The recognition process and statement

Our recognition process

Our evaluations of foreign qualifications are based on submitted study documents that show that the qualification has been completed. We evaluate qualifications on upper secondary, post-secondary vocational and higher education level.

The procedure of recognising foreign educations is based on the Lisbon Recognition Convention. The "recognition" in question means that a foreign education must be recognised unless the recognising authority can demonstrate that the education is substantially different from a corresponding exams in the host country.

More about the recognition process

The recognition statement

The recognition statement confirms that a person has a completed foreign qualification, and explains the Swedish qualification and educational level for which it is comparable to. The recognition statement is only issued in Swedish.

The recognition statement shows what the foreign qualification is equivalent to in the Swedish educational system. It does not, however, provide a Swedish qualification. The recognition statement is issued as an electronic document with digital certification, not as a paper product. If you have recieved a recognition statement as a paper product earlier, that is still valid.

If the qualification is substantially different from the Swedish qualification, you might receive an explanatory letter instead. We explain the reasons and, if possible, refer you to other public authorities and organisations.

The recognition statement will indicate whether or not the foreign upper secondary education meets the general entry requirements for Swedish higher education. In the recognition statement it is also indicated if the education meets any special entry requirements.

UHR also issues foreign vocational qualifications at upper secondary level that do not give access to university studies in Sweden.

UHR does not issue recognition statement over a preparatory year, preparatory university tests or language tests. Those qualifications can be assessed in the university admissions process.

If you want to study at a Swedish university or university college, apply directly at Universityadmissions.se. Your foreign upper secondary studies will be assessed during the application process.

Find out more about the admission process at Universityadmissions.se

If you've completed your upper secondary studies but aren't sure if you meet the entry requirements, you can apply for an assessment of your studies (recognition statement). You can then compare this to the requirements of the courses and programmes you're interested in to see what's missing. 

More information about general and specific entry requirements: Bachelor's requirements (Universityadmissions.se)

An example of a recognition statement for upper-secondary education (pdf, in Swedish)

UHR assesses foreign post-secondary vocational education that is part of the country's formal education system. The education must belong to the post-secondary vocational education sector and lead to a recognized qualification in the country of education. Your education must have a duration of at least one year of full-time studies.

UHR compares foreign post-secondary vocational education with the two existing diplomas within the Swedish Higher Vocational Education (Yrkeshögskolan):

  • Higher Vocational Education Diploma (Yrkeshögskoleexamen), SeQF 5
  • Advanced Higher Vocational Education Diploma (Kvalificerad yrkeshögskoleexamen), SeQF 6.

The recognition statement describes your foreign education and how it compares to a Swedish qualification.

An example of a recognition statement for post-secondary vocational education (pdf, in Swedish)

If you have a completed higher education qualification you can receive a recognition statement that describes your foreign education and how it compares to a Swedish qualification.

UHR compares your foreign education with a Swedish degree whenever possible. When the foreign education has no equivalent in Sweden, UHR can recognize the studies as equivalent to one year of study at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level (first or second cycle).

When your foreign qualification is deemed comparable to a Swedish qualification, this means that your degree has an academic foundation and has a place and purpose in the Swedish education system equivalent to that in the foreign education system. Please note, however, that there may be differences in their content.

No credits are stated, either for the qualification as a whole or for its parts. The comments provide general information about the qualification’s specialisation and other information that may be relevant. Please check the transcript of recordsfor more detailed information about the content.

An example of a recognition statement for higher education (pdf, in Swedish)

The recognition statement does not mean you've received a Swedish degree. The statement's intended purpose is guidance for employers, study councellors and may also be used for guidance by Swedish higher education institutions if you apply for courses in Sweden.

In some cases UHR cannot recognize you qualification. You will then receive a explanatory rejection letter. We explain the reasons for rejection and, if possible, refer you to other public authorities and organisations.

Request review

If you received a decision (recognition statement or rejection) that you believe is incorrect, then you can contact Universitets- och högskolerådet (UHR) via utbildningsbedomning@uhr.se and request reviewing the decision.  

UHR will reconsider your case. Please note that when contacting UHR you will need to provide your name and case number.

Appeal

You can also appeal the decision, which means that the court will review whether UHR:s decision should be changed. To begin the appeal process, start with “Förvaltningsrätten” and send it by post to Registrator, Universitets- och högskolerådet, Box 4030, 171 04 Solna, or to the e-mail address: registrator@uhr.se.

When writing to appeal, always provide:

  • Your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address.
  • Which decision you want to appeal (please provide your case number).
  • The change that you wish to be done.

The appeal must be submitted to UHR within three weeks from the day you received the decision, or it will be dismissed. If you have appealed in time, your letter of appeal will be sent by the Swedish Council for Higher Education (Universitets- och högskolerådet) to Förvaltningsrätten along with a copy of the decision and all documents pertaining to the case.

If you’ve completed your education programme with a degree but are missing documentation of this (education document such as transcript and diploma), UHR may still be able to assess your qualification.

You need to submit other documents and information to us. This applies to post-secondary foreign qualifications.

For whom does this apply?

This evaluation of foreign qualifications is an alternative for you if you are missing the education documents that UHR usually needs in order to process your application.

We can assess your education even if you don’t have complete documentation if:

  • You have a completed post-secondary education from a country other than Sweden at a recognised higher education institution/education provider.
  • You cannot obtain your formal education documents, such as a degree certificate and transcript.
  • You have good reasons for why you can’t obtain your education documents. This could be for example because you’re a refugee or that you completed your education in a country at war.
  • You’re prepared to put a lot of time into describing your education in a detailed manner based on the form and other documentation, according to instructions.

Please note that if your application is incomplete, or if the information you provide doesn’t match the knowledge we have, your case can be closed without you receiving a description of your qualification.

Last updated: 6 December 2024