gymnasium (gymnasieskola)

Upper secondary school, for young people aged about 16 to 19 who have finished compulsory school. It is voluntary and free, and pupils choose a national programme: either one that prepares for university or a vocational one that leads to work, with the option to add the courses needed for university.

You apply in the final year of compulsory school through the admissions system in your area, and places on popular programmes go by grades. There are municipal and independent schools.

Pupils from 16 get a study allowance from CSN. In English the word does not mean a sports hall; a gym is gym in Swedish.