📖Study in Sweden for Indian Students 2023

Hi! I’m Astronaut Alex 👨‍🚀🚀, and today, we’re talking about studying in Sweden or Indian Students 2023. Do you know how you can study in Sweden? You can even study in Sweden for free. Well, don’t fret if you are confused about how you can pursue your education in Sweden. I’ll help you understand the cost of education in Sweden for Indian students, top universities, popular courses, and more.

With its education system ranked amongst the best in the world, Sweden has been referred to as the most sustainable nation across the globe and also the happiest of them all! Home to the digital phenomenons of Skype and Spotify and the planet’s cleanest cities, the country is becoming a popular choice for those wanting to work or study abroad. With its flexible visa policies, Sweden welcomes students from around the world offering them a plethora of academic and career prospects at economical costs while not promising the quality of education. So, through this blog, let’s take you through the land of Northern Lights exploring all the essentials that you must know while planning to study in Sweden.

Country	Sweden
Capital	Stockholm
Listed universities	39
Ranked Universities	14
Study programmes	867

Hope you have a gist of how you can study in Sweden. This is just the beginning! Join me as I take you on a journey of understanding the pursuit of education in Sweden. Let’s go!🚀

📖 Why Study in Sweden?

Pioneering Research and Development in a number of fields, the government of Sweden spends a higher proportion of GDP on R&D than any other country. Being one of the most innovative nations in the world, Sweden has blessed the world with revolutionary technologies like pacemakers and safety matches apart from the well-known Spotify and Skype. The country has a population of 10 million out of which 2 million are under the age of 18 which makes it a lively and dynamic place to be at. Studying in Sweden means exploring countless opportunities to interact and get involved in cultural activities through the concerts, plays and exhibitions which are characteristic of the country. When it comes to education, the country is known for offering quality education in various fields.  Some of the most widely pursued courses in the country include Architecture Studies, Aviation, Design Studies, Engineering Studies, Environmental Studies, etc. Having a long history of imparting excellence in education, Swedish universities are technologically advanced and renowned across the globe. Allowing international students to avail various benefits like free healthcare, affordable education and better job placements, Sweden is emerging among the top destinations for international students to study. 

🏫Top Universities to Study in Sweden

The universities in Sweden are known for offering comprehensive and specialized courses. Ranked among the top institutes around the world, they offer a multicultural environment, an abundance of resources and multidisciplinarity in subjects. Besides this, the colleges in the country have a leading class curriculum and cutting-edge technologies to supplement your study experience which makes it the primary reason for international students to study in Sweden. Take a look at the following table which enlists the leading universities in Sweden as well as their THE and QS World University Rankings 2020:

University to Study in Sweden	Location	QS World University Rankings 2023
Karolinska Institute	Stockholm	N/A
Lund University	Lund	95
Uppsala University	Uppsala	128
Stockholm University	Stockholm	153
University of Gothenburg	Gothenburg	185
KTH Royal Institute of Technology	Stockholm	89
Chalmers University of Technology	Gothenburg	125
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences	Uppsala	N/A
Umeå University	Umeå	369
Örebro University	Örebro	N/A
Linköping University	Linköping	320
Karlstad University	Karlstad	N/A

What more can you expect from a nation with an economy driven by science and technology? To know in detail read our blog on top universities in Sweden. Study in Sweden to learn how to conduct the best quality research and develop independent thinking. You will benefit from integration into a multicultural society and rigorous degrees at colleges that look towards the future.

📄Application Process to Study in Sweden

Whether applying for a course from an array of undergraduate courses or a master’s degree program, you must be aware of the application process. Below given is the stepwise process to study in Sweden:

💻Find Your Program

The first thing when you’re thinking of studying in Sweden would be to locate the university and find the program of your choice. By browsing from the list of available courses on the university website or directly choosing from Sweden’s central educational portal universityadmissions.se, you can choose a course that suits you. 

Also Read: MBA in Sweden

✅Check Entry Requirements and Deadlines

Once you are done with finding your desired program, the next thing you should do is check for the entry requirements and deadlines. Universities all over the world offer admissions twice a year with one session known as spring intake and the other as fall intake. It is advisable to go through the university website to know about the entry requirements, deadlines and other details if you are planning to study in Sweden.

