yrkeshögskolor

Yrkeshögskolor, or higher vocational education providers in Sweden, offer programs designed to meet current labor market needs. The programs are developed in close collaboration with employers and industry organizations and emphasize practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Education at Yrkeshögskolor is part of the higher education system and typically combines classroom study with on-the-job training or internships, often in cooperation with a partner company.

Most Yrkeshögskoleprogram span one to two years and lead to a Yrkeshögskoleexamen, a diploma of higher vocational education. The Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (Myndigheten för yrkeshögskolan) administers the system, approves programs, and provides funding. Both public and private providers operate within the framework, and programs must meet established quality and relevance criteria.

Admission requirements vary by program but generally include completion of upper secondary education or equivalent, along with relevant work experience or demonstrable vocational prerequisites. Selection processes may involve assessments of professional competence, motivation, and input from employers.

The aim of Yrkeshögskolor is strong employability; graduates often secure employment in the near term, particularly in fields with high demand such as information technology, healthcare, engineering, construction, design, logistics, and business services. The system is designed to be flexible, adapting to evolving industry needs and regional labor markets, and it complements traditional academic pathways by offering more practice-oriented higher education. Funding is primarily state-supported through Myndigheten för yrkeshögskolan, with tuition models varying between providers.