Masters in Sweden: Top Universities, Courses & Career
Sweden is located in Northern Europe and is the hub of the engineering & technology, automobile, fashion and finance sectors.
It is the 5th biggest European country that also offers a peaceful learning and living environment to Indian students. Swedish universities are world-renowned institutes that offer more than 1,500 academic programs to international students at affordable costs. The low cost of living, an incubation hub and unique education system attract thousands of Indian students yearly.
- Pursuing Masters in Sweden: Advantages & Benefits
- Best Universities in Sweden for Masters
- Masters in Sweden: Popular Courses
- Study in Sweden: Best Masters Courses for Indian Students
- Study Intakes in Sweden
- Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Sweden
- Documents Checklist
- Study in Sweden: Pre-Application Process for Masters
- Application Process for Masters in Sweden
- Career after Masters in Sweden
- Student-Visa for Sweden
- Post-Study Work Visa for Indian Students
- Cost of Living in Sweden
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Pursuing Masters in Sweden: Advantages & Benefits
When pursuing higher education abroad, the names of European countries, such as the UK, France, Germany, etc., come to our minds. These countries provide quality and standard education, good employment opportunities, exposure to multicultural heritage, peaceful environment and diverse social norms. However, as mentioned above, not all aspirants may be able to find a place in their dream European countries due to financial concerns such as high tuition fees, cost of living, etc.
Some other European countries are fulfilling the visualisation of Indian students to study abroad. Sweden is one such country which leaves no stone unturned in attracting Indian students to pursue higher studies programs at affordable cost.
Let’s explore some of the top reasons for study in Sweden.
Affordability of Education
Unlike other European countries like the UK, France, Germany etc. Sweden offers education at a much more affordable cost. Tuition fees for pursuing Masters in Sweden range from approximately 11,000-300,000 SEK per annum (INR 86,000-23 Lakh), depending on the program and university chosen.
Focus on Innovation & Research
Swedish universities emphasise fostering innovative skills in young minds through their unique approach. Colleges in Sweden allow students to explore the subject deeply through workshops, seminars, and positive classroom discussions that lead to the development of critical thinking, communication, and other interpersonal skills.
Opportunities to Learn Swedish Language
As most study programs in Sweden are offered in English, international students don’t face any significant problems. It provides abundant opportunities to explore part-time jobs to manage expenses, and interact with the local community quickly.
Availability of a Wide Range of Courses
Colleges in Sweden offer approximately 1,600 academic courses that cover almost every field and discipline, leading to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees.
Internationally Recognised Degrees
Pursuing a Masters in Sweden provides a pathway to various post-study career opportunities since Swedish degrees are well-recognised and world-renowned worldwide.
Best Universities in Sweden for Masters
The Swedish educational system is high quality and is world-renowned for providing the best classrooms and practical exposure to international students.
Studying for a Masters in Sweden is less expensive than in major European countries. The annual tuition fees for non-EU students, including Indians, range from 11,000-300,000 SEK per annum (INR 86,000-23 Lakh), depending on the institution and course.
The duration of masters in Sweden is 2 years.
Below, we have listed the top universities in Sweden for Indian students, including their QS World University Rankings and annual tuition fees.
| University | QS World Rankings (2024) | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | 73 | 342,000-350,000 SEK |
| Lund University | 85 | 145,000-400,000 SEK |
| Uppsala University | 105 | 100,000-250,000 SEK |
| Stockholm University | 118 | 90,000-140,000 SEK |
| Chalmers University of Technology | 129 | 300,000-320,000 SEK |
| University of Gothenburg | 187 | 11,000-100,000 SEK |
| Linköping University | 268 | 80,000-140,000 SEK |
| Umea University | 465 | 93,000-354,000 SEK |
Masters in Sweden: Popular Courses
As mentioned earlier, colleges in Sweden provide access to more than 1,500 academic courses of various disciplines and streams. International students pursuing Masters in Sweden are provided with mandatory core subjects of their chosen stream and the freedom to independently opt for a blend of optional subjects.
We have enlisted popular fields of study below for a general overview of the academic excellence that Swedish universities impart to Indian students.
