If
you want your opinions to he heard, you like taking initiative and a
little snow doesn’t scare you off, then the go-to country for your
studies must be Sweden.
Long-time
ago a country of barbaric Vikings, nowadays Sweden, has polished its
manners, and nothing proves it more than the fact that the Swedish
higher education system ranks second in the world. Did we mention
cutting-edge research and real-world challenges in multicultural
academic communities?
To
get a better picture about what’s like studying in Sweden, you need to
know that the education here is more about self-development through
student groups and independent studies, than about listening to the
typical teacher lecture. Let’s try and see the details behind this big
picture.
Why study in Sweden?
1. It's free for most European students
That's
right! If you come from the European Union (EU) or the European
Economic Area (EEA), you don't have to pay any tuition fees to study at
public universities in Sweden. And this is great news because you can
use the money you save to cover living costs, which are above the
European average.
2. Freedom, equality, and sustainability
These
are the three core values of the Swedish society and citizens. These
values are reflected in all aspects of life, including work, education,
the natural environment, and so on.
Swedes
will do as much they can to provide you with the support and resources
you need to achieve your academic, professional, personal, or any other
goal.
3. Sweden is the best example of eco-friendliness
If
you're environmentally conscious, you'll love living here. Sweden has
been investing in the wellbeing and preservation of nature for a long
time now.
It
represents an example of what any nation can do through involvement and
commitment. For instance, by 2040, Sweden aims to achieve 100%
renewable energy production.
4. Open and progressive mentality
Sweden
is one of those wonderful places where you don't have to worry about
being different or not fitting it. They embrace everybody regardless of
their personal choices or background. Stockholm, for example, is often
considered as one of the most open cities in the world.
5. English is widely spoken
Over
80% of Swedes speak English, which makes it super easy to interact with
them whenever you need help or simply want to enjoy a small chit-chat.
Still,
we recommend learning at least the basics of Swedish, the most common
words, for those rare cases when you meet someone who doesn't speak the
English language.
Which universities and colleges to attend in Sweden?
Sweden
is home to over 35 universities and university colleges, and they all
offer degree programmes according to European standards.
Start your search for a dream Swedish university with one of these universities we recommend:
Mälardalen University
Linnaeus University
Jönköping University
University of Boras
World Maritime University
Uppsala University
What is it like to study in Sweden?
Studying
in Sweden is likely to make you feel relaxed. Yes, students need to
work hard, and expectations are high, but the higher education system is
also very flexible and informal.
Popular
student pastimes include team sports, cultural societies, and outdoor
activities (performed very well dressed). There’s also a great
nightlife, with clubs and bars dotting Sweden’s cities, and student
unions organising evenings out.
What to study in Sweden?
Swedes
are great with cars, great with IT, and great with the environment. So,
it’s not hard to guess which are some of the most popular study areas
in Sweden. These are:
Computer Science degrees in Sweden
Engineering degrees in Sweden
Arts degrees in Sweden
Environmental Studies in Sweden
Cultural Studies in Sweden
Where to study in Sweden?
Sweden
is a great place to live and study. From buzzing larger cities like
Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö, to cosy university towns like Uppsala
and Lund, there’s a place for every taste in Sweden.
Whether
you end up close to the Arctic Circle in Luleå or bumping shoulders
with continental Europe in Malmö, you’ll find accessible towns with
extensive public transport and bustling student scenes. So, check and
pick one of the Swedish cities below, like:
Study in Stockholm
Study in Göteborg
Study in Lund
Study in Linköping
Study in Uppsala
How to apply
In
Sweden, applications for Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes are
processed through a central application service,
Universityadmissions.se. Still, you can also apply directly through the
university and program websites. The general application documents
required are:
Identification document
Record of completed upper secondary education (translated into English)
University records (translated into English)
Proof of language proficiency
Additionally, most universities also tend to ask for:
Motivation letter
CV
Sample of academic writing
Recommendation letters from professors and employers
Helpful ways to make sure you qualify for a Swedish university
Take Preparation Courses
These
kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra
educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other
post-graduate degree programme.
Try
a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other
foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the
degree programme of your choice.
Improve your English through an English-language prep course
If
you’re attending a degree programme in Sweden, you will need to prove
that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes
and understand the lectures; some schools will require Swedish, while
others will require strong English skills. These courses will also
prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities
require.
English-language tests
English
is a must-have in Sweden, seeing how many Bachelor’s and Master’s
programmes are taught in this language. Swedish universities accept as
proof of your language skills:
High school studies taught in English/Swedish
Previous university studies taught in English /Swedish
English-language certificates: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Almost
40 universities are located in Sweden, many of which make it into top
ranks globally, such as Uppsala University, Lund University or Stockholm
University. Sweden has been one of the European pioneers for switching
to English-language tuition and offers a whopping 900 degrees to choose
from.
Studying
in Sweden is free of charge for citizens of the EU/EEA and those with a
permanent Swedish residence permit. Others may have to pay tuition fees
that commonly ranges between 80,000 and 140,000 SEK per year – ca.
8,000 to 15,000 EUR, or 9,000 to 17,000 USD. There is also an
application fee for those from outside the EU/EEA.
How to apply
If
you want to study in Sweden, no matter what program at what university,
your application will go through the one official, centralised
website: https://www.universityadmissions.se/
Visa requirements for students
Students
from the EU/EEA can study in Sweden without any visa requirements. If
you are from outside the EU/EEA, you may need to obtain a student visa.
Check with the Swedish authorities to find out how to meet the legal
requirements.
Job market for graduates
Sweden
is home to a number of internationally successful corporations – think
Volvo, IKEA or H&M – but also to some of the most exciting startups
of recent years – think Skype or Spotify. The internationality of such
employers as well as the high proficiency of English among Swedes make
it fairly easy for qualified international graduates to get the foot in
the door of the Swedish job market, even when their knowledge of Swedish
is limited. Sweden's government has also put an effort into decreasing
red tape for foreign nationals looking to join the local workforce.
Climate
As
its Nordic neighbours, Sweden is known for freezing winters and short
mild summers. While the winters are long and dark, the summers are
particularly rewarding when the sky never really goes dark. In
late/mid-June, Swedes celebrate the summer solstice, called "midsommar".
Transportation
Sweden
is located in the very North of Europe, in between Finland and Norway.
Its largest international airport is Stockholm Arlanda with over 170
destinations worldwide. Most smaller university cities in Sweden are
close to local airports that can be reached via Arlanda or Stockholm's
second, mostly domestic airport, Bromma. (Word of advice for first-time
visitors: Be wary of taxi scammers and always check prices on the
sticker in the window. Many things in Sweden are highly regulated, but
taxi prices are not.) Sweden also has a well-developed train network and
a number of overland bus companies. From the coast, you can also often
take ferries to other countries along the Baltic Sea.
Universities in Sweden
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