Study and find schools in Sweden

Studying in Sweden

Sweden is one of the European countries with the widest choice of degree programmes taught in English. Swedish is the national language, but according to Study in Sweden, the official guide run by the Swedish Institute, there are over 1,000 programmes at 39 universities to choose from, including over 100 bachelor's programmes taught entirely in English and over 1,000 master's programmes.

Students from the EU/EEA study for free at Swedish universities and do not need a residence permit. Students from other countries pay application and tuition fees and need a residence permit for studies, with new rules in force since 11 June 2026.

The education system in Sweden

Swedish higher education follows the European bachelor-master-doctorate model and uses ECTS credits; 30 credits per semester counts as full-time study.

• Bachelor's degree: 3 years, 180 ECTS
• Master's degree: 1 year (60 ECTS) or 2 years (120 ECTS), ending with a thesis
• PhD: doctoral students are usually employed by the university in paid positions

The academic year has two semesters: autumn, from the end of August to mid-January, and spring, from mid-January to early June. A typical feature of Swedish teaching is that students often take one course at a time for several weeks, with an exam at the end, before the next course starts. Teaching relies heavily on seminars, group work and independent study.

Almost any subject can be studied in English, with some exceptions: according to Study in Sweden, programmes leading to clinical professions such as doctor, nurse, dentist or vet, and teacher-training programmes, are not taught in English. These require fluent Swedish.

Admission and recognition

Applications for bachelor's and master's programmes are made through Universityadmissions.se, Sweden's central application portal. You can apply for up to four master's programmes or up to eight bachelor's programmes in one application. Most English-taught programmes start in the autumn, with an application deadline in mid-January; the few programmes that start in the spring have a deadline in mid-August.

The general entry requirements are a completed upper-secondary education for a bachelor's programme, or a bachelor's degree for a master's programme, plus sufficient English. Many programmes add their own specific requirements, listed on the programme page. You upload your documents to Universityadmissions.se, and each university assesses your qualifications and decides on admission.

Student visa and residence permit

Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA need, in most cases, a residence permit to study in Sweden for more than three months. According to the Swedish Migration Agency, checked in October 2026, the main requirements are:

• Admission to full-time studies on campus; a permit is not granted for distance learning
• Payment of the first tuition fee instalment before applying (you only count as finally admitted once you have paid)
• Proof of funds of at least SEK 10,656 per month for applications made in 2026
• Comprehensive health insurance if your studies last less than a year
• A valid passport

The permit must be issued before you travel, and a decision can take several months, so apply as soon as you have paid the first instalment. Under the new rules from 11 June 2026, students must report their address to the Migration Agency within 30 days and must show study progress to extend their permit: 37.5 credits in the first year and 45 credits a year from the second year. After graduating, you can apply to extend your permit for 12 months to look for work or start a company.

Costs and scholarships

EU/EEA students pay no tuition fees. For other students, the application fee is SEK 900, however many programmes you apply for. According to Study in Sweden, tuition fees average around SEK 160,000 per academic year and generally range from about SEK 80,000 to SEK 320,000:

• Social sciences and humanities: about SEK 80,000 to 135,000 per year
• Technical and natural sciences: SEK 140,000 to 185,000 per year
• Architecture and design: SEK 210,000 to 320,000 per year

Study in Sweden estimates living costs at SEK 10,656 per month, of which SEK 4,900 for accommodation, SEK 2,716 for food and SEK 650 for local travel; this matches the Migration Agency's maintenance requirement. The Swedish Institute offers fully funded scholarships for master's studies, and many universities, such as the University of Gothenburg, have their own scholarships for fee-paying students.

Where to study in Sweden

Stockholm, the capital, is home to Karolinska Institutet, a medical university that, according to KI, offers the country's broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences.

Gothenburg (Göteborg), on the west coast, is home to the University of Gothenburg, one of the largest higher-education institutions in Sweden, and Chalmers University of Technology, founded in 1829.

Uppsala and Lund are classic university towns. Uppsala University, founded in 1477, is the oldest university in the Nordic countries; Lund University, founded in 1666, has approximately 46,000 students across Lund, Helsingborg, Malmö and Ljungbyhed.

Other university cities include Linköping, where Linköping University was founded in 1975 and now has 46,200 students, as well as Borås, Gävle and Borlänge (Dalarna University).

Practical life

Working while studying: since 11 June 2026, students with a residence permit for studies may work up to 15 hours a week during the semester, with no limit in June, July and August. EU/EEA students are not subject to these rules.

Health care: students staying more than a year register in the Swedish Population Register and get a personal identity number (personnummer), which gives access to health care on the same terms and patient fees as Swedes. For shorter stays you need your own insurance; many universities offer cover through the Swedish State insurance plan (Kammarkollegiet).

Daily life: housing takes the largest share of a student budget, so look for accommodation as soon as you are admitted.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to study in Sweden?

For EU/EEA students, yes. Other students pay an application fee of SEK 900 and tuition fees that average around SEK 160,000 per academic year, according to Study in Sweden.

Can I study in Sweden in English?

Yes. There are over 100 bachelor's and over 1,000 master's programmes taught in English. Programmes for doctors, nurses, dentists, vets and teachers are taught in Swedish.

When is the application deadline?

For programmes starting in the autumn, usually mid-January; for the few programmes that start in the spring, mid-August. You apply through Universityadmissions.se.

How much money do I need for a Swedish residence permit?

At least SEK 10,656 per month for applications made in 2026, according to the Swedish Migration Agency. You must also have paid the first tuition fee instalment.

Can international students work in Sweden?

Yes. Since 11 June 2026, students with a residence permit may work up to 15 hours a week during the semester and without limit in June, July and August.