How to Study in Sweden for International Students
Sweden is a country steeped in history and tradition, where the ancient and the modern seamlessly blend together. The universities and colleges in Sweden, with their emphasis on hands-on learning, allow students the opportunity to delve deep into their chosen field of study, to explore the unknown and to challenge the status quo. International students, who opt for Sweden as their destination of choice, will have no language barrier issues as the vast majority of Swedes are proficient in English. Sweden is also known for its progressive society and its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion making it an ideal country for any one who wishes to further their education and gain a deeper understanding of their chosen field.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Sweden currently has 39 universities, from which 33 universities are a part of the public sector and 6 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Sweden you should definitely check out are Lund University, Karolinska Institute, and Uppsala University.
Being able to study in Sweden as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Sweden, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Sweden
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Sweden, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 0 kr to 1,488,000 kr, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 69,100 kr and 728,000 kr.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Sweden
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Sweden, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of Boras | 261,200 kr | 94,000 kr - 276,400 kr |
| Royal Institute of Art | 331,600 kr | |
| Beckmans College of Design | 0 kr | |
| Royal College of Music – Sweden | 255,000 kr | 255,000 kr |
| Stockholm University of the Arts | 362,000 kr - 1,488,000 kr | 182,500 kr - 728,000 kr |
| Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design | 297,000 kr | 301,000 kr |
| Kristianstad University | 135,000 kr | 110,000 kr - 143,000 kr |
| University West | 100,000 kr - 115,000 kr | 115,000 kr - 130,000 kr |
| Sodertorn University | 92,000 kr - 151,000 kr | |
| University of Gavle | 102,000 kr | 90,000 kr - 134,000 kr |
| Dalarna University | 264,100 kr | 87,000 kr - 151,500 kr |
| Halmstad University | 99,000 kr - 144,000 kr | |
| University of Skovde | 95,000 kr - 135,000 kr | 95,000 kr - 135,000 kr |
| Blekinge Institute of Technology | 120,000 kr | |
| Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | 140,000 kr | 113,000 kr - 186,000 kr |
| Malmo University | 96,600 kr - 171,000 kr | 95,000 kr - 260,000 kr |
| Karlstad University | 150,000 kr - 290,000 kr | 95,000 kr - 235,000 kr |
| Linnaeus University | 109,800 kr - 285,000 kr | 110,000 kr - 285,000 kr |
| Orebro University | 69,100 kr - 114,300 kr | |
| Stockholm University | 90,000 kr | 90,000 kr - 144,000 kr |
| Umea University | 96,600 kr - 236,800 kr | 96,600 kr - 321,300 kr |
| Karolinska Institute | 180,000 kr | 180,000 kr - 200,000 kr |
| Malardalens University | 99,500 kr - 240,000 kr | 99,500 kr - 240,000 kr |
| Linkoping University | 80,000 kr - 126,000 kr | |
| Mid Sweden University | 101,700 kr | 85,800 kr - 183,400 kr |
| University of Gothenburg | 87,000 kr - 546,000 kr | 87,000 kr - 553,000 kr |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm | 122,000 kr | 155,000 kr - 260,000 kr |
| Uppsala University | 110,000 kr - 130,000 kr | 100,000 kr - 145,000 kr |
| Lund University | 100,000 kr - 200,000 kr | 110,000 kr - 225,000 kr |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Sweden
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| World Maritime University | 149,600 kr - 198,300 kr | |
| Jonkoping University | 100,000 kr - 160,000 kr | 117,000 kr - 150,000 kr |
| Chalmers University of Technology | 160,000 kr - 210,000 kr | 160,000 kr - 210,000 kr |
| Stockholm School of Economics | 100,000 kr | 150,000 kr |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Sweden, check out the Cheap Universities in Sweden!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Sweden for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Sweden, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Sweden, English and Swedish are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting TISUS for Swedish.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Sweden and their required minimum scores for each program level.
University of Boras
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 90
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 90
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Beckmans College of Design
Bachelor’s degree
- TISUS: Pass
- Bachelor's Swedish Language Requirements Page
Stockholm University of the Arts
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 90
- IELTS: 6.5
- TISUS: Pass
- Bachelor's Swedish Language Requirements Page
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- TOEFL: 90
- IELTS: 6.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Sweden
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Sweden have online applications available on their websites, like Lund University and Karolinska Institute. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Sweden.
Lund University
Karolinska Institute
Uppsala University
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Sweden differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Sweden.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Sweden
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Sweden. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Sweden as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Sweden. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Residence permit for studies.
To start your student visa application in Sweden, you will need to present the following:
- A passport valid for at least 3 months after visa expiry date
- Provide an invitation or proof of acceptance from a Swedish University
- Proof of financial means
- Have travel health insurance
- Provide a passport-style photograph
- Provide proof of payment of tuition fees
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Sweden is 1,500 SEK.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Submit an application and the necessary documents either online or through your country’s embassy
- Pay the visa fee
- Attend the visa interview
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Sweden. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!