OVERVIEW
Sweden is one of the Scandinavian countries located in Northern Europe. It is the third largest country in the European Union and has a population of about 9.8 million people. Sweden ranks eighth in world with respect to per capita income, providing a good quality of life and protection of civil liberties for its citizens.
Sweden is considered one of the world’s most innovative nations as it eagerly embraces new technology and provides a fertile ground for new ideas. The country has a digitally well connected economy with the government spending a higher percentage of its GDP on research and development, when compared to other countries.
Why Study in Sweden
Sweden has a lot to offer international students, given its high quality of education and liberal culture. Since the country fosters innovation and technological advancements, it gives students plenty of opportunities to start off their careers on a good foot.
Here are some reasons why students prefer Sweden as their foreign education destination:
- Advanced degree programs offered in Swedish universities.
- Courses that coordinate high end research and practical applications.
- Subsidized tuition costs
- Practical training to help students learn advanced skills.
- Wide availability of student scholarships
- Most popular courses are administered in English so there’s no language barrier.
- IELTs and TOEFL scores are not required for engineers
- Courses designed to challenge students to bring out their true potential.
- A sustainable, environment-friendly lifestyle.
- Diverse culture that grooms students for a global career.
Courses Offered
Sweden offers three levels of higher education in over 50 well recognized institutions. The courses available are:
- Bachelors Degree (3 years)
- Masters Degree (1 to 2 years)
- Doctorate Degree
Courses follow a credit based system, giving students a chance to explore their options and decide how they want to proceed with their education. Most master and doctorate programs also have a close collaboration with the respective industries, so students gain practical expertise during their study.
Education Requirements
The universities typically set different entry requirements for each course, based on the complexity of the course and the ranking of the university. An IELTS or TOEFL score may be required as proof that the student has mastered the English language. Engineering students are given an exemption though, and they don’t have to undertake the IELTS or TOEFL exams.
Cost Of Education
Students will have to be ready to pay an application fee and tuition fee that would vary based on the selected university and specific course. The annual tuition fee alone starts at 10.5 lakh rupees. Students should also be prepared to purchase their course textbooks and other relevant literature.
International students can avail any of the number of scholarship programs that are offered at various universities. These scholarships typically cover their tuition fees and/or living expenses provided they maintain a good academic record. The average living expense for a student comes to about SEK 8000 per month.
Application Procedure
Universities in Sweden have two semesters per year. The Autumn semester starts in August and ends in mid-January, with a short break at the end of December. The Spring semester starts mid-January and goes on till the beginning of June. Major intake of students usually occurs at the beginning of either semester.
Here’s a rundown on how to apply to a university in Sweden:
- Have a sit down with our guidance counsellor and select a course and university that meets the student’s interest.
- Check the course level requirements and ensure they are met.
- Send the application to the university along with supporting documents.
- Once the acceptance letter has been received, send in the confirmation and apply for the student visa.
- When the visa has been approved, finalize the travel dates and book the flight tickets.
Work Rights
Sweden permits students to work for unlimited hours during the course of their study. However, students are required to put in 40 hours coursework per week. This can be spent in the classroom, catching up on course reading or working on assignments related to the course.
Dependents are also allowed to join the student and reside in Sweden for the duration of the course. On successful completion of the course, students can extend their residence permit for six months, and use the time to search for a job or start their own company.
More About Sweden
Sweden permits students to work for unlimited hours during the course of their study. However, students are required to put in 40 hours coursework per week. This can be spent in the classroom, catching up on course reading or working on assignments related to the course.
Dependents are also allowed to join the student and reside in Sweden for the duration of the course. On successful completion of the course, students can extend their residence permit for six months, and use the time to search for a job or start their own company.