Studying in Sweden
APPLYING FOR STUDY IN SWEDEN
So you want to study in Sweden, drawn by the allure of free tuition, right? Well there is nothing wrong with that and that is why we are here. SchoolingforAll tries to bring demand into balance with supply. Of course, since you have already successfully completed one university degree, you know that there are no free lunches and that's the case here. For most of the year the climate will be unforgiving, and the cost of living is high...sky high.But you can manage on bread and water, you think. But no, Sweden has regulations requiring all within its border to live above existence minimum. We will go more into that later.
For those seeking a Bachelor's degree, the pickings are few. Traditionally, a first degree in Scandinavia was a Master's, and by and large, still is. There are a few schools that offer programmes taught in English. There is hardly any chance of a scholarship for such participants. While students are allowed to work, they are also expected to give proof of having sufficient funds to cover the full duration of study. If you are willing to take 2-3 semesters to study Swedish, then there will be a great deal more to choose from. There are some schools offering foundation courses in Swedish. It’s not as bad as it sounds; you could then go directly to a Master’s in four to five years. On top of that you would have acquired one of the world’s most significant languages, right?
On offer are over 550 Master’s programme and here there are various scholarships. The choice of programme seems to influence the chances of funding. That is to say, if you are in search of a cure for AIDs your will probably get it easier than if you are on the quest to design a shorter mini-skirt.
PhD programmes are usually all fully funded whether or not you are in quest of a better mini-skirt or the salvation of the planet.
Programmes mostly start in the fall, but there are a few starting in the Spring.
International Courses and Programmes
Spring Term 2010
- Last date for applying: August 1
- Last date for submitting documents: August 15
- Notification of admission: Early in November (date not set yet)
Fall Term 2010
The online application will begin opening in December and closes in January/Feburary to non-EU/EEA Students. Information will be updated as it becomes available.Late Applications
If you submit an application after the application deadline, it will be regarded as a late application and as such it will be processed after the regular applications (submitted in time) and only if time allows.
Any vacancies in a course or programme will be offered to "late applicants" after the second selection round. However, since the visa handling process will jeopardise the chance of getting here in time for the course start, we do not recommend non EU/EEA residents to make any late applications, but to apply again next term.
What to Study? Choosing a Programme: Your first stop (not exactly first, after you have plodded through my bit) should be the Swedish government website for such matters, Study in Sweden. This site has only Master’s Degrees, so for Bachelor’s and PhD you will need to go to the university’s website. SchoolingForAll have listed many of them, but not all. Having identified course of interests, it is recommend that you go to the school website which often have more comprehensive information.
Studies
Fees for applications for a residence permit and/or a work permit as well as for long-term residence, Residence permits for studies at university/college, Information sheet English
Residence permits for visiting researchers, Information sheet English Migrationverket (The Immigration Board) Studies Here you'll find application forms and instructions on how to fill them in. To access the contents of an application form and complete it in your computer, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.All application forms open up in a new window.Electronic formsI
If you want to apply for a work permit or an extension of a residence permit for studies you can also use our electronic application forms. EU/EEA citizens who wish to work or study in Sweden can also register their right of residence electronically.Proceed to the electronic forms.
Application by co-applicants
to students/doctoral students (DB) for visa for visitors, residence permit, work permit. Not to be used by those applying for residence permit under the EEA Agreement.
English Application for residence permit for students and doctoral students
This form is to be used by anyone who is applying for a permit to study in Sweden and who are citizens of a country outside the EU/EEA area or Switzerland.
English Application by co-applicants
No. 133011. To be used by co-applicants of employees/visiting researchers/athletes/au pair/self-employed persons (CB) when applying for visa for visitors, residence permit, work permit. Not to be used by those applying under the EEA agreement.
English Application by visiting researchers (CD)
No. 127011.To used by non-EU/EEA citizens when applying for a permit to work as a visiting researcher. Attach a Hosting Agreement if you wish to work for more than 3 months. Note: There are special forms for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals and their relatives.
English Hosting Agreement for Visiting Researchers in Sweden
No. 231011. This Hosting Agreement shall be used when researchers from non-EU/EEA countries are invited by a research organisation to conduct research in Sweden for a period of more than 3 months. To be attached to the application for residence permit.
English Fact sheets
The fact sheets are in PDF format and will open up in a new window.
