Program Overview

Introduction to Swedish Law

The objective of this course is to provide students with a general overview of the Swedish legal system, with an emphasis on the sources of law and legal methods. A few areas of substantive law will also be presented, mainly as examples of the construction of both private and public law.

Course Details

• Type: Course, first cycle
• Study pace: Half speed
• Study location: Umeå
• Type of studies: On campus
• Language: English
• Number of credits: 7.5 credits

Learning Objectives

The course will focus on the sources of law and the legal method used by judges, lawyers, and other legal professions. It will include a brief presentation of constitutional law, the machinery of government, the court system, the administrative and civil procedural law, the public access to official documents, and finally the impact of EU law on the Swedish legal system. The substantive law part will cover some areas such as property law, contract and commercial law, labour law, and mainly economic family law.

Eligibility and Application

• General entry requirements
• Selection: Results-National university aptitude test-Academic credits
• Application deadline:
  • International admissions round: 15 January 2026
  • Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens: 15 October 2025
• Application and tuition fees:
  • Application fee: SEK 900
  • Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 12,075
  • Total fee: SEK 12,075

Course Schedule

• Starts:
  • 19 January 2026 (Spring 2026)
  • 31 August 2026 (Autumn 2026)
• Ends:
  • 24 March 2026 (Spring 2026)
  • 1 November 2026 (Autumn 2026)
• Teaching hours: Daytime
• Study location: Umeå

Additional Information

• The course is given by the Law department.
• All aspects of this course, including the examination, are conducted in English.