Attention!Please refer to the page "Residence permits and visas for studies" to obtain information about visas and residence permits for students:> Residence Permits and Visas for Studies
Universities and university colleges
There are some 40 institutions of higher education in Sweden – a variety of old and new multi-faculty universities, specialised institutions and smaller university colleges with local profiles. The first Swedish university was founded in 1477 in Uppsala.
A common legal framework and degree structure is valid all over the system, but the institutions independently decide upon content and focus of the education and research. The quality and standard of the education provided is continually assessed by the National Agency for Higher Education.
Students choose Sweden
Guest students are coming to Sweden as never before. Swedish universities and university colleges, based in a small country that is reliant on world markets, are active partners in international networks and exchange. Students, teachers and researchers are encouraged to spend shorter or longer periods abroad.
English has been the business language for large Swedish companies for many years. Also in everyday life, in the streets and shops, proficiency in English is the rule rather than the exception.
International Master's Programmes
Swedish universities constantly gear their course curricula to demand and can now offer some 120 international Master's programmes with students from all over the world. Business and technology programmes are most common, but all disciplines are represented.
These programmes are open for applicants with very good skills in English and a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent in the fields of Art & Design, Health, the Humanities, Business, Economics, Engineering, Law, Natural Science or Social Science.Good grades and letters of recommendation will be needed to meet the competition.
Many foreign students are also coming to Sweden as "exchange students". Their home university has an exchange agreement with a Swedish institution as part of a programme or a bilateral agreement. A number of short courses in different subjects are offered in English for exchange students.
Doctoral studies
Research students from other countries are primarily represented in Medicine, Natural sciences and Technology. All applicants for postgraduate studies have to meet special requirements. Previous academic achievements are examined, including term papers or degree projects. The student's personal suitability and capacity are also assessed. A very good command of English is necessary. Funding and supervision resources must also be solved before admission.
Cost of living
There are no tuition fees in Swedish higher education, either for foreign or for Swedish students, but the student must be able to cover all the living costs. Guest students are not allowed to work during the terms.When applying for a residence permit for students the applicants must show that they will have SEK 7,300 per month at their disposal for 10 months, which is supposed to be the cost of living for a student.
Scholarships
The Swedish Institute supports students from Russia [the cities of St Petersburg and Moscow and the provinces of Kaliningrad, Pskov, Novgorod, Leningrad, Moscow, Archangelsk and Murmansk and the Republics of Karelia and Komi) within the Visby Programme.
Scholarships are granted for study/research periods from one month to one academic year. The studies to which the scholarship application applies are to be in line with or to complete studies previously pursued. The scholarships are granted at an amount calculated to cover the cost of travel to and from Sweden plus board and lodging during the study period.
Applications for a Master's Level Programme should be sent directly to the university/university college in question. The applicant should clearly indicate in the application whether they wish to be considered for a scholarship from the Swedish Institute.The university/university college will recommend a limited number of Master's Programme candidates for a Swedish Institute scholarship. The Swedish Institute will then make the final selection of candidates for a scholarship.
Students who are invited for/accepted for other types of advanced studies or research may send the scholarship application directly to the Swedish Institute together with the invitation or letter of acceptance from a Swedish university or university college.
Project Funding
Financial support for projects and network building is available for co-operation between Swedish and Russian universities. The support is granted in the form of funds for travel, board and lodging for the participants of the project. Applications for project support can be submitted to the Swedish Institute by a Swedish or foreign institution.
Learn Swedish
Swedish as a foreign language is studied by many more people than the population of Sweden might suggest – there are around 40,000 active learners enrolled in courses outside Sweden at any one time.
Click here for more details.
Contact Cultural Section of the Swedish Embassy