Why study in Sweden?
It is a big step to study abroad, and the options are almost limitless. So what makes Sweden stand out as a study destination?
Sweden is a safe and modern country in northern Europe, and it has accrued a spectacular reputation as an innovator and creative force. Sweden’s famed corporate brands — like Volvo, Ikea, Ericsson, H&M and Saab — complement its cultural brands — like Ingmar Bergman, Abba, Astrid Lindgren, Bjorn Borg, August Strindberg, The Cardigans and Greta Garbo.
Standards are high
Standards are high
Sweden has a long and proud history of academic excellence, with outstanding universities dating back to the 15th century. Sweden is the home of the Nobel Prize, the world’s most prestigious academic distinction.
Today, Sweden’s reputation for innovation is built on close cooperation between industry and academia. Swedish universities are renowned for their investigative research and independent thinking, and this reputation is cemented with rigorous quality control and nationally certified degrees. Sweden has one of the most ambitious educational evaluation programs in Europe, aimed at maintaining this competitive edge.
Today, Sweden’s reputation for innovation is built on close cooperation between industry and academia. Swedish universities are renowned for their investigative research and independent thinking, and this reputation is cemented with rigorous quality control and nationally certified degrees. Sweden has one of the most ambitious educational evaluation programs in Europe, aimed at maintaining this competitive edge.
Swedish universities offer around 600 master’s degree programs in English, ranging from human rights law to mechanical engineering. Programs are structured in response to student demand — the result is a student-centric education system, with open, informal relations between students and teachers, and where personal initiative and critical thought are prized.
Many students studying in Sweden come from abroad — 8.5% of the student body, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) — making Sweden one of the world’s most inclusive countries for education. But there is room for more: the number grew by over 80% over the last 4-year period. There are now PhD candidates from some 80 countries working towards their degrees in Sweden.
Sweden’s educational policy is based on the recognition that a multicultural student body is a resource. Competition for places is keen, but students of all nationalities may apply, given the right credentials; and degree equivalency for past studies is granted on a flexible basis.
The Swedish Institute grants hundreds of scholarships every year to help foreign students make their stay in Sweden more affordable. Currently, tuition fees for everyone are fully subsidized by the state. Sweden’s public spending on education is the OECD’s highest, at 4.9% of GDP. And because it costs to live in Sweden, foreign students can work while studying.
Almost all Swedes speak fluent English. Many Swedish companies use English as their official working language. Foreign students find that this prevalence of English makes adapting to their new surroundings much easier.
Sweden's higher education System:
As a foreign student, different options are open to you depending on the degree level you would like to study at: undergraduate (as an exchange student or free mover); as a master’s candidate, or at the doctoral level. Application procedures are explained for each level.
Another decision is what language you would like to study in. Most likely you will study one of the 600 English-language degree programs, but if your Swedish is fluent, Swedish courses are open to you as well, giving you even greater choice.
You will need to choose a school that teaches your area of interest. Make sure your academic credentials are recognized and start applying.
Scholarships:
STINT, The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education, has a scholarship program for foreign students at international master programs in Sweden. STINT has invited a number of foreign universities to nominate candidates to the program. Currently these universities are Tecnologico de Monterrey ITESM in Mexico, KNUST in Ghana, KAIST in South Korea, Peking University and Tsinghua University, both in China.
The Ford Foundation's International Fellowships Program (IFP) funds graduate studies for students from China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Palestine, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico and Russia.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) funds the Linnaeus-Palme programme, part of which offers teachers andstudents in developing countries the opportunity to come to Sweden. The program is administered by Sweden's International Programme Office for Education and Training. NOTE: you can not apply directly for scholarships as a student - the program offers a framework for cooperation between a Swedish university and one in the developing world, part of which involves student exchange.
