Why Study in Sweden?

Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains. Its principal cities, eastern capital Stockholm and southwestern Gothenburg and Malmö, are all coastal. Stockholm is built on 14 islands. It has more than 50 bridges, as well as the medieval old town, Gamla Stan, royal palaces and museums such as open-air Skansen.

Studying in Sweden is significantly different from studying in other countries because Swedish universities have an open climate with a strong focus on group work. The Swedish education system focuses more on your academic interests than pushing you to achieve a grade.

Reasons for Study in Sweden

Focuses on Creativity

In Sweden, students are encouraged to think independently, creatively and critically. One can develop his/her ability to question the status quo by accessing information, seeking new perspectives and coming up with well-informed opinions. Students will be free to think creatively because of the informal and non-hierarchical nature of Swedish society, where they give a platform to contribute ideas and opinions.

This independence of mind and the fact that everyone can make their voice heard are two of the reasons why Sweden ranks among the world’s most innovative nations. Another is that investment in research is among the highest in the world in relation to GDP.

Challenging Coursework

Sweden has a long and proud history of academic excellence with small population, its home to some of the world’s best universities. The entire Swedish higher education system is ranked as one of the best in the world, and several Swedish universities are ranked by the Times Higher Education and the Academic Ranking of World Universities as being among the world’s best.In Sweden student will find a strong focus on rationality, reason and applying knowledge so that it makes a real difference.

Swedish universities are well-adapted to the needs of international students, students will be able to use English with everyone they meet, from the classroom to the city center.

Focus on Sustainable environment

People concerned with sustainable development for a greener future can find a home in Sweden. Environmental issues are a high priority here, and Sweden has been named the most sustainable country in the world for its use of renewable energy. Sweden is aiming for 100 percent renewable energy production by 2040.

Environmental thinking and sustainability are a part of all aspects of life here, including education. Studying here will give you the chance to draw on Sweden’s deep environmental experience and apply its sustainable approach to your own chosen field.

And it’s not hard to see why Swedes are so keen to protect the environment: nature here is breathtaking, with huge forests, beautiful beaches, and snow-capped mountains. Sweden’s 29 national parks and nearly 4,000 nature reserves offer you the opportunity to ski, hike, fish, swim and mountain bike.

Equality and diversity

Swedish society is known for its inclusiveness and equality – you may have heard Sweden referred to as the most equal country in the world. It consistently places among the world’s top countries in gender equality, while lesbian, gay, and bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Sweden are regarded as among the most progressive in the world.

The belief that everyone is of equal value contributes to Sweden’s consensus approach to getting things done, where everyone takes part in the decision-making process. During your studies, you’ll learn how to balance different interests, needs and ideas to bring out the best in everyone and solve complex issues as a team – vital skills for your global career, where teamwork across cultures is the norm.

Building skills for a global career

What’s the most important thing you’ll need for success in your career? According to a global study of CEOs, it’s creativity. And creativity is exactly what studying in Sweden will foster, along with other in-demand skills such as how to combine theory and practice, and how to navigate complex situations where there’s no easy solution.

Many degree programs in Sweden include internships, which are a great way to get real-world experience while you build your professional network. If you’re interested in research, doing a master’s in Sweden can be a great way to make the contacts you’ll need to carry on and do a Ph.D.

The fact that Sweden is home to the largest number of multinationals per capita of any country in the world and is the birthplace of many world-conquering companies – including IKEA, TetraPak, Volvo, Ericsson, AstraZeneca, and H& M – means that getting on the career ladder here can really take you places. Should you receive a job offer while you’re still studying here, you can apply for a work permit and enjoy the work-life balance that Sweden is famous for.

Benefits for Study in Sweden

• Everyone speaks English – Sweden regularly ranks as one of the top countries in the world for non-native speakers of English. That means you don’t have to speak any Swedish to study here.
• Public transport is widespread, and it works. Sweden’s extensive network of buses, trains, subways, trams, boats, planes and more can take you anywhere you want to go, car-free.
• International students can work in Sweden. Though your studies are your number-one priority, there’s no legal limit to the amount of hours international students can work during their studies. After completing your studies, you can apply to extend your residence permit to look for work for up to six months. (If you do want to work, learning Swedish is important – it’s often a requirement for jobs).
• Sweden is clean and safe, and the standard of living is high.

