For most international students, Sweden is a fascinating country in which to study and obtain globally recognized certificates. You might ask, what’s so fascinating about Sweden? Well, university rankings around the world show that Sweden is home to some great universities that have stood the test of time.
So, this article will provide information on why you should study in Sweden, how much it might cost, and the link of each school to help you apply immediately. So, if you can cope with its very cold climate, here is a list of the best universities in Sweden.
Sweden is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. It shares borders with Norway and Finland. It is the third largest country in the European Union by area, with a population of about 9.5 million.
Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and frozen mountains. Its main cities, the eastern capital of Stockholm, the southwest of Gothenburg and Malmö, are all coastal.
Why should I study in Sweden?
Studying in Sweden differs from studying in other countries because Swedish universities have an open climate with a strong focus on teamwork. In fact, there are a number of reasons why you should study in Sweden.
Some of these reasons include but are not limited to:
- High quality and unconventional education
- Highly innovative country
- Free tuition for students from the EU country
The Swedish education system focuses more on your academic activities than pushing you to achieve a grade. Swedish universities work to prepare you for a successful future; the values of the labor market, ambitious, innovative and perceptive team players.
Graduate programs in Sweden offer students the opportunity to mix study and practical work so that they have experience in their field when they graduate and enter the job market.
The education system in Sweden is student-centred. The relationship between students and teachers is generally friendly and informal.
In addition, if you choose to study in Sweden, you will be required to take an active role and participate in your views and ideas in lectures, seminars and group discussions. This will give you the opportunity to develop your individual strengths and cultivate your academic skills.
Sweden is one of the most advanced countries in the world and home to many successful companies. Numerous successful inventions have arisen from research at Swedish universities and companies, including the computer mouse, Bluetooth, pacemaker, ball bearing, dialysis machine, and Internet applications such as Spotify and Skype.
These recent inventions are based on a long history of distinction in academia and research in Sweden. Sweden is home to the Nobel Prize winner and many acclaimed universities dating back to the 15th century.
If you are an international student from a European Union country, you have another good reason to study in Sweden: tuition is free
How much does it cost to study in Sweden?
Basically, the costs of higher education in Sweden vary depending on the university and the program. In general, tuition fees in Sweden range from around 80,000 SEK per year (about 8,300 EUR or 9,200 USD) to 130,000 SEK (or about 13,000 EUR or $14,600 USD).
All students in Sweden have to buy their own textbooks and on average spend 750 SEK/month for this purpose.
Other study costs in Sweden
Students normally join the local student union for a small tuition fee. This gives you the route to many student activities and student discounts. Rates range from SEK 50-350 per semester, depending on the union.
The cost of living depends on the place of study (larger cities are generally more expensive) but it is around 8000 SEK per month including rent or 925 USD / 830 EUR.
The cost of healthcare for international students varies depending on whether you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or not and the length of your studies in Sweden.
Where is Sweden ranked in education?
Sweden has 12 universities in the overall ranking of the Times Higher Education World University. The highest scoring university in Sweden is the Karolinska Institute, which is at number 41. Choosing where to study for a degree in Sweden is one of the biggest decisions you can ever make.
There are universities in Sweden for PhD. Programs?
Ph.D. programs in Sweden are usually research-based because you will spend most of your time doing research for your final thesis. This will usually require a minimum of four years of full-time work (or 240 ECTS credits).
Here are some schools that offer PhD. programs in Sweden
- Blekinge Institute of Technology
- Chalmers University of Technology
- University of Dalarna
- Ersta Sköndal University College
- University of Halmstad
- University of Jönköping
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- University of Karlstad
- Karolinska Institutet
- Konstfack
- Linköping University
- University of Linnaeus
- Luleå University of Technology
- Lund University
What are the best universities in Sweden for international students?
Well, from the statistics collected from world university rankings, school acceptance rate, tuition fee, number of programs, accreditation status, and university graduation rate, the following schools are some of the best universities for international students.
Here is a list of the best universities in Sweden for international students.
- Karolinska Institute
- Lund University
- Uppsala University
- Stockholm University
- University of Gothenburg
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Chalmers University of Technology
- University of Karlstad
- Linköping University
- University of Örebro
- Umeå University
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Stockholm School of Economics
# 1. Karolinska Institute
The Karolinska Institute prides itself on its world-class medical research. It regularly ranks as one of the best and most prestigious universities in the world to study medicine.
