Study in Sweden

Welcome to Sweden!

Sweden, the largest of the Scandinavian countries, is also considered a leader in innovation, ranking in the top 5 countries with most patent requests per capita. Sweden has fostered many internationally known enterprises such as Ericsson, Volvo, IKEA and H&M. Sweden is a world leader in the IT-sector as well as in environmental technology, engineering, medicine and biotechnology. Whether you are just planning a short visit to study in Sweden as an exchange student, studying a master's program or study a full degree, you will benefit from the Swedish open and informal atmosphere, moderate tuition fees as well as the large array of progressive courses you can choose from.

Choose to study in Sweden, and you will find yourself in a nation which has always punched well above its weight. From being the center of an empire in the 17th century, to being the home and birthplace of the Nobel Prize, its influence has long spread well beyond its borders, despite the fact that its total population is no bigger than a large city. Swedish businesses such as Ikea and Volvo are known around the world, and its contributions to popular culture range from bouffant-haired 70s pop aristocrats ABBA to the groundbreaking films of director Ingmar Bergman.

Modern-day Sweden is known for its sense of social justice and fairness. It has the highest level of wealth equality in the world, one of the world’s lowest gender pay gaps, publically funded healthcare for all, and equal rights for homosexual and heterosexual couples. Add on striking northern European beauty, and free tuition for EU students (fees for non-EU students were introduced recently), and the appeal of studying in Sweden is pretty strong.

Find out more about Sweden on www.sweden.se

Higher Education System

Master’s programs are either 1 or 2 years in duration. Entry requirements to master’s programs usually include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and proficiency in English (TOEFL/IELTS). Currently there are 1000+ master’s programs offered in English. The official source of information on higher education in Sweden is the website studyinsweden.se. Currently there are around 40,000 international students studying in Sweden. QS World University Ranking 2023: KTH (89), Lund University (95), Chalmers (125), Uppsala University (128), Stockholm University (153)

Pictures credit: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se | Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se

Swedish University Admissions

For Swedish university admissions, you should use the centralized University Admissions application portal, Universityadmissions.se. University is free for Swedish citizens and citizens of EU countries. However, fees have been introduced for non-EU citizens. These are set individually by each university, and you can expect to pay somewhere between SEK90,000 and 150,000 (around US$10,560-17,595) depending on your degree. Non-EU students must also pay an application fee of SEK900 (US$106) – this remains the same no matter how many courses or programs you apply for.

Student visas (or residence permit for the period of more than 3 months) for Sweden

Student visa requirements for Sweden differ depending on whether or not you are from an EU nation.

EU and Swiss nationals:

You do not need a visa.

Unless you are from a Nordic nation, you will have to register with the Swedish Migration Board within three months of your arrival. This can be done in person, by post or online (note that the Stockholm municipality of Solna has slightly different regulations).

You will need to prove that you have been accepted onto a course, show that you have enough funds to cover your stay and provide evidence that you have acquired health insurance in order to get your registration certificate.

Swiss nationals will also need to get a special residence permit, for which you will need to follow a similar procedure.

If you are not from the EU/EEA:

You will require a residence permit in order to study in Sweden. More information about how to apply can be found on the Swedish Migration Board’s website https://www.migrationsverket.se/English/Private-individuals/Studying-in-Sweden/Universities-and-university-college/How-to-apply-for-the-first-time.html.

The application cost for both student residence permits and a permit to seek employment after completing your studies in Sweden is SEK1,000 (US$117).

In order to obtain a study permit you will need to prove you have been admitted onto a course, that you have comprehensive health insurance and that you can support yourself for the duration of your course. At present, you are required to have SEK8,010 (around US$940) a month for at least 10 months for every year of your stay, in addition to your fees (the first instalment of which must be paid before you’ll receive your permit). You must have enough money for the whole period of study at the time of your initial application.

NOTE: The figures above may be changed without notice. For the most updated information, always check with the Swedish Migration Board’s website (link above), or send your enquiry to the Embassy of Sweden by email to ambassaden.jakarta-visum@gov.se

You will need to renew your permit annually.

Fast Facts

• Constitutional monarchy, currently headed (ceremonially) by King Carl XVI Gustaf
• Democracy, with unicameral legislature (Riksdag)
• Head of government is prime minister (current incumbent is Stefan Löfven).
• Population of approximately 9.38 million people and total landmass of 173,745 square miles, making Sweden one of the most sparsely populated nations in the world
• Member state of the European Union
• Last involved in an armed conflict in 1814, and has since maintained an official policy of neutrality in foreign affairs
• Official language: Swedish (Svensk); almost all Swedes speak English as a second language
• Capital and largest city: Stockholm
• As well as the famous meatballs, Swedish cuisine includes such delicacies as licorice ice cream and pickled herrings.
• Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
• Internal dialing code: +46
• Central European Time (UTC+1), switching to Central European Summer Time in summer (UCT+2)

Don’t just pick a place, pick a future they said. Sweden known for being small country in Europe, for being among the wealthiest countries in the world, for excellence in innovation and research. But there are some distinguish things that set Sweden apart from other countries in Europe.

Sweden is green, creative, equal and open. What else? Everyone could speak English! Sweden listed as one of the top countries in the world for non-native speakers of English. That means you don’t have to worry about speaking any Swedish to be able to study here. Public transport is widespread! Extensive network of buses, trains, subways, trams, boats, planes and more in Sweden can take you anywhere you want to go, car-free. International students can definitely work in Sweden. Even though your studies are your number-one priority, as an international students you can work during your stay for studies. There’s no legal limit to the amount of hours. After completing your studies, you can apply to extend your residence permit to look for work for up to six months. After all, Sweden is clean and safe, and the standard of living is high.