Sweden || Courses

Course Fees

Tuition fees
With rare exceptions, tuition fees in higher education in Sweden are fully subsidized by the government. This applies to both foreign and Swedish students. Higher education is financed by the state, a system common to many European countries. You do, however, need to cover your living expenses during your study period, which amounts to approximately SEK 7300 per month, which is also a pre-requisite for acquiring a residence permit.

Student union fees
Students are required to pay a membership fee to the local student union. Fees range from SEK 150-400 per term depending on the union.

Expenses on Literature and textbooks
The required reading is often extensive and students usually have to buy their own books as library copies are limited. Teachers also prepare and hand out their own compendia.
On average, students can expect to spend SEK 750 per month on books in an academic term.

Course Requirements

General requirements
Before you apply, you should have completed a course of study leading to a degree or diploma equivalent to 180 ECTS (three years of full-time undergraduate study). In most cases a bachelor’s degree will be regarded as fulfilling this requirement.

Language requirements
For English-language programs, you should also have documented evidence of proficiency in English such as TOEFL or IELTS test results.

English proficiency tests and examples of minimum scores:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Scores 500-550 (paper-based test), 173-213 (computer-based test), 61-79 (internet-based test)
• International English Language Testing Service (IELTS).  Score 5.0-6.0 (no band lower than 4.5-5.0)

Intakes
The academic session in the country is divided usually into two terms.
While the autumn term runs from mid or late August till mid-January, the spring term stretches from mid January till the beginning of June.
During Christmas, there is a two-week recess.

Scholarships 
The Swedish Institute, a government agency, administers over 500 scholarships each year for students and researchers coming to Sweden to pursue their objectives at a Swedish university.
The number of available scholarships varies from year to year, and competition is keen. Most foreign students in Sweden finance their stay without help from scholarships.

Swedish Institute scholarships for students applying to English-language programs in Sweden are mainly for master’s level studies or advanced studies/research.

Guest Scholarship Program
The Guest Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students from selected ODA(Official development assistance) countries. Scholarships are given for master’s level, PhD, and post-doctoral level studies as well as to students of Swedish language and literature.

Scholarship benefits and period
The scholarship is for SEK 8,000 per month and is only awarded for programs starting in the autumn semester 2009. The scholarships are usually granted for one academic year, i.e. for two semesters at a time, but can be extended provided the recipient’s study results are satisfactory.

Eligibility
The scholarships are intended for guest students for full time temporary studies in Sweden. There is no age limit for scholarship holders.

• You are not eligible for this scholarship if any of the following is true:
• You have already lived in Sweden for two years or more when the scholarship period is due to begin.
• You have a Swedish permanent residence permit or a work permit.
• You have a previously been awarded a scholarship from the SI for studies at master’s level or research at a Swedish university.

Students who have attended a Swedish Institute summer course in the Swedish language or the Swedish Institute Summer University are welcome to apply.

Travel grants
Scholarship holders from ODA countries will receive travel support in connection with the scholarship. The travel grant is a lump sum, given only once. Citizens from prioritized ODA countries receive SEK 10,000.

Insurance
Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period.

Scholarship limitations
The scholarship is designed to cover the living costs for the scholarship holder. There are no grants for family members.
Kindly observe that scholarship holders following a two year master’s degree program are only permitted to go abroad within their studies, for at the most one semester with retained SI scholarship. The granted scholarship period cannot be altered or extended.

Guest Scholarship Program for PhD and post-doctoral studies in Sweden

Scholarship benefits
The scholarship amounts to SEK 12,000 per month for PhD students and SEK 15,000 for post-doctoral studies. Scholarship periods are fixed for 6, 12 or 18 months.
The scholarship period for candidates on a sandwich set-up is maximum 12 months over three years, divided into a maximum of three research visits per year.