Eligibility for vocational programmes (Swedish: behörighet till yrkesprogram, often abbreviated behörighet YR) measures the proportion of year 9 students who meet the requirements to apply to upper secondary vocational programmes. The requirement is a passing grade (at least E) in Swedish or Swedish as a Second Language, English, Mathematics and at least 5 other subjects — a total of at least 8 subjects with a passing grade.
Why is this an important measure?
Eligibility for vocational programmes represents a minimum threshold for being able to continue to upper secondary school. Students who do not achieve this lack formal eligibility for all national upper secondary programmes and are instead directed to introductory programmes, which significantly reduces their future education and employment opportunities.
National average and variation
The national average is around 85–87%, but the variation between municipalities is large — from below 70% in some rural municipalities to over 95% in affluent suburbs. The differences are largely explained by socioeconomic factors and the proportion of recently immigrated students.
Difference from eligibility for academic programmes
Academic (higher education preparatory) programmes require passing grades in more subjects (at least 12 in total), and eligibility for these programmes is therefore lower (around 82–84%). Skolkoll primarily displays eligibility for vocational programmes as it represents the broader threshold.
Data are sourced from Skolverket's statistics and refer to graduating students in the 2023/24 school year.