Psychology Schools and Programs in Sweden

Psychology Studies in Sweden

Study psychology in Sweden at Dalarna University.

In Sweden, the route to working as a psychologist is a five-year professional programme, the Psykologprogrammet, followed by a year of supervised practice and a licence. Psychology is also taught as separate courses within other degree programmes, for example in social work, sport science and sociology. Most of this teaching is in Swedish. SpainExchange lists one school in Sweden that teaches psychology: Dalarna University (Högskolan Dalarna), which has campuses in Borlänge and Falun and also teaches online.

The psychologist programme

The Psykologprogrammet covers 300 credits and leads to the psykologexamen, which Uppsala University (founded in 1477) translates as Master of Science in Psychology. Swedish credits follow ECTS, with 30 credits per semester. At Uppsala the programme has a fixed structure:

• Theoretical courses in developmental, personality, social and biological psychology in the first years
• Clinical psychology, psychiatry, neuropsychology and assessment methods
• About 14 weeks of work placement in the sixth semester
• Basic training in both psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy
• A degree project at advanced level at the end

After the degree, graduates complete at least one year of supervised practice for psychologists (praktisk tjänstgöring för psykologer, PTP) before applying for a licence (legitimation) from the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). Psychologists trained outside the EU/EEA follow a separate route to a Swedish licence: Socialstyrelsen reviews the foreign degree, and applicants then complete supervised practice, a course on Swedish health-care law and a Swedish language requirement.

Psychology at Dalarna University

Dalarna University does not run the psychologist programme, but it teaches psychology within several of its programmes:

• Sport psychology (Idrottspsykologi, 7.5 credits): stress management, motivation, self-confidence, goal setting, motivational interviewing and mental training
• Psychological perspectives on social work: an introduction to psychology for students on the social work programme
• Social psychology (Socialpsykologi), taught by distance, with a focus on theories of identity and interaction

These courses are taught in Swedish. Dalarna University also lets elite athletes adapt their studies to their training and competition schedule, which fits well with its sport psychology teaching.

Admission and language

Bachelor's-level programmes and courses in Sweden are applied for through the national admissions system. For Uppsala's psychologist programme, applicants need general entry requirements plus upper secondary Mathematics 2 and Social Studies 1b (or equivalents). Places are allocated 60% on school grades and 40% on the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (högskoleprovet). For the autumn 2026 intake, the deadline was 15 April 2026; for spring 2027 it is 15 October 2026.

The programme is taught in Swedish, although much of the course literature is in English. Psychologists work closely with clients and patients, so a high level of Swedish is needed both for the programme and for the licence.

Fees and residence permit

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Other students generally pay an application fee of SEK 900 and tuition fees. At Uppsala University, the full psychologist programme costs SEK 750,000 for fee-paying students, with a first instalment of SEK 75,000.

Students from outside the EU/EEA need a residence permit from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Admission becomes final only once the first tuition fee is paid, and the permit requires full-time study: distance courses, such as some of Dalarna University's psychology courses, do not qualify. Since 11 June 2026, students with a study permit may work up to 15 hours per week during the semester. Study in Sweden, the official portal, estimates living costs at around SEK 10,656 per month.

Careers

According to Uppsala University, psychologists work in social care, health care, psychiatry and organisations, or run their own practice. Typical settings include schools, hospitals, companies, the prison service, the armed forces and social services. The psychologist programme also prepares graduates for doctoral studies. Psychology courses within other programmes, such as those at Dalarna University, add a psychological perspective to careers in social work, coaching and sport.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a psychologist in Sweden?

The psychologist programme takes five years (300 credits). Graduates then complete at least one year of supervised practice (PTP) before they can apply for a licence.

Can I study psychology in Sweden in English?

The psychologist programme at Uppsala and the psychology courses at Dalarna University are taught in Swedish. Check each university's catalogue for any English-taught courses.

Does Dalarna University offer a psychology degree?

No. Dalarna University teaches psychology as courses within other programmes, such as sport psychology, social psychology and psychology for social work students.

Can I study psychology in Sweden by distance on a student residence permit?

No. The Swedish Migration Agency does not grant residence permits for distance learning; you must be admitted to full-time studies on campus.