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Entry Requirements for Swedish Universities

Jul 30, 2024

In order to study in Sweden, you'll need to meet general entry requirements in addition to program-specific entry requirements. You can find specific requirements for different academic programs in Sweden on university websites. When you're ready to apply, you'll use universityadmissions.se to submit the necessary paperwork according to both sets of guidelines.

Requirements for a Bachelor Degree

In order to meet the general entry requirements for bachelor's level studies, all students must:

  • have successfully completed their upper secondary (high school) education (post-16).
  • be able to demonstrate proficiency in English. The entry requirement for studies at the bachelor's level in Sweden is the equivalent of the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. See English Language Requirements.

For students who received their final school grades after 31 December 2009, there is an additional entry requirement for mathematics as follows:

  • The student must have successfully completed courses in mathematics to reach the level of the Swedish courses Mathematics 1a, 1b or 1c.

A note about previous university studies:

If you have previous university studies, you must submit your upper secondary (high school) qualifications in addition to your university qualifications. For some courses and programs, students are only offered places based on their upper secondary qualifications and NOT on their university qualifications. 

Students in Sweden discussing

Photo: Sofia Sabel/imagebank.sweden.se

Requirements for a Master Degree

To meet the entry requirements for master's level (second cycle or graduate) studies, you must:

  • have been awarded a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognized university.
  • be able to demonstrate proficiency in English. You can do this by means of an internationally recognized test, such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc. Previous upper secondary studies or university studies completed in some countries can also meet the requirement. Check the website of the university where you would like to study for more information about language requirements as they determine what level is required for Master's course and program.

Requirements for a PhD Program

Generally speaking, to be admitted to a PhD program, you must:

  • Hold a university degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher with a focus in the same subject as the intended field of study. In most cases, a master’s degree is required. Previous studies must have included a degree thesis presenting the results of independent research.
  • Have a good command of English. Skills in Swedish are also important in some subjects where lectures and seminars are conducted in Swedish.

Further specific admission requirements are set by the department that has advertised the position.

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Learn more about studying in Sweden:

Overview

Sweden is known for its openness toward the international community – and its education system is no exception.

Online Fairs

Join Study in Sweden's free Online Fairs to learn more about the educational opportunities in Sweden and explore the diverse programs that the country offers.

Tuition Fees & Study Costs

How expensive is it to study in Sweden? Yearly higher education costs in Sweden vary depending on the university and program.

Student Visas

If you're considering studying in Sweden, you'll be relieved to know that Sweden has a clear easy-to-follow process to apply for studies.

Student Stories

Read about the experiences that other international students like you have had during their studies abroad in Sweden.

Application Process

Applying to universities in Sweden is a lot simpler than other countries thanks to a centralized application system.

Swedish Universities

Swedish universities offer degree programs according to the European standard. Browse a full list of higher education institutes in Sweden.

Swedish Culture

Depending on the country you grew up in, you may or may not be surprised by the differences you encounter while studying in Sweden. So what is it like to study in Sweden on a cultural level?

Learn Swedish

Swedish is a northern Germanic language and is closely related to Norwegian and Danish. If you do want to learn Swedish, most Universities offer language courses for international students.

Student Life

Wondering what it's like to study abroad in Sweden? Leaving your country to study abroad is about more than just the classroom!

Student Jobs

Sweden grants international students the right to work while they study. And if you're from an EU/EEA country, you automatically have the right to stay and work after your studies.

Scholarships

There are many opportunities for international students studying in Sweden to receive scholarships, both from universities, and from other governmental and private organizations.

The content of this study guide has been developed in partnership with Study in Sweden.

About Study in Sweden


Studyinsweden.se is a comprehensive, official resource on studying in Sweden for prospective and current international students. Studyinsweden.se is built and maintained by the Swedish Institute, a public agency tasked with promoting Sweden abroad. 

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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.