Academic Information

An academic year in Sweden is divided into two semesters, autumn and spring.

Academic calendar

Academic year 2023/2024

Autumn semester 2023: 28 August – 14 January
Spring semester 2024: 15 January – 2 June

Academic year 2024/2025

Autumn semester 2024: 2 September – 19 January
Spring semester 2025: 20 January – 8 June

Academic year 2025/2026

Autumn semester 2025: 1 September – 18 January
Spring semester 2026: 19 January – 7 June

Programme information

Master’s programmes, also known as graduate programmes, build upon the knowledge developed during bachelor’s-level studies and can be one or two years long (60 or 120 ECTS credits).

A programme is made up of a number of courses in a particular field of study leading to a specific degree. Courses, sometimes known as modules in other countries, are the building blocks of each programme. Each semester, programme students follow one large course or several smaller.

Full-time studies in Sweden correspond approximately to a 40-hour work week, though students only have a few hours of lectures or seminars each week. The rest of their time is spent reading and working on group projects and other assignments.

Students often study only one course at a time for a period of several weeks, after which an examination is given directly. After the examination, a new course begins. Examinations usually take the form of written or oral tests, laboratory work, group work or special projects. Most programmes conclude with a degree thesis or project.

It should be noted that entry to a Master's programme at Örebro University does not provide entry to Ph.D. studies at the University.

Basic information about higher education in Sweden