Ordinance on higher education bridging programmes to supplement foreign qualifications (2008:1101)

Department/Agency: Ministry of Education and Research, Sweden
Issued 27 November 2008. 

This translation is for information purposes only and has no legal force. In the event of discrepancies, the Swedish-language version takes precedence.

Introductory provisions

Section 1  

This ordinance includes provisions about bridging programmes at the first or second cycle of higher education (Bachelor’s or Master’s level), which supplement a completed foreign qualification.

In this ordinance, higher education institution means universities and university colleges that are subject to the Higher Education Act (1992:1434).
Ordinance (2018:1497).

The purpose of the programmes

Section 2  

The purpose of the bridging programme is that students who have completed a foreign higher education qualification or other post-secondary education outside of Sweden and which is equivalent to a programme under the Higher Education Act (1992:1434) will be able to

1. receive a qualification under the Higher Education Act that can be awarded after a higher education programme equivalent to the foreign qualification,
2. receive authorisation or certification to practice a profession in Sweden for which the foreign qualification is relevant, according to the regulations of this profession, or
3. obtain knowledge to be able to practice a profession in Sweden for which the foreign qualification is relevant. Ordinance (2018:1497).

Applicable provisions

Section 3  

The Higher Education Act (1992:1434) sets out fundamental provisions relating to higher education. Unless otherwise stated in this ordinance, the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (1993:221) or the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University (2007:1164) must be applied to the programme.
Ordinance (2018:1497).

Entry requirements

Section 4   

/Ceases to apply: 1 January 2022/ The entry requirements for the programme are set out in Section 5, instead of the provisions on general and specific entry requirements in Sections 5, 6, 8-11, 24, 25 and 28–31 in Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Section 2 of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (1993:221) with reference to the provisions on entry requirements in the Higher Education Ordinance, Sections 2 a-2 d of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and Sections 3-6 of Chapter 4 of the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University (2007:1164) with reference to the provisions on entry requirements in the Higher Education Ordinance. However, for admission to a programme that leads to a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Military Studies, in addition to that stated in Section 5 of this ordinance, the applicant must fulfil the requirements stated in the first to fourth paragraphs in Section 3 of Chapter 4 of the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University.

The provisions on waiving one or more of the entry requirements in Section 3 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance also apply to the entry requirements stated in this ordinance.
Ordinance (2014:1533).  

/Comes into effect: 1 January 2022/ For entry requirements to the programme, Section 5 applies instead of the provisions on general and specific entry requirements in

• Sections 5-6, 24, 25 and 28-31 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100),
• Section 2 of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (1993: 221) with reference to the provisions on entry requirements in the Higher Education Ordinance,
• Sections 3-6 of Chapter 4 of the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University (2007: 1164) with reference to the provisions on entry requirements in the Higher Education Ordinance.

However, for admission to a programme that leads to a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Military Studies, in addition to that stated in Section 5 of this ordinance, the applicant must fulfil the requirements set out in the first to fourth paragraphs in Section 3 of Chapter 4 of the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University.

The provisions on waiving one or more of the entry requirements in Section 3 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance also apply to the entry requirements stated in this ordinance.
Ordinance (2018:1506).

Section 4a  

For specific entry requirements, the provisions in Section 5 apply instead of

• Sections 8-11 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100),
• Sections 2 a-2 d of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (1993: 221), and
• Sections 4 and 6 a-6 c of Chapter 4 of the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University (2007: 1164). Ordinance (2018:1506).

Section 5  

A qualified applicant for programmes under this ordinance is someone who

1. has completed a foreign qualification as described in Section 2,
2. fulfils the requirements that the university has established with the support of the second paragraph or has the capacity to benefit from the programme due to Swedish or foreign education, practical experience or some other circumstance, and
3. has knowledge and skills of the scope and type that permit the purpose of the programme according to items 1, 2, or 3 in Section 2 to be achieved within its framework.

The higher education institution may issue regulations regarding the prior knowledge that is necessary for the student to be able to benefit from the programme. Ordinance (2018:1497).

