Study in Sweden

A lot of freedom is granted to higher education institutions by the government, making the largest country in Scandinavia a thriving nation for postgraduate study. A great port of call if you're looking for a world-class education at a fraction of the price

The Swedish education system

Higher education in Sweden is based on research and teaching. Institutions are free to structure courses and programmes according to their own needs, using a credit system. This allows students to have more control over their learning and education.

Universities and university colleges operate via an agreement with the government, which allows many of them to be self-governing and independent.

Masters programmes in Sweden collaborate closely with local industry and many institutions are obliged to interact with the surrounding society by specialising in specific subject areas. In Sweden, there are some 600 postgraduate degrees taught in English with 52 institutions offering various forms of higher education. 

Entry requirements

The only prerequisite for entry on to postgraduate study programmes is that you have previously taken an undergraduate course or equivalent. This will usually equate to a three-year Bachelors degree.

Exact guidelines for language requirements will vary at each university. If you are a native English speaker or can prove a level of proficiency, namely through the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you should be fluent enough for the English-language programmes.

To study courses in Swedish, you will need to prove your language skills are equivalent to the secondary level (high school). This can be done through the Tisus - Test in Swedish for University Studies .

Course fees

Students from within the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland are exempt from tuition fees. Non-EU nationals will have to pay, but there are substantial scholarship funds available to Bachelors and Masters students that fall into this bracket.

Funding to study in Sweden

There are scholarships available for international students coming from outside the EU area. It's normal for Swedish students to complete their studies without scholarships or funding. The Swedish Migration Board  estimates that you will need around (Swedish Krona) SEK 7,070 per month for living costs, which currently corresponds to around £630. Stockholm and Gothenburg will be slightly more expensive than smaller towns. Visit your international office for more information as there is likely to be discrepancies at each university or town. 

Swedish exchanges and placements

Students attending a UK university can take part in the EU's flagship educational exchange programme Erasmus . This scheme offers work placements, study opportunities and language assistantships, which last from three months to one academic year in EU countries.

Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in another EU country. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Erasmus scheme in your subject.

It isn't always necessary to speak the language of your host country and you can arrange intensive language courses before you go. Speak to the Erasmus coordinator at your university about available opportunities. 

Student visas

As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:

• are studying for more than three months;
• are enrolled at an approved university/other educational institution;
• have sufficient income (from any source) to live without needing income support;
• have comprehensive health insurance cover.

Some countries require you to register with the local authority after three months. Find out how to register at Europa - Rights, Conditions and Formalities .