Studying in Sweden as an international student: costs, visa and work rules (2026)
In Sweden, tuition at a public university is SEK 80k to 200k for a master’s and SEK 99k to 180k for a bachelor’s. For the student visa you must show SEK 10,656 / mo, you can work 15 h / wk while studying, and you can stay 12 months after graduating.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 14 Oct 2026. Every figure links to the government body or university that sets it. No school pays to appear here.
Costs
| Item | Master’s (2 years) | Bachelor’s (3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university | SEK 80k to 200kEst., set by each university | SEK 99k to 180kEst., set by each university |
| Tuition, private or top-ranked | Up to SEK 295kEst., medicine and arts | SEK 180k+Est., arts can be higher |
| Money to show for the visa | SEK 10,656 / mo2026, for the whole permit period | |
| Visa and permit fees | About SEK 1,500, once (estimate) | |
| Total* | ≈ SEK 537,000 | ≈ SEK 805,000 |
*Diplonaut estimate at a public university: the lower tuition figure + the money you must show for the visa (a floor for living costs, not a budget), for the whole degree, plus visa fees once. Tuition ranges are estimates: each university publishes its own fees. Swedish tuition ranges are estimates; universities set their own fees.
Visa and entry
| Your passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss | No permit: right of residence |
| All other countries | Residence permit before travel, applied for online |
Work rights
- While studying: 15 h / wk (Since 11 June 2026; no limit June to August).
- After graduating: 12 months (Permit to look for work).
Will my degree from Sweden be recognized?
Swedish degrees are awarded by universities and university colleges entitled to do so by the government or the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ). Check that your program leads to a Swedish degree.
Check an institution: Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ)
For a bachelor’s: Apply through universityadmissions.se: the first round opens 16 October 2026, deadline 15 January 2027. Most bachelor’s are taught in Swedish; just over 100 are fully in English.
By field of study
- No field yet (undecided): You need full-time admission (30 credits a semester) to a programme or courses. You can keep your permit when changing studies at the same level. Since 11 June 2026: 37.5 credits in year 1, then 45 a year.
- Medicine or dentistry: Medicine and dentistry are taught entirely in Swedish (Swedish 3 level). Non-EU fee for the 6-year medicine programme at Karolinska: SEK 1,560,000.
- Nursing or health: Nursing is taught in Swedish and requires knowledge of Swedish (for example Karolinska).
- Art, design or music: Selection is by work samples (Konstfack) or an entrance exam (Malmö Academy of Music).
Recent official changes for Sweden
- No rule change for Sweden has been tracked in the last months. See all changes by country.
Compare Sweden
See Sweden next to the other destinations, adjusted to your passport, degree level and field.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Sweden?
Tuition at a public university is SEK 80k to 200k a year for a master’s and SEK 99k to 180k for a bachelor’s. With the money you must show for the visa, a 2-year master’s comes to about SEK 537,000 in total (Diplonaut estimate).
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Sweden?
SEK 10,656 / mo (2026, for the whole permit period).
Can I work while studying in Sweden?
Yes: 15 h / wk (Since 11 June 2026; no limit June to August).
Can I stay in Sweden after graduating?
12 months (Permit to look for work).
Other destinations
Official sources
- Swedish Migration Agency: higher education studies
- Swedish Migration Agency: new rules from 11 June 2026
- Swedish Migration Agency: looking for work after studies
- Uppsala University: bachelor’s fees
- Study in Sweden: degree programmes
- Stockholm University: application dates
- Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ)
- Swedish Migration Agency: changes to your studies
- Karolinska Institutet: medical programme FAQ
- Karolinska Institutet: nursing programme
- Konstfack: application and admission
Information, not legal or immigration advice.