Selection

Section 6   

/Ceases to apply: 1 January 2022/ Applicants are to be selected on the basis of merit. Instead of the provisions on selection in the second paragraph of Section 12, Sections 13-19, 23, 26, 27 and 32 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100), Section 2 of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (1993: 221) with reference to the provisions on selection in the Higher Education Ordinance, Sections 5 and 6 of Chapter 4 of the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University (2007: 1164) with reference to the provisions on selection in the Higher Education Ordinance, the follow criteria must be used for selection:

1. grades,
2. the result of the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, under Section 20 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance,
3. previous education,
4. specific tests other than the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test,
5. knowledge, professional experience or other experience of particular value for the programme being applied for, and
6. other circumstances relevant to the programme.

The higher education institution may, with the restriction that may result from Section 2 e of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, issue regulations on which selection criteria in the first paragraph will be used and how places will be allocated.

For otherwise equal merits, selection may also be done in accordance with the third paragraph of Section 12 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance.
Ordinance (2010:1841).

/Comes into effect: 1 January 2022/ Applicants are to be selected on the basis of merit. The following provisions on selection must not be applied:

• the second paragraph of Section 12 and Sections 13-19, 23, 26, 27 and 32 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100),
• Section 2 of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (1993: 221) with reference to the provisions on selection in the Higher Education Ordinance, and
• Sections 5 and 6 of Chapter 4 of the Ordinance for the Swedish Defence University (2007: 1164) with reference to the provisions on selection in the Higher Education Ordinance

Instead, the following criteria must be used for selection:

1. grades,
2. the result of the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, under Section 20 of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance,
3. previous education,
4. specific tests other than the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test,
5. knowledge, professional experience or other experience of particular value for the programme being applied for, and
6. other circumstances relevant to the programme.

The higher education institution may, with the restriction that may result from Section 2 e of Chapter 5 of the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, issue regulations on which selection criteria in the second paragraph will be used and how places will be allocated.

For otherwise equal merits, selection may also be done in accordance with Section 12 a of Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance. Ordinance (2018:1506).

Section 7  

In exceptional cases, a higher education institution may decide on exceptions to Section 6. However, this may only occur if an applicant’s qualifications cannot be properly evaluated using the selection criteria stated in Section 6 and if the applicant has specific knowledge or otherwise exceptional circumstances relevant to the programme due to previous education, professional experience or some other circumstance.

Programme format

Section 8  

The total scope of the programme is a maximum of 120 credits for each student.

In addition to the scope stated in the first paragraph, the programme may include no more than 30 credits in either Swedish or English or in both languages combined. This additional course may only be offered to students who require additional language education in order to benefit from the programme despite the student fulfilling the requirements for

1. skills in Swedish or in Swedish as a second language for eligibility for the programme under this ordinance, if the additional course is in Swedish, or
2. skills in English for eligibility for the programme under this ordinance, if the additional course is in English.

The course must be planned with consideration for the student’s previous education and professional experience. Ordinance (2018:1497).

Section 9  

If a student’s foreign qualification, as described in Section 2, includes an independent project (degree project), the number of credits for an independent project that is required for a qualification under the Higher Education Act (1992:1434) may be reduced in a programme offered according to this ordinance. Ordinance (2018:1497).

Reporting of studies

Section 10  

The Ordinance on the Reporting of Studies in Higher Education (1993:1153) must be applied to the programme. Ordinance (2018:1497).

Transitional provisions 

2008:1101

1. This ordinance enters into effect on 15 January 2009.
2. Through this ordinance, the Ordinance on specific theoretical and practical higher education (1995:889) is repealed. However, the repealed ordinance must be applied to programmes to which a student was admitted in accordance with the repealed ordinance, but no later than 1 August 2010.

2018:1497

1. This ordinance enters into effect on 1 January 2019.
2. The provisions in Section 5 in their new wording must be first applied to admissions to programmes that start after 30 June 2019.
3. The older wording of the provisions in Section 5 remains in effect with reference to admissions to programmes that start before 1 July 2019.

2018:1506

1. Section 4 a of this ordinance enters into effect on 1 January 2019 and its other provisions on 1 January 2022.
2. The provisions in Sections 4 and 6 in their new wording and in the new Section 4 a must be first applied to admissions to programmes that start after the end of May 2022.
3. Older provisions remain in effect for admissions to programmes that start before 1 June 2022.