from the second year. There are 35 nationally established specialisations. Within the framework of a pilot scheme, at least half of the education for pupils in vocational programmes may be workplace-based. Besides the national programmes there are also specially designed and individual programmes.

Pupils who have completed their final year of compulsory education and have a pass grade in Swedish or Swedish as a second language, English and mathematics are eligible to apply for the national programmes or specially designed programmes at upper secondary school.

In terms of level, the specially designed programmes must be equivalent to a national programme and form a basis for further studies at higher education level or for an occupation.
Individual programmes are aimed primarily at ensuring pupils eligibility to apply for and complete a national programme or a specially designed programme.

Pupils wishing to study a national programme not offered by their home municipality are entitled to be accepted into this programme in another municipality that does offer it. These candidates have the same priority as applicants from that municipality. All young people also have equal rights to education in all of the national specialisations.

Education programmes with nationwide recruitment

Some upper secondary education programmes need a larger catchment area than the municipality or local authority partnership area provide in order to be feasible. The Government can therefore stipulate that certain programmes are to be open to applicants from anywhere in Sweden (education programmes with nationwide recruitment). In addition to this, all independent upper secondary schools are entitled to recruit pupils from all over the country.