For a long time now, Sweden has been home to students from across the globe who are attracted by the great facilities available in the country’s universities. Compared to the other Scandinavian countries, Sweden proves to be more welcoming to students from English speaking countries since Swedes speak it so fluently and easily as well.
The different universities spread across Sweden are well equipped with world class modern research technology and excellent faculty. Graduating from any of the universities in Sweden will not only equip you with unmatched academic information but also broad-based intercultural exchange with students from elsewhere.
Universities in Sweden
Sweden prides itself of having some of the acclaimed world class universities that teach various subjects all across board including engineering, medicine, information communication and technology, building and construction, and other social sciences.
Although all the universities in situated in Sweden guarantee at the very least an excellent study and education environment, you have the liberty to choose which of them to apply to at any time. Choosing one university and not the other does not mean the ones you leave do not offer high standards of education anyways.
List over universities in Sweden:
- Blekinge Institute of Technology
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Dalarna University
- Ersta Sköndal University College
- GIH – the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
- Halmstad University
- Jönköping University
- KMH – Royal College of Music in Stockholm
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Karlstad University
- Karolinska Institutet
- Konstfack
- Kristianstad University
- Linköping University
- Linnaeus University
- Luleå University of Technology
- Lund University
- Malmö University
- Mid Sweden University
- Mälardalen University
- Royal Institute of Art
- SLU – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- SMI – University College of Music Education in Stockholm
- Sophiahemmet University College
- Stockholm School of Economics
- Stockholm School of Theology
- Stockholm University
- Stockholm University of the Arts
- Södertörn University
- Umeå University
- University West
- University of Borås
- University of Gothenburg
- University of Gävle
- University of Skövde
- Uppsala University
- Örebro University
University Admission in Sweden
Any ambitious young person, especially in the developing countries will tell you of their desire to travel to Europe for study. There is this eagerness that the young and old academics alike harbour about going through the European education system.
Studying in Sweden is one opportunity which everyone would like to have, at least for higher education. Having an affiliation to universities in Sweden as an alumni gives you a platform on which to face your career path and progression.
While the desire to study in Sweden and the rest of Europe is as real today as ever, most of the time, people lose it in the application stage. Admittedly, the application process can be cumbersome and excessively demanding. The mistake that most people do and make the application process even complicated for them is not planning everything out well.
To get to secure an admission in Sweden for whatever course or at whichever level of education, planning everything is a must do. You cannot just wake up overnight, see an attractive study advertisement and then start an application process.
What I would advise anyone having serious intentions of studying in Sweden is that they should take their time, search for the universities, match course descriptions with their career objectives, check out the requirements, gather all relevant documents to support your application and probably look out for available scholarship finding.
There are two admission rounds for universities in Sweden, more or less like the other European universities. The deadlines set for the admissions depends on whether you come from within EU/EEA and Switzerland or outside the region. Admissions are in Autumn and Spring.
Because the application process is long and detailed, they typically start very early. For instance, an admission for Autumn (September) of the next year begins in October of the previous year.
You need to check deadlines for submission of documents, language requirements, tuition fees documentation, scholarship applications, visa processing and start of studies in Sweden. These deadlines are always very critical as the universities will not accept anything done outside the set timelines.
Something that sometimes also discourage students from applying to study in Sweden is the high application fees of 900 SEK (Swedish kronor) . While the application fee is always used as part of the tuition fee for those who successfully get admission and actually report to study, unsuccessful ones do not get any refund whatsoever. Because of this type or arrangement, prospective students may feel cheated from the word go owing to the fact that there is no guarantee that you will get an acceptance to study with the high level of competition for slots.
Tuition Fees in Sweden Universities
Everyone who has plans of studying in Sweden needs to first do an introspection about what value it will give you. Without a doubt, studying in Sweden is a worthwhile investment and a good way to focus yourself to take up greater roles in the global atmosphere. you just need to be good at what you study, prove yourself, get noticed and there you go.
Although you do not necessarily have to accumulate all the money for financing your studies in Sweden, it is advisable that by the time you settle down on starting an application, already you have figured it out well. Remember making an application to study in Sweden requires a lot of effort and no one wants to spend precious time applying and supplying all the required documentation only to cancel admission due to lack of funds. So, as a starting point, know where the funds will come from even if your sole intention is to rely on scholarships, know which ones are open for applicants, how much they give and what other things you need to fund from your own pocket.
This should not be scary but the truth is, studying in Sweden as a tuition fees paying student is damn expensive. Unless you have proper financial back up for tuition and living expenses, Sweden is not a place you want to choose for study.
Citizens of countries that are not within EU/EEA and Switzerland have an obligation to pay tuition fees and application fees. Application fees are a must to pay even if you eventually get a scholarship. Therefore, arm yourself with enough money to pay for an application before you can give your luck a chance.
Study Scholarship in Sweden
Sweden, being a member of the international community very well responds to its role in promoting research, innovation and science in all its meaning. Therefore, the Swedish government gives two important sets of scholarships to qualifying international students every year.
The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals is the largest in Sweden and open to citizens from over 42 countries of the world. Another option is the university-specific scholarship-each university has its own internal mechanism for giving financial support to talented and exceptional students admitted to various programmes. There are also other scholarships by organizations, charities and countries.
If a scholarship is your default source of income to finance studies in Sweden, it is necessary that you know what the amount is, what it covers and frequency. It may be embarrassing to go on a scholarship only to realize that the amount given to you could only cover tuition fees and insignificant balance for upkeep. Studying while also undergoing financial difficulties diminishes your ability to get the most out of it.
Student Life in Sweden
Life as a student is almost the same as other European universities where students live in cities instead of hostels within the university. It means that on a normal day, you will have to use your bicycle to and from the university or resort to intra-city public transport. University cities are spread all across Sweden including Lund, Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Uppsala.
Sweden is an expensive country. The price index of everything is comparatively higher than in other Scandinavian countries. you will need to be extremely financially disciplined. A priority for a student in Sweden is to adopt a low budget lifestyle, identify cheap stores and hang out in budget restaurants otherwise you end up broke.
A student in Swedish universities will need around SEK 8,568 every month to meet all living expenses. Student accommodation in Sweden will tell up a large percentage of this money. An intelligent student whose only focus is to find a decent and just enough space will get a small house with shared facilities like toilet, kitchen area and laundry. Such shared apartments are generally cheaper. You will also have to substantially cut down your budget if you used to enjoy partying and a general spendthrift.
Life in Sweden after graduation
Studying in Sweden is generally enjoyable, at least for those who organize themselves well and do what a diligent student needs to. However, at the back of every student’s mind is the worry about what next after completing a programme in Sweden.
Most students who have gotten used to life in Sweden would like to continue with their stay in the country for a while before returning home. It is understandable that getting to start a career in Sweden sets a good foundation. However, it is important to know which chances you stand to stay longer in Sweden post completing your studies.
Students who are citizens of the EU/EEA are allowed to transit to work without necessarily getting a work permit. Students from Norway, Finland , Iceland and Denmark can work and live in Sweden after studies without registration or getting a residence permit. However, if you are a student from outside the EU/EEA, you will apply for an extension of residence permit by six months as you try securing relevant jobs around.
