Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

What is the Swedish Net University?
The Swedish Net University is a collection of IT-supported higher education distance courses, offered by various institutes of higher education in Sweden. A database of the courses on offer can be accessed via the Swedish Net University website, facilitating students who wish to find courses of relevance to themselves and their studies.

Is the Swedish Net University a new seat of learning?
No. The Swedish Net University is a collaboration between, presently, 35 universities and university colleges in Sweden.

Have you any course catalogue?
No, we have no printed catalogue. The courses on offer can be found by using the course data base. This database is similar to the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education’s search facility, but this one only includes distance courses.

How can I find more information about any courses of interest to me?
When you have located a course in our database you will find more information by going to the particular course’s own website (just click on the associated link).

When was the Swedish Net University founded?
March 1, 2002.

Why has the Swedish Net University been established?
To allow more people the opportunity to study and advance themselves, via distance education. Information technology (IT) makes it easier to study from home via Internet, e.g. to follow lectures without the need to be on campus.

Is there any quality assessment of the courses on offer?
A course offered via the Swedish Net University is equivalent to the corresponding campus course. The institution offering the course is responsible for the quality of the course, with additional quality assessment provided by The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education.

Which university has the best distance courses?
This is a difficult question to answer. A course’s popularity is often based upon its structure and its tutoring. Allow your own needs and demands to steer your choice. Read the course descriptions carefully and compare similar courses with each other.

Which university has the most distance courses on offer?
The six seats of learning with the most distance courses are (year 2007) Dalarna University (435), Mid Sweden University, (282), University of Gävle (277), Umeå university (250) Karlstad University  (248), and Uppsala University (220). Other institutions of higher education are actively expanding the range and number of courses on offer.

Can I start to study a course whenever it suits me?
Courses that offer an individual study pace may have so called rolling admissions, with a number of different starting dates throughout the year. Other courses, e.g. continuation and specialisation courses have flexible starting dates that are adapted to suit various professions.

I get different results when I search your database – why?
The search is dependent on which variables you mark, and results will vary accordingly. The result produced will also depend on how the institutes of higher education have chosen to mark their courses in the database.

Can I study via the Swedish Net University if I live abroad?
All courses that do not place any demand on compulsory attendance can be followed equally well if you live abroad. The only requirement is a computer with Internet connection.