National qualifications framework
All courses and study programmes are placed within three cycles: first cycle, second cycle and third cycle. There is a progression between the cycles. The qualitative targets for a particular cycle determine the design and contents of the study programmes and are stipulated in the Higher Education Act.
An academic year, comprising the successful completion of 40 weeks of full-time study, leads to the award of 60 credits. The credit value of a particular course is determined on the basis of the workload normally required to achieve the learning objectives of the course.
The new credit system came into force on 1 July 2007. The previous system of credit points (called HE credits) has, therefore been replaced so that 1 previous HE credit is now worth 1.5 credit.
Swedish credits may be compared to European ECTS credits, in which 60 ECTS credits correspond to the workload of one full-time academic year, normally 1500-1800 hours.
| Cycle | Entry requirements | Qualitative targets |
|---|---|---|
| First cycle | Completed upper secondary school or equivalent knowledge | Develop students’ ability to: |
| - make independent and critical judgements; | ||
| - recognise, formulate, and solve problems, and meet the challenges of professional life. | ||
| Within a field of study, students must, in addition to demonstrating knowledge and understanding and skills and abilities, develop the ability to: | ||
| - search for and evaluate information on a scholarly level; | ||
| - follow developments and current research issues in their field of study; | ||
| - communicate with different audiences. | ||
| Second cycle | Completed first cycle study programme or equivalent knowledge | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding and skills and abilities that are founded on and extend those acquired during the first cycle by: |
| - extending students’ ability to integrate and use their knowledge in an independent manner; | ||
| - developing students’ ability to handle complex phenomena, problems and situations; | ||
| - ensuring students are well equipped for professional careers requiring an ability to work independently, or for a continued career in research and development. | ||
| Third cycle | Completed first and second cycle study programme or equivalent knowledge | Develop the knowledge and understanding and skills and abilities required for conducting independent research |
