15 Best Universities in Sweden

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Best universities in Sweden
Best universities in Sweden

If you’re looking to study in Sweden, the best universities in Sweden will give you a top-notch education accompanied by a social environment with top students and professors. Sweden might be the perfect place to complete your degree if you’re seeking an experience that’s both culturally enriching and academically challenging.

With many affordable, quality universities to choose from, Sweden has become one of the top destinations for students who want to travel internationally to further their education without breaking the bank. Sweden has one of the world’s most advanced educational systems and many of Europe’s best universities are located in the country. 

7 Reasons to Study in Sweden 

Below are reasons to study in Sweden:

1. Good Education System 

Sweden comes 14th in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings. The quality of the Swedish education system is self-evident, with universities consistently ranked among the best in the world. One of Sweden’s best institutions would be an excellent addition to any student’s academic CV.

2. No Language Barrier 

Even though Swedish is the official language in Sweden, almost everyone speaks English, so communication will be easy. Sweden was ranked seventh (out of 111 countries) in the world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills, EF EPI 2022. 

However, as an undergraduate student, you must learn Swedish because most public universities offer undergraduate programs in Swedish and master’s programs in English.

3. Job Opportunities 

For students who wish to seek internships or work jobs, look no further, several multinational companies (e.g. IKEA, H&M, Spotify, Ericsson) are based in Sweden, and there are numerous opportunities for ambitious graduates.

Unlike many other study destinations, Sweden has no official limits on the number of hours a student can work. As a result, it is much easier for students to find job opportunities that will lead to long-term careers.

4. Learn Swedish 

Many Swedish universities do allow international students to take part-time Swedish language courses while studying. While fluency in Swedish is not required to live or study in Sweden, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to learn a new language and boost your CV or Resume. 

5. Tuition-Free 

Education in Sweden is free for students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland. Ph.D. students and exchange students are also eligible for free education, regardless of their country of origin.

6. Scholarships 

Scholarships make tuition fees affordable to many international students. Most Sweden universities offer scholarship opportunities for fee-paying students; students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. These scholarships offer waivers of 25 to 75% of the tuition fee.

7. Beautiful Nature

Sweden offers international students limitless opportunities to explore all of the beautiful nature of Sweden. In Sweden, you have the freedom to roam in nature. The freedom to roam (‘Allemansrätten’ in Swedish) or “everyman’s right”, is the general public’s right to access certain public or privately owned land, lakes, and rivers for recreation and exercise.

Top 15 Universities in Sweden 

Below are the 15 best universities in Sweden:

15 Best Universities in Sweden

1. Karolinska Institute (KI) 

Karolinska Institute is one of the world’s foremost medical universities and offers Sweden’s widest range of medical courses and programs. It is also Sweden’s single largest center of medical academic research. 

KI was founded in 1810 as an “academy for the training of skilled army surgeons.” It is located in Solna within the Stockholm city center, Sweden. 

Karolinska Institute offers a wide range of programs and courses in medical and healthcare fields, including dental medicine, nutrition, public health, and nursing, to mention a few. 

The primary language of instruction at KI is Swedish, but one bachelor’s and many master’s programs are taught in English. 

2. Lund University

Lund University is a public research university located in Lund, one of the most popular study destinations in Sweden. It also has campuses located in Helsingborg and Malmö. 

Founded in 1666, Lund University is one of northern Europe’s oldest universities. It has one of Sweden’s oldest and largest research library networks, founded in 1666, at the same time as the University. 

Lund University offers about 300 study programs, which include bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional education programs. Out of these programs, 9 bachelor’s programs and more than 130 master’s programs are taught in English. 

Lund provides education and research within the following areas: 

  • Economics and management 
  • Engineering/technology
  • Fine arts, music, and theater 
  • Humanities and Theology
  • Law 
  • Medicine
  • Science
  • Social sciences 

3. Uppsala University

Uppsala University is a public research university located in Uppsala, Sweden. Founded in 1477, it is Sweden’s first university and the first Nordic university. 

Uppsala University offers study programs at different levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. The language of instruction at the school is Swedish and English; About 5 bachelor’s and 70 master’s programs are taught in English. 

Uppsala University offers programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Theology
  • Law 
  • Arts 
  • Languages
  • Social sciences
  • Educational Sciences 
  • Medicine
  • Pharmacy 

4. Stockholm University (SU) 

Stockholm University is a public research university located in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Founded in 1878, SU is one of the oldest and largest universities in Scandinavia. 

Stockholm University offers study programs at all levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs and professional education programs. 

The language of instruction at SU is both Swedish and English. There are five bachelor’s programs offered in English and 75 master’s programs taught in English. 

SU offers programs in the following areas of interest: 

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business and Economics 
  • Computer and Systems Sciences
  • Human, Social and Political Sciences
  • Law 
  • Languages and Linguistics
  • Media and Communications 
  • Science and Mathematics 

5. University of Gothenburg (GU)

The University of Gothenburg (also known as Gothenburg University) is a public university located in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city. GU was established in 1892 as Gothenburg University College and gained university status in 1954. 

With more than 50,000 students and over 6,000 staff, GU is one of Sweden’s and Northern Europe’s largest universities.  

The primary language of instruction for undergraduate programs is Swedish, but there are a number of undergraduate and master’s courses taught in English. 

GU offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Education
  • Fine Arts 
  • Humanities
  • Social Sciences
  • IT 
  • Business
  • Law 
  • Science 

6. KTH Royal Institute of Technology 

KTH Royal Institute of Technology is one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities. It is also Sweden’s largest and most respected technical university. 

