Why study a Bachelor or Master in Sweden

Study in Sweden

Many international students decide to head to Sweden to pursue their study abroad journey. From the unique way of learning there to the focus on sustainability, there are many reasons to study in Sweden. Read on to learn more about this and how much it will cost to study there. 

Why should you study in Sweden?

Here are some reasons why international students choose to study in Sweden:

 

Learn in a creative and innovative way

Universities in Sweden have a unique approach to teaching. They teach students to think critically but also to think out of the box. Students are also taught to think in a creative and innovative fashion, questioning the world and everything around them. This changes their way of thinking and helps them grow. 

 

Environmental sustainability 

Sweden is one of the countries that makes environmental sustainability a number one priority. People there care so much about preserving the environment through recycling and conserving energy. If taking care of the environment and going green is important to you, you’ll find many people just like you when studying in Sweden. 

Easy application process 

Another reason why international students choose to study in Sweden is the easy and straightforward application process. In 2010, a new law was passed to change the payment structure for international students to make it easier for them to apply and to pay for their courses. The new structure comprises tuition and application costs.

 

It’s also easy to apply and be accepted as you just need to pass the university entrance exam called the SweSAT. To take this exam, there’s no age limit and it’s also unnecessary to be a Swedish citizen. However, you need to fulfill the required eligibility criteria to apply to the course and be accepted.  

Diverse student body 

Sweden is a very culturally diverse country. It also promotes diversity and acceptance. Sweden ranks among the best countries for gender equality worldwide and also the best for LGBT rights. Sweden has a very accepting and progressive attitude and that means that no matter the culture or country you come from, you’ll be accepted and welcomed there. 

How much does it cost?

For international students who want to study in Sweden, they can expect to pay a range from 9,500 dollars to 35,000 USD a year for tuition fees at Swedish universities. 

Living in Sweden

When talking about costs of living, how much you’ll pay depends on whether you live in a big or small city. In general, you can expect to pay around 1000 USD, including accommodation and other living costs. Read on to learn about the different kinds of accommodation available for international students and how much the other costs of living in Sweden are. 

 

Accommodation

The different kinds of accommodation for international students are as follows: 

Residence Hall

Unlike dorms in other countries, Student accommodation in Sweden is managed by private organizations, rather than by the institution itself. There’s also typically a big waiting list so you should apply as early as possible. How much it will cost you to live there varies based on room size and area of the dorms but you can expect to pay between 1,400 and 2,000 dollars for rent per semester. You may also need to pay a corridor fee of 30 dollars. 

Private accommodation

If you can’t find housing in a residence hall, you could try renting a private accommodation. Rental costs are different based on where the flat is and also the different services offered. If you live in a small town, rent will cost you from 200 to 360 dollars per month. In Medium-sized towns, you’ll pay somewhere between 230 to 430 dollars per month. In big towns, rent will cost you between 250 and 250 dollars a month. 

Accommodation with Swedish families

There’s also a third type of accommodation that international students can choose to stay at. This is staying with a Swedish family that hosts international students. Prices for this kind of housing vary based on the location and the room size, as well as the services offered. You may also get a discount if you help out with chores like cooking or cleaning. 

Other costs of living

Besides accommodation costs, you’ll need to take into account other costs of living while you study in Sweden. For example, you should set aside around 95 dollars for a transportation monthly pass to get around. You should also expect to pay around 86 dollars for basic utilities in your apartment if they aren’t included in your rent. You’ll also need to pay around 30 dollars for high-speed internet on a monthly basis. Groceries will cost you around 85 dollars a month to live comfortably. 

Universities in Sweden

When it comes to universities in Sweden, there are several highly ranked ones that you should consider. From Karolinska institute to Lund University, read on to learn about the best universities when you decide to study in Sweden. You can also learn about the different kinds of degrees available in the Swedish higher education system. 

Degrees available

University education in Sweden is split into three cycles. The first cycle is the Bachelor’s level, the second is the master’s level and the third is the PhD level. This degree structure falls in line with other European systems called the Bologna process, which has the aim to unify higher education systems across the European continent. 

 

Top-ranked universities

Top universities to look into when searching for universities in Sweden to pursue your study abroad journey at include the following: 

Karolinska Institute

Location: Solna, Flemingsberg 

The university was founded in the year 1810 to train surgeons in the army.  It has a second campus in Flemingsberg. The university has a focus on world-class medical research and is one of the best in the world to study Medicine in. The university offers a wide selection of health and degrees at the bachelor’s and postgraduate levels. At the bachelor’s level, these courses include medicine, psychology, psychotherapy, dentistry, midwifery, nursing, audiology, optometry, physiotherapy, and language pathology. 

Lund University 

Location: Lund, Malmö and Helsingborg 

The second-best university in Sweden is Lund University. Lund University, established in the year 1668, is a public university located in the city of Lund. It currently has more than 27,000 students, divided among its 20 research centres and institutes. The University library is one of the country’s most ancient and biggest libraries. 

