Contrary to the typical image of a young graduate entering the workforce, only half of Swedish new higher education entrants fit the goal-oriented model. The flexible Swedish system accommodates varied study intentions, leading the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) to categorize students into six groups: trial-and-error qualifiers, goal-oriented program students, give-it-a-try learners, long-term students, single-semester students, and incoming students.

The report How students use higher education was originally published in Swedish 2020. The purpose of the study was to obtain a clearer picture of the role of higher education in skills provision by analysing how students use higher education. Key findings include:

• Roughly four out of ten new entrants graduate within six years, increasing to almost six in ten with an extended follow-up.
• Over 40 percent of domestic graduates return for further education.
• Four in ten domestic new entrants take study breaks, with men more likely to discontinue studies than women.
• One-third of non-graduates return, with half successfully graduating.
• Eight percent accumulate over 180 credits without graduating, and nearly 40 percent work in specialized professions.
• The study highlights the benefits of Sweden's flexible higher education system, allowing individuals to tailor studies to their interests. Many students begin with freestanding courses, emphasizing diverse pathways in pursuit of knowledge and skills.

Read the report How students use higher education Pdf, 3 MB.