Sweden Education

In Sweden, there are 39 accredited institutions of higher education. Many of them offer English-language education accessible to international students.

Language and Literature
See SWEDISH LANGUAGE; SWEDISH LITERATURE.

Education
Organized higher education in Sweden dates from the late 15th century, when the first, and perhaps most influential, Swedish university was founded in 1477 in Uppsala. Other Swedish universities which received international recognition were founded at Lund (1666), Stockholm (1877), and Göteborg (1891). Additional important institutions of higher learning include the Royal Institute of Technology (1827), the Stockholm School of Economics (1909), and the Karolinska Institute (1810), a medical college that annually awards the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine; all are located in Stockholm. A more unified system of higher education was established by a law enacted in 1977.

The Swedish system of gymnastic instruction, as developed by the Swedish teacher Pehr Henrik Ling at the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute (1813), now the College of Physical Education in Stockholm, influenced international education. This system changed gymnastics instruction, especially in Germany, but also in other countries. Another Swedish contribution to international education was the development of methods for teaching sloyd, a system of manual training based on training in woodworking.

In 1842 education in Sweden was made free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 7 and 14 years. The school system consisted of infant schools (7 to 9 years old) and elementary schools (9 to 14 years old). Children who did not attend public schools were required to provide evidence of private education. The Education Act of 1950 basically changed Swedish education by abandoning the traditional two-track (university preparation and vocational education) school system of Europe and instituting the comprehensive, unitary system typical of the United States. The goal of this law was to “bridge the old gaps between social classes” and to enable each individual to develop all potentialities. The success of this educational reform inspired similar reforms in other countries.

Legislation in 1950 and 1962 extended the period of compulsory education to 10 years and provided for the introduction of 10-year comprehensive schools divided into lower, intermediate, and upper levels. This new system has been established throughout Sweden.
In 1992 about 595,300 students attended lower schools in Sweden, some 292,400 were enrolled in intermediate schools, and 306,000 attended upper schools. Many types of vocational schools provide training for trades. Adult education is extensive. Including the outstanding universities in all its major cities, Sweden has more than 30 institutions of higher education, which together are attended annually by more than 341,700 students.

Culture
Sweden has developed a modern industrial culture based on natural resources, technical skills, and a sense of quality. The people have tended to maintain provincial traditions and customs because of the isolated location of the country. Swedish society and life are characterized by simplicity and even severity resulting from geographic and economic conditions. Over the centuries, however, Swedish traders have returned with ideas and products that have been assimilated into Swedish culture. In the 18th century French influence was especially important in modifying Swedish culture.

Sweden has made major contributions to art, design, literature, music, and motion pictures (see “Art” and “Music,” below). Modern Swedish ceramics, furniture, glass, silver, stainless steel, and textiles have received international recognition for simple beauty, form, and functional design. Orrefors is a center noted for its artistry in making glassware.

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