Why study in Sweden?

Over the few years Sweden has increasingly become the most sought after choice for international students. The study – centric quality of education in Sweden is known worldwide. With the increase of study abroad in Sweden there has been a significant rise in Sweden student visas. Every year 40,000 international students are granted a Sweden residence permit to pursue their higher education in Sweden.

There are more than 2000 Indian students who pursue education in Sweden every year. To study abroad in Sweden, international students have to apply for a Swedish Residence Permit, which is the Sweden student visa. This residence permit enables an international student to stay and study in Sweden. T

he Sweden residence permit is applied through the Swedish Migration Agency.

Need assistance to Study Abroad? Y-Axis is here to assist you in all ways.

Top Reasons to study in Sweden

• Internationally renowned education in Sweden: The international ranking and education of Sweden is quite high. There are some universities in Sweden for international students that constantly rank high.
• Top universities and courses: There are more than 39 best universities in Sweden for pursuing research and education. Sweden welcomes international students across the globe. There are more than 1000 innovative courses and programs taught in the world’s best universities which are located in Sweden.
• Innovative Learning Sweden inculcates students to work collaboratively and communicate effectively which solves problems and respects different perspectives. Technology has turned the tables in teaching and learning methodology in terms of education in Sweden.

Highlights: Study in Sweden

• There are 52 QS World Ranking Universities to study abroad in Sweden.
• Sweden also offers a 1-Year post-study work visa to international students upon completing their education in Sweden.
• The annual average tuition fee of the best universities in Sweden ranges from €7,500 – €30,500.
• Sweden offers Scholarship of up to €4,000– €20,000 annually
• The processing time of a Sweden student visa is 3- 8 months.
• The Indian population in Sweden is 58,094.
•  The success rate for Sweden residence permits is 50-60%.

Education system in Sweden

The system of education in Sweden is consistently ranked high over the years as per the Sweden international standards. Sweden today is a country that is leading in research in specialized areas like environmental technology and nanotechnology. The education system in Sweden is known as one of the best ones. In Sweden, There are some of the oldest and top-ranked universities in the world. There are more than 50 best universities in Sweden for international students. Most of the higher education universities are funded by the government and some are private universities.

Some of the top-ranked private universities in Sweden for iIndian students are Chalmers University of Technology, Jonkoping University and Stockholm School of Economics. 

Higher education structure in Sweden

The Higher education to study in Sweden is divided into three levels: Bachelors, Master, and research. The Bachelor’s level in Sweden is known as the first cycle or first cycle courses which are mostly taught in English.

The master’s or the post-graduation level in Sweden is known as the second cycle and where the professional courses are offered. These professional courses take up to 5 years. The doctorate level is known as the third cycle courses. 

Grading and evaluation system in Sweden

Universities in Sweden for international students follow the credit systems in which to complete a specific course the students have to achieve a minimum credits. Universities in Sweden employ the ECTS credit system to keep consistency across the European grading system. The students' final results are calculated based on the total credits earned in the duration of the course. In a semester which is 20 weeks long, students have to complete 30 credits worth of courses and 1.5 Högskolepoäng is awarded for their study of 40 hours.

Three grading systems are then converted to ECTS for comparison. The three types of grading systems are called:

• seven-grade scale (A-F, Fx)
• three-grade scale VG, G, U 
•  Pass or fail system G/U

Top universities in Sweden

There are about 52 QS-ranking top universities in Sweden for international students, making it an ideal destination to study abroad in Sweden. These universities are numerically ranked on the basis of global rankings and positions. Universities are evaluated on the basis of their research performance, faculty, and other factors. Here is a list of Top Universities in Sweden:

QS Ranking	Name of the University	Annual average Tuition fee
139	Chalmers University of Technology	209336 SEK
74	KTH Royal institute of Technology	520,000 SEK
304	Linköping University	136,000 SEK
75	Lund University	436,000 SEK
128	Stockholm University	115000 SEK
456	Umeå University	90,000 SEK
187	University of Gothenburg	304593 SEK
103	Uppsala University	1100000 SEK

Popular courses to study in Sweden for International students

Top courses across various fields are offered in top universities in Sweden for master’s and Bachelor’s. These are taught by renowned faculty of researchers and professors who have complete understanding of the modern technology, who give their students a top-class quality education.

