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For Internal University Use Only. The following information is intended for internal university use and has been provided as a reference for graduate admissions only. |
International applicants should be directed to the public page.
Requirements for Sweden
Sweden
International Admission Requirements
Minimum Equivalent Qualifications
For admission to a Graduate Certificate or Diploma the requirement is a degree equivalent to a Simon Fraser University 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall grade equivalent to a B-.
Minimum Equivalent Qualifications
For admission to a master’s program, the qualifications listed are normally recognized as equivalent to a Simon Fraser University 4-year bachelor’s degree with minimum overall grade requirements.
Most SFU graduate programs will assess a Bologna compliant degree as equivalent to a 4-year degree.
Required Credential or Degree
Filosofie Kandidatexamen (Fil. Kand./FK)
Minimum Overall Academic Standing
High Pass with Distinction
Required Credential or Degree
International University "Master Degree" Programs, Licentiat
Minimum Overall Academic Standing
Pass with Distinction; 4 on a 5-point scale
Applicants with a degree from this country are required to submit proof of English language competency.
ECTS
| Grade | Description |
| A | Excellent |
| B | Very Good |
| C | Good |
| D | Satisfactory |
| E | Sufficient |
| FX | Fail |
| F | Fail |
The institutions listed for Fast Track Admission have been selected based on our familiarity with applicants from these schools, and their placement on the overall academic world rankings of universities.
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Applicants whose most-recently awarded credential is from an institution are eligible for fast-track admission at this time. |
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Applicants from these institutions are only eligible for fast-track admissions to specified disciplines. |
Fast Track Admissions
Fast Track Admission Institutions
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Lund, University of
- Gotenburg, University of
- Karolinksa Insitutet
- Linkoping University
- Uppsala, University of
- Umea University
- Royal Institute of Technology
- Stockholm, University of
- Stockholm School of Economics (a private institution with some Gov’t support)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- An award translated into English as a “master’s” does not necessarily indicate that the award is equivalent to a master’s degree.
- Special points to remember: the term examen means “degree,” not “examination.” The official translation as “Bachelor of…” or “Master of…” does not necessarily agree with U.S. (DGS) evaluation of the degrees.
- Sweden has been issuing Diploma Supplements with awards well before the commencement of the 2007 changes following the implementation of the Bologna Process.
- There is no mandated national grading system. The most common grading system is:
- VG - Väl godkänd (Passed with distinction)
- G - Godkänd (Passed)
- U - Underkänd (Fail)
- VG - Väl godkänd (Passed with distinction)
- Since 1977, Sweden has had several revisions to their grading scales and even this is not consistent with every school.
- In 1992, the AACRAO guide listed the six-level grade scale (as above).
- However, as of 1996 most (but not all) post-secondary schools have used either a three-level or a two-level grading scale.
- Law and Engineering usually have more levels so there are still inconsistencies from school to school and in the various disciplines.
- Please check the back of the transcript for the grading scale.
- A Pass with Distinction on a three-level scale is awarded less than 10% of the time and should be treated as a B/A level. Failed grades are not normally shown on transcripts.
- A Pass with Distinction on a three-level scale is awarded less than 10% of the time and should be treated as a B/A level. Failed grades are not normally shown on transcripts.
- Since 1977, all types of higher education including universities, vocational institutions and teacher education were integrated. Awards from institutions other than those listed above should be assessed individually.
- Assessment of degrees should be based on calculation of ‘points’ attained. (40 points is equated to one academic year of study).
- A Magistersexamen of 160 points and requiring 4 or more years of study is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Programs in engineering, applied sciences and in health may be longer.
- A Kandidatexamen is completed after only three years and is not equivalent to a bachelor`s.
Pre-Bologna Process:
- agronomexamen, arkitektexamen, civilekonomexamen, civilingenjorsexamen, ekonomexamen, filosofie kandidatexamen (4 years), forvaltningsexamen, grundskollarrexamen (4 years), hogskoleexamen i [area of study] (4 years), juris kandidadexamen, logopedexamen (4 years), socionomexamen, teologie kandidatexamen.
- Normally, pre-Bologna degrees of four years duration or a combination of post-secondary credentials totalling four years duration is required for standard admission.
- Applications from students with pre-Bologna degrees of three years duration (120 points) are considered on a case-by-case basis for graduate admission eligibility to an SFU Master’s program by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
- A non-standard admission case must be submitted to DGS for review and consideration.
- Master programmes last for 2-4 semesters (40 to 80 points).
Post-Bologna degrees:
- agronomexamen, apotekarexamen, arkitektexamen, civilingenjorsexamen, hortonomexamen, juristexamen, konstnarlig, hogskoleexamen, lakarexamen, landskapsarkitektexamen, lararexamen (4+ years), logopedexamen, magisterexamen, organistexamen, psykologexamen, andlakarexamen, veterinarexamen.
- Degree offered at universities and universities of applied sciences. Bachelor programmes last for 6-8 semesters (120 to 160 points).
- One Swedish credit is the equivalent of 1.5 ECTS credits. Applications from students with a bachelor’s degree of three years duration (120 points) are considered on a case-by-case basis for graduate admission eligibility by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
- A non-standard admission case must be submitted to DGS for review and consideration.
Bologna Note:
- Sweden joined Bologna process in 1999.
- Since 2007 most universities started to offer three cycle degree system:
- First cycle (Bachelor): 3-4 years (180-240 ECTS)
- Second cycle (Master): 1-2 years (60-120 ECTS)
- Third cycle (Doctorate): Minimum 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Diploma Supplement has been mandatory since 2003 for all state higher education institutions. Since July 1, 2007 the Diploma Supplement is also mandatory for third cycle degrees.
- The Diploma Supplement is automatically issued in English.
- HE grading system is being used in addition to the local grades.