How to Study in Stockholm for International Students

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Stockholm, one of the beautiful cities in Sweden, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Stockholm currently has 10 universities, from which 8 universities are a part of the public sector and 2 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 Stockholm you should definitely check out are KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Stockholm University, and Stockholm School of Economics.

Being able to study in Stockholm 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 Stockholm, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Stockholm

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Stockholm, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 90,000 kr to 1,488,000 kr, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 90,000 kr and 728,000 kr.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Stockholm

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Stockholm, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Royal Institute of Art 331,600 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
Stockholm University 90,000 kr 90,000 kr - 144,000 kr
KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm 122,000 kr 155,000 kr - 260,000 kr

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Stockholm

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Stockholm School of Economics 100,000 kr 150,000 kr

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Stockholm, check out the Cheap Universities in Stockholm!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Stockholm for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Stockholm, 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 Stockholm, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Stockholm may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Stockholm are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Stockholm and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Stockholm University of the Arts

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Stockholm University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

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 Stockholm

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Stockholm have online applications available on their websites, like KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and Stockholm University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Stockholm.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm

Stockholm University

Stockholm School of Economics

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 Stockholm 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 Stockholm.

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 Stockholm

If you’re going to study in Stockholm, you will need to apply for a student visa in Sweden

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 Stockholm, you will need to present the following:

  1. A passport valid for at least 3 months after visa expiry date
  2. Provide an invitation or proof of acceptance from a Swedish University
  3. Proof of financial means
  4. Have travel health insurance
  5. Provide a passport-style photograph
  6. 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:

  1. Submit an application and the necessary documents either online or through your country’s embassy
  2. Pay the visa fee
  3. 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 Stockholm. 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!