What is higher vocational education?

A higher vocational educational college provides post-secondary school education. The courses are designed in consultation with employees and are tailored to meet the manpower needs of the labour market and lead to jobs. The content and direction of the courses may vary over time depending on the needs of the labour market. There are both higher vocational education courses (HVECs) and qualified vocational courses (KY courses).

About a third of the training is workplace experience known as Learning in Work. Advanced vocational education and training is counted in credit points, where one week's full-time study corresponds to 1 credit point. An advanced vocational education or training course can be between 40 and 120 credit points. Most however last for 80 credit points (2 years).

For more information, contact the Swedish Agency for Advanced Vocational Education and Training.

HVEC courses

The HVEC courses last from six months (100 HVEC credits) and upwards. Five HVEC credits are the equivalent of one week of full-time studies. This means that a one-year course is the equivalent of 200 HVEC credits, a two-year course, 400 HVEC credits etc.

If the HVEC course lasts for one year, it can result in a vocational university college diploma
If the HVEC course lasts for two years, it can result in a qualified vocational university college diploma. The education must in this case include a minimum of 25% LAW (Learning at work) and the production of a thesis
Please note that YH credits are not the same as university college credits. One year of full-time studies at a university college is the equivalent of 60 higher education credits.

KY courses

KY courses last between one and three years and lead to a qualified vocational examination. One KY credit is the equivalent of one week of full-time studies. This means that a one-year course is the equivalent of 40 KY credits, a two-year course, 80 KYH credits etc.

Please note that KY credits are not the same as university college credits. One year of full-time studies at a university college is the equivalent of 60 higher education credits.

KY courses will be available until the year 2013.

Website for National Agency of Higher Vocational Education