Distance learning at secondary school and sixth form

Two parts that fit together

Distance learning abroad consists of two things. One is the education itself: course content, assignments, tests, assessment and grades come from a Swedish distance school – Sofia Distans for lower secondary and Hermods for upper secondary. The other is everyday life: where the pupil sits, how the day is structured, what support is available and who they spend time with. We're responsible for that part.

The combination is the whole point. Distance education done alone at the kitchen table places very high demands on self-discipline and can easily become isolating too. With a fixed school day, supervision and other pupils in the same situation, the format becomes far more sustainable.

A typical school day

The pupil comes to school in the morning and works through their courses according to a plan. The supervisor follows up on progress, helps structure the week, provides support when something is difficult, and stays in touch with the distance school when needed. The day has start and finish times, breaks and shared activities – it looks much more like school than homework.

A big advantage is that pace can be adapted. A pupil who's ahead in one subject can move on without waiting for a class, while a pupil who needs more time gets it without falling behind in everything else.

Grades and eligibility

Since the courses are studied within the Swedish system, grades are issued by the distance school according to Swedish syllabuses. That means the pupil builds on the same foundation as classmates in Sweden and can apply onward to Swedish upper secondary school or further studies on the same terms. For families planning to move back, that's often the decisive advantage over a local system.

Combining studies with sport

The distance format makes the timetable flexible, which is what makes it possible to combine school with serious training. Pupils in Malmö FF's football academy and the padel and tennis pathway build study time around training sessions rather than the other way round. The climate allows training outdoors year-round, giving more quality sessions than a normal Swedish season.

Who does it suit?

The set-up works best for pupils who can manage independent work during the day and who accept support when they get stuck. Motivation matters more than grades – a pupil who wants to but needs structure usually does well, while a pupil who'd rather avoid schoolwork finds it tougher in a format built on personal responsibility.

We're upfront about this in conversations before a start. It's better to talk through the conditions beforehand than to discover halfway through a term that the format doesn't suit. Where extra support is needed, we look together at what's reasonable to offer; read more about our work with pupils needing extra support.

What parents often ask

• Is the pupil isolated? No – studies take place in a group at school, with other pupils and adults around them.
• How do we follow our child's progress as parents? Through the distance school's system and through ongoing contact with the supervisor.
• Is it possible to start mid-term? Yes, applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
• What does it cost? See fees for current levels.

Next step

Read more about the set-up on our secondary school and sixth form page, or submit an application directly. We'll get back to you with news on availability and go through what applies for your child.