Sweden : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

The Swedish government sets degree frameworks and ensures quality control in higher education, but the individual institutions have freedom to structure their courses as they please as long as they fit state regulations.

There are universities and university colleges in Sweden. The former has the right to award Licentiate and PhD degrees while the latter does not. However, university colleges can apply to the government to be permitted to award these qualifications and some have been granted this right in specific fields of study.

Each institution usually develops a specialisation as a result of a well-established collaboration with local industries and the business community. This means they can each offer specialised programmes of study that are not offered at other institutions.

What courses are available?

Swedish higher education institutions switched to a new degree structure in 2007 that conforms to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) , bringing it in line with other European countries. There are around 600 Masters degrees offered at Swedish universities and taught in English.

It is possible to do either a one-year Masters degree (magisterexamen) or a two-year Masters (masterexamen). Two-year Licentiate degrees (equivalent to MPhil in the UK) are also available, as are four-year PhDs.

Study in Sweden has a searchable database of higher education courses.

Where can I study?

There are 14 universities and 22 university colleges in Sweden. In addition there are three self-governing, independent universities and nine independent university colleges.

Go to the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket) for links to all higher education institutions’ websites.

Universities are listed and ranked internationally at Webometrics .

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

Three years of completed undergraduate study (BA/BSc) is the minimum for embarking on postgraduate education in Sweden. For Licentiates and PhDs, a postgraduate Masters qualification (MA/MSc) is usually required. If there is an exchange agreement, foreign students enrolled on a PhD in their home country can register for postgraduate courses in Sweden. Otherwise admission is restricted and may only be granted to those students who have funding for the entire study period.

For courses taught in Swedish, non-native speakers may have to take tests or complete a language course beforehand. See Study in Sweden for information on available courses.

When do I apply?

The deadline for most Masters applications, if done through the centralised system, is 15th January for programmes starting in the autumn term.

For some postgraduate courses (mainly fine arts), it may be necessary to apply direct to institutions and deadlines may differ so check this carefully.

Application deadlines for PhD study vary between institutions so you should check institution websites. Some have set application dates while others admit students throughout the year.

How do I apply?

For Masters degrees, the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education runs a centralised online application system. This allows you to apply for up to four Masters courses in Sweden in one application. The cover sheet must be printed off and sent by post along with certified copies of certificates/diplomas, and any other proof of educational achievements. If these documents are in a language other than Swedish, English, French or German, authorised translations will be required. A letter of intent or short essay may be required for each individual course applied to.

For PhD study, applications must be made by post direct to institutions. Copies of certified certificates/diplomas and a letter of recommendation must be included.

Once you have received a letter of acceptance, non-EU citizens should contact their Swedish embassy or consulate to apply for a student visa.

How much will it cost?

In most cases tuition is free, paid for by the Swedish Government. However, plans are in place to introduce application and tuition fees for non-EU citizens. This will commence with applications made for courses starting in the autumn term of 2011.

Cost of living is estimated to be around SEK 7,300 per month. Most students also usually pay to get membership of their student union which costs between SEK 150-400 per month. See Study in Sweden for further information. 

Are any scholarships available?

The Swedish Institute provides a limited number of scholarships for international postgraduate students. The number of scholarships varies from year to year and you can choose which to apply for, depending on your circumstances. You should be aware that competition for these scholarships is fierce, and that many students finance their studies in Sweden without the aid of a scholarship.

Are there any exchange programmes?

UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Sweden through the Erasmus scheme. This programme is open to all subject areas, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

As part of the Bologna Process, a Swedish postgraduate course is directly comparable to the UK equivalent. Full details on comparing international qualifications are also available from UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) .