In Sweden, greater emphasis is given to practical learning and collaborative projects. Some of the most popular courses in Sweden are for masters and Bachelor’s are:

Programme	Duration (years)	Annual average Tuition fee
BSc Information and Communication Technology	3	SEK 134,000
MSc Economics	2	SEK 90,000 – 180,000
BSc Mathematics	3	SEK 129,000
MSc Computer Science	2	SEK 80,000 – 295,000
MSc Data Science	2	SEK 75,000 (per semester)
MBA	2	SEK 81,000 – 645,000
LLM	1	SEK 90,000 – 130,000
Machine Learning Systems and Control	2	SEK 360,000
Logistics and Supply chain management	2	SEK 34,000
International Marketing and Brand Management	1	SEK 135,000
Management	1	SEK 81,200 – 645,000
Psychology	2	SEK 8,000 – 130,000
Accounting and Finance	1	SEK 135,000

Scholarships for international students to study in Sweden

Sweden has quite an affordable education for international students. Many international students choose to apply for scholarships in Sweden. The universities in Sweden offer scholarships to international students on their university application based on merit and need. The evaluation of the scholarships takes place at the same time with the admission procedures. The government of Sweden only provides one scholarship per student. The international students can avail extra funds through grants. Here are some popular scholarships to study in Sweden.

Popular Scholarships in Sweden

Getting scholarships in Sweden not only aids in financial support but also drastically improves the chances of getting a Sweden student visa. The Scholarships in Sweden have an acceptance rate between 50-60%. These scholarships reflect a student’s dedication and academic excellence, making their personal and professional journey to study in Sweden for Indian students rewarding and more promising.

Here is a breakdown of the scholarships offered in Sweden.

Name of the Scholarship	Amount (Per Year SEK)
Halmstad University Scholarship	1,41,820.51SEK
Study a Master’s in Europe Scholarship	56906 SEK
Produktexperter Scholarship	9856 SEK
The Visby Programme Scholarships	4916 SEK
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals	143800 SEK
Chalmers IPOET Scholarships	75% Tuition waiver

Top Scholarships in Sweden for Indian Students

Sweden offers range of scholarship to the Indian students who study in Sweden. There are about 1,500 Indian students in Sweden. There are few scholarships specifically for this Indian population in Sweden. These scholarships make the study of Indian students affordable. The list of scholarships is as follows:

Name of the Scholarship	Amount offered (SEK)
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals	SEK 12,000
Lund University Global Scholarships	SEK 85,000 – 119,000
Uppsala University Global Scholarships	SEK 50,000 – 73,000
KTH royal institute of Technology scholarships	SEK 141,000 – 372,000
Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) Scholarships	SEK 172,000
Chalmers University of Technology Scholarships	SEK 23,000 – 117,000
Karolinska Institutet Scholarships	SEK 13,000 (Per month
Linköping University Scholarships	SEK 20,000 – 102,000
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)	SEK 52,000 (Per semester)
Blekinge Institute of Technology Scholarships	SEK 144,000
Swedish government scholarships for developing countries	SEK 12,000

Sweden student visa and residence permit 

The student visa in Sweden or the resident permit is a legal document that allows the student to stay and pursue a degree program in Sweden. The Swedish government issues this document. The entire Sweden student visa is similar to visas of other European countries.

Types of Sweden Student visa

There are majorly two types of student visa in Sweden issued by the authority of Sweden through which a student can plan to study in Sweden:

1. Student visa (Type C): This visa is a short-term study visa for international students who wish to pursue shorter study courses, internships, vocational courses, and research collaborations and stay in Sweden for 90 days. It gives them a clear idea if they want to pursue further education in Sweden.
2. Residence Permit (Type D): This is a long-term permit for international students who are pursuing full time programs like Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degrees and who wish to stay there for more than three months or 90 days

Student visa (Type C)	Residence Permit (Type D)
Short term visa for non EU/EEA students	Long term visa for non EU/EEA students
For course duration less than 90 days	For course duration more than 90 days
Vocational course, Internships, Research collaboration	Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD Degrees

Eligibility Requirements and Documents required for the Sweden Student visa

The eligibility requirements and documents required for Sweden student visa are as follows:

• A valid Travel document: A Passport valid for at least six months after expiry and copy of the passport pages
• Sweden student visa application form: A completely filled and signed Sweden student visa application form
• Photographs: Recently clicked Passport sized photographs 
• Suffcient Funds: At least 122143 SEK in your bank account to fund their cost of living in Sweden and Financial proofs like a bank statement to prove you can cover your expenses in Sweden 
• Qulaifications: Scored 60% in their previous academic institutions and Must include a period of study that is equivalent to a minimum of 30 credits
• English language proficiency: Proof of English Language in IELTS or TOEFL with at least 5.5 bands
• Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS): Proof of admission or an acceptance/enrollment letter from the university in Sweden stating the duration of the course.
• Medical cover: A proof of valid Health insurance that covers at least €30,000 in Sweden with a copy.
• Academic documents: Mark sheets, Transcripts, and certifications from previous academic institutions showing the completion of the course in the previous institution. The documents submitted online must not be larger than 2MB and is only acceptable for PDF and JPEG
• Motivation Letter: A statement of purpose (SOP) should be provided OR an essay (roughly 150 words) that states the motivation to choose Sweden for pursuing higher education

Sweden student visa processing time

The success rate of Sweden student visa is comparatively high, given all the requirements are met and students provide accurate documentation to the authorities. 

