Courses of study at HTX: the rules behind — and how you choose

When the basic program ends, you choose a field of study—and that choice shapes the rest of your three years at HTX. The field determines which subjects you get at high level, which classmates you follow along with, and to some extent which further education you stand strongest for after. The frameworks are not arbitrary: they're set in the rules for the program leading to technical student exam, which the Ministry of Education backs.

According to UVM's rules on course directions in technical student examination, each course direction should contain three direction subjects, and the subjects' levels should together make up one of the combinations AAA, AAB, AAC, ABB or ABC. There is thus always at least one subject at the highest level, A, and the subjects must according to the rules have good opportunities for academic interaction — they must be able to work together, not just lie next to each other.

The courses of study at HTX are organised in three main areas: applied natural sciences, technology and communication technology. Under applied natural sciences are the courses where physics, chemistry, mathematics and biotechnology are in focus — the classic choice for you who are aiming for natural science or engineering studies. The technology area brings together courses with the technology subject as the focus, where product development and project work are most prominent. Communication technology covers the courses with communication/IT, programming and digital communication.

The rules set which subjects can be included – but it is the individual school that decides which specific study directions it offers. A school can have a strong biotechnology profile, another can focus on programming. That's why the study direction offering is a real criterion when you choose a school: investigate the offering at the upper secondary schools you are considering, rather than assuming everyone has the same.

• 01Start with the interest: you need to work intensively with your subject area subjects for almost three years, so choose something you really want to dive into
• 02Check the entry requirements for the higher education programmes you are considering — some require specific subjects at specific levels
• 03Remember that you can supplement with elective subjects: a course of study without mathematics A can often be combined with mathematics A as an elective
• 04Talk with your study counselor if you are unsure — and ask students in the programs you are considering
• 05Don't choose solely based on what your friends choose; you still meet in the mandatory subjects

The choice is made at the end of the basic course, and precisely for this reason the basic course is designed to give you a qualified basis: you have time to meet the education's subjects and working methods before you decide. Should you change your mind shortly after the switch, a choice change may in some cases be possible — it depends on the school's practical possibilities and how far you are into the course. The earlier you raise the question with your study counselor, the more options you have.

“A choice of study is not a final career choice — it is a choice of what you want to specialize in over the next three years. Choose with both heart and entry requirements in mind.”