Adult education in Sweden is extensive and has a long tradition. It exists
in many different forms and is organized by many different operators. The public
school system for adults includes municipal adult education (Komvux), education
for adults with learning disabilities (Särvux) and Swedish for immigrants (SFI).
Municipal adult education (Komvux) includes both basic and upper secondary education,
as well as continuing education programmes. Basic education for adults corresponds
to the regular 9-year compulsory school course. The aim of these studies is
to give adult students the basic skills necessary to live and work in the community,
and to prepare them for further study. Participants may choose the rate of study
themselves, enabling them to combine studies with work or practical work experience.
Continuing education is a form of education in its own right and may either
provide continued education in a occupation, or lead to a completely new one.
Most programmes are 6 months to a year long, and specialize in areas such as
economics, computer processing or tourism.
Advanced vocational programmes are run by municipalities, training companies
and post-secondary institutions in cooperation with the workplace and are designed
to lead to employment. The programme is an alternative to other post-secondary
education and falls under national jurisdiction with respect to supervision.
One third of the training period, which can vary from one to three years, is
carried out in the actual workplace.
Municipalities have an obligation to offer the Swedish
For Immigrants programme to newly arrived adult immigrants to help them
integrate into Swedish society. Programmes may be organized differently from
municipality to municipality.
Adult colleges (folk high schools) and education associations offer courses
and cultural activities for all groups of society and cover a variety of subjects:
Most universities and post-secondary institutions in Sweden are state run and
offer an array of further education courses for adults. Here is a comprehensive
list of institutions:
The Grundtvig programme of the European Commission
takes its name from the nineteenth century Danish philosopher, theologian, teacher,
historian and poet Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig, who is regarded as the
founding father the Folk High School and was a staunch supporter of adult education.
The focus of the programme is on all forms of non-vocational adult and continuing
education. It is targeted at learners, teachers, trainers and other staff at
adult education/educational institutions and relevant organisations:
Studiefrämjandet - The
Study Promotion Association - is one of the largest study associations for
adult education in Sweden.
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