høsttermin

Hösttermin, meaning the autumn term, is the autumn portion of the Swedish academic year used in schools and higher education. In most of Sweden the school year is divided into two terms: hösttermin (autumn term) and vårtermin (spring term). The term structure is common across many levels, though exact dates are set by each municipality or institution.

In grundskolan (compulsory schooling) and gymnasiet (upper secondary), hösttermin typically begins after the summer break, often in late August or early September, and runs until December. Many municipalities observe a one‑week autumn break, called höstlov, during October. The specific start and end dates vary between schools and municipalities, reflecting local planning calendars.

In higher education, hösttermin refers to the fall term or fall semester. It usually starts in late August or early September and ends in December, with teaching and coursework continuing through the autumn weeks. Final exams may take place in December, and some programs reserve a January exam period. The following term is vårtermin (spring term).

Terminology and calendars vary by institution, but the concept remains: hösttermin marks the autumn portion of the academic year, preceding the spring term. Public holidays and local scheduling can influence start and end dates, making term dates a matter of institution-specific calendars rather than a single nationwide schedule.