Best Universities in Sweden: Check Rankings, Popular Programs, and Admissions
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Shahid Murshed

Content Writer - Study Abroad

Highlights:

  • Universities: There are a total of 39 universities in Sweden, among which 16 universities are ranked by QS. KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University, and Uppsala University are 3 popular universities in Sweden
  • Popular Streams: Engineering, Business and Economics, and Biology are among the popular streams in Sweden's top universities for international students
  • Intakes: The majority of the Swedish universities have round 1 and round 2 intakes for international students. Classes for Round 1 start in June and classes for Round 2 start in November.
  • Cost of Living: The monthly living costs in Sweden come around in the range of 8,000 to 13,500 SEK. On average, it is 177% higher than in India.
  • Scholarships: Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program, Inlaks Scholarships, and Google Lime Scholarship are popular scholarships to study in Sweden

With over 50 universities and over 2,000 high-tech companies, Sweden is a hub of cutting-edge research and technological advancements. The 8 best universities in Sweden are ranked in the top 300 globally, as per latest QS ranking. These are

  • KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  • Lund University
  • Uppsala University
  • Stockholm University
  • Chalmers University of Technology
  • University of Gothenburg
  • Linköping University
  • Umea University

What is the cost of studying at the top universities in Sweden? The tuition fees vary depending on the level of study and the university you choose. The types of universities in Sweden and their tuition fees are as follows

  • Social Sciences & Humanities Universities: SEK 80,000 – 110,000 per year (6.24 to 8.58 lakhs)
  • Technical & Natural Sciences Universities: SEK 120,000 – 145,000 per year (9.36 to 11.31 lakhs)
  • Architecture & Design Universities: SEK 190,000 – 295,000 per year (14.82 to 23.01 lakhs)

Why Study in Sweden?

Below we have mentioned some of the reasons why you should choose to study in Sweden

  • Universities in Sweden offer many degree courses taught in English. There are about 1,000 English-taught programs offered by universities in the country, so the choice is vast
  • Sweden is an innovation hub with over 50 universities and 2,000 high-tech companies like ABB, Astrazeneca, Ericsson, Minecraft, Skype, and Spotify. These companies create more job opportunities.
  • The Swedish visa fee is 11,676 INR (1,500 SEK) and is cheaper than the USA, UK. USA student visa fee is 15,397 INR and UK student visa fee is 51,833 INR.

Top Universities in Sweden

In Sweden, universities can grant a degree in PhD, whereas, a University College can not without a granted permission from the Swedish Higher Education Authority. Here, we have listed the top 20 universities in Sweden along with their national and global ranking

Good Universities in Sweden National Rank Global Rank
Karolinska Institutet #1 #51 in US News
#50 in THE
Lund University #2 #112 in US News
#106 in THE
Stockholm University #3 #127 in US News
#185 in THE
#118 in QS
Uppsala University #3 #127 in US News
#140 in THE
#105 in QS
University of Gothenburg #5 #146 in US News
#187 in QS
Royal Institute of Technology #6 #240 in US News
#97 in THE
#73 in QS
Linkoping University #7 #330 in US News
#268 in QS
Chalmers University of Technology #8 #337 in US News
#129 in QS
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences #9 #365 in US News
Umea University #10 #366 in US News
#465 in QS
Orebro University #11 #667 in US News
Lulea University of Technology #12 #710 in US News
Jonkoping University #13 #1208 in US News
Karlstad University #14 #1309 in US News
Linnaeus University #15 #1327 in US News
Malmo University #16 #1338 in US News

Best Engineering Universities in Sweden

The best universities in Sweden for engineering are tabulated below with their subject-wise rankings and acceptance rate

Top Engineering Universities in Sweden US News Engineering Rank Acceptance Rate
Royal Institute of Technology #52 40%
Chalmers University of Technology #95 79%
Lund University #163 58%
Linkoping University #260 41%
Lulea University of Technology #286 41%
Uppsala University #447 69%
Malardalen University #501 31%

Best Business Universities in Sweden

Here, we have listed top-ranked best business and economics universities in Sweden.

Top Schools in Sweden US News, Economics and Business Rank Acceptance Rate
Stockholm School of Economics #96 42%
Lund University #110 58%
Linkoping University #118 41%
Stockholm University #136 53%
University of Gothenburg #174 55%
Uppsala University #232 69%

Best Universities in Sweden for Biology and Biochemistry

Some of the best universities in Sweden for natural sciences are tabulated below with their subject ranking and acceptance rates

Top Colleges in Sweden US News, Biology and Biochemistry Rank Acceptance Rate
Karolinska Institutet #24 58%
University of Gothenburg #73 55%
Stockholm University #98 53%
Uppsala University #100 69%
Lund University #109 58%
Royal Institute of Technology #110 41%
Chalmers University of Technology #206 79%
Umea University #253 41%
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences #356 53%

Best Universities in Sweden for MBA

Some of the popular universities in Sweden for MBA programs are as follows

  • Mid Sweden University
  • Stockholm School of Economics
  • Stockholm University
  • University of Gothenburg
  • Lulea University

Sweden Top Universities for International Students for Masters

Bioentrepreneurship, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Data Science are among the popular masters programs in Sweden. Some of the best universities in Sweden for international students are stated below for masters programs

