Types of higher education institutions
Universitet – institutions that offer academic courses on all the three levels
Hoegskola - institution offering academic courses on the 1st and 2nd
level only
Fackhoegskola - specialized institutions offering academic courses on the 1st
and 2nd level only
Vaardhoegskola - colleges of health sciences
Structure of university studies
Academic year in Sweden starts in August and ends in mid-June. The language of instruction
is Swedish, some postgraduate courses are instructed in English.
1st level – there are three general degrees at the undergraduate level:
* Högskoleexamen - 2-2.5 years full-time study (80 credits)
* Kandidatexamen (Bachelor's degree) - 3-3.5 years full-time study (120 credits)
* Magisterexamen (Master's degree) - at least 4 years full-time study (160 credits)
Note: - some courses lead to special degrees; technical courses lead to Magisterexamen degree in the first place
2nd level - graduate studies
* Licentiatexamen/Licentiate - 2 years full-time study (not offered in all the courses)
3rd level – doctoral studies
* Doktorsexamen/Doctor - at least 4 years full-time study and research
Financing of university studies
- there is no tuition at Swedish universities
- the total monthly living expenses in Sweden average about SEK 6,300
- the student unions charge an annual membership fee of about SEK 300-400; student health
services are included in this fee
- Svenska Institute (SI) awards a large number of individual scholarships for study and
research at the postgraduate level; contact National Academic Mobility Information Centre
for details
- universities award scholarships for students at postgraduate level in the form of
fellowships or assistantships (see Financing Your Study chapter for details)
- other possibilities of financial aid can be found in the Scholarships for Study and
Research in Sweden brochure
- as a foreign student with a resident permit, you may not take up any gainful employment
during the university terms, only during the summer months (May 15 - September 15).
Citizens of EU countries do not need a work permit
Visa
Citizens of non-EU and non-Nordic countries must apply for a permit for visiting students
(issued by the Swedish Immigration Board - SIV). Visa and residence permits can be applied
for at the Swedish Embassy in student's home country. Students also have to prove that
they posses a guaranteed sum for the entire duration of their studies (SEK 6,3000 per
month). Students from EU countries are exempt from the above procedure but must apply for
a residence permit within 3 months of their arrival in Sweden. To apply, contact the SIV
(tel.: +46 (11) 15 61 79, fax: +46 (11) 15 66 91).
Important addresses
Ministry of Education and Science
Drottninggatan 16
Stockholm-103 33
tel. +46 (8) 4051 000
fax +46 (8) 7231 752