Based in Solna, near the city of Stockholm, the university was founded in 1810 to train army surgeons. It has since grown to include two campuses: the second is in Flemingsberg, further south of Stockholm.
The university offers a range of degrees in health and life sciences and postgraduate qualifications. For undergraduate students, these are medicine, psychology, psychotherapy, dentistry, obstetrics, nursing, audiology, optometry, physiotherapy, radiography, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology, among others.
Karolinska University Hospital, where students begin training and research, is nearby. There are also exchange programs with other universities internationally, including Australia, China, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands.
The Nobel Assembly at the university is among those eligible to submit nominations for the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine. Of the eight Swedes who received the prize, five studied in Karolinska.
These include Nobel laureate and neurophysiologist Torsten Nils Wiesel, Nobel laureate and physiologist Ulf von Euler, and Nobel laureate in medicine and scientist Hugo. Other prominent former students include physician Lars Leksell, the inventor of radiosurgery, and Swedish politicians Ewa Bjorling and Bengt Westerberg.
# 2. Lund University
Lund University is a public university in Sweden located in the city of Lund and also has campuses in Malmö and Helsingborg. The university has more than 27,000 students.
The Lund University Library was founded in 1668, the same year as the university, and is one of the first and largest libraries in Sweden. The university is also organized into more than 20 research centers and institutes.
The city of Lund itself dates back to 990, meaning there are more than 1,000 years of history among the cobbled streets next to more modern restaurants, shops, and venues.
The colors of the university are dark blue and bronze and the motto is Ad utrumque, which translates to “Prepare for both the book and the sword”.
# 3. Uppsala University
Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is Sweden’s oldest university and began with an emphasis on the importance of theology. It only had 50 students when it started. Its historical background contrasts with its now very modern campuses located in the city of Uppsala.
There are three subject fields at the university: arts and social sciences, medicine and pharmacy, science and technology, with about 70 degree programs. Law, medicine, and psychology are among the most common choices for new students.
With the increase in the number of applications at Uppsala, the university is becoming more particular in its admissions process. It has also created exchange agreements with over 400 universities worldwide.
Reflecting on the university’s religious origins, the cathedral bell is rung during key academic ceremonies. Another tradition of the university is its white student hat, which was first worn by Uppsala students in 1840 to identify themselves, and is worn on April 30, “Walpurgis Eve”, every year to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The university is also home to the country’s first botanical gardens, which has over 9,000 species of plants. The gardens had been part of the Royal Castle and were granted by King Gustav III.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden graduated from university with a degree in 2009, while Alfred Nobel received an honorary doctorate in 1893.
# 4. Stockholm University
Stockholm University was founded as a college in 1878, but became a university in 1960. It is home to more than 27,000 students.
The university is located in the middle of the National City Park and is surrounded by extensive forests, plants and trees, including about 800 species of flowering plants and over 100 species of birds, with the entrance to the Baltic Sea of Brunnsviken and the beaches to the north.
However, the university is also a short metro ride from the city centre, so students can experience the city’s cultural attractions.
# 5. University of Gothenburg
The University of Gothenburg is the second largest university in Sweden and is also the third oldest.
The university has eight faculties and 38 departments, meaning it is one of the largest universities in Sweden.
The university has a number of notable alumni including Arvid Carlsson, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2000, Jan Eliasson, diplomat and politician, and Jonas Jonasson, internationally renowned author.
# 6. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
The KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is the largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. One third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering training capacity at university level is provided by KTH.
The university is a strong research and education institution covering so many areas, including natural sciences, engineering, architecture, industrial management, and urban planning.
KTH also cooperates closely with industry and society, which creates a natural arena for the practical implementation of research results. The approach is broad: interdisciplinary research is pursued together with the work of research groups within specific disciplines, and basic research is conducted in parallel with applied research. Several national research centers are hosted by KTH.
The university is also a main partner of two of the three European Knowledge and Innovation Communities formed by the EU’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): InnoEnergy, in the field of sustainable energy, and EIT ICT Labs, in the field of information and communication research.
Extensive international research and educational exchange programs enable exchanges with universities and colleges in Europe, the United States and Australia, but also increasingly in Asia. KTH is a partner of several international university networks such as CLUSTER and TIME
# 7. Chalmers University Of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology was founded in 1829 and named after William Chalmers, director of the Swedish East India Company. He set aside funds in his desire to build an “industrial school for poor children”, who were taught to read and write.
