University studies in Sweden
The Swedish higher education system is similar to that of other European countries. These pages provide the basics on how university studies work, our grading system, and methods of teaching. The University of Gothenburg is well-known for its open and welcoming atmosphere, but you are also expected to be independent and take responsibility. If you are looking for a ‘we teach–you listen’ approach, we are not the place for you. Here in Gothenburg, you will take an active part in your learning.
Differences between programs and courses
A degree program at a Swedish university is made up of a number of courses in a particular field of study leading to a specific degree. Courses, sometimes known as modules in other countries, are the building blocks of each program. Each semester, program students take one large course or several smaller courses.
Course level
All courses are either at bachelor’s level (year 1–3) or at master’s level (year 4–5). Sometimes bachelor´s courses are also titled “in-depth”, “intermediate”, or “continuation” to indicate that the course requires previous experience in the field. In many other countries, these courses are referred to as second-year courses or third-year courses.
Credits
Swedish universities use a national credit system (Higher Education Credits), which is based on the principles used in the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) and takes into account the total activity of the student in lectures, laboratories, other classroom work, examination, and personal work.
The normal workload (full-time studies) for one academic year is 60 credits, which correspond to 60 ECTS. One week’s full-time study (40 hours) corresponds to 1.5 higher education credits (HP). Each semester is 20 weeks long, during which a student is expected to take 30 credits.
More about ECTS on European commission website
Course structure
At the University of Gothenburg, it is most common to take courses sequentially, that is, one course after the other during the semester. The semester is divided into four quarters. The number of courses you should take depends on how many credits they are. Most commonly, courses are either 7.5 or 15 credits but they can vary between 2 and 30 credits.
To avoid scheduling conflict and to achieve a satisfactory study load, you need to pay extra attention to when a course is given during the semester and if it is full-time studies or less. Here is an example on how a semester can look like:
| Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | |
| Example 1 | 7.5 credits | 7.5 credits | 7.5 credits | 7.5 credits |
| Example 2 | 15 credits | 15 credits | ||
| Example 3 | 7.5 credits | 7.5 credits | 15 credits | |
| Example 4 | 7.5 credits | 7.5 credits | 2x 7.5 credits (50% study pace) | |
| Example 5 | 2x 15 credits (50% study pace) | |||
| Example 6 | 30 credits | |||
Study pace
Courses can run with different study paces. If a course study pace is 100%, it is very difficult to combine that course with other courses taught in the same period. When courses are taught at less than 100% study pace, however, they can be combined with other courses during the same period.
Our grading system
There are five grading systems at the University of Gothenburg. The course syllabus will specify which grading scale applies for each course. A grading scale may be specified in a footnote on the print-out of the transcript of records or course certificate.
Read more about our five grading system at the Student Portal
Conversion of grades
Grades are awarded on the local grading scale at the University of Gothenburg. Please observe that no grades are given according to your home country's / home university's grading scale.
Methods of teaching
Students, teaching staff, and professors work together in close and informal cooperation. As a student here, you are expected to contribute with ideas and opinions and use critical thinking. Reading and independent studies are usually extensive, regardless of your field of study, and students are expected to come well-prepared to class.
