If you want your opinions to he heard, you like taking initiative and a little snow doesn’t scare you off, then the go-to country for your studies must be Sweden.
Long-time ago a country of barbaric Vikings, nowadays Sweden, has polished its manners, and nothing proves it more than the fact that the Swedish higher education system ranks second in the world. Did we mention cutting-edge research and real-world challenges in multicultural academic communities?
To get a better picture about what’s like studying in Sweden, you need to know that the education here is more about self-development through student groups and independent studies, than about listening to the typical teacher lecture. Let’s try and see the details behind this big picture.
Why study in Sweden?
1. It's free for most European students
That's right! If you come from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you don't have to pay any tuition fees to study at public universities in Sweden. And this is great news because you can use the money you save to cover living costs, which are above the European average.
2. Freedom, equality, and sustainability
These are the three core values of the Swedish society and citizens. These values are reflected in all aspects of life, including work, education, the natural environment, and so on.
Swedes will do as much they can to provide you with the support and resources you need to achieve your academic, professional, personal, or any other goal.
3. Sweden is the best example of eco-friendliness
If you're environmentally conscious, you'll love living here. Sweden has been investing in the wellbeing and preservation of nature for a long time now.
It represents an example of what any nation can do through involvement and commitment. For instance, by 2040, Sweden aims to achieve 100% renewable energy production.
4. Open and progressive mentality
Sweden is one of those wonderful places where you don't have to worry about being different or not fitting it. They embrace everybody regardless of their personal choices or background. Stockholm, for example, is often considered as one of the most open cities in the world.
5. English is widely spoken
Over 80% of Swedes speak English, which makes it super easy to interact with them whenever you need help or simply want to enjoy a small chit-chat.
Still, we recommend learning at least the basics of Swedish, the most common words, for those rare cases when you meet someone who doesn't speak the English language.
Which universities and colleges to attend in Sweden?
Sweden is home to over 35 universities and university colleges, and they all offer degree programmes according to European standards.
Start your search for a dream Swedish university with one of these universities we recommend:
Mälardalen University
Linnaeus University
Jönköping University
University of Boras
World Maritime University
Uppsala University
What is it like to study in Sweden?
Studying in Sweden is likely to make you feel relaxed. Yes, students need to work hard, and expectations are high, but the higher education system is also very flexible and informal.
Popular student pastimes include team sports, cultural societies, and outdoor activities (performed very well dressed). There’s also a great nightlife, with clubs and bars dotting Sweden’s cities, and student unions organising evenings out.
What to study in Sweden?
Swedes are great with cars, great with IT, and great with the environment. So, it’s not hard to guess which are some of the most popular study areas in Sweden. These are:
Computer Science degrees in Sweden
Engineering degrees in Sweden
Arts degrees in Sweden
Environmental Studies in Sweden
Cultural Studies in Sweden
Where to study in Sweden?
Sweden is a great place to live and study. From buzzing larger cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö, to cosy university towns like Uppsala and Lund, there’s a place for every taste in Sweden.
Whether you end up close to the Arctic Circle in Luleå or bumping shoulders with continental Europe in Malmö, you’ll find accessible towns with extensive public transport and bustling student scenes. So, check and pick one of the Swedish cities below, like:
Study in Stockholm
Study in Göteborg
Study in Lund
Study in Linköping
Study in Uppsala
How to apply
In Sweden, applications for Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes are processed through a central application service, Universityadmissions.se. Still, you can also apply directly through the university and program websites. The general application documents required are:
Identification document
Record of completed upper secondary education (translated into English)
University records (translated into English)
Proof of language proficiency
Additionally, most universities also tend to ask for:
Motivation letter
CV
Sample of academic writing
Recommendation letters from professors and employers
Helpful ways to make sure you qualify for a Swedish university
Take Preparation Courses
These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programme.
Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.
Improve your English through an English-language prep course
If you’re attending a degree programme in Sweden, you will need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures; some schools will require Swedish, while others will require strong English skills. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
English-language tests
English is a must-have in Sweden, seeing how many Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes are taught in this language. Swedish universities accept as proof of your language skills:
High school studies taught in English/Swedish
Previous university studies taught in English /Swedish
English-language certificates: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Almost 40 universities are located in Sweden, many of which make it into top ranks globally, such as Uppsala University, Lund University or Stockholm University. Sweden has been one of the European pioneers for switching to English-language tuition and offers a whopping 900 degrees to choose from.
Studying in Sweden is free of charge for citizens of the EU/EEA and those with a permanent Swedish residence permit. Others may have to pay tuition fees that commonly ranges between 80,000 and 140,000 SEK per year – ca. 8,000 to 15,000 EUR, or 9,000 to 17,000 USD. There is also an application fee for those from outside the EU/EEA.
How to apply
If you want to study in Sweden, no matter what program at what university, your application will go through the one official, centralised website: https://www.universityadmissions.se/
Visa requirements for students
Students from the EU/EEA can study in Sweden without any visa requirements. If you are from outside the EU/EEA, you may need to obtain a student visa. Check with the Swedish authorities to find out how to meet the legal requirements.
Job market for graduates
Sweden is home to a number of internationally successful corporations – think Volvo, IKEA or H&M – but also to some of the most exciting startups of recent years – think Skype or Spotify. The internationality of such employers as well as the high proficiency of English among Swedes make it fairly easy for qualified international graduates to get the foot in the door of the Swedish job market, even when their knowledge of Swedish is limited. Sweden's government has also put an effort into decreasing red tape for foreign nationals looking to join the local workforce.
Climate
As its Nordic neighbours, Sweden is known for freezing winters and short mild summers. While the winters are long and dark, the summers are particularly rewarding when the sky never really goes dark. In late/mid-June, Swedes celebrate the summer solstice, called "midsommar".
Transportation
Sweden is located in the very North of Europe, in between Finland and Norway. Its largest international airport is Stockholm Arlanda with over 170 destinations worldwide. Most smaller university cities in Sweden are close to local airports that can be reached via Arlanda or Stockholm's second, mostly domestic airport, Bromma. (Word of advice for first-time visitors: Be wary of taxi scammers and always check prices on the sticker in the window. Many things in Sweden are highly regulated, but taxi prices are not.) Sweden also has a well-developed train network and a number of overland bus companies. From the coast, you can also often take ferries to other countries along the Baltic Sea.
Universities in Sweden
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