Uppsala University 

Location: Uppsala 

Ranked number 3 in Sweden, Uppsala University is the oldest university in Sweden, but it has incredibly contemporary campus buildings. Eight Noble Prize winners are alumni of the university. It started off as a religious university but there are now three fields being taught at the university: arts and social sciences, medicine and pharmacy, and science and technology. These disciplines are divided into about 70 undergraduate degree programs. The most popular degrees to study there are law, medicine and psychology.

 

Stockholm University 

Location: Stockholm 

Stockholm University was founded in 1878 as a college and then was turned into a university in the year 1960. It currently has over 27,000 students and is situated in the world’s premier national urban park, which means it is enveloped in woodland, trees and plants. There are also more than 100 species of birds on campus. It’s also a short ride from the city centre so it has a pro

However, the university is also a short metro ride from the city centre so students can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city but also chill out at the same time.

 

Examples of other universities

Other good universities in Sweden to look into are Chalmers University of Technology, Linköping University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Umea University. They are all good choices if you want to study in Sweden.

Student Visa - Sweden

Like in any other study destination, you’ll need a study visa to study in Sweden. EU citizens, however, won’t need a visa but if they stay for longer than a year They’ll need to sign up with the Swedish Population Register and get themselves a personal identity number.

However, students coming from non EU/ EEA countries will need a study visa and residence permit. Read on to find out how to get a study visa and permit. 

Documents required 

You’ll need to hand in the following documents when applying for a student visa/ residence permit:

• Proof of payment of the application fee (around 160 dollars)
• Photocopy of your passport
• Letter of acceptance from Swedish university, stating that you are part of a full time program. For PhD courses, duration must be written 
• Proof of medical insurance in Sweden
• Proof that you can support yourself financially during your studies, in the form of bank statements. You’ll need to prove you have a minimum of 900 dollars a month to sustain your costs of living
• Documents that prove scholarships/student aid/ grants (if applicable) 

 

Language requirements for studying in Sweden

When applying for a residence permit, there isn’t a specific language requirement. Universities will need proof you have good knowledge of Swedish or English but this won’t be needed for your visa application. English language proficiency tests accepted by universities in Sweden are TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and C1 Advanced tests. 

 

How to apply - Sweden

When going to study in Sweden, you’ll need to know how to apply to universities there. Read on to find out the requirements to be eligible for university study there and the application process. 

Requirements 

For Bachelor’s studies, students who want to apply to universities in Sweden will need to have:

• Graduated from high school with good grades
• Have a good level of English proficiency 
• Passed mathematics courses in mathematics to reach Swedish level of maths 1a, 1b, or 1c.

For master’s programs, students who want to apply to universities in Sweden will need to have: 

• A Bachelor’s degree from a university that is approved worldwide
• Have a good level of English proficiency

 

For PhD programs, students who want to apply to study in Sweden will need to have:

• A Bachelor’s degree with the same subject as field of PhD research. 
• A master’s degree, with a written dissertation (might be required)
• Have a good level of English proficiency
• Have a good level of Swedish proficiency (depending on study program)

 

Application Deadlines

Deadlines for students applying to Swedish universities should apply from Mid October to Mid January for Autumn semester studies. For students who want to join in the spring semester should apply from Early June to Mid August so that they don’t miss the application deadlines. However, these are general deadlines so you should check the deadlines for your own specific degree program and institution to make sure you are on the right track. 

Scholarship in Sweden

When it comes to scholarships to study in Sweden, you can find many choices available for international students. Most Swedish universities offer scholarships and there are also some public ones offered by the Swedish government. Read on to find out about some of the best ones to apply to if you want to study in Sweden. 

 

Swedish institute scholarship 

A great scholarship for international students is the one offered by the Swedish government, called the Swedish institute scholarship. It has opportunities each year for scholarships to international students to receive scholarships. They have several programs available for these students who want to apply to study for their master’s in Sweden in the Autumn term.  

BTH Scholarship Program 

Another good scholarship to look into is the BTH scholarship program. This scholarship is offered to students from Non-EU or EEA countries and covers part of the tuition fees. It usually pays for around half of the tuition fees for students. The degree level covered is Master’s level and the deadline is Mid January for interested students to apply. 

 

Dalarna University Scholarships 

One of the universities that offer scholarships for students is Dalarna University. It offers a scholarship for master’s students that reduces fees from 10 to 50 per cent so you don’t have to pay your full tuition fees yourself. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is at the end of March. 

Lund University Scholarships 

Another university that offers scholarships to students is Lund University’s Global Scholarship. It gives grants that cover partial or full tuition fees for master’s students who want to study at the university. A highly ranked university, it’s a great one to look into for international students who are looking to study in Sweden.