Study in Stockholm, Sweden

About Stockholm

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. The City of Stockholm is the country's largest municipality, home to over 980,000 people according to the city (2023).

For international students, Stockholm offers master's programmes taught in English, for example in medicine and health sciences at Karolinska Institutet. It is also a city with high rents, and finding housing is the main practical challenge.

Studying in Stockholm

Our directory lists three organisations in Stockholm: one university and two organisations for international study:

• Karolinska Institutet (KI) has been dedicated to medical education and research since 1810 and is Sweden's largest medical university. It has 6,500 students and over 2,000 doctoral students, and offers 13 first-cycle (undergraduate) programmes, 31 second-cycle (master's level) programmes and 110 freestanding courses; several master's programmes are taught in English. Since 1901 the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has selected the winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. KI's two campuses are in Solna and Flemingsberg, in the Stockholm region.
• The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency that has worked since 1945 to build ties between Sweden and other countries, on behalf of the Swedish Parliament and Government. For students, its main role is the SI scholarships: fully funded scholarships for master's studies in Sweden.
• AMBergh Education is also listed in Stockholm.

Studying in Sweden is free for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. Students from other countries pay tuition fees, which average around SEK 160,000 per academic year and generally range from about SEK 80,000 to SEK 320,000, according to Study in Sweden, the official guide. Applications for bachelor's and master's programmes go through the central portal Universityadmissions.se, with an application fee of SEK 900 however many programmes you apply for.

Residence permit

According to the Swedish Migration Agency, citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA will in most cases need a residence permit to study in Sweden. You must be finally admitted to full-time studies, which means having paid the first tuition fee instalment, and show that you can support yourself with at least SEK 10,656 per month (2026 applications). Students admitted for less than a year also need comprehensive health insurance. The application fee is SEK 1,500 for adults. Study in Sweden warns that a decision can take several months, so apply as soon as your fee is paid.

Fee-paying students may work up to 15 hours a week alongside their studies; students who do not pay fees have no limit on working hours. Many part-time jobs in shops and cafés require Swedish.

Cost of living for students

Study in Sweden gives a minimum student budget of around SEK 10,656 a month: SEK 4,900 for accommodation, SEK 2,716 for food, SEK 650 for local travel, SEK 400 for phone and internet and SEK 1,990 for other costs. Rents in Stockholm tend to be higher than in smaller cities, and student housing is in high demand in big cities. Some universities guarantee housing for international students, so check with yours as early as possible.

Getting around and daily life

For local transport, Study in Sweden budgets SEK 650 a month. KI's campuses in Solna and Flemingsberg are outside the city centre, so commuting is part of daily life for many students. Learning at least some Swedish helps, because many part-time jobs in customer-facing roles require it.

Frequently asked questions

Is studying in Stockholm free?

For EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, yes. Other students pay tuition fees, on average around SEK 160,000 per academic year according to Study in Sweden.

How much does a month in Stockholm cost for a student?

Study in Sweden puts the minimum student budget at around SEK 10,656 a month, the same amount the Swedish Migration Agency requires students to show for their residence permit. Rents in Stockholm tend to be above that average.

Can international students work in Stockholm?

Yes. Fee-paying students can work up to 15 hours a week alongside their studies; students who do not pay tuition fees have no limit.

Are there scholarships for studying in Stockholm?

The Swedish Institute offers fully funded scholarships for master's studies in Sweden.