Living in Sweden:
Currently, some 30,000 foreign students are studying in Sweden, making for a vibrant, international study environment. Swedes have some peculiar cultural traits, but they are deeply proud of having built a society that promotes equality between the sexes, tolerance and inclusiveness.
As a student in Sweden, you will have ample opportunity to make new friends. A good part of your social life will revolve around your student union. The union can often help you with finding accommodation and other practical matters. Do make sure you are covered by adequate health insurance while in Sweden.
You will probably need to get a residence permit or visa, maybe even before you arrive in Sweden. To get a residence permit, you need to show you have sufficient funds to pay for living expenses in Sweden. But there are ways in which you can mitigate the financial strain: Sweden allows students to work for the duration of their studies.
Learn Swedish:
About 65,000 people outside Sweden take classes to learn the Swedish language. It’s not too late to pick up on that trend even after you arrive in Sweden.
Swedish as a foreign language is studied by many more people than the population of Sweden might suggest – there are around 65,000 active learners enrolled in courses outside Sweden at any one time.
If you would like to study Swedish in Sweden, a number of options are open to you, depending on your situation. A number of study associations across the country offer Swedish courses at all levels. You may be eligible for university courses in Swedish, either full time or part time.
Various distance learning resources are available. Swedish is also taught at some 200 universities worldwide.
Once you’ve achieved certain levels of proficiency, you can prove it with recognized tests.
Hot to apply for Admission in Sweden and for International Masters please visit:
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN SWEDEN:
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
• Student must be able to show that they have been granted university/college admission in Sweden
• Student must study full-time
• Student must be able to show that they have enough money to support themselves throughout the planned study period. Proof that they can support themselves must be provided, e g in the form of some kind of documentation certifying their own or their sponsor's bank assets, a letter of guarantee from their sponsor, or documentation certifying that they have received either a scholarship or student benefit from their country of origin/domicile. They are required to show that they will have SEK 6,300/month at their disposal for 10 months/year. If they can show that you will be receiving free board and lodging, for instance, this sum is reduced
• Student must fully intend to leave Sweden on completion of your studies
Visa Application
• Student must study full-time
• Student must be able to show that they have enough money to support themselves throughout the planned study period. Proof that they can support themselves must be provided, e g in the form of some kind of documentation certifying their own or their sponsor's bank assets, a letter of guarantee from their sponsor, or documentation certifying that they have received either a scholarship or student benefit from their country of origin/domicile. They are required to show that they will have SEK 6,300/month at their disposal for 10 months/year. If they can show that you will be receiving free board and lodging, for instance, this sum is reduced
• Student must fully intend to leave Sweden on completion of your studies
Visa Application
Students apply at a Swedish embassy or consulate in their country of origin or their country of domicile. The embassy or consulate sends their application to the Migration Board in Sweden, which takes permit decisions. Student will be notified of the decision by the embassy or consulate to which they have applied.
To be sure of obtaining the permit in time, student should present their application 6 to 8 weeks prior to their departure for Sweden.
Visa Validity
If the study period is a year or less, student will be granted a residence permit for the duration of your studies. If the study period is longer than a year student will be granted a permit for one year at a time.
To obtain an extension of the residence permit, student must be able to show that they have performed adequately in their studies. Student must also be able to show that they have regularly received money for their upkeep during the time they have spent in Sweden, by producing a bank certificate, a statement of accounts or the like. In addition, they must be able to show that they have been accepted for further studies and that their upkeep remains assured.
Work while studying
Student may work and they do not need a work permit to do that during their stay in Sweden as a student or a Master's degree student.
To obtain an extension of the residence permit, student must be able to show that they have performed adequately in their studies. Student must also be able to show that they have regularly received money for their upkeep during the time they have spent in Sweden, by producing a bank certificate, a statement of accounts or the like. In addition, they must be able to show that they have been accepted for further studies and that their upkeep remains assured.
Work while studying
Student may work and they do not need a work permit to do that during their stay in Sweden as a student or a Master's degree student.
