Choose to study Sweden, and you will find yourself in a nation which has always punched well above its weight. From being the center of an empire in the 17th century, to being the home and birthplace of the Nobel Prize, its influence has long spread well beyond its borders, despite the fact that its total population is no bigger than a large city. Swedish businesses such as Ikea and Volvo are known around the world, and its contributions to popular culture range from bouffant-haired 70s pop aristocrats ABBA to the groundbreaking films of director Ingmar Bergman.
Modern-day Sweden is known for its sense of social justice and fairness. It has the highest level of wealth equality in the world, one of the world’s lowest gender pay gaps, publically funded healthcare for all, and equal rights for homosexual and heterosexual couples. Add on striking northern European beauty, and free tuition for EU students (fees for non-EU students were introduced recently), and the appeal of studying in Sweden is pretty strong.
Choose to study Sweden, and you will find yourself in a nation which has always punched well above its weight. From being the center of an empire in the 17th century, to being the home and birthplace of the Nobel Prize, its influence has long spread well beyond its borders, despite the fact that its total population is no bigger than a large city. Swedish businesses such as Ikea and Volvo are known around the world, and its contributions to popular culture range from bouffant-haired 70s pop aristocrats ABBA to the groundbreaking films of director Ingmar Bergman.
Modern-day Sweden is known for its sense of social justice and fairness. It has the highest level of wealth equality in the world, one of the world’s lowest gender pay gaps, publically funded healthcare for all, and equal rights for homosexual and heterosexual couples. Add on striking northern European beauty, and free tuition for EU students (fees for non-EU students were introduced recently), and the appeal of studying in Sweden is pretty strong.
Studying in Sweden is 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. Swedish universities work to prepare you for a successful future; the job market values ambitious, innovative, and perceptive team players, so Swedish universities attempt to instill these qualities in their students. Degree programs in Sweden offer students the opportunity to mix study and practical work, so that they have first-hand experience in their field when they graduate and enter the job market.
Studying in Sweden is 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. Swedish universities work to prepare you for a successful future; the job market values ambitious, innovative, and perceptive team players, so Swedish universities attempt to instill these qualities in their students. Degree programs in Sweden offer students the opportunity to mix study and practical work, so that they have first-hand experience in their field when they graduate and enter the job market.
When you study in Sweden, you’re encouraged to think independently, creatively and critically. You’ll develop your ability to question the status quo by assessing information, seeking new perspectives and coming up with well-informed opinions. You’ll be free to think creatively because of the informal and non-hierarchical nature of Swedish society, where everyone is encouraged 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.
Sweden’s status as a leader in innovation and a home of trendsetters and early adopters is nothing new: the list of Swedish world-changing inventions is a long one and includes the seatbelt, the pacemaker and the music service Spotify. Which one of your brilliant ideas will Sweden help make reality?
Sweden has a long and proud history of academic excellence and despite its relatively small population, it’s 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 you’ll find a strong focus on rationality, reason and applying knowledge so that it makes a real difference. Look no further than the Nobel Prize, the world’s most prestigious academic distinction, for an illustration of the Swedish approach.
As a student here you’ll become part of this tradition of academic excellence. Just don’t expect to passively receive information: you’ll be encouraged and challenged to contribute, speak your mind and take your education into your own hands.
Swedish universities are well-adapted to the needs of international students, and Sweden consistently ranks in the top three in the world for English proficiency. You’ll be able to use English with everyone you meet, from the classroom to city the centre.
If you’re concerned with sustainable development for a greener future, you’ll feel right at home in Sweden. Environmental issues are high priority here, and Sweden has been named the most sustainable country in the world for its use of renewable energy (it has the highest percentage of renewable energy in the EU).
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.
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, 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.
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 programmes 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 PhD.
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.
So Sweden is green, creative, equal and open. What else should you know before you decide to study here?
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
Swedish universities use a credit system for first-cycle (undergraduate) and second-cycle (graduate) studies.
There are three cycles in the Swedish education system:
Sweden is among the world leaders in higher education and some of the country’s reputation is due to the independent studies system that involves less teacher-led time and more group and independent study. In other words, higher education in Sweden is based on self-development coupled with “freedom and responsibility”.
The number of international students enrolled in the universities of Sweden is constantly growing and the percentage of those who are admitted is above half. So, studying in Sweden could be a really attractive option. But before you head to your application, you should know more about all of the financial aspects of studying and living in Sweden.
In Sweden, the students who are citizens of EU/EEA countries do not have to pay tuition. The universities only charge application fees for them, which are around 100 EUR and may vary depending on the institution. This fee can be paid online and are valid for both Bachelor and Master degree courses. In order to benefit from this, you should submit a copy of an official document (ID/passport) that show your citizenship.