Studies Fees for applications for a residence permit and/or a work permit as well as for long-term residence, Information sheet
English Arabic Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Somalian Thai
Residence permits for other types of study courses, Information sheet
English
Residence permits for studies at university/college, Information sheet
English
Residence permits for visiting researchers, Information sheet
English
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA with NO Swedish residence permit
In order for the Swedish universities to process all applications and provide admission results well in advance, allowing enough time for the visa handling process, the application deadlines for international students have been set to:
- February 1 for courses and programmes starting in the autumn
- August 1 for courses and programmes starting in the spring
Residence permits for studies in Sweden
If you are planning to study at university or college in Sweden for longer than three months, you require a residence permit. The permit must be entered in your passport before your arrival in Sweden.Special rules apply for citizens of EU/EEA countries and for people with the long-term residence status in another EU country.For more information, please choose one of the following alternatives.
· Upper secondary/folk high school
· University or college
and postgraduate studies
· Rules for long-term residents
· Working holiday visas for citizens of Australia and New Zealand
· What does it cost? – Fees for residence permits
Residence permits for studies at university or college
(including doctoral studies)First-time applications from students at universities/colleges are processed by four of the Migration Board's permit units. Where your application will be processed depends on which university/college you have been accepted to.This unit will process your application.
Please note: On a separate page we describe the rules for EU/EEA citizens and for those who are long-term residents in another EU-country .
A person who wishes to study at a university or college in Sweden for a period longer than three months must have a residence permit. The permit must be complete and entered into the passport before entry into Sweden.A person who is in Sweden for a period of less than three months does not need a residence permit. However, citizens of certain countries must have a visa.A residence permit for study purposes is subject to a time limit. Even if the period spent in the country has extended over several years you are normally not permitted to become a permanent resident in Sweden.Countries whose citizens require entry visas
When should I apply?
To ensure that you receive a reply in time for commencement of your course programme it is extremely important that you apply for a residence permit as soon as you receive notification that you have been enrolled.
Make sure that you answer all questions in the questionnaire on the application form. You must also enclose all necessary documents so that your application is complete, otherwise there is a risk that the processing of your application will be delayed and you will not receive a decision in time.
What is required to be granted a permit?To be granted a residence permit for study purposes at a university/college in Sweden you must present proof that you:
· have been enrolled for full-time study
· can support yourself throughout the entire period of your planned study · have comprehensive health insurance which is valid in Sweden if you intend to study for a period of less than one year.
How can I prove that I can support myself?
You must show that you have your support secured by means of verification of personal bank assets, a scholarship or similar means of support, such as a foreign study grant. You must enclose a bank statement showing that you have your own bank assets available in an account belonging to you. If you have a scholarship you must present a certificate proving this. We do not accept that a sponsor (such as a relative or a company) supports you during your stay in Sweden. The support requirement is at present at least SEK 7,300 per month. If you intend to study for one year or more you must show that you can support yourself for 10 months per year.Example: if you intend to study for:
· 6 months you must have at least SEK 36,500 (5 x 7,300)
· 18 months you must have at least SEK 109,500 (15 x SEK 7,300)
· 24 months you must have at least SEK 146,000 (20 x SEK 7,300)
If you can show, for example, that you will receive free accommodation and/or food, the monthly amount can be reduced.
Which documents do I need?
When you apply for a residence permit you must use the form Application for a residence permit for students and doctoral students, No. 105031.
Enclose copies of the following documents:
· Copies of your passport, showing your identity, the period of validity of the passport and any permit required to spend time in a country other than your home country.
· Two passport-sized photographs which are taken with you looking straight ahead and which are not older than six months.
· A certificate stating that you have been enrolled for full-time study.
· A certificate stating that you have comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden if you intend to study for a period of less than one year. You should also enclose
· a bank statement showing that you have your own funds to support yourself (in English
· a document showing that you have been awarded a scholarship or similar (such as a foreign study grant) with details of the amount and the period during which you will receive the money or
· a document showing that you have been awarded a study grant or a salary (applies to doctoral students) with details of the amount and the period during which you will receive the money. Please note that the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application could require further documents. Visit www.swedenabroad.se or contact the embassy or consulate for more information.
If you are granted a residence permit you must bring your passport in the original when you collect your permit. This also applies to applicants who want an extension of their permits. Remember
If a permit from a central bank or equivalent is required to transfer money from your country, you must enclose such a permit.