Popular Universities of Sweden

• Blekinge Institute of Technology
• Chalmers University of Technology
• Dalarna University
• ErstaSköndalBräcke University College
• GIH – the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
• Halmstad University
• Jönköping University
• KMH – Royal College of Music in Stockholm
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Karlstad University
• KarolinskaInstitutet
• Konstfack
• Kristianstad University
• Linköping University
• Linnaeus University
• Luleå University of Technology
• Lund University
• Malmö University
• Mid Sweden University
• Mälardalen University
• Royal Institute of Art
• SLU – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
• SMI – University College of Music Education in Stockholm
• Sophiahemmet University College
• Stockholm School of Economics
• Stockholm School of Theology
• Stockholm University
• Stockholm University of the Arts
• Södertörn University
• The Swedish Red Cross University College
• Umeå University
• University West

Tuition fees and costs

In Sweden, the currency used is the Swedish krona (SEK). We’ve given costs in SEK; use a currency converter like Google or xe.com to find up-to-date exchange rates. In January 2019:

1 EUR = about 10.2 SEK
1 USD = about 9.0 SEK
10 INR = about 1.3 SEK

Application and Tuition fees

Application and tuition fees apply for students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA/Nordic country or Switzerland studying at the bachelor’s or master’s level.

The application fee is SEK 900. Tuition fees in Sweden vary depending upon the subject. The average fee for a master’s program is SEK 129,000/year; bachelor’s programs are generally less expensive.

A standard range of tuition fees for various subjects is shown below (the exact level may vary).

Social sciences and humanities                                   SEK 80,000 – 110,000/year
Technical programs and natural sciences               SEK 120,000 – 145,000/year
Architecture and design                                              SEK 190,000 – 270,000 /year

Living expenses

An average monthly student budget is about SEK 8,370 per month. Of course, your costs will vary depending on where you live and your personal preferences.

Average cost of living

Like everywhere, living costs in Sweden depend on your personal lifestyle and where you live. Here’s an average monthly budget:

Food: SEK 2,000
Accommodation: SEK 4,070
Local travel: SEK 550
Phone/internet: SEK 300
Hobby/leisure, miscellaneous: SEK 1,450

Total: SEK 8,370 (around €815 or $925).

When applying for a residence permit, you need to prove to the Swedish Migration Agency that you can support yourself financially during your studies. Visit the Migration Agency’s website for more information.

List of documents required for applying for Swedish Visas/ Residence Permit

• A student must have a valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months at the time of application. Also, the passport should be issued not earlier than 10 years proceedingthe time of application.
• Students need an enrolment letter from a University in Sweden that clearly states the duration of the course and that you have paid (in full) the first installment of the fees.
• The student needs to note here that this must include a study period which is equivalent to at least 30 credits. In case your first semester does not equal 30 credits, you would have to pay a fee for two semesters. (Though this usually is not the case)
• Proof of financial capacity which means that you have the funds to pay for the course you are enrolled in as well as support your stay in the country. This could be in the form of a scholarship/ sponsor (public or private), student loan or own funds to the tune of SEK 8,190 for each month of your stay in Sweden, computed for the intended stay with a minimum of 10 months for every year of stay in Sweden.
• You would be asked to provide proof of health insurance if your stay is less than 10 months. For students applying to longer stays, you would be provided with compulsory health insurance when you reach Sweden.
• Class X/ XII/ Bachelors (whichever applicable) Mark-sheet and Certificate showing clearly the year of completion of the course.
• Your application would also ask you to submit a 1000 character (roughly 150 words) essay as to why you have chosen Sweden as the country for your studies. There is no specific format for the same but you have to give a specific reason what you believe Sweden offers which your home country does not.
• Note, you are not required to submit all the certificates. The system would prompt you only to provide the last qualification/ work experience details. In case you wish to provide information for all the previous qualifications and/or work experience, you would have to provide relevant documentary proof.

A to Z Process for Sweden Student Visa

• Confirm your admission to a Swedish university and prepare the documents as per the checklist mentioned above
• Confirm health insurance (if applicable)
• Fill the residence permit application form online.
• Upload the documents and submit your application.
• Pay the visa fee of SEK 1,000 through a Visa/ Mastercard
• Receive confirmation from the consulate/ embassy
• Submit your biometric information and photograph at the nearest embassy/ consulate office of Sweden on receiving the email