Cost of Studying & Living in Sweden
Sweden uses the krona (SEK) as its currency.
If you are from an EU/EEA/Nordic country or Switzerland, you will not have to pay tuition and application fees for bachelor’s or master’s degrees. This is the same rule that applies to Swedish citizens.
If you are from any other country, you will have to pay tuition fees. The application fee will be SEK 900 ($98 USD) and will be paid as part of your online application. Tuition fees will depend on the subject you choose to study. The average for a master’s degree is SEK 129,000 ($15,700 USD) per year. If you choose a subject within social sciences and humanities, it will cost on average SEK 80,000 – 110,000 per year. A subject within natural sciences or a technical programme will cost on average SEK 120,000 – 145,000 per year. A subject such as architecture or design will cost on average SEK 190,000 – 270,000 per year.
To put these costs into perspective, in September 2018, 1 Euro is about SEK 10.4 and 1 USD is about SEK 8.8.
On average, it is recommended that you budget SEK 8,000 for your monthly living costs. This includes rent, travel, groceries and study materials. This living cost will depend on where in Sweden you choose to live, as bigger cities will cost more than smaller cities and towns.
To help with your studying and living costs, all students are permitted to work during their studies. There are no time limitations for any students, but you should make sure that your studies remain priority, so a part-time job would be best. Your institution will be able to help you to find appropriate part-time employment.
If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and hold an EHIC card you will be able to access healthcare at the same cost as Swedish citizens. If you do not already hold an EHIC card, you should apply for one before your studies. If you will be staying in Sweden for over a year, you will need to register with the Swedish Tax Agency for a personal identity number. If you are from any other country, you will need to register with the Swedish Tax Agency for a personal identity number, which will qualify you to access to medical treatment at the same price as Swedish citizens. If your course is less than one year, you might need to purchase medical insurance. However, your institution may provide this, so contact them for more information.
Visas
If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you will not need to apply for a visa if your course is 12 months or more. If you are from Switzerland, you will need to register for a residence permit. Your institution will be able to provide more information about this.
If you are from any other country, you will need to apply for a residence permit before you arrive in Sweden. This process can take around 3 months, so make sure to start your application in plenty of time. To be eligible for a residence permit, you will need to prove you have been admitted to a course, have comprehensive health insurance and have sufficient funding for your studies without needing income support. You will also need to renew your application annually.
Language
The official language of Sweden is Swedish. Most institutions offer courses in both English and Swedish. Even if your course is taught in English, make sure you still attempt to pick up some Swedish language skills. This will look great on your CV, and might even help you to get a job if you want to stay in Sweden after your studies!
If you choose to study a course in Swedish, you may have to prove your Swedish language proficiency by taking an approved test. Your institution will be able to give you more information about the required standards and approved tests. If you choose to study in English, you will likely need to prove your English language skills meet the required standards. There are several approved tests you can take, you should contact your institution for more information about this.
Cities
Stockholm
The capital city of Sweden, Stockholm is home to just under 1 million people, making it the most populous city in the Nordic countries. The Stockholm region accounts for over a third of the country’s GDP, and is the cultural, media, political and economic centre of Sweden. The city hosts the annual Nobel Prize ceremonies, as well as many other tourist attractions.
You will find some of Europe’s top ranking universities, such as the Stockholm School of Economics and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Also located in Stockholm are the Royal College of Music and the Royal University of Fine Arts. With so much to offer, there is something for everyone in this city!
Lund
Located in the south of Sweden, Lund is believed to have been founded around 990. You can still find Lund Cathedral, which was built around 1090-1145, in the centre of the city. It is thought that the city existed by the end of the Viking Age, meaning that there is plenty of history in the streets of the city!
The city is home to Lund University, which was established in 1666. This makes it one of the oldest and largest education and research institutions in Scandinavia, as well as being internationally ranked. The campus spans across the city, offering many courses in different fields.