📄Apply at Universityadmissions.se

Sweden has a centralized application portal where you can apply to various universities for different courses. With one application, you can apply for up to 8 bachelor’s or 4 master’s programs at various universities to study in Sweden. The application should include the following:

• Online Application Form
• Required Documents – Academic Transcripts, LORs, SOPs and Resume
• Proof of English Language Proficiency – IELTS, TOEFL or PTE
• Payment of Application Fee of SEK 900.

✅Eligibility Requirements to Study in Sweden

The eligibility requirements for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral candidates are mentioned below.

✅Bachelor’s requirements

• The criteria for a bachelor’s degree at a Swedish institution are plain and uncomplicated.
• Before enrolling in a degree programme, the student must have finished high school with a 60% average and be at least 18 years old.
• Demonstrate your English ability: The general English language requirements are similar to Swedish upper secondary English Course 6.
• Students must have completed mathematical courses corresponding to the level of mathematics offered at Swedish universities, which is around 10 years of study.
• Simply put, you must take an internationally recognised English proficiency exam, such as the IELTS or TOEFL, and ensure that it matches the standards for the branch and university to which you are applying.

✅Master’s requirements

• The following are the criteria for obtaining a master’s degree from a Swedish university:
• A bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognised university or a degree that is comparable to the Swedish Kandidatexamen is required.
• Proficiency in English: Obtain a satisfactory IELTS or TOEFL score.

✅PhD Entry requirements

The following are the requirements for obtaining a PhD from a Swedish university:

• The prior degree must be in the same field of study as this one.
• Along with the application, the candidate must submit the thesis from their prior degree.
• Might require proficiency in both English and Swedish language since some seminars could be conducted in Swedish.

📖Undergraduate Studies in Sweden

While in Sweden, you can choose between two styles of undergraduate education.

📖University degree

A University degree takes one to two years and is similar to an “associate’s degree” in other countries. This generally comprises post-secondary vocational education and professional programs that last a year or less. If you want to gain professional abilities without putting in the time and effort necessary for a complete Bachelor’s degree, you should choose a university degree. Many of these are available as part of the course offerings at a number of Swedish institutions.

📖Bachelor’s level degree

A bachelor’s degree takes three years to complete (depending on your enrollment and your circumstances). These are more academic degrees, but they give you knowledge that can help you enter the workforce or prepare you for postgraduate study. Bachelor’s degrees are frequently more theory than practice, although, in other situations, you will gain a lot of practical experience while completing your Bachelor’s degree. It all depends on the institution you go to and the programme you choose to pursue.

You can pick from hundreds of undergraduate degrees offered by all of Sweden’s institutions. Take a look at our sections about How to Apply and Universities in Sweden if you’re ready to start researching the many universities in Sweden. Both of those pages can provide you with the information you need to begin the application process.

More information is also available from the Ministry of Education and Research, which is the branch of the Swedish government in charge of all levels of education, including tertiary education.

🎓Best Degree Courses in Sweden

• Business & Management
• Architecture
• Sciences
• Software Engineering
• Urban Planning

🎓Post Graduate Studies in Sweden

Some people go to Sweden to pursue postgraduate studies, which is what you do after you finish your Bachelor’s or comparable level degree in your own country. In Sweden, there are two different degrees of postgraduate education available. Let’s take a deeper look at each level so you can decide which one is right for you.

🎓Advanced (Master’s) Level

Before being accepted to the advanced level of study, often known as the Master’s level in other countries, you must have completed a three-year Swedish degree or the equivalent. Bachelor’s degrees are equivalents, which might take three or four years depending on your own country’s educational system. You have the option of enrolling in one of two advanced degree programs.

• Degree of Magister
• Degree of Master

🎓Doctoral level

You must hold a Master’s Degree – Two Years or the equivalent from another nation to be admitted into a doctorate degree program. This might be a Master’s degree, a Master’s certificate, one year of higher-level work (even if you don’t have a degree), or a Bachelor’s degree with equal knowledge to a Master’s degree (from a job, etc). In Sweden, there are two types of doctorate degrees available. It is up to you to find out whether your university provides one or both.

