Sweden is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe and has some of the world’s leading universities. International students from all over the world attend this university, and there are over 1,000 degree programs taught entirely in English. Unlike some countries, Sweden gives its international students the right to work. The following are details you should be aware of when considering studying in Sweden.
1. Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree: in order to meet the general entry requirements for bachelor’s level studies, you must have successfully completed your high school education and must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English. However, if you have previously studied at university, you must submit your upper secondary qualifications in addition to your university qualifications. Students, in some cases, are offered admission based on their upper secondary qualifications and not on university qualifications.
2. Requirements for a Master’s degree: in order to meet the general entry requirements for master’s degree level studies, you must have been awarded a Bachelor’s from an internationally recognized university and also be able to demonstrate proficiency in English.
3. PhD program requirements: To be admitted as an applicant to a PhD program, you must have a university degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher; in most cases, a master’s degree in the same area of specialization as the intended field of study. However, previous studies must have included a degree thesis presenting the results of independent research and demonstrating that you also have a good command of English.
4. Tuition Fee: As an applicant from a European country, you would not be required to pay tuition fees. However, for other international students, the yearly tuition fee varies depending on the university and program. Tuition fees in Sweden range from approximately SEK 80,000 per year to SEK 295,000.
5. Accommodation: Accommodation is available for international students, and the cost varies depending on the university and city. Some universities provide accommodation, but rent and demand for accommodation tend to be higher in cities like Stockholm, Uppsala, and Lund. The monthly accommodation charge rate ranges from SEK 2,500 to SEK 6,500 and this is dependent on the city, size, and type of accommodation.
6. Application process: The application deadline for autumn semester studies is usually around mid-January, and the deadline for spring semester applications is usually around mid-August. However, this also depends on the university you are applying to. It is therefore important that you apply for your student visa and residence permit as soon as you receive your acceptance notification from your university because the wait period can be lengthy.
7. Student jobs: Sweden allows international students to work while studying. Although there is no official limit to the number of hours you can work while studying, you should expect to spend approximately forty hours per week attending lectures, reading, studying, and working on assignments. However, as a European citizen, you may stay in Sweden after your studies to look for work, and if you are not from Europe, you may apply to the migration board to stay in Sweden for 12 months after your studies to look for work.
8. Food and Transportation: There are lots of student-friendly supermarkets across the city, such as Lidl and Willy’s, where the prices are very affordable. Interestingly, on transportation, students with a student union card get around a 30% discount on the monthly and quarterly transportation cards (SL cards), which cost SEK 610 monthly and can travel to no limit with this card.
Attending a college or university in Sweden implies that you will be able to take your courses in Swedish or in English. Considering the weather in Sweden, which is known for freezing winters and short, mild summers. While the winters are long and dark, they are particularly amazing when the sky never really goes dark.