Study in Sweden

Sweden—the country with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains—has emerged as a top study abroad destination among international students in India. Political chaos in the USA and the UK’s turbulent Brexit have made a major chunk of international students look at Sweden as a viable study abroad location.

However, one of the many challenges of studying in Sweden is the high cost of living and education. But international students need not worry! As of now, education loans for studying in Sweden and scholarships can ease this expense burden. Following are the other perks that can amp up the ROI after studying in Sweden.

• GDP Annual Growth Rate in Sweden averaged 2.26% from 1982 until 2022, reaching an all-time high of 10.00% in the second quarter of 2021.
• As per the QS World University Ranking 2023, Sweden’s 8 universities rank among the other 1,422 worldwide.
• As per the QS Best Student City Ranking 2023, Sweden’s 2 cities (Stockholm and Gothenburg) rank among the other 140 global cities.

It is noteworthy that Sweden’s education system includes various benefits for international students. But; however tempting the education may sound, before making your decision, it is important to have an in-depth understanding of a country’s top universities, admissions process, scholarship options, cost of living, etc.

NCC Global is here to guide you throughout the Sweden study abroad process. However, before connecting with NCC Global counselors to take expert and personalised guidance on the Sweden admissions process, go through the below-mentioned critical information.

Top Universities in Sweden as per QS World University Rankings 2023

• KTH Royal Institute of Technology, #89
• Lund University, #95
• Chalmers University of Technology, #125
• Uppsala University, #128
• Stockholm University, #153
• University of Gothenburg, #185
• Linkoping University, #320
• Umea University, #369

Top Cities to Study in Sweden as per QS Best Student Cities 2023

• Stockholm, #21
• Gothenburg, #53

Types of Degree Programs in Sweden

The country offers various degree programs like bachelors, MS, MBA, etc. Let’s get detailed insights about these and more.

Intakes in Sweden

Unline the Indian universities, the Sweden universities, b-schools, and colleges offer 2 intakes:/p>

Cost of Studying in Sweden

Cost of studying mainly includes the tuition fees for Sweden universities and the cost of living. The average cost of living for an international student in Sweden is 1250 EUR per month, whereas the average tuition fee is 1200-700 EUR per month. NCC Global counselor’s have estimated these costs for an international student as follows:

Next, a study abroad aspirant also needs to fulfil the basic admission requirements in Sweden.

Admission Requirements

Go through this list of requirements to pursue higher education in Sweden.

1. Bachelor’s Requirement:

The requirements for a bachelor’s program in a Swedish university are pretty simple and straightforward.

• The student should have graduated high school with 60% marks and must be 18 or above before enrolling in a degree program.
• They should have proof of English proficiency. Note that the English language general requirements are studies equivalent to Swedish upper secondary English Course 6.
• This means that international aspirants need to take an internationally recognized English proficiency test like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc, and make sure it meets the requirements for the course and university they are applying to.
• Students must have completed courses in mathematics subjects equal to the level of maths taught at Swedish universities, which is approximately 10 years of mathematics study.

2. Masters requirements:

Entry requirements for applying for a master’s degree from a Swedish university are as follows:

• The student must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognized university/ college or a degree equal to the Swedish Kandidatexamen.
• They must showcase English proficiency by getting a good IELTS or TOEFL score.

3. PhD Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements for a PhD from a Swedish university are as follows:

• The previous degree completed i.e. bachelor’s or diploma, must be in the same field of study.
• The study abroad applicant must also submit the thesis prepared in the previous degree as part of the admission application.
• PhD courses might require proficiency in both English and Swedish since some seminars could be conducted in Swedish as part of the curriculum.

Now you know that Sweden’s education has many requirements. Still, why do international candidates choose Sweden for their higher education? Let’s check the perks of Sweden as a study-abroad destination.

Why Study in Sweden?

Following are the topmost reasons to pick Sweden as a study-abroad destination:

1. Internationally Renowned Education System
The quality and global standing of the Swedish education system need no explanation or proof as it is consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. Pursuing education or a degree from one of Sweden’s fine institutions would be an excellent addition to any student’s academic CV.

Further, international aspirants can consider choosing Uppsala University, the oldest university in Nordic countries. However, if making it in the big city is one’s dream, students can study abroad in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, at Stockholm University.

2. Growing Student Life
Sweden has an interesting, progressive, culturally enhancing, and unique student life. Its largest student population can be found in Uppsala and Lund city, where student nations and organisations responsible for organising student events are plentiful. Each city in Sweden has its own vibe where new international students can meet and socialise with their fellow students.

Furthermore, students in Sweden get a chance to learn about plentiful and varied cultures. Who does not want to know about the Flogsta scream? Every night at 10 PM, Uppsala’s Flogsta neighbourhood students gather to let out a collective scream into the night. It may sound strange to newbies, but it’s considered one of many examples of students coming together to support each other in need and have fun.