Today, his private home is part of the university and is used as a meeting place for conferences, workshops and seminars.
Chalmers University of Technology now has over 8,600 students and just under 1,900 faculty and research staff at its two Gothenburg campuses.
The port of Gothenburg on Sweden’s west coast is one of the country’s main cultural hubs, making it an attractive place to study. The city’s Art Museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of Nordic art, featuring works by artists such as Carl Larsson.
In addition to the two main campuses, the university conducts research at Gothenburg’s Lundberg Laboratory — a renowned center for cellular and molecular research — and at its Onsala Space Observatory, about 30 miles south of the city, which is equipped with tide gauges, radiometers, navigation satellite receivers, and a superconducting gravimeter, which allows scientists to study Earth and the wider universe.
Other fields of research the university focuses on include nanoscience and nanotechnology, the built environment, life sciences, information and communication technology and materials science, with Chalmers recently receiving a €10 billion (£8.3 billion) grant from the European Union to carry out graphene research.
# 8. University of Karlstad
Karlstad University is among the newest universities in Sweden. He was born in 1999. It is based on a history of teacher training dating back to 1843 in Karlstad, the largest city in the province of Värmland.
It began as an offshoot of the University of Gothenburg in 1967 and became a stand-alone university college 10 years later.
In 2018, it defined itself as “a medium-sized and innovative higher education institution with stable and controlled growth”. With approximately 16,000 students based on the Karlstad campus. The university says it is “characterized by welcome, closeness and trust. We always promote democratic values, equality and diversity by “aiming to “challenge the known and explore the unknown”.
Students are divided into three faculties: arts and social sciences, health sciences and technology, and teacher training. The only satellite campus is the Ingesund School of Music in Arvika, with 400 students.
Most courses are in Swedish, but the range of options for average English includes an undergraduate degree in music and 12 master’s programs.
Among its notable research units is the CTF Research Center which focuses on service provision and value creation. Notable research includes the 2018 study showing that open-plan offices are detrimental to both staff morale and collaborative work, and a purchasing survey that found that the presence of tall, athletic male sales staff affects men more than female buying.
The computer science centre is involved in around 15 significant projects cooperating with academic and business partners, while scientists from Karlstad University are among 23 partners in a project seeking to devise bio-based forms of food packaging.
# 9. Linköping University
Linköping University was founded in 1975 and has since become one of Sweden’s largest universities. Basically the government founded a branch of Stockholm University in the city of Linköping to provide education in the fields of technology and medicine. With the addition of other schools and faculties over the years, Linköping University was born.
Linköping University now consists of four campuses spread over three cities. It has an innovative structure consisting of four very broad faculties: medicine and health sciences, arts and sciences, educational sciences and Institute of Technology. There are also 14 departments, each of which combines skills and knowledge from different faculties to facilitate interdisciplinary research and academic work.
There are also several state-of-the-art research institutes in Linköping that receive government funding and specialize in areas such as organic bioelectronics, hearing and deafness, gender excellence, and disaster medicine.
The university prides itself on its work in the fields of medicine, teacher education, business and economics and offers international students a great opportunity to study in a stimulating interdisciplinary environment.
Linköping University’s international outlook means that it ranks high for both research and education globally with English courses from undergraduate to doctoral student. stage.
The university exchange program sees around a thousand foreign students attending classes in Linköping every year, creating a stimulating and cosmopolitan university life. Linköping University also has over 20 international programs available and teaches students from all over the world.
# 10. University of Örebro
The University of Örebro was founded in 1999, although it can trace back to a number of higher education programs in Örebro, which began in the 1960s onwards.
As a modern university, Örebro prides itself on its modernity and wide range of academics. More than 80 bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available with about 600 variations.
There are eight schools in Örebro: economics, health sciences, hospitality, culinary arts and meal sciences, humanities, education and social sciences, law, psychology and social work, medical sciences, music, theatre and art, science and technology.
The university also has a wide range of research programs. They examine over 35 different subjects in the arts, humanities, sciences, and technology, in settings ranging from the Cardiovascular Research Center to a forum for storytelling, life, and meaning.
Four campuses house the various divisions of the University of Örebro. The main campus is located in Örebro itself. The university medical campus, Campus USÖ, was opened in 2014 directly adjacent to the university hospital. The University Science Park and the cooking school are established at two sites outside of Örebro.