Top Universities in Sweden for MS Popular Program Cut-off
Karolinska Institute MS in Bio entrepreneurship IELTS: 6.5
PTE: 62
KTH Royal Institute of Technology MS in Computer Science PTE: 62
TOEFL: 90
Lund University MS in Data Analytics IELTS: 6.5
PTE: 62
Uppsala University MS in Business and Management IELTS: 7.0
PTE: 68
Stockholm University MA in Organizational Management IELTS: 6.5
PTE: 62
Chalmers University of Technology MS in Data Science TOEFL: 100
University of Gothenburg MS in Applied Data Science IELTS: 6.5
PTE: 62
Linkoping University MS in Statistics and Machine Learning TOEFL: 90
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences M.S Agricultural Food IELTS: 6.5
PTE: 62
Umea University M.A Architecture and Urban Design IELTS score: 6.5
PTE: 62

Admission Requirements for the Best Colleges in Sweden

As you already saw the best schools in Sweden offer many programs in undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels of study. The country has specialized universities in every field. The admission requirements for the top universities in Sweden for international students are stated below

Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree

Successfully completed upper secondary (high school) education

English language proficiency

Successfully completed courses in mathematics to reach the level of the Swedish courses Mathematics 1a, 1b or 1c.
 

A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognized university.

English proficiency in IELTS, TOEFL 
 

A bachelor’s degree or higher with a focus on the same subject

A master degree is required by majority of the best uni in Sweden

Previous studies must have included a degree thesis of independent research

English proficiency in IELTS, and TOEFL. Skills in Swedish are also important for some subjects

Documents Required for Sweden's Best Universities

For admission to Sweden’s best universities, you need to have the following documents

  • Completed application forms
  • Copy of passport showing your personal data and the validity of the passport
  • Statement of admission or letter of acceptance issued by the best universities in Sweden for international students
  • English language proficiency in exams to study in Sweden
  • Account statement from your bank confirming that you have money of your own to support yourself with
  • A document issued in your name showing that you have received a scholarship or a similar means of support
  • A copy of the document showing that you have comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden

The average cost of living for an international student in Sweden ranges from 8,000 to 13,500 SEK per month. If it feels heavy on your pocket you can apply to scholarships like Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program, Inlaks Scholarships, Google Lime scholarship etc. IT and Software, Engineering, Accounting and Finance, and Hospitality are among the top paying sectors in Sweden.

FAQs

Ques: Which are the top universities in Sweden?

Ans: The top universities in Sweden include Karolinska Institutet, Lund University, Uppsala University, Stockholm University, and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).

Ques: What is the application process for Swedish universities?

Ans: Applications are typically submitted through the University Admissions in Sweden portal. You will need to provide academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and a motivation letter. Some programs may require additional documents like a CV or portfolio.

Ques: Do Swedish universities offer programs in English?

Ans: Yes, many Swedish universities offer a wide range of programs taught in English, especially at the master's level. Check individual university websites for specific programs.

Ques: What are the tuition fees for international students?

Ans: Tuition fees vary by university and program but generally range from SEK 80,000 to SEK 140,000 per year (approximately USD 8,000 to USD 14,000). EU/EEA students typically do not pay tuition fees.

Ques: Are scholarships available for international students?

Ans: Yes, there are various scholarships available for international students, including the Swedish Institute Scholarships and individual university scholarships. Check the specific university’s website for scholarship opportunities.

Ques: What is the cost of living for students in Sweden?

Ans: The cost of living can vary by city but generally ranges from SEK 8,000 to SEK 12,000 per month (approximately USD 800 to USD 1,200). This includes accommodation, food, transport, and other personal expenses.

Ques: How is student life in Sweden?

Ans: Student life in Sweden is vibrant, with many universities offering a range of extracurricular activities, student unions, and events. Cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Lund are known for their lively student communities.

Ques: What are the accommodation options for students?

Ans: Accommodation options include university dormitories, private apartments, and shared housing. It’s advisable to apply for student housing as early as possible due to high demand.

Ques: Can international students work while studying in Sweden?

Ans: Yes, international students can work while studying. There is no official limit on the number of hours they can work, but it’s important to balance work and studies. Proficiency in Swedish can be advantageous for finding a job.

Ques: What are the post-graduation opportunities for international students?

Ans: After graduation, non-EU/EEA students can apply for an extension of their residence permit for up to six months to look for a job. Sweden has a strong job market, particularly in sectors like technology, engineering, and life sciences.

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CD RankCollege InfoTuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.)Top CoursesRanking & Reviews
#1Malardalen University logo

Malardalen University, Vasteras

Vastmanland, Sweden31%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $12.1K/Yr (kr135,000/Yr)Admission M.S Health and Welfare, Caring S...IELTS6.5$12.1K/Yr
kr135,000
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
Ranked 201 by ARWU in 2022
#2University of Gavle logo

University of Gavle, Gavle

Gavleborg, Sweden70%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $12.1K/Yr (kr134,000/Yr)Admission Graduate Diploma Intensive Care ...$12.1K/Yr
kr134,000
Course duration: 1 year
1 More Program
Ranked 151 by ARWU in 2022