A regulated placement inside a higher education programme
VFU is the workplace-based part of a Swedish higher education programme. It is most prominent in teacher education, where 30 ECTS credits are mandatory, and in healthcare programmes such as nursing, medicine and physiotherapy.
A VFU placement involves three parties: the student, the workplace and the university. The placement is governed by the syllabus, by an agreement between the university and the workplace provider, and by the student insurance via Kammarkollegiet.
- Share of programme
- 30 ECTS (teacher)
- Typical duration
- 5 – 20 v
- Regulator
- UKÄ
- Compensation
- Unpaid (CSN)
Connect Prakto to the systems you already use
LMS integration
Synchronise students, courses, registrations and grades with Moodle and Canvas. Placements, supervisors and outcomes flow back into the learning platform without manual export.
Communication
Push notifications about new placements, approvals and warning flags directly into Slack and Microsoft Teams channels so the right person reacts in seconds, not days.
SSO and identity
Let students and staff sign in with the school’s Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace accounts via Entra ID and Google SSO. No extra password, no shadow user directory.
Webhooks and automation
Send any Prakto event as JSON to your own HTTPS endpoint and build internal automations on top, from CRM updates to reporting pipelines.
Three phases: before, during and after the placement
- 01 · Before
Allocation and agreement
The university allocates the student to a partner school, preschool or healthcare unit according to the existing VFU agreement with the school provider. A certified VFU supervisor is appointed at the workplace.
Read more - 02 · During
Supervision and follow-up
The student works at the placement under the supervisor’s guidance. The VFU course coordinator follows up via tripartite meetings and observation visits, and any deviation against the syllabus is logged.
Read more - 03 · After
Examination and grading
The supervisor submits a written appraisal. The VFU course coordinator examines the placement against the syllabus and sets the grade. Documentation is archived as part of the examination record.
Read more
Three parties, three responsibilities, one syllabus
Student
Responsible for attendance, active participation, goal fulfilment and documentation according to the syllabus. Participates in tripartite meetings and the final examination.
Workplace
The school provider supplies a partner school, preschool or healthcare unit and appoints a certified VFU supervisor who guides the student and submits an appraisal.
University
Owns the syllabus, the VFU course coordinator, examination and the agreement with the school provider. Conducts follow-up visits and sets the final grade.
Examined by the university against the syllabus
VFU is examined by the VFU course coordinator at the university against the learning outcomes in the syllabus. The grade scale is set per course, typically Fail or Pass, or Fail, Pass, Pass with distinction.
The supervisor’s written appraisal is the main supporting evidence, often combined with tripartite meetings, observation visits and the student’s portfolio or reflection assignment.
- Grading scale
- Fail / Pass (± Distinction)
- Grade set by
- VFU course coordinator
- Supervisor role
- Written appraisal, not grading
Frequently asked questions about VFU
What is VFU?
VFU (verksamhetsförlagd utbildning, "workplace-based education") is the placement component of higher education in Sweden. It is most common in teacher education and in healthcare programmes such as nursing, medicine and physiotherapy. It is regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance and, for teacher education, by annex 2 of the Degree Ordinance.
How much VFU is included in a teacher programme?
Teacher programmes contain a mandatory 30 ECTS credits of VFU according to the Degree Ordinance. VFU is normally placed at "övningsskolor" or "övningsförskolor" (partner schools and preschools) under an agreement between the university and the school provider.
Who is responsible for VFU?
The university is responsible for the syllabus, examination and the VFU course coordinator. The school provider supplies the workplace and the VFU supervisor. The student is responsible for attendance, goal fulfilment and documentation according to the syllabus.
Does the VFU supervisor need certification?
VFU supervisors are often certified and complete continuing professional development through the university. Requirements can vary between teacher and healthcare programmes, but most universities require supervisor training for partner schools.
Who grades VFU?
The grade is set by the VFU course coordinator at the university according to the syllabus, often on the scale Fail or Pass, or Fail, Pass, Pass with distinction. The supervisor’s appraisal is important supporting evidence, but the examination decision belongs to the university.
Is the student insured during VFU?
Yes, the student is covered by the Swedish state personal injury insurance for students through Kammarkollegiet during VFU. The insurance applies at the placement and during direct travel to and from it.