Students from non-EU/EEA countries pay tuition fees. These differ according to the fields of study. Humanities, law and social science degree courses cost around 9,700 EUR/year and science programmes are worth circa 15,000 EUR/year.
A student enrolled in a degree programme in Sweden usually has living costs a bit above other European countries. According to a study developed by Quartz, 85% of the country’s students graduate with a debt of circa 13,300 EUR.
A sum of all expenses leads to total living costs of 860 – 970 EUR/month. Of course, this applies to Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, the home of 17 universities and colleges and a significant education centre in the North of Europe.
Umea, Karlstad and Uppsala have lower average living costs of 700 – 870 EUR/month, while other small cities of Sweden involve total costs of 600 -700 EUR/month.
One of the most important expenses of students is accommodation. This is why 40% of the monthly expenses is represented by accommodation. This means housing and utilities go around 315 – 425 EUR/month. This is the average amount, which is sometimes exceeded, as you can see below.
All of these costs are above average, but the quality is also in the same category. Accommodation in residence halls may be a bit of an issue since only 28% of the students that annually enrol in a Swedish university find a place in the halls provided by universities. According to a recent European study, out of the total number of students who do find a room on-campus, 71% are satisfied with the conditions they find. This aspect also shows the good housing conditions, since the international satisfaction average is 60%.
If you don’t find accommodation on-campus, you will have to check out the private rental apartments market.
See what these students have to say about studying abroad in Sweden:
When in Sweden, you will pay around 215 EUR for food monthly. This number depends on your eating habits, but you also have cheap options such as products from Lidl, Willy’s, or supermarkets from the city suburbs.
You can’t know a city until you’ve eaten at one of its restaurants. In order to do this in Sweden and get away with small amounts, you will need 10 EUR. Three-course meals for two in an average restaurant cost around 65 EUR. A light drink in a bar with your colleagues around the country will cost you 6 EUR.
In Sweden, you will notice that public transport in highly appreciated among students as around 40% of them use it to get to their university and to locations in their city. Public transport will cost you 85 EUR/month. You can also choose a bicycle for transport and pay for it around 110 EUR. Out of all the students in Sweden, 27% ride bicycles.
During your study, you will also need textbooks, research magazines, and other supplies. These usually cost 80 EUR/month. Find out more about regular expenses in Sweden.
Scholarships and grants
In Sweden, you can get financial aid from public or private institutions.
Students who are citizens of countries from outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) and want to study in Sweden will require a student visa or a residence permit. Student visa is granted to students who wish to pursue one of the following categories of study programme in Sweden: University or College study in Sweden, Secondary school study in Sweden, Exchange study in Sweden and for other study in Sweden.
Visas and residence permits for international students in Sweden depend on the duration of your course of study. If you intend to stay in Sweden for less than three months, you will need a visa in case you are not a citizen of one of those countries that are exempted from visa requirement in Sweden. If your course of study will last more than three months, you will require a residence permit to enter and study in Sweden.
To be eligible for Residence Permit in Sweden to pursue an educational course you require the following things:
After you become sure about your eligibility to apply for a Sweden student visa or residence permit and you are in possession of the required documents, you can go ahead with the following procedure:
Step 1: Fill out your application form
Fill out the application form. You can apply online. You will require filling up the application form with details about yourself and your studies. In case your family accompanies you to Sweden you can apply for their permits in your online application form. Enclose the necessary documents with your application form.
Step 2: Pay the application fee
You need to pay an application fee for processing your application. If you apply online, you can pay your application fee with a debit or credit card. If you are applying at an embassy or consulate-general, you will be required to pay the fee when you hand in your application. For proper information about the fee, contact the embassy or consulate-general where you are applying, as they do not have the same fees and terms of payment as the Migration Board.
Step 3: Wait for the Migration Board to process the application
If you apply online, the Migration Board will start work on your application form. It is necessary to fill in all the details correctly and include all the necessary documents for smooth processing of your application form. However, the Swedish Migration Board may investigate your application further, even after you have provided all the necessary details and documents.
Step 4: Visit the Embassy or Consulate-General
You will be required to visit the Swedish embassy or consulate-general to be photographed and fingerprinted. You will need to contact the embassy or consulate-general before you visit them. You can contact them primarily through email.
In case you do not require an entry visa, you can travel to Sweden without a residence permit card. However, you will be required to show a decision from the Migration Board to enter Sweden. In such a case you are not required to go to the Swedish embassy to obtain your residence permit card. Instead, you can hand in the documentation for a residence permit card to the Migration Board once you arrive in Sweden.
Step 5: Receive the Embassy’s decision
You will get an email informing you that a decision has been made regarding your application. Once you receive the email you need to contact the embassy or consulate-general to get your decision and book an appointment for this purpose. Remember to bring your passport along with you when you come to collect your decision. Some embassies and consulates-general may send the decision and residence permit card by post. You need to contact the embassy or consulate-general for more information regarding this.
