The+Swedish+Education+System

Pre-School in Sweden aims to stimulate learning and development of children while also allowing parents to incorporate study or work into their schedule.
 * __Dagis (Kindergarden) __**// Ages 1 – 5 //

Combines elements of pre-school with that of compulsory school, to ease the transition process.
 * __Forskoleklass (Pre-School class) __** //Age 6//

Compulsory primary education. Usually state funded, but privately run ‘Free Schools’ and privately paid ‘Private Schools’ are also available.
 * __Grundskoleutbildning (Compulsory School) __** //Ages 7 – 15//

A pupil will normally spend three years in upper secondary school, and must apply for spaces on programs at certain schools. Admittance is based on their primary school grades, and possibly an entrance exam. Students choose ‘programs’ of study, which focus their education into a specific area of study (e.g. “social science” or “natural science”). Programs are divided into two general categories: preparatory or vocational. While both routes provide the basic qualifications required for university, the preparatory programmes are typically more tailored to the various requirements of certain university courses. Around half of secondary school students attend a vocational program, which requires at least fifteen weeks of workplace training over the year.
 * __Gymnasieutbildning (Upper Secondary School) __** //Ages 16 – 19//

**__Free Schools __** These are privately run enterprises which receive public funding for each student and provide primary or secondary education. They are not allowed to charge additional fees or require entrance examinations. Anyone can start a ‘Free School’ in Sweden, and often it will offer a particular profile which appeals to certain students, e.g. a religious, international or special needs orientated education.

**__Tertiary Education __** <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 120%;">For those who have completed a three year vocational program, quite often tertiary education is required to be admitted to University or a University College. This education is provided by ‘KomVux,’ schools and independent boarding schools (‘Folkhögskolor’). An alternative to higher education is available to those in a vocational program: a ‘Qualified Vocational Education.’ This combines education with practical experience and the students spend a significant amount of time applying theoretical knowledge in the workplace.