The Higher Education Expulsions Board hears matters regarding the expulsion of students from higher education following a report from a vice-chancellor of a higher education institution.

A student may be expelled from higher education studies if:

• there is clear risk that the student will harm another person or cause substantial damage to property during the course of his or her studies

and, if the student also:

• suffers from a mental disorder, or
• abuses alcohol or drugs, or
• has been found guilty of a serious crime.

Mental disorder or substance abuse

If there are reasons to assume that a student should be expelled from studies on the grounds of a mental disorder or the abuse of alcohol or drugs, the Higher Education Expulsions Board can reach a decision that the student must undergo a medical examination.

There is no clear interpretation of the concept of mental disorder. Different psychiatrists interpret the condition in different ways. However, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare, it is a disruption in the psychological development of an individual that leads to a personality disorder or a behavioural disorder in an adult.

Serious crime

A student may be expelled from higher education studies if he or she has been found guilty of a serious crime and there is a clear risk that the student may harm another person or cause substantial damage to property during the course of his or her studies.

A serious crime is crime of violence or a serious drugs offence carrying a prison sentence of a minimum of one year. Offences involving substantial damage to property or danger to the public that carry a prison sentence of a minimum of one year are also considered as serious crimes. A student who has been found guilty of extensive criminal activity can also be expelled if the totality of the crimes committed would carry a prison sentence of a minimum of one year.

Planning to commit crimes is considered just as serious as actually committing crimes.

Reaching a decision

A case is opened following a report from a vice-chancellor of a higher education institution. A matter can also be taken up on the request of a student who has been expelled and would like the Higher Education Expulsions Board to hear the matter. If necessary, the Higher Education Expulsions Board takes a decision that a student must undergo a medical examination. The Higher Education Expulsions Board may also conduct a criminal record check on the student. Other information may also be sought, for example from the national health service or from social services.

A decision to expel a student means that the student may not continue his or her studies. As a rule, the student may not be admitted to equivalent studies at another higher education institution. However, a expulsion may mean that the student may not be admitted to any type of higher education. The expulsion has no time limit on it. However, the student may ask the Higher Education Expulsions Board to reconsider its decision two years after a decision has been made.

When the Higher Education Expulsions Board has reached a decision to expel a student or to overturn a previous decision, the relevant admission authorities and CSN (Swedish National Board for Student Aid) must be informed.

A student or a higher education institution may take an appeal against any decision made by the Higher Education Expulsions Board to the administrative court.

Personal data (GDPR)

From 25 May 2018, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) comes into effect as the law in all EU member states. Sweden has also enacted supplemental legislation in the form of the Data Protection Act (2018:218). The Higher Education Expulsions Board processes personal data when hearing cases regarding the expulsion of students from higher education institutions and public universities of applied sciences.

Read more about how personal data is handled.