3. No Language Barrier
Even though the official language of Sweden is Swedish—a rich and beautiful language—in 2017, Sweden citizen’s ranked 2nd in the world for their skills in English as a second language. Sweden offers an excellent location and faculty to learn and develop your English language skills. The country understands that the world is becoming increasingly connected, and businesses seek to expand beyond national and linguistic boundaries.

Furthermore, a study abroad experience in Sweden would be the best opportunity to learn Swedish. Spoken by nearly 10 million people, the Swedish language shares many similarities to English, and by knowing some, it would become much easier for students to immerse themselves in new cultural surroundings.

4. Prime Location
Once coming to an international country, every student looks forward to exploring new places/ destinations. Central to Scandinavia and close to central mainland Europe, Sweden is considered a prime hub for a European adventure. There are various locations throughout Europe that can be booked through one of Sweden’s 10 international airports or via a train system at cheap prices.

5. Opportunity to Enjoy the Swedish Way of Life
Lagom, the Swedish ethos of “just enough” infiltrates all aspects of life, from their education life balance to holidays to traditions. It is not a surprise that the furniture retailer IKEA has made Swedish design famous, which relies so heavily on minimalism and functionality.

Together, these views on life explain Swedish society’s belief in consensus and equality among individuals. As an international student, one can find life in Sweden incredibly structured and flexible. Therefore, the nation highly focuses on work-life balance that values the individual’s right to live happily.

6. Beautiful Nature
Whether we talk about the cosmic wonders of the Northern lights or the endless summer days, Sweden’s geographic locations create a perfect environment for a peaceful outing. Sweden believes in the concept of “freedom to roam”, allowing the general public to access almost all public land for recreational purposes.

So whether you look forward to enjoying camping, skiing, ice skating, hiking, or fishing, Sweden offers limitless opportunities for international students to explore these exciting activities.

7. A Rich History
From the Vikings to Abba, Sweden has contributed immensely to the history books. Also, the Swedes are not shy about celebrating these little victories. Through numerous museums and festivals, the historical contribution of Sweden is accessible and championed throughout the country. International students can explore these events and improve their knowledge about the country’s culture and history.

Nonetheless, many museums in Sweden offer free entrance on a regular basis or on specially marked days throughout the year. Besides, there is typically a steep discount for international students (if a fee is charged for a particular museum/event). Depending on your study area, some students can get free passes to museums. So by the time one leaves Sweden, one will be amazed how this land of Vikings is among the most peaceful and fair societies in the modern world.

8. Home to International Business
For students seeking internships or work experience, look no further than Sweden’s internationally-renowned businesses like Ericsson, Spotify, H & M, etc. Students can find the head offices of these companies to initiate the interview process. If you find yourself studying on Sweden’s west coast, you can get the opportunity to visit Volvo’s head office in Gothenburg and share your CV/Resume.

Unlike other international countries like the UK, USA, and Canada, Sweden does not impose any official limitations on the hours a student can work while pursuing their course. Therefore, it is easy for international students to find job prospects in Sweden that can turn into lifelong careers.

9. The Joy of Fika
Life in Sweden is hardly based on working all day and complete year. Fika is a social institution in Sweden that pervades every Swede’s personal and professional life. Under this, the Swedes can take a moment to enjoy sweets over a cup of coffee and socialise. However, it’s much more than a coffee break; a chance for you to relax and chat with your loved ones. Consequently, no student can go too long without falling in love with the tradition, group get-togethers, meetings, and dates organised around taking a Fika in Sweden.

10. A Challenge Worth Taking
No matter the destination you choose for pursuing your abroad education, the process can seem intimidating and strenuous. However, the benefits of studying abroad in Sweden are guaranteed over the years to make the challenge worthwhile.

Therefore, as an international student in Sweden, you can expect to be treated equally and fairly by the citizens, teachers, and fellow students.

Even though challenging at times, all of the aforementioned points go far to explain why one should choose Sweden as a study abroad destination. Further, NCC Global counselors can guide you throughout the study abroad process and on how to avail of these benefits.

Top Job Opportunities in Sweden

The highest-paid (other) Sweden sector is Financial Services professionals with a salary of kr920,000 annually. The lowest-paid other Sweden sector is Programme & Project Management professionals at a salary of kr372,000. The best-paying company in the (other) Sweden sectors is IKEA, offering an average salary of kr630,000 annually.

Next, a few top recruiters in Sweden are:

• IKEA
• ABB
• Volvo

Scholarships in Sweden

Sweden offers various scholarships to international students to cut down their out-of-pocket costs/ liabilities like loans, etc. Let’s check the top scholarships in Sweden.

Get a detailed understanding of all these aspects or more by connecting with NCC Global counselors. This best study abroad consultant in Chandigarh will provide you with personalised advice on university selection, admissions application, loan/scholarship application, visa application, forex services, and preparation of aptitude tests like IELTS, GRE, GMAT, etc.