4 Best Tuition Free Universities for International Students
Let’s face it: studying in Sweden is expensive. On average, you can expect to pay SEK 8,824.05 per month (1 kroner is approximately 0.093 USD at the time of writing) living in what looks like a frosty utopia – and that’s not including your rent and tuition fees.
Your living expenses also depend on the place you intend to study. Take Stockholm for example. The rent can rise up to SEK 6,518s and tuition fees at the universities in Stockholm on average of approx 17,400 USD (that is approximately 18,6247 Swedish kronor). In Malmö, expect to spend 6,585 to 8,252 kroner for rent and average tuition fees at Malmö University — one of two universities in the city — starts at SEK 106,200 per year.
However, do not be discouraged. If you’re on a tight budget, consider tuition-free universities. International students from the European Economic Area (EEA), the European Union (EU) and those with a permanent Swedish residence permit do not pay for tuition at Swedish universities. For those outside these countries, tuition ranges from $9,000 to $17,000 — still much cheaper than UK and US tuition fees.
With a little digging, here are the best tuition-free universities in Sweden that non-EU, EEA and Swiss students can consider:
Best tuition-free universities for international students in Sweden
Linköping University
Linköping University, better known as LiU, is a public university based in a southern Swedish city known for its two channels, a bloody history, a cool university and successful hockey and soccer teams. It was the sixth university founded in Sweden and received full university status in 1975.
Today, LiU is one of them the world’s 200 best universities in education, electrical and electronic engineering, materials science and sociology. Many companies have their roots in LiU’s research or are founded by LiU alumni.
Like most universities in Sweden, students from the EU, EEA or Switzerland do not pay for tuition. The same applies to those with a permanent Swedish residence permit.
For those who do not come from these countries, you must pay 900 kroner for your application fees (which is standard for all Swedish universities), and the tuition fees vary between 80,000 to 136,000 krone, (approx. USD 7,490 to USD 12,7344).
Uppsala university
When it comes to tuition-free universities in Sweden, Uppsala University ranks among the best. As one of the first Nordic universities, it is divided into three disciplines: humanities and social sciences, medicine and pharmacy, and natural sciences and technology.
Thanks to their research-led teaching, you will experience the highest standards of intellectual rigor. Some of their graduates include 15 Nobel laureates — eight of them received prizes for discoveries made during their time at Uppsala University.
Depending on the chosen program, a semester or full-time course will cost students from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland between 50,000 to 72,500 Swedish crowns.
Stockholm School of Economics
Located in the Vasastaden district, the Stockholm Business School is one of Europe’s leading business schools. Its programs are developed in close collaboration with research and industry and are delivered in English.
Vasastaden is located in central Stockholm, considered one of the most modern and open cities in the world. From its iconic city hall to the world’s first open-air museum, you are one step away from discovering the city’s gems.
In general, you can expect to pay 150,000 to 165,000 krone for a master’s program if you are not from the EU, EEA or Switzerland. But the school offers generously full and partial scholarships for those who want to study an MSc programme.
Malmö University
Malmö University is one of the younger universities in Sweden. The university was founded in 1998 and is located in the heart of Malmö city – ranked fourth on the Forbes list of the most inventive cities in the world. At its core, the university is characterized by a multidisciplinary, challenge-based approach to education, research and collaboration.
This often includes programs practical elements and project work in close cooperation with regional authorities, local initiatives and international companies. As a global campusesthey house 1,800 international students and deliver their undergraduate and postgraduate programs in English.
An education at Malmö University costs students from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland 80,000 to 425,000 Swedish crowns.