Ickeformell

Ickeformell is a Swedish adjective meaning non-formal. It describes something that is not formal in structure or procedure and is commonly used in education and policy contexts to distinguish learning and activities outside the formal school system from formal education. The term is typically written as ickeformell, though icke-formell with a hyphen also appears in some texts.

In education, ickeformell utbildning refers to organized learning that occurs outside recognized formal institutions such as schools and universities. It is usually structured with defined objectives and may include assessment, but it does not belong to the formal credentialing framework of the national education system. The concept is used in international education policy to describe a distinct sector alongside formal and informal education.

Ickeformell learning is contrasted with informal learning, which is unstructured and incidental. Non-formal learning can take place in settings such as community centers, NGOs, workplaces, and local authorities, and it often consists of short courses, workshops, or training programs aimed at skill development or personal growth. While non-formal education is outside the formal system, it may still provide recognized or workplace-relevant qualifications in some contexts.

The term is widely used in Swedish discourse and policy to categorize educational activities and lifelong learning opportunities that do not fit the formal education model. It helps distinguish different routes for skill development and knowledge acquisition outside traditional degree programs.