Utbildningsvetenskap

Utbildningsvetenskap, or educational science, is a field of study that investigates education and learning processes, the design of instruction, and the conditions that shape educational systems. It is interdisciplinary, drawing on psychology, sociology, philosophy, linguistics, and policy studies to understand how people learn and how educational practices can be developed and evaluated. Researchers in utbildningsvetenskap examine topics such as teaching and learning theories, curriculum design, assessment and feedback, classroom interaction, and pedagogical ethics. They study formal education in schools as well as adult education, vocational training, and informal learning contexts, with attention to inclusion, equity, and diversity.

Historically, utbildningsvetenskap emerged from and overlaps with pedagogy and didactics, but it emphasizes systematic inquiry, empirical research, and evidence-based practice. Methodologically, the field uses qualitative and quantitative approaches, design-based research, and mixed-methods to explore instructional interventions, learning environments, and educational policy effects.

Education programs at universities often offer degrees in utbildningsvetenskap at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, preparing graduates for roles in teaching, school leadership, curriculum development, educational research, and policy analysis. The field also encompasses sub-disciplines such as didactics (the theory and practice of teaching particular subjects), learning analytics, educational psychology, and comparative education. In Sweden and many Nordic countries, the term denotes a distinct academic discipline within the broader education sciences, with strong emphasis on research and applied collaboration with schools and educational authorities.