As you prepare to study in Sweden, knowing the steps to take can help you feel more confident. From start to finish, preparing to study in Sweden boils down to 9 steps.
Here are the top nine steps you should take to experience the joys of studying in Sweden.
1. Apply to Study in Sweden
It may seem obvious, nevertheless the first step to take towards studying in Sweden is to apply. Luckily, applying to a university in Sweden is pretty straightforward. Also, the entry requirements to study in Sweden generally include a high school diploma, an english language proficiency certificate, or a bachelor’s degree when applying for a master’s program. Remember to keep an eye on key dates and deadlines.
2. Accept Your Offer, Congratulations!
The next thing you need to do is accept your offer. The deadline to accept is 2 April for bachelor’s students and 13 April for master’s students. However, If you receive an offer during the second round, you don’t need to reply to your offer.
3. Find and Apply to Scholarships in Sweden
Universities in Sweden offer loads of different types of scholarships, and you might be eligible for one. Explore the latest study in Sweden scholarships and apply to the scholarships that meet your needs.
4. Pay Your Tuition Fee
In order to apply for your residence permit, you’ll need to have paid your first tuition fee (this only applies to students who are required to pay fees). Your university will provide you with information on how to pay.
5. Apply for a Visa and Residence Permit
If you’re from a country outside of the European Union, it’s high time to get started applying for your residence permit for studies. See Residence permits and visas for the basics, and head to the Swedish Migration Board’s website to apply.
6. Arrange Accommodation and Insurance
Depending on where in Sweden you’ll be living, various housing options will be available to you – see Accommodation for an overview of Swedish student housing. After reading through the basics, your first point of contact should be the housing office at your university. They’ll give you the details on the housing situation in your city and how you can go about finding a home there.
In some places, particularly larger cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö and university towns like Uppsala and Lund, finding housing can be a challenge, so it’s a good idea to start your search as early as you can.
Health insurance is important to arrange before leaving home as you prepare to study in Sweden. Check official sources to know what applies to students from different countries. It’s also a good idea to look over your finances and consider if you want to look for a part-time job during your studies.
7. Connect with Future Classmates
Making contact with other students on your programme is a great way to make friends before you arrive on campus and discuss common questions. A good start is to check for postings on your university’s Facebook page or to search for a Facebook group for your programme. You can also check social media or message boards popular in your country for groups of students heading to Sweden. If you don’t find a pre-existing group, why not start one yourself?
8. Read up on Swedish Culture and Your New City
There’s lots to learn about Swedish culture and what you’ll have to look forward to in your free time. Prepare to study in Sweden by reading about your future home city.
Get to know the current students in Sweden and ask them all your questions over at the digital ambassadors’ blog. You can learn all about Swedish traditions, culture and society at Sweden.se. Another great way to get into a Swedish state of mind is to start practicing your svenska (Swedish) via an online course.
Also, don’t forget to follow your university on social media to get in the loop on what’s happening on campus! Most Swedish universities have Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages, and many are also active on Instagram, Weibo, Renren and others.
9. Pack your bags and come study in Sweden!
In late August, it’s time to pack your bags and get on the plane, train or boat to Sweden. Your university will provide you with details on orientation for new international students. Make sure to arrive in time to get settled (and maybe visit a certain Swedish blue and yellow furniture store for basic home furnishings and a plate of meatballs) before orientation starts.