Are you thinking of studying during unemployment?

Some people want to use their time as unemployed for something meaningful, such as taking a course alongside their search for a job. Keep in mind that studies can affect your right to benefits. However, it is possible with our approval to study while you receive unemployment benefits. You should always apply to get your studies approved before starting the course. We would be glad to help you to determine if you can study and continue to receive benefits.

Report to us if you start full-time studies

If you start full-time studies, you must report that to the a-kassa no later than the day before the studies begin. The easiest way to inform us is to write a message in Mina sidor.

The right to compensation ends on the day you start studying. This applies even if you consider yourself being able to work or apply for a job while studying. If the studies start in the middle of a week, for example on a Wednesday, you report unemployed Monday and Tuesday and "Kan inte ta arbete" (not able to work) Wednesday through Sunday in the time report (tidrapport).

Get approval to study part-time with a-kassa

When you are unemployed, you may under certain conditions, study part-time for up to 20 weeks while maintaining unemployment benefit. The conditions for this are that you continue to look for full-time employment, that the part-time studies don’t hinder you to work full-time and that you don’t receive any student aid (CSN).

You apply by sending in the form Ansökan om studier in Mina sidor (in E-tjänster). In the form you specify what course you intend to study, the duration of the course and the scope of the studies (i.e. if it is part-time or full-time studies).

Once we have examined your application to study, we will send you a written decision. If you start studying without or before receiving a decision from us you risk being liable for repayment, if the studies were not to be approved. If you are approved to study, you don’t have to declare it on your time reports.

Conditions for part-time studies with retained unemployment benefit

In order to study part-time while maintaining unemployment benefit

  1. the scope of study has to be no more than part-time, max 50 per cent
  2. you have to continue to apply for and be able to work full-time
  3. you should not have quitted your former job in order to study, and
  4. you can not receive any student aid such as CSN.

Short time full-time studies

There is an opportunity for you to take a short full-time course during a maximum of 15 days and still receive unemployment benefits. The aim of the course should in that case be for you to get an employment quicker.
You apply by sending in the form Ansökan om studier in Mina sidor (in E-tjänster).

Once we have examined your application to study, we will send you a written decision. If you start studying without or before receiving a decision from us you risk being liable for repayment, if the studies were not to be approved. If you are approved to study, you don’t have to report the studies on your time reports.

More information

This information applies to any form of regular studies. Even SFI (Swedish for immigrants) and distance learning. If you have any questions, you are always welcome to call us on tel. +46 8 412 33 00 or write a message in Mina sidor.