Adult and new in Sweden
Engelska (ENG)
If you are an adult and want to study, you can choose between different programmes depending on what you want to study and what you have studied previously. To be able to study and work in Sweden, you need basic knowledge of Swedish. You can read about some of the study opportunities available here.
Different study opportunities
What you can study depends on what you have studied previously and what languages you know.
- If you need to learn Swedish, you can study Swedish for immigrants (SFI) through municipal adult education (Komvux).
- If you have worked or studied previously and need to document your knowledge and skills, you can have your qualifications validated through Komvux.
- If you have studied previously and need a Swedish grade, you can take an examination through Komvux.
Different paths may be available to you depending on your education and professional experience. If you need help finding out what opportunities are available to you, you can contact a study and vocational guidance counsellor in your municipality for help in finding a path forward. A study and vocational guidance counsellor's job is to help people choose a course of study or a profession.
Seek help from a study and vocational guidance counsellor for adult education (in Swedish)
Swedish for immigrants (SFI)
To be able to study and work in Sweden, you need basic knowledge of Swedish. If you need to learn Swedish or improve your Swedish language skills, you can attend municipal adult education in Swedish for immigrants (Komvux in SFI).
You will learn enough Swedish to be able to communicate orally and in writing in everyday life, in society, in your studies and at work. If you need to learn to read and write, SFI will give you the opportunity to do this.
About municipal adult education in Swedish for immigrants (SFI)
If you have no education
If you know Swedish or are learning Swedish, you can take basic level education courses through Komvux. This means that you will learn what is taught in Swedish compulsory school. In addition to Swedish, you can study subjects such as English, mathematics and civics.
You can study at Komvux if you are 20 years of age or older, are registered or will be registered in Sweden and lack the knowledge that is taught in compulsory school. An assessment is always carried out before you can start studying so that you are placed at the right level in your education. You can study part-time or full-time.
About municipal adult education at the basic and upper secondary level
Right to, qualification for and admission to Komvux at the basic level, skolverket.se (in Swedish)
If you do not have upper secondary education
If you have basic knowledge but have not completed an education equivalent to Swedish upper secondary education, you can take upper secondary education courses through Komvux. There you can take a vocational programme or a programme that primarily prepares you for further studies at a university college or the like.
You can study at Komvux if you are 20 years of age or older, are registered or will be registered in Sweden and lack the knowledge that is taught in upper secondary school. An assessment is always carried out before you can start studying so that you are placed at the right level in your education. You can study part-time or full-time. After completing upper secondary studies at Komvux, you can continue your studies at a university college or a higher vocational education programme, or you can enter working life.
Learn Swedish while attending a vocational programme
You can learn Swedish while attending a vocational programme. This is called combined studies, and is available through Komvux at the upper secondary level. Through this, you combine vocational training with studies in Swedish as a second language (at the basic or upper secondary level) or SFI. The purpose of combined studies is to help you get out into the working world more quickly. Talk to a study and vocational guidance counsellor if you want combined studies.
Contact a study and vocational guidance counsellor (in Swedish)
The studies are free of charge
Studying through Komvux is free of charge. As an adult, you need to have an income while you study. You can, for example, work while you study, but there are also other ways to finance your studies.
How you can finance your studies
Studying in Sweden is usually free of charge. You can apply for various types of grants and loans from the Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN) to support yourself while you study.
Student finance – Student grants and loans, CSN website (in Swedish)
For those who are a refugee or guardian for an unaccompanied minor, CSN website (in Swedish)