Sweden

Below is the full, detailed academic schedule used in Swedish medical universities, which award the Physician Degree (Läkarexamen).
Sweden follows a nationally unified, EU-compliant medical curriculum, regulated by Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) and aligned with EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

Major medical schools include:

  • Karolinska Institutet
  • Uppsala University
  • Lund University
  • University of Gothenburg (Sahlgrenska Academy)
  • Linköping University
  • Umeå University
  • Örebro University

Overall Structure (New National System)

Since 2021, Sweden uses a 6-year integrated MD-equivalent program with no separate internship (AT) for new graduates.

PhaseDurationFocus
Integrated Medical Program6 years (360 ECTS)Basic sciences + clinical medicine
BT (Bastjänstgöring)6–12 monthsIntroductory postgraduate service
Specialist Training (ST)5–6 yearsResidency/specialization

📘 DETAILED 6-YEAR MEDICAL CURRICULUM TABLE (SWEDEN)

YearPhaseMain Module GroupsDetailed Subjects / Course ContentSkills & Competencies
Year 1Foundations of MedicineBasic Biomedical SciencesAnatomy, Histology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Medical StatisticsScientific foundations, lab skills
Early Clinical ExposureCommunication, Ethics, Patient InteractionProfessional behavior
Year 2Integrated Organ SystemsNormal Structure & FunctionPhysiology, Neuroscience, Genetics, ImmunologySystems-based understanding
Public & Social MedicineEpidemiology, Population HealthPreventive medicine concepts
Year 3Disease MechanismsPathology, Pathophysiology, Microbiology, PharmacologyLinking disease to treatment
Clinical Skills IHistory taking, Physical examination, OSCEsClinical reasoning
Year 4Clinical Phase ICore Clinical RotationsInternal Medicine, General Surgery, Primary CareBedside skills, documentation
DiagnosticsRadiology, Laboratory MedicineInterpretation of investigations
Year 5Clinical Phase IISpecialty RotationsPediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry, Neurology, Emergency MedicineSpecialty-based competencies
Community MedicineFamily Medicine, Geriatrics, RehabilitationHolistic patient care
Year 6Final Clinical YearAdvanced Clinical PracticeAssistantships in Medicine, Surgery, Primary CareNear-independent practice
Degree ProjectResearch / Thesis (30 ECTS)Evidence-based medicine

🏥 POSTGRADUATE TRAINING (SWEDEN)

BT – Bastjänstgöring

  • Mandatory transitional service (6–12 months)
  • Covers medicine, surgery, psychiatry, primary care
  • Replaced the old AT internship

ST – Specialisttjänstgöring

  • 5–6 years depending on specialty
  • Fully salaried
  • Strong work–life balance

🎓 AFTER COMPLETION

ComponentDescription
Degree AwardedLäkarexamen (MD equivalent)
Medical LicenseIssued by Socialstyrelsen
EU RecognitionAutomatic recognition across EU
Language RequirementSwedish (C1 level) for practice
Residency (ST)5–6 years

📝 Key Characteristics of Swedish Medical Education

  • Teaching language: Swedish (some early courses in English)
  • Strong emphasis on:
    • Primary care
    • Patient safety
    • Team-based healthcare
    • Evidence-based medicine
  • No national exit exam like USMLE/PLAB
  • Excellent work–life balance and public healthcare exposure

🔍 Quick Comparison (Sweden vs UK vs Germany)

AspectSwedenUKGermany
EntryAfter high schoolAfter high schoolAfter high school
Medical School6 years5 years6 years
InternshipIntegratedFoundation (2 yrs)Praktisches Jahr
LanguageSwedishEnglishGerman
EU RecognitionYesYesYes

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