Higher education in Sweden is among the best in the world. The Nordic country has an excellent system, which places more emphasis on group and independent study rather than lectures. Freedom and responsibility are the key values that support the development of students.
The number of international students enrolled at Swedish universities and colleges is constantly growing, and the percentage of those who are admitted is above half. If you want to be one of those students, you should first know more about the costs of studying and living in Sweden.
1. University tuition fees in Sweden
Tuition for EU/EEA students
At Swedish public universities, students who are citizens of the EU/EEA, other Nordic countries, and Switzerland do not have to pay any tuition for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. PhD courses are free for all international students, regardless of their country of origin.
Tuition for non-EU/EEA students
Students from non-EU/EEA countries pay tuition fees. The costs range between 7,500 – 25,500 EUR/year depending on the study programme and university. Business and Architecture are some of the most expensive courses.
Non-EU/EEA citizens also have to pay a university application fee, which is around 90 EUR and may vary depending on the institution.
Universities we recommend in Sweden
- University West
- Jönköping University
- Linnaeus University
- University of Boras
- World Maritime University
Check out the best universities in Sweden according to global rankings.
2. Average student living costs in Sweden
Living costs for students in Sweden are above the European average. You should expect to spend between 700 – 1,200 EUR/month.
Check the average living costs for these student cities in Sweden:
- Gothenburg and Stockholm: around 1,250 EUR/month
- Linkoping and Lund: around 850 EUR/month
- Uppsala: between 750 and 1,200 EUR/month
3. Accommodation costs
The best place to start looking for accommodation is your university. It often provides useful information or helps you get in touch with the organisations that manage student residence halls (or dormitories).
Dormitories are great because you get to meet both local and other international students. It’s easy to make friends and find people with similar interests. Prices range between 240 – 620 EUR/month.
The second option is renting or sharing an apartment. You can pay anywhere between 350 and 700 EUR/month. Although it is more expensive than a student room, you can choose where you live, and you can share a large apartment with other students. This is a great way to reduce your expenses and avoid feeling lonely, especially if it’s your first time living abroad.
See what former students had to say about living and studying in Sweden:
- Janine's study experience
- Antonio's study experience
- Eleni's study experience
- Andrea's study experience
4. Food costs
What about food costs in Sweden? Expect to pay around 200 EUR for food every month. This depends on your eating habits, whether you cook or not, and so on. You can reduce your expenses if you buy groceries from affordable supermarkets, like Lidl, Willy’s, or stores from the city suburbs.
Eating in a Swedish restaurant will cost you 8 - 10 EUR. A three-course meal for two, in an average restaurant, costs around 45 - 65 EUR. A light drink in a bar with your colleagues will cost 6 EUR.
Find Master's degrees in Sweden
5. Transportation costs
In Sweden, public transport in highly appreciated among students; around 40% of them use it to get to university and other locations in the city. Public transportation fares for students cost around 40 - 55 EUR/month.
You can also choose a bicycle for transport and pay around 110 EUR for it. Around 27% of students in Sweden use bicycles to travel in the city.
6. Extra costs
- Books and other study materials: 80 EUR/month
- Social activities and entertainment: 70 – 100 EUR/month
- Health insurance: rates start at 30 EUR/month. Learn more about international student insurance for students studying in Sweden.
You can also use the Numbeo website to check out other prices and costs in Sweden.
Ready to study in Sweden? Here's other information you might find useful: