Study in Sweden

Sweden is an attractive destination for international students, with highly-regarded universities and degree programmes taught in English.

Its higher education system encourages students to develop their knowledge and take responsibility for their studies.

Popular student destinations include:

• Gothenburg
• Linköping
• Lund
• Stockholm
• Umeå
• Uppsala.

Outside your studies, you can explore Stockholm's museums and islands, experience Swedish traditions such as fika (taking time to socialise over coffee and something sweet), discover the medieval streets of Visby on Gotland or head north to Lapland and the Arctic landscape.

Swedish universities

Sweden is home to around 50 higher education institutions, including:

• universities (universitet)
• university colleges (högskolor).

Both offer undergraduate and postgraduate study and award recognised higher education qualifications, although universities generally have broader rights to award Doctoral degrees.

Most higher education institutions are publicly funded, although Sweden also has independent institutions with degree-awarding powers.

Of the nine Swedish institutions included in the QS World University Rankings 2027, five are among the top 200:

• Lund University (71st)
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology (82nd)
• Uppsala University (87th)
• Stockholm University (167th)
• Chalmers University of Technology (174th).

Browse Swedish higher education institutions and programmes at Study in Sweden - Universities.

The academic year is divided into two semesters. The autumn semester generally runs from late August to January, followed by the spring semester from January to early June.

Degree courses in Sweden

Bachelors degrees in Sweden usually take three years of full-time study and are worth 180 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits.

To apply, you'll normally need to have completed an upper secondary education equivalent to that of a Swedish upper secondary school and meet the English language requirements.

Some programmes also specify particular subjects or grades, so check the individual course requirements before applying.

More than 100 Bachelors programmes are taught entirely in English, across a range of subjects. However, programmes leading to certain regulated professions, such as the following, are generally taught in Swedish:

• dentistry
• medicine
• nursing
• teaching
• veterinary medicine.

Swedish higher education places an emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking and independent learning.

Depending on your programme, you may study several courses at once or concentrate on one course at a time. Assessment methods vary but can include:

• assignments
• group projects
• practical or laboratory work
• presentations
• written and oral exams.

Undergraduate degrees usually include an independent project or thesis.

Search for Bachelors degrees at Study in Sweden - Bachelors Programmes.

Masters degrees

Sweden offers more than 1,000 Masters programmes taught in English across a broad range of subjects.

Programmes usually take either one or two years of full-time study, worth 60 and 120 ECTS credits, respectively. Both involve advanced study and usually include an independent thesis or degree project, although a two-year programme covers the subject in greater depth.

For entry, you'll normally need a Bachelors degree from an internationally recognised university. Many programmes require that your degree be in a relevant subject and may impose additional academic requirements. If the course is taught in English, you'll also have to prove your proficiency.

Search for Masters degrees at Study in Sweden - Masters Programmes.

Featured institutions

PhDs

PhDs in Sweden usually involve four years of full-time study and are worth 240 ECTS credits.

You'll complete an original research project under the guidance of one or more supervisors, alongside courses and seminars, before writing and publicly defending a Doctoral thesis.

Some Doctoral students also teach or carry out other departmental duties for up to 20% of their time. This can extend the overall period of study beyond four years.

To apply, you'll usually need:

• a relevant Masters degree
• a strong academic record
• evidence of your English language ability
• any subject-specific qualifications or experience listed for the position.

Most Doctoral students are employed by their university and receive a monthly salary and employee benefits. There are no tuition fees for PhD study in Sweden.

Unlike Bachelors and Masters programmes, PhD applications aren't made through Sweden's central admissions portal. Available positions are advertised by individual universities, and you'll apply directly to the relevant institution by the deadline stated in the vacancy.

Search for opportunities at Study in Sweden - Find a PhD position.

Student exchanges

UK students may be able to study in Sweden through an exchange agreement between their university and a Swedish institution. Places and eligible subjects depend on your degree, so contact your university's international or study abroad team to find out what opportunities are available.

For example, undergraduate students at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) can apply to study at Lund University or the University of Borås, Swedish School of Textiles.

The Turing Scheme can fund eligible international study and work placements during the 2026/27 academic year. You don't apply for funding directly - your university applies for and manages the support offered to its students.

From the 2027/28 academic year, the UK will participate in Erasmus+, with the Turing Scheme ending as Erasmus+ placements begin again. Ask your university about the exchange and funding options that apply to your planned period abroad.

Course fees

Most students from outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, including those from the UK, need to pay application and tuition fees for Bachelors and Masters programmes in Sweden. Some exemptions apply, so check your fee status before applying.

The application fee is SEK 900 (£68) for each semester in which you apply, regardless of how many programmes or admissions rounds you apply for during that semester.

Tuition fees vary by institution and programme. The average is around SEK 160,000 (£12,131) per academic year, although fees generally range from SEK 80,000 (£6,066) to SEK 320,000 (£24,262).

Typical annual tuition fees include:

• architecture and design - SEK 210,000 to SEK 320,000 (£15,922 to £24,262)
• social sciences and humanities - SEK 80,000 to SEK 135,000 (£6,066 to £10,236)
• technical and natural sciences - SEK 140,000 to SEK 185,000 (£10,615 to £14,027).

Confirm the exact fee with your chosen university before applying.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are generally exempt from application and tuition fees, provided they submit evidence of their citizenship by the relevant deadline. Formal exchange students and Doctoral students are also exempt.

You'll also need to budget for living costs. Study in Sweden recommends allowing around SEK 10,656 (£808) per month, which is also the 2026 financial maintenance requirement for a student residence permit.

This can cover expenses, such as:

• accommodation
• food
• leisure activities
• local travel
• phone and internet.

