You can’t take away Sweden from the lists of top countries providing quality education. The country is among the top destinations for international students who can afford the tuition fee. Higher education in Sweden is among the best in the world with many Swedish universities recognized in the global university rankings. In this article, we shall walk you through how to study, work, and live in Sweden.
Sweden is one of the Scandinavian countries located in Northern Europe. It is surrounded by Norway and Finland, but the Swedish economy and education are more robust which is a good fit for international students who wish to study there. There are other reasons which will be discussed in this post.
If Sweden is on your mind, join the train as we provide you with all the details that will help you achieve your dream of studying in Sweden. To let you in, you need to know why a study in Sweden is a fantastic choice.
Why study in Sweden?
• Great economy
The Swedish economy is one of the strongest in Europe. International students who eventually stay back after completing their studies in Sweden and can speak Swedish fluently can easily find a job.
• Favorable for international students
Swedish are peace-loving people. The country is among the most peaceful countries in the world. There is calm in almost all the cities in Sweden. International students studying in Sweden are loved and treated equally so long they abide by the rules of the school and country.
• Work and study
One of the reasons international students desire to study in Sweden is the opportunity available for them to work while studying. Excitingly, the pay for the part-time job can be sufficient to cover expenses such as accommodation, feeding, and transportation.
• Easy application
To apply for admission in Sweden, there is a central application portal to use. It is easy and quick. All you need to do is log in, create an account and follow the registration process.
• Free Tuition for EU national
Sweden is tuition-free for students from EU countries. On the other hand, Non -EU nationals will pay tuition.
How to apply for admission
1. Go through the centralized application portal
If you want to study in Sweden, all applicants must use the official centralized website to forward their application through: https://www.universityadmissions.se/
2. Provide the entrance documents
Here are the required documents for a bachelor degree
A High school diploma or graduation certificate
University qualifications (if applicable)
Official transcripts
Proof of proficiency English test scores
Copy of your passport or other forms of identification
High school qualifications evaluation by the Swedish Council for Higher Education (if applicable)
Visit here for more details: Bachelor’s requirements
For master’s degree
Bachelor’s degree results
Official transcripts of courses and grades
Copy of your passport or other documents of identification
Proof of English proficiency
That is if you want to study in an English-taught program. You need to show proof by providing an English test score. Recommended exams are IELTS and TOEFL bit.
3. Pay the application fee
You’ll pay a non-refundable application fee of SEK 900 (90 EUR).
4. Wait for the university decision
After you have paid the application fee and forwarded your documents, you will wait for the response of the university you’ve applied to.
5. Receive your admissions results
You will still go back to the website: Universityadmissions.se to check the status of your admission, through your login details given to you when you created an account.
6. Apply for a student visa
After receiving an admission offer from your university and paying their first tuition fee, international students from non-EU countries must apply for a residence visa. For students staying in Sweden for more than three months, a residency permit is required.
Documents for the Swedish student visa
Passport copy
Letter of admission
Proof of tuition fee payment
Proof of sufficient funds to study in Sweden
A health insurance policy that is valid in Sweden
Intake period
The academic year in Sweden is divided into two semesters (fall and spring), with two rounds of application for each semester. The first round of the autumn semester starts in mid-October and concludes in mid-January, while the first round of the spring semester starts in early June and finishes in mid-August.
EU/EEA applicants should apply during the second application period, which runs from mid-March to mid-April for the fall semester and mid-September to mid-October for the spring semester.
Universities in Sweden
Chalmers University of Technology
Dalarna University
University of Gothenburg
Jönköping University
Karlstad University
Karolinska Institutet
University of Skövde
Uppsala University
Halmstad University
Kristianstad University
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Linköping University
Linnaeus University
Luleå University of Technology
Lund University
Mälardalen University
Malmö University
Mid Sweden University
Örebro University
SLU – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Average tuition fee in Sweden
There is no tuition fee for EU students. International students coming from Non-EU countries are to pay a tuition fee that varies by university and type of program. However, tuition for all Ph.D. courses is free for all nationals.
On average, the costs range between 8500 – 15,000 EUR/year depending on the study program and university.
Cheap Universities in Sweden for International Students
1. Stockholm University
Tuition Fee Link
2. Uppsala University
Tuition Link
3. Karolinska Institutet
Tuition Link
4. Lund University
Tuition Link
5. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Tuition Link
Are there English- taught universities in Sweden?
Yes, many universities in Sweden provide teachings in English. This is why international students planning to study in a Swedish university in English taught program must write the English language proficiency test. A large number of young persons in Sweden speak English, which also makes communication easy.
Study and work while studying in Sweden
International students in Sweden are allowed to work while they study. Though there is no legal limit to the number of hours you can work throughout your studies, students may be allowed to work for forty hours per week, but must make sure that it does not clash with their academic activities. For more information, check the Swedish Migration Board’s website.
Stay back in Sweden
Students from EU/EEA countries are permitted to work in Sweden after completing a degree program, but only if they have a residency permit; otherwise, they must contact the Migration Board, which can assist them in applying for a visa extension and provide them with any extra information.
Non- EU nationals can stay in Sweden for six months after finishing their education to hunt for work. They must apply for a Residence Permit to stay for those six months. Once they’ve found work, they’ll need to apply for a Work Permit.
Highlights
If you’re a non-EU citizen who wants to stay in Sweden after finishing your education and work, you can seek to have your residence permit extended for up to six months while you look for work or start your own business. You must have completed at least two full-time semesters of study and finished your program of study to be eligible for an extension of your permission. During the extension term, you must also be able to support yourself financially.
Visit the Swedish Migration Board’s website for complete information on how to apply for an extension of your study visa so you can look for work.
You may be eligible to work in Sweden after you finish your education if you are from an EU/EEA country. If you are not from the EU/EEA, you can apply to the Swedish Migration Board for permission to stay in Sweden for a year after graduation to look for work.
Applying for a work permit
Non-EU students who wish to stay and work in Sweden after graduation must first apply for a work permit with the Swedish Migration Board. If you meet the following requirements, you can do so without having to leave the country before your study permit expires. This also includes permits that have been extended.
Keynote:
You must apply before your current residence permit expires.
You must have completed at least 30 credits of higher education or one semester of postgraduate studies in Sweden.
In Sweden, you must be offered employment terms that are in keeping with the norm for your occupation or sector.
The pre-tax salary you have been offered must be at least SEK 13,000
You must have a valid passport.
A work permit can be obtained through an online application. 2,000 SEK is the typical application fee.
If you apply before your study permit expires, you may work while your work permit application is being processed. If your application is accepted, you will be given a residence permit card with your photo and fingerprints that validates your right to stay in Sweden.
You have three weeks to file an appeal if your work visa application is denied.
For further information and detailed instructions on how to apply, please visit the Swedish Migration Board’s website.
Conclusion
Sweden is a popular choice among international students. With approximately 40 English-language universities. Sweden’s universities teach in both Swedish and English. Studying in Sweden is an excellent option, however, you should be aware that the tuition fee and cost of living are somewhat costly.
International students who aim to stay in Sweden after finishing their studies are encouraged to learn the language. The ability to communicate in this language increases an applicant’s chances of being hired. That is not to say that English is not spoken in Sweden; rather, it is a way of showcasing their culture, one of which is the Swedish language.