Monday, 8 July 2013

STUDY IN SWEDEN

Overview

Study abroad in Sweden, with the help of our guide, and you will find yourself in a nation which has always punched well above its weight.
From being the center of an empire in the 17th century, to being the home and birthplace of the Nobel Prize, its influence has long spread well beyond its borders, despite having a total population no bigger than a large city.
Swedish businesses such as Ikea and Volvo are known around the world, and in bouffant-haired 70s pop aristocrats ABBA and director Ingmar Bergman, for example, it has contributed greatly to the world of popular culture.

Why study in Sweden?

Modern-day Sweden is known for its sense of social justice and fairness: is has the highest level of wealth equality in the world, publically funded healthcare is available for all, homosexual couples enjoy the same rights as heterosexual ones, and it enjoys one the world’s lowest gender pay gaps.
Add on striking northern European beauty, and free tuition for EU students (fees for non-EU students were introduced recently) and you have a pretty strong case for studying in Sweden!
But what are the universities like? As you’d expect from a nation whose economy is driven by science and technology, the answer is very good! Five of its eight ranked institutions make the top 200 of the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings, led by Lund University and Uppsala University at 71 and 81. Beyond the ranked institutions, the Karolinska Institute, a specialist medical school, and the Stockholm School of Economics are both highly regarded in their fields.
Studying at master’s or PhD level? Read our graduate-level guide to Sweden >

Fast Fact

  • Constitutional monarchy, currently headed (ceremonially) by King Carl XVI Gustaf
  • Democracy, with unicameral legislature (Riksdag)
  • Head of government is prime minister (current incumbent is Fredrik Reinfeldt)
  • Historical nation with its roots in the Middle Ages, breaking from the Hanseatic league in the 16th century to become Sweden proper
  • Population of 9,103,788 and total landmass of 173,745 square miles make it one of the most sparsely populated nations in the world
  • Member state of the European Union
  • Last involved in an armed conflict in 1814
  • Official language is Swedish (Svensk); many Swedes speak English as a second language
  • Capital and largest city is Stockholm
  • As well as the famous meatballs, Swedish cuisine includes such delicacies as licorice ice cream and pickled herrings
  • Currency is Swedish Krona, symbol: SEK, SEK1 = US$0.15
  • Internal dialing code is +46
  • Uses Central European Time (UTC+1), switching to Central European Summer Time in summer (UCT+2)

Lifestyle


Explore some of Sweden's top cities for students...

Stockholm

Home to nearly a quarter of Sweden’s population, Stockholm is very much the country’s beating heart. Many of the nation’s most prestigious universities can be found within its borders, including the Royal Institute of Technology (142), Stockholm University (ranked 171) and the Karolinska Institute.
A large student and immigrant population make this famously attractive city a vibrant and cosmopolitan place. It isn’t, however, famous for its nightlife – partially due to it being rather pricey – but if you’re into a more chilled out way of life, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing…

Lund

Lund is a small city, which dates back to the 10th century, and is known as something of a hub for high-tech companies. The city’s position at the southern tip of Sweden means that it offers plenty of opportunities for travel, but, if you find yourself in Lund, it will only be for one reason: its university.
The second oldest university in Sweden, Lund University, at 71, is also the country’s highest ranking institution. If you choose to study here, don’t expect a crazy nightlife – though there are plenty of bars around to cater for the large student population.

Uppsala

Home to Sweden’s oldest and second highest ranking institution, the Uppsala University (81), Sweden’s fourth biggest city is a small leafy canal-lined town which boasts its very own castle.
Like many of the other cities here, it’s a rather quiet, and reserved, and may well suit those who are more focused on their degrees than their social life. However, that said, there are plenty of students around, so there’s still scope to let your hair down when you need to! It’s located towards the east of the country so is well placed for trips to Eastern Europe.

Gothenburg

Sweden’s second biggest city is home to two highly ranking universities: the University of Gothenburg (193) and the Chalmers University of Technology (223). To those who are not drawn to the quiet, historical, leafy cities in which you’ll find many of Sweden’s universities, Gothenburg is something of a godsend.
It’s more affordable than many other Swedish cities, and has plenty of pubs and bars. The port town is also renowned for its continental feel and its friendly locals, and has a charming historical district of its own, so you needn’t feel like you’re missing out.

Umeå

Umeå is by far the most northerly of these cities, an ideal base from which lovers of the wilderness can strike out and enjoy the stark beauty of northern Sweden. If you’re feeling brave, it is a mere 400km outside the Arctic Circle. 
Though it is a small, remote town (Umeå University comes in at 297 in the QS World University Rankings), Umeå is no backwater. It is known for being something of research hub, and boasts a respectable nightlife and enough culture to have earned this fast-growing city the title of European Capital of Culture 2014.

 Practical Information

Admission, entry and visa requirements

Education, Swedish policymakers have decided, is a common good, and therefore university is free for Swedish citizens. This right extends to EU and Swiss citizens. A desire to stay competitive, though, means that fees have been introduced for non-EU citizens. These are set by the universities; you can expect to pay somewhere between SEK80,000 and 180,000 (around US$12,000-27,000) depending on your degree.
To apply to university in Sweden, you should use the centralized University Admissions application portal. Visa regulations will differ depending on whether or not you are from an EU nation.

