How a Top-up Degree Works – the Fast Track from Vocational College to a Bachelor’s Degree

A vocational qualification from a Swedish yrkeshögskola (YH) is a strong start to your career. But for those who want to build further, the step towards an academic degree can sometimes feel long. FEI’s Top-up degrees allow you to build on previous studies and achieve an internationally recognised Bachelor’s degree – without having to start from scratch.

A Top-up degree enables you to build on previous studies—either a YH qualification or two years of relevant higher education—and complete the equivalent of the final year of a British bachelor’s degree. Once completed, you will receive a full Bachelor’s degree, which the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) classifies as equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen.

FEI is currently the only provider in Sweden offering Top-up degrees, in collaboration with Coventry University in the UK. We have worked with this concept for over a decade, together with various British university partners, and have built unique expertise in helping Swedish and Nordic students earn an internationally recognised degree from home.

The programme is delivered in English and taught via FEI – either on-site at our Stockholm campus or remotely through our hybrid format FEIFLEX. This allows participants to follow the programme regardless of where they live, and we have had students from across Sweden as well as neighbouring Nordic countries.

FEI’s Top-up degrees are offered in three areas:

• International Business Management
• International Production Management
• International IT Management

All programmes are awarded as a Bachelor with Honours, which includes a dissertation – providing a strong academic foundation for further master’s-level studies.

The studies can be completed in two ways:

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time – ideal if you wish to combine studies with work.

The flexible FEIFLEX format means you can attend in person in Stockholm or study fully online. All lectures are recorded and available to watch afterwards.

Top-up degrees carry a tuition fee, aligned with the level used by British universities (currently £9,535 for the full programme). This is important to remember, as higher education in Sweden is typically associated with being tuition-free. The programmes are eligible for CSN funding, and you may also apply for an additional loan to cover the tuition fee.

For those who have, for example, a 400-credit YH qualification, a Top-up degree offers a unique opportunity to progress quickly:

• You avoid restarting and studying three full years at university.
• You obtain a bachelor’s degree in a relatively short time.
• You open the door to master’s programmes.
• You strengthen your CV and career prospects – many roles require an academic degree.
• You gain international experience and study in English, increasing your attractiveness on the job market.
• Our lecturers, who are experts in their fields, ensure the programme equips you with the skills needed to take on leadership roles. You build on your knowledge and learn to analyse at an academic level.

To be eligible, you must have either a YH qualification (minimum 400 YH credits) in a suitable subject, or at least two years of relevant higher education (120 ECTS). In addition, you need good English skills equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or grade C or above in English A and B from upper secondary school.

Depending on the specialisation, different prior knowledge is required:

A YH qualification in economics, administration, sales or similar. Higher education should preferably include subjects such as business administration, HR or procurement.

A YH qualification in engineering, manufacturing or similar. Higher education should preferably include subjects such as production development, production engineering, automation, operations or electrical power.

A YH qualification in computing, IT or similar. Higher education should preferably include subjects such as software development, web development, IoT development, IT project management, systems development or UX design.

• Are working and want to combine employment with studies in a flexible hybrid format (FEIFLEX).
• Have international career ambitions and want a globally recognised degree that UHR classifies as equivalent to a Swedish bachelor’s degree.
• Want to build on previous studies without having to start over at university – and gain a Bachelor’s degree in a short time, which may be crucial for certain jobs or for progressing to master’s-level studies.

A Top-up degree gives you both international academic credibility and the flexibility to combine your studies with work. Whether you want to strengthen your CV, open opportunities for master’s studies or take the next step in your career, this is a way to do so on your own terms.

See all our Top-up Degrees here!