Applying for a Master’s degree in Sweden (2024)

Applying for a Master’s degree in Sweden (2024)

Sweden, in Northern Europe, is a popular destination for international students looking to get a Master’s degree in English. Expect high-quality education at its universities - many of which rank among the best in the world - with a high quality of life in a welcoming and inclusive society.

At Swedish universities, you’ll find Master’s programmes both 1 and 2 years long, with many universities offering subjects as both versions. Upon completion, most Master’s programs in Sweden lead to a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MSc) degree.

Find a Master in Sweden

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Find a master’s programme in Sweden 🔍

   There are nearly 1,000 Master’s programmes in Sweden that are completely taught in English. Find yours today!

2. Investigate your tuition fees 💸

   Before you submit your application, it’s important to know if you have to pay tuition fees, and if so, how much it will cost.

   For citizens of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, or Nordic countries, higher education in Sweden is tuition-free - there are no fees.

   For citizens of other countries, fees typically range between 80,000 and 250,000 SEK per year (ca. €8,000-€25,000).

3. Prepare your application 📝

   All universities in Sweden manage applications for Master’s programmes through a central portal, Universityadmissions.se. On that platform you can pick multiple programmes to apply to. To prepare your application, you’ll need a number of documents, for example:

   • Your high school diploma or equivalent
   • Proof of previous studies (such as a Bachelor’s degree certificate) that qualify you for your chosen programme(s)
   • Proof of English proficiency (if your school or Bachelor’s degree are not already sufficient)
   • Documents for any programme-specific entry requirements

   If you’re applying to multiple Masters at the same time, be aware that you may have to rank them by your own preference. This is important: You will only receive one offer in the end. If you qualify for your own first choice, it’s that one; if not that, then the second choice etc. So it matters a lot in which order you rank the Masters!

4. Submit your application before the deadline 📅

   Once you’ve chosen all Masters, it’s time to apply. Sweden has two separate application rounds for an autumn semester start:

   • The first application round usually opens mid-October the year before the start of studies and closes  in mid-January; the next deadline is 16 January 2024. You then usually have two weeks to upload all missing documents (if you haven’t already). If you’re not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you now also have to pay the application fee of 900 SEK (ca. €90). The one-time fee covers all applications. Results from the first application round will be sent in the end of March.
   • There is also a second round that opens in mid-March and closes in mid-April, with results being published in mid-July. This round is mostly for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens because others won’t have time to get a residence permit in time. However, even if you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, it’s strongly recommended that you already apply in the first round to improve your chances of admission.
   • Very few programmes are also offered for a spring semester start. In this case, the two application rounds are usually from early June to mid-August, and from mid-September to mid-October.

5. Learn about scholarships in Sweden 🤝

   There are scholarships available in Sweden to cover tuition fees fully or partially. Ask the universities you’re interested in to learn about your options. Through the Swedish Institute, students from select countries might also access government scholarships for living costs, but these are very competitive and hard to get. Almost all scholarships are only available to students who are required to pay tuition fees and not those that can study tuition-free.

6. Apply for a student visa for Sweden 🛂

   EU/EEA/Nordic citizens don’t need any visa or residence permit to study in Sweden.

   Citizens of other countries generally need a student residence permit and in some cases a visa to enter the country. You’ll have to apply for the permit or visa after being accepted to a Swedish university and will have to prove that you can support yourself financially during your studies. Consult the university admissions staff or the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) to find out what your next steps are.

7. Find accommodation in Sweden 🏠

   Student housing in Sweden is generally arranged separately from the university, but most universities have at least a small housing team to help international students. Through them, you can expect to find a student room in a corridor with a shared kitchen, or a room in a shared students apartment. You can also try to find a room or apartment to rent in the private market. In many cities in Sweden, it’s quite a challenge to find accommodation, so make sure to start your search as early as possible. Use resources offered by the university/universities you’re interested in, and ask them for advice.

8. Plan your trip to Sweden 🧳

   Time to plan your move to begin your study-abroad adventure! If you’re already in Scandinavia or Germany, travelling by train might be an option; or bus, with a smaller budget. The main airport hubs are Stockholm or Copenhagen (in Denmark - but the best-connected airport to reach the South of Sweden), with more airports in smaller cities across the country.

Ready to study in Sweden?

Find the right Master’s degree now