- Architecture
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies
- Engineering & Technology
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Humanities
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
Also read – Masters Abroad Top Courses Universities
Study in Sweden: Best Masters Courses for Indian Students
Below, we have tabulated the list of the best masters courses in Sweden, their duration and average tuition fees.
| Courses | Duration | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| MS in Accounting & Finance | 2 Years | 180,000-200,000 SEK |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 2 Years | 200,000-450,000 SEK |
| MS in Media Communication | 2 Years | 62,000-150,000 SEK |
| MA in Economics | 1 Year | 90,000-280,000 SEK |
| MS in Mechanical Engineering | 2 Years | 280,000-342,000 SEK |
| MA in Design | 1-2 Years | 75,000-200,000 SEK |
| MA in Psychology | 2 Years | 100,000-250,000 SEK |
Also read – Study Abroad Consultant vs Self Application
Study Intakes in Sweden
The academic year in Sweden begins in September every year, which is standard for all Swedish universities. The commencement of the academic year marks Fall intake, whereas Spring intake is a secondary intake and begins in January/February.
The application deadlines vary across all universities to restrict the number of applicants.
| Intakes | Intake month | Application Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | September/October | January-April |
| Spring | January/February | August-October |
Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Sweden
For Master’s Degree Courses
- Swedish universities require students to have completed the bachelors degree equivalent of a 3-year Swedish kandidatexamen to be eligible for a masters degree course.
- The minimum requirement for masters degree course is a 4-year bachelors degree or 3-year bachelors degree with honours.
- Some courses also accept students who have completed a 3-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in India.
Academic Proficiency:
- Indian students must have completed their 4-year bachelors degree program from an accredited university or affiliated college.
- A minimum CGPA of 6.5-8.0 is required on a scale of 1-10.
- If the university does not award a CGPA, the minimum GPA of 65-75% is accepted.
- Specific subject-related knowledge and skills, depending on the program, are required.
- English language subject grades and at least three other subjects with English as the language of instruction must be stated on your official upper secondary certificate.
English Proficiency:
- Indian students applying for masters courses must have the following English language proficiency.
- Language proficiency may differ from university to university.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 90-100
- IELTS: A minimum average of 6.5-7.0
Documents Checklist
The following documents must be submitted while proceeding with the application process for a Masters in Sweden.
The specific requirements for a particular course or institute can differ.
- Completed University Application
- All Previous Academic Transcripts and documents
- 2-3 passport-sized photo
- Score certificates for language proficiency tests like TOEFL/IELTS/Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
- Score certificates for standardised tests like GMAT/GRE, etc.
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- 1-2 Statement of Purpose
- CV/Resume
- Work Experience certificate to showcase the managerial skills (if applicable)
- Non-refundable application fee (if applicable)
- Health Insurance
- You must show evidence that you have the money to fund your stay in Sweden (minimum 10,314 SEK/month, i.e., 81,085 INR/month)
Study in Sweden: Pre-Application Process for Masters
- Visit the university’s official website
- Check all the required details of the course, like description, tuition fees, specific eligibility criteria, career advantages, etc.
- After shortlisting universities that fulfil your criteria, check whether institutes accept applications through their portal.
- Complete the application process by submitting details, scanned copies of the required documents and application fees.
- After that, you will get a confirmation email containing the application fee and enrollment receipts.
- Stay updated with the university’s response by frequently visiting your email.
Application Process for Masters in Sweden
There are two processes by which colleges in Sweden accept admission to various courses:
- Central Swedish Application Portal
- University Website
Central Swedish Application Portal
It is the official registration portal for most universities in Sweden. It bridges the gap between Swedish universities and international applicants by providing every possible assistance while making their applications.
All non-EU applicants are required to submit 900 SEK (INR 7,050) per application.
University Website
Some Swedish universities accept applications on their application portal. The application process is the same as that of a centralised application portal. However, the application fees can differ according to university and course.
Career after Masters in Sweden
Students might need clarification about their post-study career in Sweden. Some students may go for commencing their ventures, and others pursue scientific and industrial research. Many international graduates also choose to work in various corporations and industries on a decent post and get attractive salary packages.
Since Swedish degrees are recognised worldwide, Indian graduates do not face many problems in job hunting.
