Are you an Indian student dreaming of studying abroad?
Imagine yourself in Sweden’s beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and top-notch education system. If you are considering pursuing higher education in Sweden, you have come to the right place.
In this blog, you will understand all the essential aspects of studying in Sweden for Indian students, covering eligibility criteria, tuition fees, the best courses to study in Sweden, the cost of studying in Sweden, and lots more.
Why study in Sweden?
There are so many reasons to study in Sweden as an Indian student; here are some:
- Sweden ranks among the world’s most innovative nations.
- It is clean, safe, and offers a high standard of living.
- The Swedish higher education system is renowned for its quality, and several Swedish universities are ranked among the best universities in the world.
- Sweden offers unlimited part-time work rights to international students.
- After completing your course, you can get a post-study work visa valid for 1 year.
- Numerous degree programs in Sweden also offer well-paid internships you can opt for while graduating.
- You are not required to learn the Swedish language to be admitted to any of the universities.
- IELTS waiver is possible for technical or engineering students.
- Sweden is one of the most sustainable countries in the world in terms of its use of renewable energy. It aims to produce 100% renewable energy by 2040.
Top universities to study in Sweden
Sweden is home to world-class universities, a robust research focus, and a practical learning approach. Sweden offers exciting opportunities for Indian students to pursue education abroad.
Here are some of the top universities to study in Sweden:
Karolinska Institutet (KI)
This university is renowned for its excellence and expertise in medical research and education, and it constantly ranks among the top medical schools globally.
Ranks at 599 in QS Sustainability Rankings and 5 in QS WUR Ranking by subject.
Popular programs for Indian students include Medicine, Dentistry, Public health, and Biomedical Sciences. It offers 1 undergraduate program and 10 postgraduate programs.
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
It is one of the leading technological universities globally, known for its strong industry collaborations and focus on innovation.
This university ranks in the 73rd position as per QS World Rankings 2024. It offers one undergraduate and 95 postgraduate programs; the average tuition fee is SEK 17,100 annually.
Popular programs for Indian students include Computer science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Mechatronics.
Lund University
It is one of Sweden’s largest and oldest universities, offering various programs in various fields.
This university ranks 85th as per QS World University Rankings 2024. It offers ten undergraduate programs and 131 postgraduate programs.
Popular programs for Indian students include Engineering, Economics, Management, Law and Social Sciences.
Uppsala University
This is the Nordic region’s first and oldest university in Sweden. It was founded in 1477 and has a strong reputation in research and training.
This university ranks 105th in QS World University Rankings 2024, 140th as per Times Higher Education, and 82nd in ARWU (Shanghai).
This university is divided into three disciplinary domains:
- Science and Technology
- Medicine and Pharmacy
- Humanities and Social Sciences
Linnaeus University
This university is located in Vaxjo and Kalmar and offers 150 degree programs and 2000 single-subject courses.
You can study different subjects within arts and humanities, health and life sciences, the social sciences, the natural sciences, technology, business, and economics.
University of Skovde
This university commenced in 1977. It is a government agency under the Department of Education.
Skovde is situated in southwestern Sweden between Vanern and Vattern, the country’s two biggest lakes. The region has a rich cultural heritage and many historical tourist attractions.
Best courses to study in Sweden
Sweden is renowned for its vital engineering, technology, and natural sciences programs. However, the country also excels in business, design, and social sciences.
Here is the list of the best courses to study in Sweden:
Bachelor’s Level:
- Business and management
- Game design and graphics
- Energy Transition- Sustainability and Leadership
- Network design and computer management
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Computer Science
Masters Level:
- Engineering management
- Industrial management
- International logistics and supply chain management
- Solar Energy
- Engineering
- Renewable energy production
- Renewable energy production
- International financial analysis
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Sciences
- Business and Management
Eligibility requirements to study in Sweden
For bachelor’s courses
- You should have scored at least 60% in 12th with mathematics as a mandatory subject.
- You should have an IELTS score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5. (Some programs may require a higher overall score of 6.5.)
For master’s courses
- You must have completed 4 or 3 years of bachelor’s degree with 2 years of master’s degree in the relevant study with a minimum of 65%.
- You should have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0(waiver possible for Engineering students).
- GMAT is required for a master’s in business and management, entrepreneurship, accounting and financial management.
How to study in Sweden for free?
While it is not entirely free for non-EU/EEA citizens to study in Sweden, there are specific options to make studying in Sweden more affordable for Indian students. Here is the breakdown:
Free Tuition
- Unfortunately, citizens of the EU/EEA students can apply for tuition-free universities in Sweden and those with a permanent Swedish residence permit.
Reduced Costs
- PhD programs in Sweden are free for all students, regardless of whether you are an EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA student. This includes a living stipend to cover basic expenses.
- It is true that “nothing is free in this world”. The same applies to universities as well. No universities are free of cost; some have lower tuition fees, and some may have higher tuition fees. To study in Sweden, you can opt for affordable universities like Uppsala University, Dalarna University, and Malardalen University College.
Additional strategies
- You can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while studying on a valid visa.
- You can opt for low-cost accommodations like shared apartments or student housing.
- Take education loans or grants from Indian institutions or banks.
Study in Sweden in English
One of the most significant advantages of studying in Sweden is the availability of programs taught entirely in English. This makes it easier for international students to study in Sweden.
Whether you are pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD, you will find a wide range of courses that are taught entirely in the English language.
Get a residence permit to study in Sweden.
If you plan to study in Sweden, you must apply for a residence permit for higher education. Here are some tips on how you can increase your chances of getting a residence permit before your education begins:
- Once you receive your acceptance letter from higher educational institutions, identify whether you must pay the tuition fees.
- The next step is to apply for your residence permit at the Swedish Migration Agency as soon as possible. Applying on time will give the migration agency ample time to process your application.
- The easiest way to apply for your residence permit is to apply through e-service for the residence permit to pursue your higher education, available at the Migration Agency website.
- While applying for your residence permit, use the necessary documentation.
- Also, ensure that your passport is valid and updated as long as you apply for your permit.
Cost of study in Sweden
While the cost of studying in Sweden may seem intimidating at first, there are various ways to manage expenses.
Tuition fees vary depending on the program and university you choose. However, many universities offer scholarships and grants to international students.
The tuition fee for a bachelor’s program in Sweden is SEK 1,45,000 to SEK 2,00,000, approximately INR 11,57,000 to INR 16,00,000.
On the other hand, the tuition fees for the master’s program in Sweden are SEK 1,45,000 to SEK 8,70,000 per year, which is approximately INR 11,57,000 lakhs to INR 70,00,000.
Other expenses
- Living and accommodation (indicative)- SEK 102816
- Airfare to Sweden (Indicative)- SEK 700
- Visa Fees- SEK 1500
Conclusion
Choosing to study in Sweden is an excellent opportunity for Indian students. With its top-notch education system and diverse courses, Sweden provides an enriching experience that extends far beyond the classroom.
