Study in Sweden | Top colleges, fees & more 2023!

Study in Sweden | Introduction

Dreaming of a study abroad destination where you can learn things in a different way? Look no further! You can study in Sweden – a place that has some of the best universities in the world, is home to several multi-million dollar companies, and is one of the most beautiful countries you’ll ever see.

Read on to learn more about the top universities in Sweden, the cost of living in Sweden, how to get a visa, requirements to study in Sweden, and more!

Why study in Sweden?

Sweden is one of the best countries to study abroad for several reasons. Let’s find out what they are-

1. Sweden is home to 8 of the top 500 universities in the world, each of which makes sure that students learn through experiences and know what it’s like to work with a team.
2. The capital of Sweden – Stockholm – produces the most million-dollar companies per capita in the world! So you don’t have to worry about running out of job options when you’re studying in Sweden!
3. Here, you will feel welcomed and appreciated. The country invites international students from around the world and values the perspectives and experiences they bring with themselves.
4. It’s very likely that you might not need to learn a new language. A lot of courses in Sweden are also taught in English.
5. Sweden has 30 national parks, 5000 nature reserves, 100,000 lakes, and kilometers and kilometers of coastline – all waiting to be explored.
6. The country is fiercely protective of the environment. You will find that it has a lot of courses to offer in this field, apart from Computer Science, Engineering, Culture Studies, Arts, and Architecture.

What’s more, Sweden values work-life balance! So if this (and what we’ve mentioned above) is what you’re looking for in your dream destination, go ahead and decide exactly where you want to study in Sweden…

Top universities in Sweden

With 39 different universities offering over 1000 programs, Sweden provides international students a range of career paths to choose from. Once you’re sure what your passion and skills are, you can find a program that matches your requirements. After that, it’s only a matter of picking the right university. You can use the factors in this guide to shortlist the universities you want to apply to.

To give you an overview of what Swedish universities are like, 8 of the 39 universities in Sweden are among the best 500 institutions in the world!

1. Lund University
2. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
3. Chalmers Institute of Technology
4. Uppsala University
5. Stockholm University
6. University of Gothenberg
7. Linköping University
8. Umea University

While you can choose to go to one of these top universities to study in Sweden, remember that rankings can change by subject. Our suggestion? Choose a course first.

Cost of living in Sweden for international students

Studying in Sweden, or any other country abroad for that matter is an investment of your time and money. While Sweden isn’t the cheapest country to study abroad, it is one of the best. It’s also very upfront about the cost of studying and living. The cost of applying to universities in Sweden is SEK 900. And it doesn’t matter if you apply to 4 universities or 8, this amount will remain the same.

Cost of studying in Sweden

The average cost of studying in Sweden is about SEK 129,000 per year. However, this amount can change depending on which program and university you choose. To give you a range-

• Cost of studying in Sweden: SEK 80,000 and 295,000 per year
• The cost of studying social sciences & humanities in Sweden: SEK 80,000 to 110,000 per year
• Cost of studying technical and natural sciences in Sweden: SEK 120,000 to 145,000 per year
• The cost of studying architecture & design in Sweden: SEK 190,000 to 295,000 per year

Cost of living in Sweden

The cost of living in Sweden for international students depends on their lifestyle, habits, and the city or town where they live.

Here’s a breakdown of your living costs-

• Accommodation: SEK 4,170 per month
• Food: SEK 2,000 per month
• Local travel: SEK 550 per month
• Phone/internet: SEK 300 per month
• Miscellaneous: SEK 1548 per month

While you may find Sweden more expensive than your home country, you will also find a lot of scholarships to study in Sweden…

Scholarships to study in Sweden

Scholarships in Sweden can sometimes cover your entire tuition. At other times, they can take care of both your tuition and your cost of living in Sweden!

Here are a few of the 37 different scholarships Sweden offers to international students-

1. The World Bank Scholarship and Fellows Program
2. Jack & Jones Scholarship
3. Open Society Foundation fellowships & scholarships
4. Rotary International district and global grants
5. UNESCO Fellowships

You will also find a lot of university scholarships to study in Sweden, like-

1. BTH Scholarships
2. Chalmers University of Technology scholarships
3. Dalarna University scholarships
4. Halmstad University scholarships
5. KTH Royal Institute of Technology scholarships

Once you’ve chosen the scholarships you want to apply to, learn how to apply for a scholarship and get cracking!

Requirements to study in Sweden

Once you know which program you want to study in Sweden, you need to make sure that you fulfill all the requirements to apply for it.

There are 2 kinds of requirements both bachelors and masters students need to keep in mind-

General requirements

These are things that prove you’ve completed your high-school studies or that you’re proficient in English.

For bachelors-

• Have successfully completed high school
• Be able to demonstrate proficiency in English (IELTS & TOEFL)

For masters-

• Must have a bachelors degree from an internationally recognized university

Specific requirements

These are specific requirements you need to fulfill in order to be eligible to apply to the university. To find them, directly head to the course page of the university website.

But to give you a general idea, these requirements can include-

For bachelors-

• Aptitude test scores (SAT)
• College essay
• Resume

For masters-

• Aptitude test scores (GRE/GMAT)
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume

Since most of the English-taught programs in Sweden begin in the autumn semester, it’s best to get done with your applications by mid-January.

You can get the exact deadline on the university course page, but we recommend you start your application process 6 months before the date of application submission.

It takes time to collate all the documents and perfect them. Only then will you be able to impress the admissions committee of your dream university and get an admit! After that, you just need to apply for a student visa…

How to get a Swedish student visa?

The student visa you apply for to study in Sweden will depend on the duration of your course.

If you’re planning to study in Sweden for less than 3 months, you are going to need a visa. But if you plan to stay longer than that, you should apply for a residence permit.

It can take months to process your application, so apply as soon as you can-

1. First things first, you need to be admitted into a full-time program at an accredited university in Sweden.
2. Pay your first tuition fee installment.
3. Prepare your supporting documentation. This includes copies of your passport and letter of admission as well as proving that you can support yourself financially during your time in Sweden.
4. Create an account on the official Swedish Migration Agency website.
5. Fill your form and submit your application online.
6. Wait for approval.

Your residence permit should be valid for at least one year, using which you can live and study in Sweden.

And if you decide to stay back and work in Sweden, you can extend your residence permit by 12 months. Use this time to search and settle for a job or even start your own company!

Key Takeaways

• Sweden hosts 8 of the top 500 universities globally, offering an immersive learning experience that emphasizes teamwork and practical knowledge.
• Sweden welcomes international students, appreciates their experiences, and offers many English-taught courses.
• Lund University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University are some of the top universities in Sweden.
• General requirements for studying in Sweden include English proficiency tests and a valid transcript from previous institutions.

If you have any more questions about studying in Sweden, feel free to drop a comment. Or reach out to us! We’d be happy to help.

Liked this blog? Read more: A comprehensive guide to student internships in Sweden!

FAQs

Q1) How can I apply to universities in Sweden as an international student?

Answer: Applicants can directly apply to Swedish universities by fulfilling the admission criteria and submitting the required documents. Check the university’s official website for detailed application guidelines.

Q2) Can I work while studying in Sweden as an international student?

Answer: Yes, international students with a residence permit can work part-time in Sweden. However, there might be restrictions on the number of working hours during the academic term.

Q3) Are there English taught courses available in fields other than STEM in Sweden?

Answer: Yes, Sweden offers a wide range of courses taught in English, including humanities, social sciences, business studies, design, and more catering to divers academic interests beyond STEM subjects.