gymnasieskola

Gymnasieskola is the Swedish upper secondary school that follows the compulsory grundskola (nine years) and is designed for students roughly 16 to 19 years old. It is publicly funded and provided by municipalities, with a growing share of independent schools. Participation is voluntary, but most students who complete grundskola continue to gymnasieskolan to obtain a qualification that enables higher education or entry into the labour market.

Education is organized into national programs that last about three years. These programs fall into university-preparatory (hogskoleförberedande) tracks and vocational (yrkesprogram) tracks, each with one or more specializations, or inriktningar. Students complete a set of compulsory courses plus elective courses and a program-specific curriculum. Some schools also offer förberedande program to prepare for higher education or for students who need additional preparation. In some municipalities, international or alternative options such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme are available.

Upon completion, students earn a gymnasieexamen if they satisfy the program requirements, or a yrkesexamen for vocational programs. The gymnasieexamen grants eligibility for higher education; vocational programs emphasize direct entry to occupations, with pathways to further studies. Admissions to gymnasieskola are managed by the national admissions system, and students apply to programs and schools through it.

Historically, the gymnasieskola was shaped by education reforms in the late 20th century. It is overseen by Skolverket (the Swedish National Agency for Education) in collaboration with municipalities; independent schools operate under state grants and regulations. The system aims to provide equal access to education and to prepare students for work or further studies.