Sweden || Living Expenses

Accommodation

Students must make all the necessary arrangements before them arriving at Sweden.

There is no national system which handles requests for student accommodation. The local student union at your university fulfils this function, though it is not required to assure you accommodation, and may not in fact be able to help you.

The availability of accommodation varies considerably from place to place. Usually, there is plenty of accommodation available at schools located in smaller and middle-sized cities or towns. Unfortunately, the situation is more difficult in the larger cities, especially in Stockholm and Göteborg, and in the traditional student cities of Lund and Uppsala.

Some of the university offers furnished apartments and rooms

To sign a lease for student accommodation, you must be able to prove that you are already studying or that you have been admitted to an academic institution. When you want to move out you must give at least one month's written notice.

You can rent a flat in the private market. Though usually more costly, it is a viable option for some students. It is not unusual for students to share a bigger flat with several rooms. You may also be able to rent a single room privately. Other sources of information are local newspapers and message boards at your university.

Whether provided by student unions or by third parties, accommodation catering expressly for students is often the preferred option, however. Student flats or rooms tend to be less expensive than private alternatives; they give you a chance to meet fellow students and participate in social activities, and they are often close to lecture halls, libraries and other facilities.

Depending on availability, you can choose to live by yourself or in a shared student flat where you will have your own room but share a bathroom/toilet. Flats can be furnished or unfurnished.

Student dormitories

Many students choose to live in a student dormitory. This can be an enjoyable experience as it gives students from around the world an opportunity to get to know each other and make friends.

Most dormitories have 10-15 single rooms in each corridor. A kitchen is shared by 4-15 students. Female and male students live in the same corridor.
A single room must not be occupied by more than one person – a rule which is strictly enforced. Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and the communal kitchen. Although rooms are let with basic furniture, there are no blankets, pillows, sheets, towels or light bulbs.

Some utensils may be available in the communal kitchen but you will usually have to bring your own plates, cutlery, pots and pans, etc. Some student unions rent these. Most student housing areas have launderettes. There is a booking list and a small fee is payable for the use of a washing machine. Rent for accommodation must be paid in advance.

Cost of living

Though most students live on a fixed budget, there are ways of making your money go further. Students can use your student card for discounts and on-campus restaurants are good value. Students can also cook your own food; most student accommodations have some form of kitchen facility open to residents.

Monthly Expense	Amount
Food	SEK 2,000
Accommodation	SEK 3,200
Local travel:	SEK 500
Telephone/internet	SEK 300
Insurance, medical care and hygiene	SEK 250
Student union fee	SEK 60-70
Clothing, hobby/leisure, other	SEK 750

However, those prices can vary considerably depending on where the student lives. Stockholm, for example, is more expensive