The city of Örebro is located between Stockholm and Gothenburg, making it easily accessible and, in return, offering an easy route to Sweden’s two largest cities. Örebro itself is the seventh largest, making it walkable and safe without missing out on attractions. There are many cafes around the university where students can grab a Fika – coffee and cake – with friends or as a study break.
# 11. Umeå University
Umeå University is Sweden’s fifth oldest university, best recognized for its Institute of Genome Design and Research.
It began as a medical school in 1957 and was inaugurated eight years later as Umeå University by King Gustav VI Adolf.
From its location in the northern half of Sweden, students can enjoy the Northern Lights, the midnight sun in the summer months and the rugged Arctic landscape where wild elk roam easily.
At the gates of the university is the trendy city of Umeå, with a population of 120,000, which is home to museums, jazz festivals, theatres and an opera company. In 2014, Umeå was named European Capital of Culture.
Over 500 courses and 34 degree programs are taught in English at the university, including over 30 two-year master’s degrees in science and technology, social sciences, economics, health and medicine and the arts.
Umeå University has consistently outperformed Swedish universities in its student satisfaction scores abroad, as measured by the International Student Barometer.
It includes students and faculty from all over the world. With over 52 languages spoken in Umeå and a diverse offering of 900 international student exchange programs.
Its campus is home to Europe’s largest training and fitness facility (IKSU Sport) and many elite local sports teams.
Umeå is known locally as the “City of Birches”, with nearly 3,000 birch trees lining its avenues – the result of a fire in 1888 that destroyed much of the city. The birch trees were planted as part of a restoration program and to limit the spread of future fires.
Since its inception, Umeå University has experienced tremendous expansion, from its opening classes of just 446 students to the tens of thousands attending the institution today.
The DNA editing tool CRISPR/cas9 was discovered by Emanuelle Charpentier at university.
# 12. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a university with a simple role in society: to take responsibility for the development of learning and skills in areas related to biological resources and organic production.
This responsibility extends to the broad fields of agriculture, forestry and the food industry to environmental issues, veterinary medicine and biotechnology.
Broad point of view, interdisciplinary approach and applicability are key words in SLU’s research and teaching and in contacts with industry and society.
The University’s activities are dispersed among the different departments in four faculties: Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Plant Production Sciences; Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences; Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences; and Forestry.
# 13. Stockholm School of Economics
The Stockholm School of Economics, SSE (Swedish: Handelshögskolan I Stockholm, HHS) is one of Europe’s leading business schools. SSE is a private business school that earns 78% of its funding from private sources and 22% from the Swedish government.
SSE awards undergraduate, master’s, and MBA programs, along with renowned PhDs and extensive executive education programs (personalized and open programs). CC BY-SA 3.0
The Stockholm School of Economics was founded in 1909 on private initiative as a response to rapid industrialization and the growing need for well-educated businessmen and business managers and has maintained close ties with the business community ever since.
The foundation followed a substantial contribution in 1903 from Knut Agathon Wallenberg. The name “Handelshögskola” (more or less “college of commerce”) was a parallel to the German term Handelshochschule, used by a number of German institutions before beginning with Handelshochschule Leipzig in 1898.
The term högskola was at that time also constructed for specialized higher education institutions outside universities, such as the Royal Institute of Technology, (Kungl.) Tekniska högskolan, which bore that name since 1877.
Frequently asked questions about the best universities in Sweden for international students
Sweden has 53 universities and university colleges and tuition fees are free for EU students, although fees have recently been introduced for non-EU students.
Sweden has a long and proud history of academic excellence and, despite its relatively small population, is home to some of the best universities in the world. … Swedish universities are well adapted to the needs of international students and Sweden consistently ranks among the top three in the world for English proficiency.
Yes, universities in Sweden teach in English although not all programs. In fact, Sweden is a country with a large number of English speakers. Thus, over 860 programs are taught in English in Swedish universities.
Sweden has 12 universities in the overall ranking of the Times Higher Education World University. The highest scoring university in Sweden is the Karolinska Institute, which is at number 41. Choosing where to study for a degree in Sweden is one of the biggest decisions you can ever make.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sweden is a fascinating country for international students who are eager to acquire their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This article answers your questions and satisfies your curiosity about what makes Sweden fascinating for international students.
So, it is pertinent that you read this article. It is highly informative and inspiring. You can never tell, the school that fits your academic budget and provides a quality education to start an amazing career could be here in Sweden. But how can you know if you don’t read this informative piece judiciously?