Attending high school in Sweden gives students the opportunity to grow up within an equitable, student-centered and innovative education system, in one of the countries with the highest quality of life in the world. Swedish high schools are known for approaches that encourage critical thinking, group work and students taking responsibility for their own learning.
Students from Turkey mostly attend high school in Sweden through exchange programs lasting one semester or one academic year. In these programs, students stay with a Swedish host family and attend a Swedish high school. English-language high school options in Sweden are limited to IB programs in large cities and a small number of international schools. For this reason, Sweden stands out especially for students looking for an exchange experience.
Attending high school in Sweden offers students important academic and personal advantages.
Sweden is a Northern European country on the Scandinavian Peninsula and a member of the European Union. Its capital is Stockholm. The official language is Swedish, and English is very widely spoken, especially among young people. The currency is the Swedish krona.
Sweden is known for its innovative companies, design culture, environmental awareness and high standard of living. Winters are long and cold, while summers are mild with long daylight hours. The northern lights can be seen in the north of the country during the winter months.
In Sweden, students move on to high school (gymnasieskola), usually at the age of 16, after nine years of basic education. High school lasts three years and is optional, but the vast majority of students continue to high school. There are two types of programs at Swedish high schools:
In Sweden, high school is completed not with a single national final exam but with the grades earned in each subject. Grades are given from A to F, and the high school grade average is the main criterion for university admission. National tests are held in some subjects.
The types of high schools international students can choose from in Sweden are:
There are different programs for high school education in Sweden depending on the student's goals and the length of stay:
Application requirements for high schools in Sweden vary depending on the type of program. For exchange programs, students are usually expected to be within a certain age range, have a good academic record and be open to adapting to a different culture. Exchange programs usually do not require prior knowledge of Swedish.
The application usually requires report cards from recent years, a transcript, teacher references, student and family introduction letters and health information. Applications to IB programs involve additional criteria such as English proficiency and grade average. For full-time high school education, the student must hold a valid Swedish residence permit.
The school year in Sweden starts in the second half of August and ends in early June. It is divided into two terms, autumn and spring. There are short breaks during the terms and a Christmas holiday.
Applications for exchange programs are usually made 6 to 12 months before the program starts. Since host family placement and residence permit processes take time, applying early is very important. Full-time applications to high schools and IB programs in Sweden are usually made at the beginning of each year.
The city where you can attend high school in Sweden depends on the type of program. In exchange programs, students are placed in the city or town where their host family lives.
Municipal high schools and state-funded independent schools in Sweden are tuition-free. State-funded high schools offering the IB program are also tuition-free. Students are also given free school lunches.
However, this right applies to students residing in Sweden. It is usually not possible for a student living in Turkey to enroll full-time in these schools without moving to Sweden with their family. The most common way for students from Turkey to attend Swedish high schools is through exchange programs. In these programs, no tuition is paid to the school; however, a program fee is paid to the organizing institution for host family placement, organization, insurance and support services.
The cost of high school education in Sweden depends largely on the program. Fees for exchange programs vary depending on the length of the program, host family placement and the services included. At boarding schools, separate fees are charged for accommodation and boarding services.
When planning your budget, you should account for airfare, health insurance, residence permit costs, pocket money, winter clothing and school trips in addition to the program fee. You should also keep in mind that the cost of living in Sweden is above the European average.
At NGGlobal, we share the current prices of our partner institutions with you and work with you to choose the program that best fits your budget and goals.
The main accommodation options for high school students in Sweden are:
In all options, students' safety and wellbeing come first. Exchange students receive support from local coordinators throughout the program.
Turkish citizens need a residence permit to attend high school in Sweden for more than 90 days. For students taking part in exchange programs, the application is usually made with documents issued by recognized exchange organizations. Applications are made through the Swedish Migration Agency's online system, and identity verification and biometrics are completed at Sweden's mission in Turkey.
The application requires documents such as the letter of acceptance from the exchange organization or school, host family details, proof of financial means, health insurance and, for minor students, a parental consent form.
Since residence permit processing can take time, it is important to plan your application early. At NGGlobal, we support our students and their families at every step of this process.
Students who take part in a high school exchange program in Sweden or complete part of their high school education there must obtain recognition (denklik) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education to continue their education where they left off when they return to Turkey. Students who earn a Swedish high school or IB diploma must also obtain recognition of their diploma to apply to universities in Turkey.
For the recognition process to run smoothly, the courses taken and grades earned in Sweden must be documented in detail, and the documents must be certified and translated. It is advisable to speak with your school and the Provincial Directorate of National Education before the program starts to learn the recognition requirements.
At NGGlobal, we offer free consultation to students who want to attend high school in Sweden and to their families. By assessing the student's age, academic background, goals and the family's budget, we identify the most suitable program.
Contact us to build your plan for high school in Sweden together.
Most high schools in Sweden teach in Swedish. IB programs at some high schools and international schools teach in English.
Exchange programs usually do not require prior knowledge of Swedish. The fact that English is very widely spoken in Sweden also makes it easier for students to settle in.
Municipal high schools and state-funded independent schools in Sweden, including IB programs, are tuition-free. However, this right applies to students residing in Sweden. Students from Turkey usually attend through exchange programs, for which a program fee is paid.
In Sweden, high school is completed not with a single final exam but with the grades earned in each subject over three years. The high school grade average is the main criterion for university admission.
Yes. If you prepare all the required documents, you can obtain recognition from the Turkish Ministry of National Education and continue your education in Turkey where you left off.
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