It is a big step to study abroad, and the options are nearly limitless. So what makes Sweden stand out as a study destination? What makes it so different from other countries that you could go to? Why would you want to go there as opposed to other countries? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular reasons for people to study in Sweden.

You can learn teamwork in a way that is unique to Sweden
Studying in Sweden is unique, and you will not find an experience like it anywhere else in the world. Swedish educational institutions provide an exciting as well as open environment, with a strong focus on cooperation. This will give you valuable skills that you cannot find at other universities across the world. The global job market rewards ambitious, innovative and perceptive team players, and you will be able to show that you are a team player because of the education that you get there. You will also learn techniques for working in a team that you may have never considered had you studied somewhere else that encouraged individuality over teamwork.

Swedish Universities have some of the best Advanced Degree Programs in the world
Swedish master’s degree program offer unique opportunities to turn theory into practice. Many programs also work closely with the industry, offering students the possibility to combine study and practical work. You can take internships, apprenticeships, and even work part time in fields that are related to your Advanced degree studies. That means that you will get both the hands on experience and the ability to apply what you are learning to what you are doing. Knowing how to turn theory into practice can give you distinct advantages over your peers when you go into the workforce upon completing your degree.

You can discover your strengths and reach your fullest potential
Swedish universities will encourage their students to work on your strengths and talents, instead of thwarting creativity. The knowledge system is student-centric and your work with your teachers is usually informal, as opposed to the more formal “student/master” feel that you may get in other situations. Most professors go by their first names, instead of their titles. This is likely due to the egalitarian culture that they hold close, which means that they don’t hold themselves over anyone, but see everyone as equal. Because of this, they value initiative and independent thinking. You are at the center of your education, not some cut and dry educational system that only exists to force you to meet standards. You take an active role in the process.
Sweden is diverse and embraces diversity
Swedes actually pride themselves in speaking two or more languages. Almost every Swede that you will meet speaks English, Swedish, and usually a couple more languages from some of the other counties in the European Union (German and French are popular). Many of the companies in Sweden will work in English, many universities offer courses in English, and you will hear many Swedes use English in everyday conversation. Because of the sheer number of innovative companies in Sweden, there are people from around the world in the country on a daily basis. So, as a Free Mover or Exchange Student, you will feel like you fit right in because everyone is just as different as you may feel. The neat thing about the diversity in Sweden, however, is that no matter how many different people may come in and out of the country; Sweden does not lose its cultural identity. The longer you stay in the country, the more you will come to appreciate that trait.

As you can see, there are literally dozens of reasons for you to consider studying in Sweden. And these aren’t even the only ones that you should be considering! If you think you’re ready to start your journey toward studying in Sweden, make sure to keep looking around this site. We have tons of resources that you can use in order to help you make your decisions and so that you find the university that is right for you. So come on, check out what Sweden has in store for you and your future.

Undergraduate Studies in Sweden:

Nearly all basic (bachelor’s level) students from other countries start their studies in Sweden as exchange students; the university that they attend in their home country likely has a contract that has a Swedish agreement, either as part of a plan throughout the European Union or through an alternative plan that allows exchange students. Some students come to Sweden to study for their bachelor’s degree as free movers, but the acceptance rate seems to be quite limited. Mindful organizing, great academics qualifications, private finances and also solid enthusiasm are essential to being accepted, just like if or when you were looking to be accepted at other universities. Always plan ahead of time and also be sure to schedule sufficient time to fill out the appropriate applications and to allow you to be accepted and start your visa process before your time gets too cramped. We discuss all of this in more detail on our How to Apply page.

An increasing number of bachelor’s programs are actually offered in the English language in order to make them available to people from around Europe and the rest of the world. That’s not to say that a programs involve a good amount of Swedish as well, but English is viewed as a more “universal” language and therefore its use is more accepted and even encouraged. We discuss those options in our Swedish and English section. Universities may also require verification regarding English proficiency, such as the TOEFL exam or another type of exam.

Following secondary education programs, which we discuss in our education system section, students can apply for tertiary education at a university or another institution of higher education. Standard academics degrees are offered through public universities, even though there are a few smaller universities that are funded at the private level. Other than basic academics degrees, Bachelor’s level programs throughout Sweden deliver a number of vocational and professional degrees in a number of different fields. There are hundreds of undergraduate programs that you may pursue.

There are two main types of undergraduate education that you can receive while in Sweden
University degree
University degree, equivalent to an “associate’s degree” in other countries, which takes anywhere from one year to two years. This usually includes vocational schooling past the secondary level, and professional programs that only take about a year or so to complete. If you are looking to obtain professional skills without all of the time required for a full Bachelor’s level degree, then you are likely seeking a University degree. A number of Swedish universities offer many of these as a part of their course offerings.

Bachelor’s level degree
Bachelor’s level degree, which takes 3 years (depending on your enrollment and your circumstances). These are more academically based degrees, but they provide you with education that can take you into the work force or that can prepare you for higher education at the post graduate level. Bachelor’s level degrees often have more theory than practice, but in certain cases, you will get a lot of hands-on experience while earning your Bachelor’s level degree. It all depends on the school that you attend and the program that you are pursuing.

Cost of Living in Sweden:
One of the most important things that you need to ask yourself before studying abroad in any country is how much it’s going to cost you to live there. In this section, we’re going to explore some of the things that could affect the cost of living while you are in Sweden, and how you can plan for that properly. All of the numbers in this section are going to be in the Swedish Krona (SEK), but you can use a conversion calculator to help you get an idea of how these numbers convert to the currency that you are used to in your home country.

Here is a general idea of a standard student budget in Sweden. All of these are per month, as opposed to yearly.

Food: Approximately SEK 2000 per month.
Accommodation: Anywhere from SEK 2000 to SEK 4500 per month, depending on where you live. Follow the link to learn more about finding accommodations in Sweden.
Medical care: SEK 250
Leisure and Travel: SEK 1200
Utilities (if applicable): SEK 500-800 depending on your living circumstances. If you live in a dormitory, you can
That doesn’t include any tuition fees or anything else that may come up, making that budget somewhere between SEK 6000 and SEK 9250, depending on where you live and what you will be doing while you are studying in Sweden.
So where do these numbers come from? The numbers will vary depending on exactly what part of Sweden you are living and studying in, but you can get a basic idea on the cost of living from several websites. Here are some of the numbers that you will be looking at.

Sit down dinner: SEK 100 to 150; lunch is cheaper, from SEK 55 to 85. Doesn’t include beverages.
Alcoholic beverage: SEK 40 (beer) to SEK 75 (wine)
Coffee: SEK 30
Soda or water bottle: SEK 15
Monthly transportation pass: SEK 700
1 liter of gasoline: SEK 14 to 15
Electricity: SEK 500/month
Internet and phone: SEK 200/month
Other utilities (depending on the flat you are in): SEK 100 to 300/month
Of course, these costs are going to vary depending on what you do and what you don’t do while you’re in the country. You can live there on a very limited budget if you want to, but that means that you will have less money to enjoy your time in Sweden.

Learning how to budget is a big part of adulthood, and studying overseas can help you to learn quite quickly. Sit down and use a spreadsheet or a budgeting program to determine what your monthly costs will be, and then start to figure out how you are going to meet those monthly costs. Make sure to put a little spending money in there as well, since you will want to enjoy some fun with the friends that you are going to make while you are there. This guide can actually help you a lot as you are figuring out your budget and finances, and it will help you determine exactly what you need to enjoy your time studying abroad, instead of stressing over it.