Sweden, with its high-quality education system and internationally recognized universities, is a prime destination for international students. The country boasts numerous higher education institutions, offering over hundreds of Master's programs in English across numerous fields.

Sweden's academic and social culture is known for its focus on independent research and critical thinking, attracting a large number of international students each year.

Master's degree in Sweden: a quick intro

Swedish Master's programs are renowned for their innovative approach and academic excellence, offering a broad spectrum of specializations to meet your diverse academic interests and career goals.

These programs, typically spanning one to two years, perfectly balance advanced theoretical knowledge with practical implementation, ensuring you acquire in-depth understanding and hands-on skills.

How long is a Master's study in Sweden for international students?

A Master's degree in Sweden generally takes one to two years to complete. Most Master's programs in Sweden are two years long, but many universities offer one-year programs for international students.

This duration can vary based on whether you choose a full-time, part-time, or an accelerated study track.

Why study in Sweden?

Sweden is increasingly acknowledged as a prime destination for international students.

It consistently features among the top choices for study abroad destinations, known for its high-quality education and innovative learning environment.

It's a popular choice for international students due to hundreds of available Master's programs in English.

Why pursue a Master in Sweden?

• Educational innovation: Swedish universities are known for their forward-thinking educational methods and research-led teaching.
• Career opportunities: A degree from a Swedish university is highly regarded internationally.
• Scholarship availability: Sweden offers various scholarships specifically for international students.
• Connections with industry and research: With strong ties to the industry, Sweden provides excellent opportunities for research and practical learning.
• Wide range of programs: With numerous programs across various fields, Sweden provides ample choices to align with your academic and professional goals.

How to choose the right Master in Sweden

Navigating through the selection of the perfect Master's program in Sweden, given its extensive range of universities and courses, can seem daunting. However, it can be broken down into a few structured, though challenging, steps.

Step 1: Define your goals and plans

Reflect on your interests, strengths, and long-term career aspirations.

• Which academic field interests you the most?
• What career outcomes do you anticipate from your Master's degree in Sweden?

Step 2: Conduct thorough research

• University-industry collaborations: Look for Swedish universities that have partnerships with leading corporations and research institutes, offering valuable networking opportunities and early career prospects.
• Relevance of curriculum: Ensure the program’s curriculum aligns with your career goals, including opportunities for research or internships.
• Faculty expertise: Investigate the expertise and accomplishments of the faculty in your desired field, including their research, publications, and mentorship opportunities.
• Program accreditation: Check for accreditation and student testimonials to gauge the program's quality and reputation.

Step 3: Organize your findings

Organize your findings in a list or a spreadsheet, noting down the key aspects of potential universities and their programs:

• Tuition fees
• Scholarship opportunities: Note the availability of financial aid and scholarships.
• Application deadlines
• Application requirements: Consider language proficiency requirements, course prerequisites, and degree requirements.
• Program highlights: Look for unique courses, facilities, evaluation methods, and opportunities for internships or exchange programs.
• Application fees: Include this information if applicable.

How to apply for a Master’s degree in Sweden

Step 1: Gather documents

Applying for a Master's degree in Sweden involves a detailed process, requiring several important documents.

While the requirements may vary by university, international students should prepare the following key documents:

• Academic transcripts: Get official transcripts from your undergraduate degree, which show your course and grade information.
  • The Swedish kandidatexamen is the degree received after completing studies at the Bachelor's level.
  • You'll need an equivalent of kandidatexamen to apply for Master's studies.
• Personal statement: Craft a personal statement to showcase your motivation and suitability for the Swedish Master's program.
• Letters of recommendation:
  • Swedish universities often require recommendation letters that endorse your academic abilities and potential.
  • Give your referees enough time to write meaningful recommendations.
  • Provide enough details on the specific program or major for which you're applying.
• Academic CV/Resume: Create a detailed resume that includes your educational background, work experience, research projects, publications, certifications, and other skills relevant to the Master's program.
• Proof of language proficiency:
  • Non-native Swedish/English speakers may need to provide proof of language proficiency.
  • For English, IELTS or TOEFL are the most common.
  • There are lots of ways of learning Swedish.
  • Check the language requirements and minimum score thresholds for your chosen program.

How to stand out in your application

Here are some tips to make your application stand out:

• Be concise: Limit your resume and personal statement to one page each (500-700 words for the personal statement), unless otherwise specified.
• Tailor your application: Reference specific professors, research projects, or aspects of the Sweden university that align with your interests and goals.
• Highlight your fit for the program: Explain why you are drawn to the specific master's program and your potential contributions to the university's academic community.
• Ask "so what?" often: This helps ensure that every piece of information you include underlines your suitability and commitment to the program.
• Be confident: Highlight your academic achievements, including major projects, awards, or publications relevant to the field.

Step 2: Start applying

Use the right application portal

When applying to Swedish universities for your Master's program, it is crucial to use the correct online application portal:

• If you're an international student, you should apply through universityadmissions.se
• If you're a domestic student, you should apply via antagning.se

Note:

While both of those websites are essentially the same platform, they were separated due to the differences in application processes for domestic and international students.

• International students are students from outside Sweden.
• Domestic students are students who are either

Don't forget the deadlines!

Swedish universities typically have specific deadlines for Master's program applications.

Make sure to note down the specific deadlines for the universities you're interested in.

