Swedish higher education institutions have a degree structure that conforms to the Bologna Process, a Europe-wide standardization drive for higher education.

There are 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.

ECTS credits

Sweden uses credits called “högskolepoäng” (higher education credits), which is compatible with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Under the Swedish system, one academic year of full-time studies is equivalent to 60 higher education credits (60 ECTS).
Degrees chart. (Click the picture for an enlarged downloadable version.)

The degree structure

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). The three year bachelor's degree is the most common and a prerequisite if you want to persue master's level studies after finishing your first level degree. 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 optionsThere is no formal difference in the level of the degree, however two year programs are usually more in-depth and may contain an internship period.

• 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.
• Degree of Master (One Year), “magisterexamen” in Swedish (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 four 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.