The Sweden student visa processing time is within 3 -5 months. A short-term (type C) visas take 15 days to process, and the visas (Residence permit) for higher education and doctoral studies, (type D), take around 5 months to process. 

The average time taken to process a Sweden student visa changes over time and depending upon various factors. If you wish to speed up the Sweden student visa application process, the students must choose the online application through the Swedish Migration Agency. 

The online applications are much faster than the paper applications. It is always recommended that the applicant must apply for the Sweden student visa 3 – 5 months well in advance before the arrival date to assure the timely processing of the visa. 

The Swedish authorities are more or less very lenient, ensuring a smooth and successful student visa process for international students.

Step-by-step process of applying for the Sweden student visa

Step 1: Apply to a desired university in Sweden and receive an enrollment letter 

Step 2: Apply for the Sweden student visa

Step 3: Submit the necessary documents and Application for the Sweden student visa 

Step 4: Appear for the visa Interview

Step 5: Wait for the processing of the Sweden student visa 

Step 6: Receive the visa and plan to migrate to Sweden

*Looking for assistance with Sweden Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the world’s no. 1 overseas immigration consultancy for end-to-end support.

Sweden Student visa fees

Sweden's student visa is SEK 1,500 at the current exchange rate. The international Students are required to make an online payment by using a Visa or a MasterCard. (Both Credit and Bank/Debit Cards are acceptable). The applicant can pay for the visa applications at different VFS Global visa application centers in located in India. Here is a breakdown of student visa fee of Sweden.

Type of visa	Fee (SEK)
Type C visa	1500
Type D visa	1011

Work opportunities in Sweden for International students

In Sweden, students are offered affordable education and rewarding career opportunities. Upon completion of their courses and programs in Sweden, the international students also get enriching employment opportunities. The employment rate in Sweden is 71.7% as of 2024. The Sweden post-study work visa allows the students to stay in Sweden upon completion of their higher education in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board issues the post-study work visa.

Eligibility criteria required for post-study work visa in Sweden

• A valid passport 
• Employment offer by the employer who is in EU/EEA, Sweden and Switzerland at least 10 days prior to the job offer.
• Insurance schemes (life insurance, Health insurance, Worker’s compensation insurance and occupational pension scheme) 
• Wages of at least 13000 SEK a month as per the Swedish collective agreement 

Documents required for post-study work visa in Sweden

• A copy of applicant’s valid passport
• Proof supporting completion of higher education in Sweden
• Contract of the employment offer
• Accommodation proof either in rental agreement or lease
• Proof demonstrating the intention to leave the country after the expiry of the contract
• Valid health insurance for Sweden
• Sufficient financial funds (Minimum 8694 SEK per month) to support yourself Cost for the Post study work visa in Sweden

Applicants applying for the Post study work opportunity in Sweden have to pay visa fee of 2000 SEK for the application. The application cost is non-refundable and can be either online (credit card) or in person through the consulate or the embassy.

Step-by-step process of applying for the Sweden student visa 

Step 1: Apply for the desired university In Sweden and receive an enrollment / offer letter

Step 2: Apply for the Sweden student visa

Step 3: Submit the Application and the documents required for the Sweden student visa 

Step 4: Appear for the visa Interview

Step 5: Wait for the processing and approval of the visa 

Step 6: Receive your visa and Migrate to Sweden

Part time work opportunities in Sweden for International students 

International students in Sweden can make the most out of the work opportunities in Sweden for students. The students can work in Sweden given they have a valid residence permit. They can work as long as the duration of their Sweden residence permits. There is no restriction or any government regulations on the number of working hours.

The international students in Sweden can earn between €800-1000 per month. Although there is no restriction, a student must work at least 40 hours a week. A lot of universities in Sweden have committed career cells/centers where students can easily find jobs in Sweden. 

