About ISU Programs

The International Swedish University Programs (ISU) was established in 1975 under the auspices of the University Extension division at Lund University - Folkuniversitetet.

Folkuniversitetet is an adult educational association of five foundations: the extra-mural departments attached to the Universities of Stockholm, Uppsala, Göteborg, Lund and Umeå. Folkuniversitetet is one of the better-known study associations in Sweden (Source: Swedish Institute). We run a considerable number of internationally oriented activities both in Sweden and abroad such as an extensive range of language courses, language schools in Europe, and various projects with an international focus.

ISU Programs was created in the spirit of promoting international understanding and aim to increase the knowledge of Swedish language and culture. A course at ISU Programs gives you all the advantages of a school with more than 35 years experience of quality intensive Swedish language and cultural courses.

Who comes to study at ISU?

You meet students from all over the world when you study at ISU Programs. This creates a very special dynamic international environment that is widely appreciated by our students as well as our personnel.

During our one-year, the average student is between 20-40 years of age, but during our summer courses we have students between 18 and 90! Some students want documented knowledge in the Swedish language for work or admission to a Swedish university and some have Swedish family or background. Others have been drawn to our Swedish for Medical Staff programs. 

Our teachers

Our teachers are highly qualified native speakers, well-educated and experienced with working with foreign students. They are often consulted by Swedish authorities and institutions for development of syllabuses, tests and new ways of teaching. Some of our teachers have written popular course literature for "Swedish for foreign students" courses, which is used both in Sweden and abroad. As a result of this, the study book for På Svenska! is available in the following languages: English, French, German, Arabic and Spanish.Our students' qualifications and needs shape our teaching and learning methods. Focus is on the communicative part of language learning, but we also believe that a good language education should have its foundation in rules and structure. The classes in Swedish are held in Swedish from day one and the classes in English are held in English from day one.