• Degree of Licentiate (licentiatexamen in Swedish)
• Degree of Doctor (PhD, or doktorsexamen in Swedish)

👩‍🎓Working While Studying

There are several search engines that you can use to find part-time jobs in Sweden, and many of these sites will offer you jobs from all over the country. Here’s a brief rundown of job-hunting sites you might use when looking for part-time work.

➡️Arbetsförmedlingen – This is the country’s largest employment agency, assisting thousands of Swedes and migrants each year in finding work. Even though the majority of its services are geared for Swedish speakers, you can occasionally find positions that aren’t. Some professions may even need English as a necessity, so look into it.

➡️Academic Work – This Swedish organisation was created specifically to assist students, both those studying abroad and those who are Swedish citizens. It even covers positions where you don’t need to know Swedish. This agency offers an easy-to-use interface and can assist you in finding the job you want.

➡️The Local – The Local is an online newspaper that prides itself on providing easy-to-read Swedish news to the general public. Keep an eye on this website even if you aren’t seeking work; they provide up-to-date information and news that you may need to know while living in Sweden. They, like most newspapers, have a job ads section that you can check out. It is also maintained up to date.

➡️EURES – EURES is a job search engine that covers all of Europe, not just Sweden. However, you may still apply for a variety of Swedish jobs there, even if they are part-time. Make sure to keep an eye out for where the job is located, especially because it includes jobs from all around the continent.

So, if you’re searching for a part-time job to supplement your income while you study, those are some options. There may also be resources local to the area around your university; your university can give you more information on that if it applies to your situation.

📖Study in Sweden: Understanding the Visa & Study Permit Procedure

To begin with, the issue of visas and resident permits in Sweden varies as per the country of citizenship. The rules for those belonging to EU/EEA countries are different from the citizens of non-EU/EEA/Nordic countries. For Indian students wanting to study in Sweden, there are two categories you must know about:

• For stays of less than 3 months: A diploma passport will exempt you from the formality of getting a visa.
• For stays of more than 3 months: In this case, you will require a residence permit to study in Sweden.

Note: For stays of less than 3 months, the rules for citizens belonging to Non-EU/EEA Nordic countries state that requirement of visa is only specified for selected countries while a diplomatic passport allows citizens of other countries (like India, Thailand, Philippines, Bolivia, etc. to travel to Sweden easily for a period of fewer than 3 months.

📖How to Study in Sweden for Free?

Here are the procedures you must do to make your education in Sweden fully free:

➡️Make a Good Application

• A solid GPA, outstanding exam scores, and a decent conduct past can boost your chances of receiving scholarships when you start applying to universities and colleges in Sweden. These documents demonstrate your scholarship eligibility.
• Also, always work on improving your reputation so that no one has a poor view of you and no one questions your behaviour when applying to Swedish universities. For overseas students who wish to study for free in Sweden, this is the first and most important step.

➡️Attend Affordable Universities in Sweden

• If you have a limited budget, begin your search by looking for an economical institution. Public universities in Sweden have lower tuition prices than private universities, making them attractive to overseas students.
• The average annual cost in Sweden is between 8,000 and 15,000 dollars. However, several colleges give subsidies ranging from 25,000 to 39,000 dollars to cover the cost of a bachelor’s degree.

➡️Get your Application Prepared in Advance

• Early bird discounts are popular for international students looking to study abroad. Early application discounts are available at several colleges. This will not help you study for free in Sweden, but it will significantly reduce your study costs.
• Because your application will be completed quickly, you may be eligible for tuition fee savings and other perks. Keep in mind that there is too much competition out there, so get there early to grab the best deals.

➡️Apply for External Scholarships in Sweden

You can also locate businesses and organisations that will help you pay for your education in exchange for working for them when you graduate. External scholarships, particularly from connected organisations to your study programme of choice, can be a huge assistance in allowing you to study for free in Sweden.