Student part time Employment in Sweden 

The job market of Sweden is rising, with employment rate going by 2.7% annually till the year 2030. This rise of the job market signifies the need for more part-time employment in Sweden for international students or Swiss citizens. Following are the type of part time work opportunities in Sweden along with other details:

Part Time Job	Average Hourly wage (SEK)
Retails sales assistant	SEK 140
Waiter/ Waitress	SEK 130
Delivery Driver	SEK 120
Cleaner	SEK 125
Warehouse worker	SEK 130
Babysitter / Nanny	SEK 110
Freelance translator	SEK 240
Receptionist	SEK 150
Tutor	SEK 200
Library Assistant	SEK 170

Job Market in Sweden

Sweden is a global leader in job markets, and also quite firm in several key sectors. The country is well known for its working conditions, high standards of living, work-life balance, job satisfaction, and supportive work environment. However Sweden has a low unemployment rate of 8.3%, varying by industry and region.

There are high-demand job sectors that include Healthcare, IT professionals, and finance experts as Sweden is known for technology, engineering as well as various other manufacturing industries. The average number of hours to work in a week is 40 hours, with many that offer many benefits. Here is a list of jobs prospects in Sweden for graduates along with some other details: 

Job	Wages (per month )	Best cities
Surgeon	80,000-120,000 SEK	Gothenberg, Stockholm
Specialist Doctor	80,000-120,000 SEK	Mamo, Stockholm
IT manager	69,544 SEK	Uppsala, Gothenberg, Stockholm
Lawyer	60,500-173,000 SEK	Orebor, Linkoping
Engineering manager	55,041-73,295SEK	Mamo, Stockholm
Pilot	47,236 SEK	Gothenberg, Stockholm
Dentist	61,108 SEK	Uppsala, Lund, Malmo
Pharmacist	Not specified	Uppsala, Gothenberg, Stockholm
Air traffic controller	52,000 SEK	-

Intakes and application deadlines for universities in Sweden

Universities in Sweden offer admissions during the autumn and spring semester annually. There are only some universities in Sweden that offer spring admissions for international students. The autumn intake begins in September and continues until January. Whereas, the spring intake begins in January and lasts till early June. Indian students are suggested to apply for autumn to study in Sweden as most of the courses are available in the fall intake. All universities in Sweden Swedish universities have a common application deadline of January 15 for fall intake and August 15 for September intake. Here is a complete breakdown of the fall and spring study intakes and application deadlines for universities in Sweden.

Intake Period	Description	Start dates and Application deadlines	Study Program
Autumn Intake  (Fall semester)	It is the major intake time for most of the universities	Start date : Late August- September Deadline : Mid-January – April 15	Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Spring Intake  (Spring Semester)	Secondary intake for smaller group of programs	Start date : January - February Deadline : August – December of the previous year (varies)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate

Step – by – step guide to apply for universities in Sweden

Step 1: Apply online by creating an online account on UniversityAdmissions.se.

Step 2: Research well and choose the Courses and the Universities to apply in Sweden. 

Step 3: Completely fill all the personal and professional details required for the Application.

Step 4: Prepare and submit Documents required for the application as required

Step 5: Pay the Application fees of 900 SEK to Study in Sweden for Indian students.

Step 6: Track the application status with the online account on University Admissions Sweden.

Cost of living in Sweden

Studying abroad life in Sweden for International students can be a rewarding experience. Students should be completely aware of all types of expenses during your stay in Sweden. The cost of living of an international student in Sweden also varies mainly on the study location. The average cost of living in Sweden is SEK 10300 monthly. Here is a breakdown of the expenses and their average prices in Sweden:

Particulars	Monthly expenses (SEK)
Overall Average Cost of Living	7534 – 12152 SEK
Accommodation (Shared)	2795 – 8507 SEK
Food / Groceries	1944 SEK
Transportation	607 SEK
Internet Plan	243 SEK
Mobile Phone Plan	243 SEK
Basic Utilities	1093 SEK

City wise cost of living in Sweden

The most affordable cities to study in Sweden are generally those outside of the major metropolitan cities. These cheap cities include Växjö, Karlstad, Umeå, and Örebro, which have a lower cost of living than expensive and major metropolitan cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö. Here is a complete cost breakdown of cities and their average monthly cost of living in Sweden.

