Gymnasiet

Gymnasiet is the upper secondary school in Sweden, typically attended by students aged around 16 to 19 after completing grundskolan. Attendance is voluntary, and education is publicly funded and provided by municipalities. The aim is to prepare students for higher education, work life, or both.

The school offers two broad tracks: högskoleförberedande programs, which prepare students for university or other higher education, and yrkesförberedande programs, which provide vocational training and direct entry to work life. Within many programs students can choose various inriktningar (specializations) such as natural sciences, social sciences, technology, arts, construction, health care, or service and care. The programs consist of required courses, elective courses, and program-specific requirements to build a coherent qualification.

Curriculum and assessment are governed by the National Agency for Education (Skolverket) and national curricula. Students complete a certain number of points through mandatory and elective courses. National tests (nationella prov) are administered in core subjects, and final grades are awarded in each course. Upon completing a program, students receive a gymnasieexamen (general upper secondary diploma) or a yrkesexamen (vocational diploma). Completion may also grant eligibility (behörighet) for admission to higher education, depending on the courses chosen in the högskoleförberedande track.

Admission decisions are made by municipal education authorities, often based on grades from grundskolan and local capacity. Vocational programs typically include arbetsplatsförlagt lärande (work placements) as a central component, linking classroom learning to practical work experience. Historically, gymnasiet evolved from earlier secondary education systems and has undergone reforms to emphasize flexibility, specialization, and pathways to either higher education or the labor market.