Fine arts- and culture programmes and certain other programmes, 2019
Major differences between sexes among students in arts and cultural programmes
Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2020-05-25 9.30
The number of students who commenced studies in programmes in the fields of arts and culture decreased in 2019 compared with a year ago. The proportion of women who commenced studies remains larger than the proportion of men.
Post-secondary programmes in arts and culture have been available since autumn 2015. The programmes are divided into three different types of education with different purposes. Higher education preparatory programmes aim to prepare students for higher education programmes that can lead to an academic degree in the arts. Vocational programmes aim to develop students’ skills in the arts and cultural field. Programmes in the field of cultural heritage aim to train students to conserve and develop cultural heritage.
Major differences between sexes among students in arts and cultural programmes
For the first time since the introduction of this form of education, the number of admitted students who commenced their studies in arts and cultural programmes has decreased. In 2019, 2 880 admitted students in total commenced studies, which is 220 fewer than a year ago. This decrease is due, in part, to fewer programme modules starting in 2019 than a year ago. Among those who commenced their studies, women are a clear majority. Since 2015, around three-fourths of admitted students who commenced their studies have been women.
Women who commenced their studies in arts and cultural programmes in 2019 are overrepresented in all education types. The largest differences between the sexes are in the programmes in the field of cultural heritage. In this education type, women account for 84 percent of those who commenced their studies in 2019.
Women complete programmes to a greater extent than men
Since the introduction of this form of education in 2015, the completion rate has decreased among students in arts and cultural programmes. The high completion rate in 2015 can be explained by the fact that there was a smaller number of short programmes in the second half of 2015 in which all students completed their programmes.
However, differences between the sexes in completion rate have increased over time. In 2019, the completion rate was 74 percent for men and 84 percent for women. This can, in part, be explained by the fact that women to a greater extent enter programmes in the field of cultural heritage. The length of these programmes is generally short, and the completion rate is also higher than for the other education types.
More student commence studying certain other programmes (programmes with only supervision)
The ordinance on support to arts and cultural programmes and certain other programmes also provides an opportunity to conduct programmes under government supervision. These post-secondary school programmes are not covered by economic support in the form of central government grants and the students are not entitled to study allowance. The programmes are conducted in various subject areas, not just in the arts and cultural field. The education orientation covers areas such as fashion design, music and training for aviation. As different from, for example, higher education vocational programmes, these programmes do not have to match employment needs for qualified labour.
The number of admitted students who commenced studies in certain other programmes (programmes with only supervision) in 2019 amounted to 410, which is 120 more than a year ago. Also in this form of education, a majority of those who commence studies are women, although the distribution between the sexes is more equal than in arts and cultural programmes.
Definitions and explanations
Official statistics on arts and cultural programmes and certain other programmes
Since 2018, Statistics Sweden has been responsible for official statistics on arts and cultural programmes and certain other programmes (programmes with only supervision).
Statistics on students and on students who complete their studies are based on information from the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education, which in turn receives the information from the education providers. Persons are counted in each programme session, and may therefore be included in the statistics two or more times in the same year. Therefore, the number of admitted students who commenced their studies, students, and students who completed their programmes do not equal the total number of people.
Amounts in the statistical news are rounded to the nearest ten.
Admitted students who commenced their studies
Admitted students who commenced their studies refers to all persons who are students or who were students during a programme session, including those who joined the programme at a later time and those who dropped out of the programme.
Completion rate
Completion rate is used here to describe the proportion of students who completed their programme. It refers to students who completed the programme, as a proportion of all students who enrolled in the programme modules concluded during one year.
Next publishing will be
Statistics on students and students who complete their studies is scheduled to be published in 2021.
Statistical Database
More information is available in the Statistical Database
Feel free to use the facts from this statistical news but remember to state Source: Statistics Sweden.