City	Average Monthly Cost
Växjö	SEK 8,000 – 9,000
Örebro	SEK 8,000 – 10,000
Karlstad	SEK 8,500 – 10,000
Uppsala	SEK 8,500 – 10,500
Linköping	SEK 9,000 – 11,000
Lund	SEK 9,000 – 11,000
Gothenburg	SEK 9,500 – 11,500
Stockholm	SEK 10,000 – 12,000
Umeå	SEK 10,000 – 12,000

Accommodation: Cost of living of an international student depends on the student accommodation in Sweden they choose to live in Sweden. The accommodation also varies by university, city and the locality of the student. The accommodation should be chosen on the basis of budget and the options available. Students can also choose the on-campus accommodation which is generally more affordable than off-campus housings which are costly but are flexible. The average rent in Sweden is SEK 2500-6500. Here is a breakdown of the type of accommodation and the average monthly cost.

Type of Accommodation	Average monthly cost
Student dormitories	2500-5000 SEK
Shared Apartment	3000-6000 SEK
Studio apartment (small)	5000-9000 SEK
One bedroom apartment	8000-12000 SEK

Tuition fee and other expenses: The tuition fee in Sweden varies from university, course and level of study chosen. For international students, specializations like medical or engineering are usually more costly than other courses. The fee for the same ranges from SEK 80,000 – 295,000. Here is a breakdown of the type of course and their tuition fee.

Type of Course	Tuition fee for International students
Social Science and Humanities	SEK 80,000 – 110,000
Technical and Natural sciences	SEK 120,000 – 145,000
Architecture and Design	SEK 190,000 – 295,000

Health Insurance: Sweden has one of the best health care systems in the world, and the best part is that everyone has easy access to it. It is a pre-requisite to have health insurance through the national healthcare system in Sweden. Students may also need other coverage like dental care or other emergency medical expenses. The prices of the health insurance range approximately from SEK 1000-2000.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Is Sweden a good place to study?

Yes, Sweden is a very decent study destination for students as it has a lot to offer. From prestigious institutions to world class education Sweden provides everything to an international student to study abroad.

Can international students work in Sweden while studying?

International students in Sweden can make the most out of the work opportunities in Sweden. The students can work in Sweden given they have a valid residence permit. They can work as long as the duration of their Sweden residence permits. There is no restriction or any government regulations on the number of working hours.

What are the best universities in Sweden?

Some of the best universities in Sweden for international students as per the World QS ranking are as follows: 

QS Ranking	Name of the University
139	Chalmers University of Technology
74	KTH Royal institute of Technology
304	Linköping University
75	Lund University
128	Stockholm University
456	Umeå University
187	University of Gothenburg
103	Uppsala University

 How much does it cost to study in Sweden?

The tuition fees in Sweden for Indian students approximately range from SEK 80,000 per year.

What are the visa requirements for international students?

The eligibility requirements and documents required for Sweden student visa are as follows:

• A valid Travel document: A Passport valid for at least six months after expiry and copy of the passport pages
• Sweden student visa application form: A completely filled and signed Sweden student visa application form
• Photographs: Recently clicked Passport sized photographs 
• Suffcient Funds: At least 122143 SEK in your bank account to fund their cost of living in Sweden and Financial proofs like a bank statement to prove you can cover your expenses in Sweden 
• Qulaifications: Scored 60% in their previous academic institutions and Must include a period of study that is equivalent to a minimum of 30 credits
• English language proficiency: Proof of English Language in IELTS or TOEFL with at least 5.5 bands
• Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS): Proof of admission or an acceptance/enrollment letter from the university in Sweden stating the duration of the course.
• Medical cover: A proof of valid Health insurance that covers at least €30,000 in Sweden with a copy.
• Academic documents: Mark sheets, Transcripts, and certifications from previous academic institutions showing the completion of the course in the previous institution. The documents submitted online must not be larger than 2MB and is only acceptable for PDF and JPEG
• Motivation Letter: A statement of purpose (SOP) should be provided OR an essay (roughly 150 words) that states the motivation to choose Sweden for pursuing higher education

Can Indian students get scholarships to study in Sweden?

Sweden has quite an affordable education for international students. Many international students choose to apply for scholarships in Sweden. The universities in Sweden offer scholarships to Indian students on their university application based on merit and need.

The evaluation of the scholarships takes place at the same time with the admission procedures. The government of Sweden only provides one scholarship per student. The international students can avail extra funds through grants. Here are some popular scholarships to study in Sweden.

Y-Axis - Best student visa consultants

Y-Axis can assist by giving more vital support to aspirants who wish to study in Sweden. The support process includes,

• Free Counseling: Free Counseling on university and course selection.
• Campus Ready Program: Fly to Sweden with the best and ideal course. 
• Course Recommendation: Y-Path gives the best suitable ideas about your study and career options.
• Coaching: Y-Axis offers IELTS live classes to help students clear with high scores.
• Sweden Student Visa: Our expert team helps you to get a Sweden student Visa.