Education
Training highly respected and valued nurses since 1867, the Swedish Red Cross University is one of the most popular universities in nursing education in Sweden. Founded with Emmy Rappe as its first director, it is considered as the first non-religious nursing educational institution in Sweden. The University has approximately 1 000 students at undergraduate and advanced level and 70 employees.
The university provides a critical service to society and about 160 nurses and 50 specialist nurses in intensive care, infectious care and psychiatric care graduate annually from the Swedish Red Cross University. We also contribute to increasing the competence among clinical supervisors by offering specific training courses.
Human and global perspective
A human and global perspective in nursing and health defines the Swedish Red Cross University’s unique profile in education, research and collaboration.
Most study programmes and courses at the Swedish Red Cross University are held in Swedish. International students who study with us are exchange students who have applied to come here through their university. Our courses in English are given to these exchange students and our Swedish students.
The nursing programme, 180 credits
The nursing programme at the Swedish Red Cross University has a global profile, but is mostly run in Swedish.
The education is structured with modern pedagogical methods, and a large part of the teaching is conducted through our digital learning platform.
The programme comprises 180 higher education credits at the undergraduate level and is mainly conducted in Swedish. Within the framework of Erasmus+ we offer nurse students from our partner universities to come and study at our nursing programme. The exchange period is 13 weeks, the education will be held in English and takes place during semester five of the three year nursing educational programme.
Studies abroad
Our international collaborations allow our students to apply for theoretical courses as well as clinical training abroad.
- Outside Europe, the Swedish Red Cross University has agreements with universities in Tanzania, Colombia, and Japan.
- Within the Erasmus+ programme, we have agreements with partner universities in Norway, Denmark, Portugal, United Kingdom, France and Spain.
Six full-time semesters
The nursing programme consists of 180 higher education credits at the undergraduate level, which corresponds to six semesters of full-time studies. After graduation the graduate becomes a registered nurse and obtains a bachelor’s degree in nursing science.
Approximately one-third of the education consists of work-integrated learning (clinical practice and clinical training).
Education overview
Year 1
Theme: Health, humanity and caring relationships
- Course I: Nursing and health, 30 credits
- Course II: Science in nursing, 30 credits
Year 2
Theme: Illness, vulnerability and health work
- Course III: Global nursing and healthlessness, 30 credits
- Course IV: Science and health work, 30 credits
Year 3
Theme: Global nursing in complex care situations
- Course V: Ethical considerations and leadership in global nursing, 22.5 credits
- Course VI: Optional course, 7.5 credits
- Course VII: Thesis in nursing, 15 credits
- Course VIII: Implementation of nursing knowledge and innovation, 15 credits
Specialist programmes in nursing
At the Swedish Red Cross University, nurses can also further their education as a specialist nurse. We have programmes in intensive care, psychiatric care and infectious disease care and these programmes are run in Swedish.
In addition to a professional degree as a specialist nurse, our educations lead to a one year master’s degree in nursing.
The specialist programmes are mainly conducted in Swedish. There may be courses and modules in English, but the teaching is in Swedish for the most part.
The specialist nursing programme in infectious care, 60 credits (distance learning)
The specialist nursing programme in infectious care at the Swedish Red Cross University started in 2016 as the first in Sweden. The specialist nursing programme in infectious care is an advanced level education for licensed nurses.
Professional courses
- Advanced assessments and nursing interventions in infectious care, 15 credits *
- Complex needs and vulnerability in patients with infectious diseases, 7.5 credits *
- Global challenges in infectious diseases, 7.5 credits *
- Perspectives on profession, leadership and development, 7.5 credits * **
Method course and independent work
- Scientific theories and methods, 7.5 credits **
- Thesis in nursing, 15 credits **
Specialist nursing programme in intensive care, 60 credits
The specialist nursing programme in intensive care is an advanced level education for licensed nurses. Here, you will gain in-depth competence in medical science, nursing, medical technology and other related areas.
Professional courses
- Basic nursing care in intensive care, 15 credits *
- Complex care needs and vulnerability in intensive care conditions, 15 credits *
- Perspectives on profession, leadership and development, 7.5 credits * **
Method course and independent work
- Scientific theories and methods, 7.5 credits **
- Thesis in nursing, 15 credits **
Specialist nursing programme in psychiatric care, 60 credits
The specialist nursing programme in psychiatric care is an advanced level education for licensed nurses. The students are trained to take responsibility for the quality and development of nursing people with mental illness in various care and environment forms.
Professional courses
- Advanced assessments and caring activities in psychiatric nursing, 7.5 credits *
- Health promotion in psychiatric nursing related to NANDA-I diagnostics, 7.5 credits *
- Supervision in nursing and of nursing students, 7.5 credits *
- Complex nursing care needs and vulnerability in mental illness, 7.5 credits *
- Perspectives on profession, leadership and development, 7.5 credits * **
Method course and independent work
- Scientific theories and methods, 7.5 credits **
- Thesis in nursing, 15 credits **
* The course includes clinical training
** The course is conducted together with other specialist nursing programs at the Swedish Red Cross University
Single courses
The Swedish Red Cross University also offers single courses. These courses are given in Swedish.
Exchange students opportunities
- Programme information for exchange students
- International collaborations
- International coordination team
- Information about our courses and programmes given in Swedish
For international coordinators
Incoming international students
For students and staff at the Swedish Red Cross University
More information