Your costs will depend on your accommodation, lifestyle and location, with larger cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg generally more expensive than smaller towns.

Funding to study in Sweden

Scholarships for international students are available from the Swedish Institute (SI), individual universities and other organisations. Funding is competitive, and eligibility varies, so check the criteria and application deadlines carefully.

For instance, the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals supports eligible students taking one or two-year full-time Masters programmes. It covers tuition fees and provides support towards living and travel costs. Applicants must pay tuition fees, be citizens of an eligible country and demonstrate relevant work and leadership experience. The list of participating countries and programmes can change between application rounds, so check the latest criteria before applying.

Many Swedish universities also offer scholarships to international students. These are often merit-based and may cover all or part of the tuition fee, but they don't always include living costs. Contact your chosen institution to find out what funding is available.

Search for opportunities at Study in Sweden - Scholarships.

International students aren't automatically entitled to grants or loans from the Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN). Eligibility depends on factors such as your:

• citizenship
• connection to Sweden
• residence status.

British citizens are generally treated as non-EU/EEA nationals unless they have rights under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement or qualify under another category. Find out whether you're eligible at CSN - Study in Sweden as a foreign citizen.

If you hold a residence permit for first or second-cycle higher education, you can generally work for up to 15 hours per week during semesters. There is no limit on working hours from June to August. Certain work at your university or connected to your programme is exempt from these restrictions.

Remember that your studies should remain your main priority, and you shouldn't rely on part-time employment to cover all your tuition fees and living costs.

Student visas

UK citizens can travel to Sweden and the wider Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If you plan to study in Sweden for longer than three months, you'll usually need to apply for a residence permit before travelling. The permit must be issued before you enter the country.

To qualify, you'll need to:

• have a valid passport
• be admitted to full-time study at a Swedish higher education institution
• pay any required tuition fee before applying
• show you have sufficient funds to support yourself
• have comprehensive health insurance - if your studies will last for less than a year
• complete an online application and pay the residence permit fee.

As part of your application, you may need to provide:

• admission documents
• evidence of your finances and insurance
• your passport.

Once you've received your permit, you must notify the Swedish Migration Agency of your address within 30 days. You'll also need to report any change of address.

Applicants could also be asked to present their passport or attend an appointment at a Swedish embassy or consulate - for example, the Embassy of Sweden in the UK. Check the latest requirements and processing times before applying.

If you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year, you should notify the Swedish Tax Agency of your move and apply to be listed in the Swedish Population Register. If your application is accepted, you'll receive a Swedish personal identity number. You may then be able to apply for a Swedish identity card.

EU/EEA citizens don't need a residence permit to study in Sweden. For stays of more than three months, they must meet the conditions for right of residence, which can include being enrolled as a student and having sufficient funds and health insurance.

Swiss citizens don't need a visa to enter Sweden, but must apply for a residence permit if they plan to stay for longer than three months.

For the latest information and to apply, visit the Swedish Migration Agency - Higher education.

How to apply

Applications for Bachelors and Masters programmes are usually made online through Universityadmissions.se, Sweden's central admissions portal. You can apply for up to eight Bachelors courses or programmes, or four Masters programmes, in one admissions round. Rank your choices carefully, as the order can affect which offer you receive.

Most English-taught programmes begin in the autumn. International students are encouraged to apply in the first admissions round, which usually closes in mid-January. This provides more time to:

• apply for a residence permit
• arrange accommodation
• pay tuition fees, if required
• prepare for your move.

A second admissions round is held later, but fewer English-taught programmes are available. It may not leave enough time for students who need a residence permit to complete the process before their course begins. Check the exact dates for your chosen intake at Universityadmissions.se - Key dates and deadlines.

Depending on your level of study and the programme, you may need to provide:

• a copy of your passport or another identification document
• academic certificates or diplomas
• evidence that you meet any course-specific entry requirements
• proof of your English language ability
• proof of your citizenship if you're claiming an application-fee exemption
• transcripts showing your subjects and grades.

Some Masters programmes may also request documents such as:

• a CV
• a personal statement or letter of motivation
• examples of previous academic work
• references.

Follow the instructions for your country of study and chosen programme, as document and translation requirements vary.

PhD applications are made directly to the university advertising the position.

Language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate proficiency in the language in which your programme is taught.

For most English-taught Bachelors and Masters programmes, the requirement is equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6/English Level 2. However, individual programmes may set a higher or lower standard, so check the course details before applying.

Depending on your previous education, you may be able to meet the requirement through your school or university studies. Otherwise, you'll usually need to achieve the required score in an approved English language test, such as:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

For accepted qualifications, tests and minimum scores, check Universityadmissions.se - English language requirements.

If you apply for a programme taught in Swedish, you'll need to demonstrate the level of Swedish specified by the institution. One way to do this is by passing the Test in Swedish for University Studies (Tisus), although universities may accept other qualifications.

Even if you study in English, learning some Swedish can help you settle in and make the most of everyday life. Online options include:

• Learning Swedish - a free beginners' course developed by the Swedish Institute and its partners.
• Folkuniversitetet - offers paid courses from beginner to advanced level.

Comparison to UK qualifications

Sweden and the UK are part of the Bologna Process, which makes higher education qualifications easier to understand and compare across participating countries. However, recognition isn't automatic and may depend on the qualification, employer or profession.

If you need formal confirmation of how a Swedish qualification compares with a UK award, contact UK ENIC. Its Statement of Comparability explains how an international qualification compares with the UK education system.

You should also check the requirements of the relevant professional regulator if you plan to enter a regulated profession.

Find out more

• Plan your studies in the country at Study in Sweden.
• Discover what it's like to work in Sweden.