EU and Swiss nationals:

•    You do not need a visa
•    Unless you are from a Nordic nation, you will have to register with the Swedish Migration Board within three months of your arrival. This can be done in person, by post or online (note that the Stockholm municipality of Solna has slightly different regulations).
•    You will need to prove that you have been accepted onto a course, assure that you have enough funds to cover your stay and provide evidence that you have acquired health insurance in order to get your registration certificate.
•    Swiss nationals will also need to get a special residence permit, for which you will need to follow a similar procedure.

If you are not from the EU/EEA, then the following applies:

•    You will require a residence permit in order to study in Sweden, which you can get from your local Swedish embassy.
•    In order to obtain a study permit you will need to prove you have been admitted onto a course, that you have comprehensive health insurance and that you can support yourself for the duration of your course. At present, you are required to have SEK7,300 (around US$1,100) a month for at least ten months out of every year of your stay, on top of your fees (the first installment of which must be paid before you’ll receive your permit). You must have enough money for the whole period of study the first time you apply. This sum is reduced if you are receiving free lodging or food, or if you have a scholarship.
•    You will have to renew your permit annually.

Featured University







Universities in Sweden

  1. Blekinge Institute of Technology
  2. Chalmers University of Technology
  3. Gotland University
  4. Halmstad University
  5. Jönköping International Business School
  6. Karlstad University
  7. Karolinska Institute
  8. Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design
  9. Kristianstad University College
  10. KTH, Royal Institute of Technology
  11. Linköping University
  12. Linnaeus University
  13. Karolinska Institute
  14. Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design
  15. Kristianstad University College
  16. KTH, Royal Institute of Technology
  17. Linköping University
  18. Linnaeus University
  19. Royal College of Music in Stockholm (KMH)
  20. Royal Institute of Art (KKH)
  21. Royal University College of Fine Arts
  22. School of Design and Crafts
  23. Södertörns University College
  24. Stockholm School of Economics
  25. Stockholm University
  26. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
  27. Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences (SLU)
  28. The Swedish Institute
  29. Umeå University
  30. University College of Boras
  31. University College of Dance
  32. University College of Film, Radio, Television and Theatre
  33. University College of Kalmar
  34. University College of Mälardalen
  35. University College of Opera
  36. University of Gävle
  37. University of Gothenburg
  38. University of Skövde
  39. University West
  40. Uppsala University
  41. Växjö University

International study in Sweden


Why study abroad in Sweden?


Sweden has a reputation for being an expensive country to live in, and when it comes to food and alcohol it certainly lives up to the stereotype. But in terms of education, the country is at the other end of the spectrum.

  • Sweden has 53 universities and university colleges and tuition is free for EU students, although fees have recently been introduced for non-EU students.
  • Given the country was the birthplace of the world’s most prestigious award, the Nobel Prize, it should hardly come as a surprise that its universities are well-regarded. At number 71, Lund University is the country's highest rated institution in the 2012 QS World University Rankings, followed by Uppsala University at 81.
  • There are a large number of programmes taught in English, both at Master’s and Bachelor’s level. Study in Sweden provides a searchable database of all English-language courses.

Read Alice's story about leaving the UK to study in Sweden


Entry and visa regulations


EU students do not require a visa to study in Sweden.


  • You must register with the Migration Board within three months of arriving in the country, providing evidence of your enrolment in an institution and access to funds to support your stay. 
  • University Admissions is the centralised application portal through which university places are administered. To apply for a place in a standard autumn intake, you need to apply in the January admissions round. The deadline for the autumn 2013 intake is January 15, 2013.

Funding your study


  • Although tuition costs are free, there is a small compulsory registration fee of about £25 payable to the student union each semester.
  • Maintenance loans in Sweden are usually only available to those who’ve moved to the country permanently for some reason other than study; if you’ve moved to Sweden just to take a course you won’t be eligible for financial aid.

Accommodation can be difficult to arrange before you arrive, although there are a number of student housing companies looking after each university.


  • Once you’ve registered with a student housing provider, rooms are usually allocated on a queue system, so the longer you’ve been on the waiting list, the greater your chance of finding a room.
  • Many students stay in hostels when they first arrive and then seek out more permanent accommodation in private rooms or houseshares.

According to Eurostat data published earlier this year, Sweden is the second most expensive country in the European Union, with goods and services costing 28% more than the EU average. As a guide, average costs include:


  • A pint of local beer: £5
  • Cappuccino at a café: £3
  • Monthly gym membership: £30
  • Inexpensive meal in a restaurant: £10
  • One litre of milk: £0.75
  • Local bus fare (student price): £2
  • Kilogram of cheese: £8

Many students work part-time to help cover living costs. A 2009 study found that six out of every 10 university students had a part-time job.


  • EU students don’t require any additional permission to seek employment, although be prepared for fierce competition for jobs from other students. It is much harder to find employment if you can’t speak any Swedish.

Health and safety


Healthcare in Sweden is subsidised by the government but is not free at the point of use as it is with the NHS.


  • UK students with a European Health Insurance Card will be entitled to access the Swedish healthcare system the same way as nationals, but there is a fee to access most services. This varies between areas, but will typically involve paying £15-£20 to see a doctor at a GP practice or accident and emergency service. There is a yearly cap and once you hit that level, further visits are free. Treatment is free for those aged under 20.
  • Sweden is generally considered a very safe country, although pickpocketing and bag-snatching is a risk in some of the larger cities.

Helpful links


For more information, see Study in Sweden.





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