Ideally, you should submit your application well ahead of the deadline, for a few reasons:

• In case you want to make any last-minute changes
• If the university requests edits to your application (i.e. if the document is poorly scanned, or a transcript wasn't translated)
• To give universities and the Swedish government enough time to process your application
• To prevent program start delays due to larger-than-expected demand

Swedish student visa requirements

EU/​​EEA citi­zens

If you're an EU/​​EEA/Swiss citi­zen, you don't need a student visa or a residence permit to study in Sweden.

If you want to stay in Sweden for more than a year, you will need to be listed in the Swedish Population Register, which is done through the Swedish Tax Agency.

If you want to bring non-EU/EEA family members with you to Sweden, they will need to apply for a residence permit.

Non-EU/​​EEA citi­zens

If you're not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, or a long-term EU resident, you will need a residence permit for higher education in order to legally reside in Sweden during your studies.

To apply for a residence permit to study in Sweden, you must:

• have a passport that will be valid until the end of your studies
• have been admitted to full-time studies at a Swedish university
• have paid the tuition fee of your program
• be able to support yourself during your studies
  • Learn more about the financial requirement below ▼
• have a comprehensive health insurance policy.

You can read more about the requirements and details regarding your residence permit on the Swedish Migration Agency website.

The easiest way to apply for a residence permit is to use the Migration Agency's online portal:

• Residence permit for studies in higher education
• Residence permit for family members of the person studying

You can also check Migration Agency's FAQ page on residence permit for studies, which addresses many common questions that applicants have.

How much does it cost to get a Master's degree in Sweden?

How much does Master's degree cost in Sweden? Here's a breakdown of the main costs you'll encounter:

Note: SI stands for "Swedish Institute"

Tuition fees

You can get a Master's in Sweden for free if you're:

• A Swedish citizen
• A permanent resident in Sweden
• Temporary resident on a non-student visa
• From an EU/EEA member country or Switzerland

If you're an international student from outside of EU/EEA, and don't meet any other tuition fee exemption criteria, you'll most likely have to pay tuition fees.

These fees vary depending on the university and program, with a general range from SEK 80,000 to SEK 140,000 (approximately €7,800 to €13,600) per academic year.

Here's a breaktown of the tuition fees for Master's programs at some of the most popular universities in Sweden:

Note: The numbers above are rough average of costs per academic year - the exact fees may differ depending on the program.

It's vital to check the specific university websites for detailed information on any tuition fees that might apply to your chosen program.

Application fee

Students who don't need to pay for tuition also don't need to pay the application fee.

However, if you're not exempted from paying tuition fees, you'll also need to pay SEK 900 application fee for each semester you submit an application for.

It doesn't matter how many courses or programs you apply for in that semester.

Living expenses

Living costs in Sweden can vary based on the city and your lifestyle.

On average however, international students should budget approximately SEK 8,000 to SEK 11,000 (about €780 to €975) per month.

This estimate includes accommodation, food, local transportation, health insurance, telephone/internet, study materials, and leisure activities.

Living costs

Sweden is above-average in terms of living expenses, which means it can be costly at times - especially for eating out and partying.

We've created a Swedish travel guide, which helps you get a hang of the way transport and travel works in Sweden, as well as how to explore the country relatively cheaply (or completely free!).

Check out the Sweden travel guide →

Health insurance

If you're coming to Sweden to get a Master's degree, you won't need to get a health insurance as you'll be registered at Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency), and thus eligible for public healthcare.

However, if you were a tuition-paying student coming to study a course that's less than 3 months long, you'll need to get health insurance.

Part-time work in Sweden

For students in Sweden, including EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA citizens, part-time work can be a viable option to support their studies:

• EU/EEA Citizens: There are no official restrictions on the number of hours you can work while studying in Sweden.
• Non-EU/EEA Citizens: You are allowed to work without any official limitation on hours alongside your studies, as long as you maintain your study progress.

Finding a student job

It's important to note that the job market in Sweden is very competitive, especially for roles in English. This means that:

1. You'd have a better chance of landing a job if you learn Swedish
2. Part-time work should act as supplementary income and not the primary source of funding

This is especially true since studies are quite rigorous in Sweden, and universities will expect you to prioritize your degree program over other things.

Where to get a student job

Part-time job opportunities for students in Sweden can be found both on campus and within the local community.

• Swedish universities often have a career services page for job opportunities
• Online job portals like Indeed and StudentJob are also commonly used

Graduate careers in Sweden: jobs in Sweden for English speakers

Upon completing your Master's degree in Sweden, a world of diverse career paths awaits you.

The knowledge, skills, and professional network you've developed during your studies in Sweden will pave the way for a variety of exciting career opportunities.

Here are some potential career directions you might explore:

Pursue a career in academia

With a Swedish Master's degree, you can immerse yourself in the academic sphere, contributing significantly to research in your chosen field.

This path can also serve as a foundation for pursuing a PhD. Swedish universities are often keen on offering teaching and research roles to recent Master’s graduates, providing a platform to continue their academic journey.

Embark on an industry career

The specialized knowledge and advanced skills obtained from your Master's degree in Sweden are in high demand across a range of industries.

Sweden, known for its innovation and high-tech industries, presents numerous opportunities in fields such as engineering, finance, technology, and marketing.

Become an entrepreneur

Your Master's degree from Sweden equips you with the skills necessary to initiate your own business venture or to become a groundbreaking entrepreneur. Sweden's dynamic startup ecosystem, known for its supportive environment for new businesses, provides ample opportunities for funding, mentorship, and participation in incubator programs, helping turn your innovative ideas into successful enterprises.