In case you are applying online for a Swedish residence permit, you need to do the following:
Fees for an Adult – SEK 1,000 (INR 8,455.17)
Fees for a Child under SEK 18 – 500 (INR 4,227.59)
Note:
You will not need a visa or a residence permit to study in Sweden if you are a citizen of one of the countries listed below.
NAME OF THE COUNTRIES
Dos and Don’ts for Sweden Student Visa or Residence Permit Application
Remember the following dos and don’ts while applying for Swedish Student Visa or Residence Permit:
Dos
Don’ts
The quality and international standing of the Swedish education system needs no explanation, with Universities consistently ranked among the best in the world. The addition of one of its fine institutions would be an excellent addition to any student’s academic CV.
Consider choosing Uppsala University, the oldest university in any of the Nordic countries. Or, if making it in the big city is your dream, study abroad in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, at Stockholm’s University.
The quality and international standing of the Swedish education system needs no explanation, with Universities consistently ranked among the best in the world. The addition of one of its fine institutions would be an excellent addition to any student’s academic CV.
Consider choosing Uppsala University, the oldest university in any of the Nordic countries. Or, if making it in the big city is your dream, study abroad in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, at Stockholm’s University.
Sweden has an interesting and unique student life that is steeped in centuries of tradition. Sweden’s largest student populations can be found in the cities of Uppsala and Lund, where student nations, organizations specifically responsible for organizing student events, are plentiful. Each nation has its own vibe and new international students get the opportunity to meet and socialize with Swedish and other international students alike.
Furthermore, students in Sweden are presented with a plentiful and varied culture to immerse themselves. Do you know about the Flogsta scream? Every night at 10 p.m., students in Uppsala’s Flogsta neighborhood gather to let out a collective scream into the night. It may sound strange at first, but it’s just one of many examples of students coming together to support one another and have some fun while they’re at it.
While the official language of Sweden is Swedish, a rich and beautiful language, in 2017 Swedes ranked second in the world for skills in English as a second language. As the world becomes increasingly connected and businesses seek to expand beyond national and linguistic boundaries, Sweden offers an excellent location to learn and develop your English language skills.
However, a study abroad experience in Sweden would also be the best opportunity to learn some Swedish as well. Spoken by nearly ten million people, the Swedish language shares many similarities to English, and by knowing some, it will be that much easier to immerse into your new cultural surroundings.
This bilingual country has such a wide variety of good study options, that the problem is not finding the one you are looking for, but choosing from so many eye-catching ones.
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While they are living abroad, most international students want to take the opportunity to travel as often as possible.
Central to Scandinavia and close to central mainland Europe, Sweden is a prime location to act as a hub for a European adventure. There are various locations throughout Europe easily and cheaply reached through one of Sweden’s ten international airports or via a train system that connects with mainland continental Europe via the famed Øresund Bridge.
See the cosmic wonder of the Northern lights or the endless summer days. Sweden’s geographic location creates a perfect environment for natural aesthetic extremes.
Combined with Sweden’s “freedom to roam,” the general public’s right to access almost all public land for recreational purposes, it’s no wonder Swedes are savvy outdoorsmen.
Whether you enjoy camping, skiing, ice skating, hiking, or fishing, Sweden offers international students studying abroad limitless opportunities to explore all of the beautiful nature Sweden has to offer.
From the Vikings to Abba, Sweden has contributed a lot to the history books, and Swedes are not shy about celebrating them. Through numerous museums and festivals, the historical highlights of Sweden are accessible and championed throughout Sweden and a joy to behold.
Furthermore, many museums offer free entrance on a regular basis or on specially marked days throughout the year. If there is a fee, there is typically a steep discount for students. Depending on your area of study, some students also get passes to enter many of the museums for free.
By the time you leave Sweden, you will be amazed how the land of Vikings has become one of the most peaceful and fair societies in the modern world.
For students who wish to seek internships or work experience, look no further than one of Sweden’s many internationally-renowned businesses.
Students will find the head offices of companies like H&M and Spotify in Stockholm. Or, if you find yourself studying on Sweden’s west coast, you may be interested in gaining experience at Volvo’s head office in Gothenburg.
Unlike many other countries, Sweden does not impose any official limitations on how many hours a student can work. Therefore, it is much easier for students to find job prospects that turn into lifelong careers.
No matter the destination, studying abroad can be difficult at times. However, the benefits of studying abroad in Sweden are guaranteed to make the challenge well worth your while.
As an international student in Sweden, you can expect to be treated equally and with fairness. You will also find that the system is set up to help you succeed in accomplishing your dreams, as long as you’re willing to put in the effort.
And although challenging at times, all of the aforementioned points go far to explain why your study abroad in Sweden will easily be one of the best experiences in your life.