Chapter 80
Sweden
Sweden is one of the countries in which TV-shows or films
in foreign languages are not being dubbed but broadcast with subtitles.
For this reason and by strong co-operation in the Northern Council
(Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland) the foreign language competence
of Sweden has developed considerably. Moreover, international mobility
is important in school education and vocational education. In addition
to this, Sweden has always been trying to apply its system of vocational
education to new situations.
The Swedish contact for the recognition of academic and
vocational certificates is the following NARIC:
Nationales Informationszentrum für die akademische
Anerkennung / Nationale Stelle für Hochschulbildung / VHS
Box 7851 Stockholm
Phone: (46)8-453.50.00
Fax: (46)8-453.51.40
e-mail: Marianne.Hildebrand_at_vhs.se
Contact: Ms. Marianne HILDEBRAND
It is a department of the National Office for Hochschulwesen,
which itself is a new service office in Sweden. Up to now, the ministry
of education has financed the work of the office, but today, financial
responsibility is increasingly taken over by other sources.
The centre was established in 1984. Meanwhile it is working
on about 2000 applications on the evaluation of foreign academic diplomas
per year. Thus, individual inquiries and applications are thoroughly evaluated
and collected by data-processing.
Each country has its own official in charge who is responsible
for one professional department within the five sectors of the Swedish
system of higher education. Besides, the centre is connected to the computer
network of the university and is able to communicate all over the world.
Academic recognition
The decision-making powers on the academic recognition of
diplomas or certificates are on the side of the universities and polytechnics.
Applications have to be submitted to the office in charge (address see
above). Applications for further studies have to be submitted directly
to the university or polytechnics.
Vocational recognition
There is no law in Sweden which regulates this kind of recognition.
If necessary, NARIC will issue a certificate about the decision of the
procedure of recognition which can serve as an advice for employers and
for the professional associations. The individual authorities are responsible
for medical professions.