Tuition Free Universities in Sweden: APPLYING FOR A STUDY IN SWEDEN IS NOW

The application period has begun

by: Studyinsweden.se

Are you applying for master’s level studies in Sweden for the academic year 2010-2011? We have compiled the things you need to know.

A large number of courses and study programs at Swedish universities and university colleges are accessible to international students. For bachelor’s level and master’s level studies you need to apply via www.studera.nu. For studies at doctoral level you apply directly to your chosen university.
The application period for 2010 has begun. Photo: Håkan Lindgren/Image Bank Sweden

The application period for 2010 has begun. Photo: Håkan Lindgren/Image Bank Sweden

Photo: Håkan Lindgren/Image Bank Sweden
Applying to a master’s program can seem overwhelming, so we’ve broken the process down into five steps:

1: Find your program

The first step to applying for a master’s program is finding the perfect one. You can search database of around 600 master’s programs (and 35 bachelor’s level programs) given in English HERE. Bear in mind that the database is updated continuously and that not all programs are available in the database already on December 1.

2: Apply

Once you’ve identified which program/s you’d like to apply for, use the application instructions available at www.studera.nu. Studera.nu is a central application service where you can apply for up to four different master’s programs at different universities around Sweden with just one application.
Note that each program has a special application code which you must use in the application to ensure that you apply to the correct program. You can find each program’s code at www.studera.nu or, usually, in the program description at the university's homepage.
The master's degree programs will be open for registration from December 1, 2009, and the application deadline for most programs is January 15, 2010.
Please note that a few universities (mainly in the field of fine arts) may have different deadlines and application procedures. Additionally, some programs have specific entry requirements which applicants also need to satisfy. If that is the case, the application process should be explained in the program description.

3: Wait to receive notification of acceptance

After the deadline passes, your application will undergo a selection procedure determined by the individual school and based on various criteria, such as grades obtained and results of previous courses and degree projects. All of these will influence the outcome of your application.
The decision on whether to accept an applicant rests with the institutions themselves.

4: Apply for a visa/residence permit

As the application process for visas and residence permits can be lengthy, you should apply as soon as you have received notification of your acceptance! Note: students from the Nordic countries and the EU/EEA DO NOT need to apply for residence permits, but must (in the case of a non-Nordic EU citizenship) register with the Swedish Migration board upon arrival.
Generally speaking, in order to obtain a visa/residence permit for studies you will need to show that you:

have been accepted onto a full-time program of study
can support yourself financially throughout the entire period of study (you must show proof that you have access to or funding of SEK 7300 per month of your stay)
are covered by health insurance that is valid in Sweden if you plan to study for less than one year

Specific information about application for student visas and residence permits, as well as application forms, can be found at the Swedish Migration Board.

5: Come to Sweden

Once you’ve been accepted on a program and your visa/residence permit has been processed, check out our guide to living in Sweden for information on how to prepare for your stay. Your university’s international office can also offer tips and advice.

Tuition fees & scholarships

With a few exceptions, tuition fees in higher education in Sweden are currently fully subsidized by the government. This applies to both foreign and Swedish students. However, the Swedish government is currently looking into a proposal that tuition fees should be introduced for students from countries outside of EU/EEA starting 2011/2012. The proposal also includes an expanded scholarship system, offering additional scholarship opportunities for applicants from these countries.
Under the proposal, students that have started a course or study program before the introduction of tuition fees would not be charged tuition fees for the duration of course or study program in question. This information will be updated and supplemented when the proposal is introduced formally by the Swedish government.

Helpful links

How to apply (information at Studera.nu)
Application procedure (information at Studera.nu)
Application deadlines (information at Studera.nu)
Entrance requirements (information at Studera.nu)

Please note that the Swedish Institute/Studyinsweden.se is not responsible for university or visa/residence permit applications. With specific questions about these areas, or other questions relating to a specific course or program, please contact the relevant agency or university, as we are unable to help with these queries.

Printable Downloads Of Study in Sweden Infomation

Study in Sweden 2009 (PDF, 4.79 MB); a brochure outlining the highlights of studying in Sweden and providing an overview of the English-language master’s degree programs offered by Swedish universities.
Contract training brochure (PDF, 344 KB); brochure with an overview of opportunities for purchasing contract training from Swedish universities.
The Changing Face of Higher Education in Sweden (PDF, 474 KB); a summary of how higher education in Sweden is organized and how it is changing.
Handbook for Postgraduate Students (external HTML link)

Where Sweden excels

Independent thinking is encouraged

Sweden has a student-centric educational system, with open, informal relations between students and teachers, where personal initiative and critical thought are prized. Teaching is often done in small groups, which encourages dialogue and collaboration, and teachers are accessible outside lecture hours. This informal atmosphere is designed to promote social as well as intellectual development.

Close cooperation between industry and academia

Many programs offer close coorperation between academia and industry, giving you a distinct advantage over your peers when entering the job market.

Standards are high...

Swedish universities are renowned for their investigative research and independent thinking, and this reputation is cemented with nationally certified degrees and rigorous quality control. Sweden has one of the most ambitious educational evaluation programs in the world, aimed at maintaining the system’s competitive edge. All education standards are assessed and maintained by the National Agency for Higher Education and by the institutions themselves.

… and they go way back

Sweden has a long and proud history of academic excellence, with outstanding universities dating back to the 15th century. Sweden is also the home of the Nobel Prize, the world’s most prestigious academic distinction.

Nimble and flexible

Swedish universities are independent authorities. This makes them nimble and flexible, able to quickly offer new courses that answer to the changing needs of students and labor markets. The result is an internationally relevant array of courses to choose from.

Strong links to research

Sweden is one of the world's most committed investors in basic research; spending in the field of research amounts to 3.83% of GDP (2006), which is the highest number of all OECD countries. What further distinguishes Sweden is the high proportion of university-based research, which makes possible a strong connection between research and education. Lecturers are encouraged to pursue research and to continuously develop their skills, while professors regularly teach - even at introductory levels.

Democratic

Student input is unusually strong in Sweden. Universities are obliged to conduct student evaluations after every course. This tends to produce results. Often, a lecturer will begin a course by saying, “The following changes have been implemented this year: ...” Students, by law, are represented on all university decision-making bodies.

High proportion of adult-students — life-long learning

The large proportion of adult students makes university environments refreshingly ageless. Everyone, regardless of age, can feel at home at a Swedish university. Many students are professionals or have left behind one career and are preparing for the next one.

High proportion of women

Sixty percent of university students are women. Egalitarian aims are rewarded: the National Agency of Higher Education annually awards a prize to the university that best promotes equality. Among teachers, men still dominate, but the proportion of female instructors and professors is growing.

Many students from abroad

Many students studying in Sweden come from abroad – approximately 20% of new students – making Sweden one of the world’s most inclusive countries for education. There are now PhD candidates from some 80 countries working towards their degrees in Sweden. Sweden’s educational policy is based on the recognition that a multicultural student body is a resource. There are services designed to make guest students feel at home.

English is spoken by all

Almost all Swedes speak fluent English. Many Swedish companies use English as their official working language. International students find that this prevalence of English makes adapting to their new surroundings all the easier.

Tuition Free Universities in Sweden

APPLYING FOR A STUDY IN SWEDEN IS NOW