SFI levels: courses A–D, the new course names and CEFR
SFI has four levels: courses A, B, C and D. How the study paths work, how the courses roughly compare to CEFR, and what new names like 2C and 3D mean.
- 7 min read
- Updated October 27, 2026
Contents
SFI has four levels: courses A, B, C and D. Course D is the last one, and there is no course E. Which course you start in depends on how many years you went to school and how much Swedish you already know. Roughly, course C is around A2 and course D around B1 on the European CEFR scale. Skolverket makes no official link. For courses that start after 31 December 2026, the courses get new names, such as 2C or 3D. The levels are still A to D. Further down you can also see which of Beyond SFI's free courses fits which level.
The four courses and the three study paths
SFI (Svenska för invandrare, Swedish for immigrants) has four courses, A, B, C and D, taken in one of three study paths (studievägar). A study path is a track that fits how used you are to studying. It decides where you start and how fast you go.
| Study path | For you if you | Courses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | went to school for a short time or not at all | A, B, C, D |
| 2 | went to school for some years | B, C, D |
| 3 | have a long education and are used to studying | C, D |
All three study paths end with course D, and the goal is the same. The pass criteria for course D are the same on all three study paths, also with the new course names 1D, 2D and 3D. The difference is the pace. On study path 1 you get more time and more help with reading and writing. On study path 3 you move faster, because you already know how to study.
Each course is graded Godkänt (pass) or Icke godkänt (fail). There are no A–F grades in SFI. At the end of courses B, C and D you take a national test in reading, listening, writing and speaking. The test supports your teacher, who sets the grade from everything you have shown during the course.
SFI and CEFR: what level are courses A, B, C and D?
CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a European scale for language skills with six levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (almost native). In Swedish it is called GERS. Skolverket (the Swedish National Agency for Education) does not link the SFI courses to fixed CEFR levels, and Skolverket's syllabus for SFI names none. So the comparison below is approximate.
| Course | About CEFR | What you can do, with examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | beginner, up to A1 | Understand phrases like "Hur mår du?", write your name and personnummer on a form, copy a phone number |
| B | around A1, towards A2 | Understand a short note from your teacher, talk simply about your family, write that you cannot come to an appointment |
| C | A2 to A2+ | Read a timetable, follow a short instruction at work, text or e-mail a neighbour, give your opinion in a simple talk |
| D | B1 to B1+ | Read a news article or advice from an authority, e-mail to book a meeting, join a discussion at fika, argue for and against |
The examples are based on the syllabus description of each course. A pass in course D means you can handle most of everyday life in Swedish. You may still get stuck when someone speaks fast or when a text is long and formal. That is normal at B1.
The new course names from 2027: 1A to 3D
For courses that start after 31 December 2026, every SFI course has a name with a number and a letter. The number is the study path and the letter is the level. So "2C" means course C on study path 2. "3D" means course D on study path 3.
| Study path | New course names | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D | A to D |
| 2 | 2B, 2C, 2D | B to D |
| 3 | 3C, 3D | C and D |
Good to know about the new courses:
- The levels stay the same. There are still four levels, A to D, and no course E.
- Two new courses for reading and writing. Grundläggande läs- och skrivinlärning (basic literacy) is for you if you need to learn to read and write from the start. Latinisering (latinisation) is for you if you already read and write a language with another writing system, such as Arabic or Tigrinya. You can take both on their own or alongside another SFI course.
- The grade is still Godkänt or Icke godkänt.
- Each course has verksamhetspoäng (study points). They show how big the course is. One week of full-time study equals 20 points. Course 3D has 300 points, so about 15 weeks full time. Course 2D has 700 points and course 1D has 900.
- If you already started a course before 1 January 2027, you finish it under the rules that applied when you started.
- New national tests come from January 2027 for the new courses.
Which course do you start in?
The kommun (municipality) decides your study path and course, after a talk before you start. It is often called kartläggning (mapping). A teacher or study counsellor asks how long you went to school, which languages you speak and how much Swedish you already know. Sometimes there is a short test. If you already know some Swedish, you can start in a higher course. Then the kommun writes an individual study plan. Read more about how to apply and what happens in the talk.
What comes after course D? B2 and beyond
SFI ends at about B1, and there is no SFI E. If you want to move towards B2, there are two main roads. Many people do both.
- Svenska som andraspråk (SAS, Swedish as a second language) at komvux (municipal adult education). It is the next course after SFI, and there you get grades from A to F. Most people start at basic level, delkurs 2, and can go on to upper-secondary level. It is the road if you need grades for work or further study. Read how SAS works after SFI.
- Practise on your own. Read easy news, listen to the radio and talk at a language café (språkcafé). The step from B1 towards B2 is mostly about using Swedish every day. Here are practical ways to keep improving after course D.
Practise at your level
Beyond SFI (beyond-sfi.se) is a free place to practise Swedish for real situations, during or after SFI: at the doctor, with your landlord, at work. Its courses are built on Skolverket's syllabus for SFI. Everyday Swedish A2 fits during course C and early in course D. Everyday Swedish B1+ fits late in course D and after SFI. You practise at your own pace, and the courses are free to use. If you are in course A or B, they are still too hard.
Our honest take
The letter says less than people think. Two people with a pass in course D can have very different Swedish. One speaks easily but is unsure when writing. Another writes well but goes quiet on the phone. See your level as a map of where you are right now. It says nothing about how far you can go. And do not worry about the new names. "2C" on a paper is still course C.
Common questions
Related articles
Facts checked: October 2026. The new course names apply to courses that start after 31 December 2026. Always check with your kommun's vuxenutbildning (adult education). Beyond SFI is independent and not affiliated with Skolverket or any kommun.
Sources
- Skolverket – SKOLFS 2026:67, regulations on syllabuses and study paths for SFI (courses 1A–3D, the literacy courses, Godkänt, transition rules)
- Skolverket – Information om de nya kursplanerna i sfi (study paths, study points, 20 points per week)
- Skolverket – Kommentarmaterial till kursplanen i sfi (what each course covers, examples)
- Skolverket – Gemensam europeisk referensram för språk, Gers (SFI courses are not linked to CEFR levels)
- Skolverket – Elevinformation om de nya reglerna för sfi (three years, assessment, study plan)