The KTH Royal Institute of Technology was founded in 1827 and has five campuses located in Stockholm, Sweden. 

KTH Royal Institute of Technology is a bilingual university. The main language of instruction at the bachelor’s level is Swedish and the main language of instruction at the master’s level is English. 

KTH Royal Institute of Technology offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Architecture
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Science 
  • Engineering Sciences
  • Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Health 
  • Industrial Engineering and Management 

7. Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers) 

The Chalmers University of Technology is one of the top private universities located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Chalmers has been a private university since 1994, owned by the Chalmers University of Technology Foundation.

The Chalmers University of Technology offers a comprehensive technological and scientific education, from bachelor’s level to doctorate level. It also offers professional education programs. 

The Chalmers University of Technology is a bilingual university. All bachelor’s programs are taught in Swedish and about 40 master’s programs are taught in English. 

The Chalmers University of Technology offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Engineering
  • Science
  • Architecture
  • Technology Management 

8. Linköping University (LiU) 

Linköping University is a public research university located in Linköping, Sweden. It was founded in 1902 as Sweden’s first college for training preschool teachers and became Sweden’s sixth university in 1975. 

LiU offers 120 study programs (which include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs), of which 28 are offered in English. 

Linköping University offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business
  • Engineering and Computer Science
  • Social Sciences 
  • Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Environmental Studies 
  • Natural Sciences
  • Teacher’s Education 

9. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is a university with main locations in Alnarp, Uppsala, and Umea. 

SLU was founded in 1977 out of the agricultural, forestry, and veterinary colleges,  the Veterinary School at Skara, and the Forestry School at Skinnskatteberg.

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences offers programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. One bachelor’s program and a number of master’s programs are taught in English. 

SLU offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Biotechnology and Food 
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Science
  • Forestry
  • Horticulture
  • Nature and Environment
  • Water 
  • Rural areas and development
  • Landscape and Urban areas 
  • Economy 

10. Örebro University

Örebro University is a public university located in Örebro, Sweden. It was founded in 1977 as Örebro University College and became Örebro University in 1999. 

Örebro University is a bilingual university: all undergraduate programs are taught in Swedish and all master’s programs are taught in English. 

Örebro University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in different areas of interest, which include: 

  • Humanities
  • Social Sciences
  • Medicine and Health Sciences 
  • Business 
  • Hospitality
  • Law 
  • Music, Theatre, and Art
  • Science and Technology 

11. Umeå University

Umeå University is a public university located in Umeå, Sweden. For nearly 60 years, Umeå University has been evolving as the premier higher education destination in Northern, Sweden.

Umeå University was founded in 1965 and became Sweden’s fifth university. With over 37,000 students, Umea University is one of Sweden’s largest comprehensive universities and the largest university in Northern Sweden. 

Umea University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs. It offers about 44 international programs, including bachelor’s and master’s programs; programs taught entirely in English.

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Architecture
  • Medicine
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Science and Technology
  • Fine Arts 
  • Education

12. Jönköping University (JU) 

Jönköping University is one of the most international universities in Sweden. It was founded in 1971 as Jönköping University College and received university degree-awarding status in 1995. 

JU offers pathway, bachelor’s, and master’s programs. At JU, all programs offered to international students are taught entirely in English.

JU offers study programs in these areas of interest; 

  • Business 
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Global Studies
  • Graphics Design and Web Development
  • Health Sciences
  • Informatics and Computer Science
  • Media Communication
  • Sustainability 

13. Karlstad University (KaU) 

Karlstad University is a public university located in Karlstad, Sweden. It was founded in 1971 as a university college and gained university status in 1999. 

Karlstad University offers about 40 undergraduate programs and 30 advanced-level programs. KU offers one bachelor’s and 11 master’s programs in English. 

Karlstad University offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Business
  • Artistic Studies 
  • Language
  • Social and Psychology Studies
  • Engineering
  • Health Sciences
  • Teacher’s Education 

14. Lulea University of Technology (LTU) 

The Lulea University of Technology is a public university located in Lulea, Sweden. It was founded in 1971 as Lulea University College and gained university status in 1997. 

Lulea University of Technology offers a total of 100 programs, which include bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as free online courses (MOOCs). 

LTU offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Technology
  • Economics
  • Health 
  • Medicine
  • Music
  • Teacher Education 

15. Linnaeus University (LnU) 

Linnaeus University is a modern and international university located in Småland, southern Sweden. LnU was founded in 2010 through a merger between Växjö University and the University of Kalmar. 

Linnaeus University offers over 200-degree programs, which include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. 

LnU offers study programs in these areas of interest: 

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Health and Life Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Natural Sciences
  • Technology
  • Business and Economics 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I study for free in Sweden?

Studying in Sweden is free of charge for citizens of the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and those with a permanent Swedish residence permit. Ph.D. students and exchange students can also study for free.

What is the language of instruction used in Sweden universities?

The primary language of instruction at Sweden’s public universities is Swedish, but a number of programs are also taught in English, especially master’s programs. However, there are international universities that offer all programs in English.

What is the cost of universities in Sweden for international students?

Tuition fees for international students in Sweden will vary depending on the course and university. Tuition fees for international students can be as low as SEK 80,000 or as high as SEK 295,000.

How long can I stay in Sweden after studies?

As a non-EU student, you can stay in Sweden for at most 12 months after graduating. You can also apply for jobs during this period.

Can I work in Sweden while studying?

Students with residence permits are allowed to work while studying and there is no official limit to the number of hours that you can work during your studies.

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Conclusion 

We hope this article has helped you learn more about the best universities in Sweden. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments section below.