Upper secondary eligibility (Swedish: gymnasiebehörighet) means that a student has enough passing grades from year 9 to apply to a national upper secondary programme. The requirements differ between vocational and higher education preparatory programmes, but all national programmes require passing grades (at least E) in Swedish or Swedish as a Second Language, English and Mathematics.
Vocational programmes: at least 8 passing subjects
For a vocational programme, the student needs passing grades in Swedish/Swedish as a Second Language, English and Mathematics plus at least five other subjects. That is a total of at least eight passing subjects. This is often called eligibility for vocational programmes.
Higher education preparatory programmes: at least 12 passing subjects
For higher education preparatory programmes, the student needs passing grades in Swedish/Swedish as a Second Language, English and Mathematics plus at least nine other subjects. Some programmes also require specific subjects:
- Economics, humanities and social sciences: geography, history, religion and civics.
- Natural sciences and technology: biology, physics and chemistry.
- Arts programme: nine other subjects, without the same specific social science or natural science package.
Eligibility is not the same as admission
Eligibility determines whether the student may apply. If there are more applicants than seats, schools use merit value for selection. A student can therefore be eligible but still not be admitted to their first choice if the admission score is high.
If a student is not eligible
Students who do not meet the requirements for a national programme can attend an introductory programme. The goal is often to complete missing subjects and later move on to a national programme, another education path or work. Skolkoll shows eligibility statistics from Skolverket for compulsory schools and municipalities for the 2023/24 school year.