Every so often somebody asks me about studying in Sweden. And my first response is “yeah, what about it?” But lately, the questions have become a lot more specific. Namely, one question – “Is university level education still free in Sweden?” And the answer is – at public universities, yes it is.

That alone is a deciding factor for many people to choose a Swedish university to continue their education. Add to that the fact that many schools offer Master’s degree programs in English, and people are hooked.

When I’m asked if I would recommend Sweden as a destination for international students, I always answer “you betcha!”

But before you start applying to programs offered by Swedish universities, there are still a few things to consider:

  • 1. Even though there is no tuition here, it won’t be a free ride. You still will have to cover your accommodation and living expenses. In fact, to be granted a student visa by Migrationsverket, you will need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to support your stay in Sweden. If I’m not mistaken, the amount is still standing at SEK 7300 per month. And that’s the absolute minimum you need to prove that you have to satisfy the immigration requirements to get a visa.
  • 2. Will you get accepted? I don’t want to dash your hopes of studying in Sweden, but just keep in mind that you will be competing for a place with people from all over the world. There is a finite number of applicants filling a finite number of available spaces and the competition is tough. So just in case, you might have better luck at a smaller school in a smaller city than in, for example, Uppsala or Lund.
  • 3. Accommodation… If you are a bona fide exchange student (under either the Socrates or Erasmus program) then your accommodation should be sorted out for you. If you are a free mover, then you’re on your own. Some people mistakenly think that if they are accepted at a school, then everything else will fall into place, too. Not so. In some cities and at some schools you will have no problem getting a “corridor” student room, but in other cities, you will be left to your own devices. And yes, there is a serious shortage of student accommodation in many cities. Just so you won’t say that nobody told you, OK?
  • 4. Living expenses. In many countries students are able to work part-time and make some extra money. In Sweden, due to how the courses and classes are structured, that will be almost impossible. And for most jobs you will need to speak reasonably fluent Swedish – something that many foreign students don’t realize. And living expenses in Sweden are higher than in many other countries – again something that foreign students are only vaguely aware of. So yes, you will need money. Plenty of money.
  • 5. The weather. This is a tired cliché, but it always amazes me how unprepared some foreign students can be. Sweden is a Nordic country and winters will be dark and miserable here. Your mood will be affected and because of that, it’s very possible that your academic performance will suffer.

These are just the few main biggies that immediately come to my mind when somebody mentions studying in Sweden. And from my experiences with foreign students, both prospective students and those already in Sweden, these five points are worth repeating over and over.

Finally, if you want to learn more, Study in Sweden is an excellent website chock-full of detailed info. And it’s amazing how many foreign students don’t even know it exists!