Why Swedish Admissions Ignore CAS.

Why Swedish Admissions Ignore CAS.

If you are an IB student planning to apply to Sweden, you might be wondering:

Do Swedish universities care about CAS?

The short answer is: No — not in admissions decisions.

While CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) is an essential and compulsory component of the IB Diploma Programme, Swedish public universities do not consider it when evaluating your application.

This often surprises IB students from countries like the UK, US, or Canada, where extracurricular involvement and service are highly valued.

Highlights Table

Topic	Swedish University Approach
CAS considered in admission?	No
Internal Assessments (IA) considered?	No
Extended Essay considered?	No
What matters most?	Final IB grades & subject requirements
Extracurricular activities required?	No
Personal statement needed?	Not for most programs
System type	Academic merit-based

Understanding Sweden’s Admission Philosophy

Sweden has one of the most transparent and standardized admission systems in Europe.

Admissions are handled centrally through Universityadmissions.se, and universities follow strict academic criteria.

Swedish universities believe:

• Admission should be based on measurable academic performance

• All students should be evaluated equally

• Personal background or extracurricular exposure should not create unfair advantages

Because of this philosophy, Swedish admissions are:

• Grade-based

• Subject-based

• Standardized

• Non-holistic

This is very different from countries like the US or UK.

What Is CAS in the IB System?

Before understanding why Sweden ignores CAS, let’s quickly recap what CAS is.

CAS stands for:

• Creativity

• Activity

• Service

IB requires students to complete CAS experiences over 18 months and reflect on them.

CAS focuses on:

• Community service

• Leadership

• Social impact

• Physical activity

• Personal growth

However, CAS:

• Is not graded numerically

• Does not add points to your IB total

• Is assessed internally by your school

You either pass CAS or fail the IB Diploma.

And this is exactly why Sweden does not consider it.

Why Swedish Universities Ignore CAS

There are four main reasons:

1. CAS Has No Numerical Grade

Sweden converts IB results into a numerical system for ranking applicants.

Since CAS:

• Has no numeric score

• Has no standardized grading scale

• Varies by school

It cannot be included in academic ranking.

Sweden only evaluates measurable academic subjects.

2. Sweden Does Not Use Holistic Admissions

Unlike the US, Swedish universities do not consider:

• Leadership

• Volunteering

• Sports achievements

• Personal essays

• Recommendation letters

• CAS reflections

Admissions are purely academic.

So even if your CAS project was exceptional, it will not influence your admission chances.

3. Centralized System Requires Standardization

All applications go through a central national system.

This means:

• No individual university discretion

• No personal evaluation of activities

• No subjective assessment

Everything must be objectively comparable.

CAS does not meet that requirement.

4. Focus on Academic Readiness

Sweden prioritizes:

• Academic preparation

• Subject depth

• Grade performance

• Meeting entry requirements

The system is built to ensure that students are academically ready for university-level study.

CAS does not measure academic readiness directly.

What Actually Matters for IB Students in Sweden

If CAS doesn’t matter, what does?

Here is what Swedish universities actually evaluate:

1. Final IB Diploma Score

Your total IB score (out of 45) is converted into Sweden’s grading scale.

Higher total score = stronger application.

2. Subject-Specific Requirements

For many programs, specific subjects are mandatory.

Examples:

Engineering programs

• Mathematics AA HL

• Physics HL

Business programs

• Mathematics AA or AI (depending on university)

Medicine

• Chemistry

• Biology

• Physics (sometimes required)

Meeting subject requirements is mandatory.

3. Level of Subjects (HL vs SL)

Some programs require Higher Level subjects.

For competitive programs:

• HL subjects are strongly preferred

• Some programs strictly require HL

4. English Proficiency

IB English A usually satisfies English requirements automatically.

Does CAS Ever Help Indirectly?

While CAS is not part of admissions, it may still help you in indirect ways:

• It builds soft skills

• It strengthens your CV

• It helps with scholarships (outside university admissions)

• It helps in student jobs or internships

But for admission decisions?It has zero influence.

Comparison: Sweden vs Other Countries

Country	CAS Considered?	Admissions Style
Sweden	No	Academic-based
Denmark	No	Academic-based
Finland	No	Academic-based
UK	Sometimes (via personal statement)	Semi-holistic
USA	Yes	Holistic

Nordic countries follow a similar philosophy.

Common Misconceptions

“Strong CAS can compensate for low grades”

Not in Sweden.

“My CAS leadership project gives me an advantage”

It does not affect ranking.

“I need to write about CAS in my application”

Most Swedish programs do not require personal essays.

When CAS Might Matter in Sweden

There are rare situations where CAS could indirectly help:

• Applying for scholarships

• Student organizations

• Erasmus exchange programs

• Future job applications

But it does not influence your admission score.

Strategy for IB Students Applying to Sweden

If Sweden is your target country, focus on:

1. Academic Excellence

Prioritize:

• High predicted grades

• Strong final IB score

• HL subjects aligned with your degree

2. Correct Subject Selection

Before starting IB:

• Check Swedish program requirements

• Choose correct HL subjects

• Avoid subject mismatches

3. Math Level Awareness

Many Swedish programs are strict about:

• Mathematics AA vs AI

• SL vs HL

Technical programs often prefer or require Math AA HL.

4. Understand Competition

Even though CAS is ignored, competition can be high for:

• Medicine

• Engineering

• Computer Science

• Business

Your grades matter significantly.

Why Sweden’s System Is Attractive to IB Students

Many students actually prefer Sweden’s approach because:

• No stress about extracurricular building

• No subjective evaluation

• Transparent requirements

• Clear cut-off scores

• Fair academic ranking

You know exactly where you stand based on grades.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )

1. Do Swedish universities ask about CAS?

No. It is not part of the application process.

2. Will CAS improve my chances for medicine in Sweden?

No. Only your IB grades and subject requirements matter.

3. Do I need to submit CAS reflections?

No.

4. What if my CAS project was exceptional?

It is great for personal growth, but it will not influence admission ranking.

5. Are recommendation letters required in Sweden?

Generally, no. Most programs do not require them.

6. Does Sweden look at Internal Assessments?

No. Only final IB subject grades are considered.

Final Takeaway

Swedish university admissions are purely academic and merit-based. CAS, Internal Assessments, and extracurricular activities are not considered in the selection process.

Your IB grades, subject choices, and level of study are what determine your eligibility and ranking.