➡️Working Part-time and Full-time while Studying

If scholarships aren’t enough to cover your living expenses while studying in Sweden, obtain a job. In Sweden, you can work and study for as many hours as you like. You might also work full-time. The only condition is that you must spend a minimum of 40 hours a week on your studies.

➡️Lowering the Cost of Living in Sweden

Finally, even if you are admitted to any university that covers the majority of your tuition costs, you will still be responsible for living expenses.

💸Ways to lower these expenses are:

• Find student rooms that can be shared so that you have to pay only a small part of the rent.
• Get passes for local transport.
• Shop during sales.
• Get student discount cards.
• Buy used books or digital copies.

You may attain your aim of studying in Sweden for free by following the procedures outlined above. The best way is to get a scholarship, whether, from the university, government, or any other organization, to lower your cost of living and working while studying.

💸Cost of Education in Sweden

Types of Expenses	Annual Expenses in SEK
Tuition Fees for one year (Indicative)	145000
Living and Accommodation (Indicative)	102816
Airfare to Sweden (Indicative)	700
Visa Fees	1500
Total Expenses	250016

👩‍🎓Getting A Residence Permit in Sweden

If you are opting for a full-fledged degree or any course that will be longer than 3 months, you will be required to get a residence permit to study in Sweden. Further, a student visa is referred to as a residence permit in Sweden and the most important prerequisite you need to fulfil to obtain it is to successfully get admission into full-time recognised and accredited university studies in the country it is also pivotal that you have paid the first instalment of the tuition fee of your chosen program. 

The key requirements you should know while applying for a residence permit to study in Sweden are:

• Payment of the first instalment of your tuition fee.
• Supporting documents like an acceptance letter or letter of admission from the university, proof of sufficient funds and copies of your passport. Also, you will have to show proof of health insurance in case you are planning to stay in Sweden for less than one year.
• Submit your residence permit application online at the Swedish Migration Agency’s portal and pay the required fee (1500 SEK, i.e. around 11,000 INR for Adults and 750 SEK, i.e. around 550 INR for those under 18 years of age).

Subsequently, the Swedish Migration Agency will process your application and once you get the green light, you need to visit the nearest Swedish embassy to get your picture and fingerprints taken and you will be provided with a follow-up email afterwards.

💸Scholarships to Study in Sweden

There are different types of scholarships on offer for those wanting to study in Sweden. These include Swedish Institute Scholarships, University Scholarships as well as other financial schemes available for international students. Here is a list of some of the major scholarships provided in Sweden for Indian students that you can choose from:

• Stockholm University Scholarship Scheme
• Karlstad University Global Scholarship Programme
• Blekinge Institute of Technology Scholarship Programme
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology Tuition Fee Waivers
• Halmstad University Scholarships
• Chalmers IPOET Scholarships
• Umea University Scholarships
• Kristianstad University Scholarships
• Lund University Global Scholarship Programme

[BONUS: If you are exploring the best destinations in Europe to study, check out the following study guides!]

• Study in Switzerland
• Study in France
• Study in Norway
• Study in Russia
• Study in Poland
• Study in Denmark
• Study in Estonia
• Study in the Netherlands
• Study in Cyprus
• Study in Latvia

Related Articles: 

Top 10 Scholarships for Sweden to Explore in 2023!	MS in Sweden
Study in Sweden for Indian Students 2023	Relocate to Sweden Through Master Studies
MBA in Sweden	Cost of Living in Sweden

Mr. Astronaut👨‍🚀🚀- “ Kiddos, I have answered all your queries with the utmost precision that I was capable of. Now, I will be taking my leave, but if you think that I might have missed something do check out the FAQ section or drop a comment. I always respond!”

FAQs

While exploring the options to pursue overseas education, Sweden is an ideal destination to consider as it is revered for its educational standards, initiatives to bring sustainable development as well a higher quality of living. If you are planning to study in Sweden but are confused about which course or university to go to, let Leverage Edu lend you a helping hand. Our experts using a psychometric test will help you explore your innate talent and inclinations towards a subject, based on which they will find the best university to give your career a jumpstart.