Below, we have tabulated the popular industries, their top recruiters, and the annual salary that they offer to Indian graduates in a particular field.
| Top Industries | Recruiters | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | IBM Microsoft Capgemini | 730,000-1,250,000 SEK (INR 50-97 Lakh) |
| Engineering & Technology | Meva Energy CargoBeacon Scania Erricson | 520,000-775,000 SEK (INR 40-60 Lakh) |
| Accounting & Finance | Nordea Bank Swedbank Trustly Citigroup | 528,000-928,000 SEK (INR 40-80 Lakh) |
| Healthcare Sciences | Abbott Capio AstraZeneca Livi | 150,000-260,000 SEK (INR 11-20 Lakh) |
| Fashion | H&M Group Nike Acne Studios Burfitt | 100,000-180,000 EUR (INR 7-14 Lakh) |
Student-Visa for Sweden
To pursue a Masters in Sweden, Indian students must apply for a student resident permit at least three months before the commencement of the academic program.
The quickest way to apply for a student residence permit to study at colleges in Sweden is to apply online. Online applications go directly to the Swedish Migration Agency and are given priority.
Application for Student Resident Permit
Indian students must apply for student resident permits as soon as they receive an acceptance letter from the university. They must make the online application immediately so the Swedish Migration Agency has sufficient time to process their application.
Application Cost
The application fee for the student visa is 1,500 SEK (INR 11,000).
Requirements
- Previous Academic transcripts
- Letter of acceptance from the educational institution
- Money to fund the stay in Sweden (minimum 10,314 SEK/month, i.e., 81,085 INR/month)
- Travel Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Proof of income
- English language requirements
- Passport
- Two passport-sized colour photographs
- Biometric information
- Photocopies of all the original documents
Post-Study Work Visa for Indian Students
Indian students must apply online for a post-study work visa at the Swedish Migration Agency before their student resident permit expires. For this, they must have a job with a minimum salary of SEK 13,000 (INR 1 Lakh) per month, excluding taxes.
Application Cost
The application fee for the student visa is 2,000 SEK (INR 15,000).
Requirements
- Student residence permit
- Completion of a minimum of 30 credits is essential in a Masters course
- Employment offer letter
- Passport
- Biometric information
- Commitment from employer to provide other benefits such as life, health insurance, and pension benefits.
Cost of Living in Sweden
The cost of living in Sweden can depend on factors such as city lifestyle preferences, local taxes, etc. Estimating living expenses should be done before departing for Sweden so that appropriate arrangements can be made without chaos.
An Indian student should make a monthly budget of between 8,000-14,000 SEK per month (INR 62,000 to 1 Lakh) to sustain themselves comfortably.
Below is the table that enlists the general breakdown of the cost of living for Indian students in Sweden.
| Expenses | Estimated Expenses |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 4400-8000 SEK (INR 34,000-62,000) |
| Food | 1500-2700 SEK (INR 11,000-27,000) |
| Transportation | 300-800 SEK (INR 2,000-6,000) |
| Amusement/Leisure | 1000-1600 SEK (INR 7,000-12,000) |
| Utilities Bills (Electricity, Water, Phone bills, etc.) | 200-400 SEK (INR 2,100-4,000) |
Conclusion
Sweden, the 5th largest European country, offers international students diverse academic courses. It is home to the world’s best universities, such as Lund University, Stockholm University, Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, etc. They are among the top global universities in the QS World Ranking Index.
Engineering & Technology, Computer Science, Fashion, Finance, etc., are popular fields of study in Swedish universities that offer relevant skills for gaining academic value and employment opportunities worldwide.
FAQs
How can I find jobs in Sweden after completing a masters course?
You can search for employment on Swedish recruitment websites providing the latest job information. Also, you can contact your university’s placement assistance department, which provides necessary help to international students in building their careers in the country.
Is it necessary to learn Swedish to study in Sweden?
Learning the Swedish language to pursue higher studies in Sweden is optional. Almost all study programs in Sweden are available in English. However, a little knowledge of this language would help you integrate local culture and customs and build communication with the local community.
Is Sweden expensive for Indian students?
The estimated cost of living for Indian students in Sweden ranges from INR 60,000 -INR 1 Lakh per month. This covers accommodation, food, transport, essential utilities, and other daily expenses.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