How long is the permit valid?
For studies that will last longer than one year you will be granted a residence permit for one year at a time. You must then apply for an extension of the residence permit. If the period of study is less than one year you will receive a residence permit which is valid for the length of the study period. If you need to stay longer, e.g. because you need to resit an exam, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.
How do I apply for an extension?
When you apply for an extension you should use the form Application for a residence permit for students and doctoral students, No. 105031.You must produce proof of acceptable study results to have your residence permit extended. This means that you must acquire at least 30 higher education credits per academic year or at least 15 higher education credits per term if the teaching is conducted in English.You must also show that you have had money to support you during the period you have been in Sweden, e.g. by means of a bank statement.You must also show that you have been enrolled for continued full-time study and that you still have your support secured.
Where do I apply?
You apply for the permit at the Swedish embassy or a Swedish consulate in your home country or in the country in which you are a permanent resident.
Swedish embassies and consulates
The application for an extension of your residence permit can be submitted to any of the Migration Board permit units. You can also apply for an extension of your permit via the Migration Board website or you can send your application by post. You do not need any photographs when you apply for an extension of your permit. Your photo will be taken at the Migration Board.
Addresses to the Migration Board's Permit Units
What does it cost?
Most people are required to pay an application fee. You will also be required to pay a fee when you apply for an extension of your permit. If your application is rejected the fee will not be refunded.
Fees for applications and how to pay
Am I permitted to work?You are permitted to work during the same period you have a residence permit. You do not need a separate work permit.
Permit for relatives
Your husband/wife or partner and unmarried children under the age of 18 years can be granted a residence permit if they can show, among other things, that their support is secured.The support requirement is SEK 3,500 per month for a husband/wife/co-habitee/registered partner and SEK 2,100 per month for each child. They will then be granted a residence permit for the same period as you. However, they are not permitted to work.
Who decides?
The Migration Board decides on a residence permit for study purposes. The permit must be complete and be entered into your passport before you travel to Sweden. You will be notified of the decision by the embassy or the consulate where you submitted the application. In certain cases Swedish missions abroad can decide.
We can revoke your permit
The Migration Board can revoke your residence permit if, for example, after entering Sweden:
· you have not commenced studies at the place of learning
· you discontinue your studies
· you do not satisfy the support requirement
· you deliberately provide incorrect information.
Appeal
If the Migration Board decides not to grant you a residence permit, you can appeal against the decision within three weeks of the date on which you received the decision. The same applies if we revoke your permit. You send the appeal to the Migration Board. IIf the Board does not change its decision in line with your request the appeal will be forwarded to the Migration Court at one of the three county administrative courts in Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö.If you have given a person in Sweden power of attorney to represent you in the permit matter, he or she can prepare the appeal and submit it.
Forms
You can obtain or order forms on this website. www.migrationsverket.se. You can also order by e-mail, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by writing to the Migration Board, Distributionen, SE-601 70 Norrköping. Forms are also available at Swedish embassies and consulates.
Further informationFor more information you can contact the Migration Board by e-mail, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or you can call Upplysningen, 0771-19 44 00. You can also contact a Swedish embassy or consulate.
Must Have Links
Your first stop (not exactly first, after you have plodded through my bit) should be the Swedish government website for such matters, Study in Sweden When it is time to apply then you need to go to Study Now or Studera Nu in Swedish. Here you can apply for Bachelor’s and Master’s programme from all universities, but there is a maximum of four programmes in a cycle.
Swedish embassies and consulates
The Official Gateway to Sweden
How can I prove that I can support myself?
You must show that you have your support secured by means of verification of personal bank assets, a scholarship or similar means of support, such as a foreign study grant. You must enclose a bank statement showing that you have your own bank assets available in an account belonging to you. If you have a scholarship you must present a certificate proving this. We do not accept that a sponsor (such as a relative or a company) supports you during your stay in Sweden. The support requirement is at present at least SEK 7,300 per month. If you intend to study for one year or more you must show that you can support yourself for 10 months per year.
Example: if you intend to study for:
6 months you must have at least SEK 36,500 (5 x 7,300)
18 months you must have at least SEK 109,500 (15 x SEK 7,300)
24 months you must have at least SEK 146,000 (20 x SEK 7,300)
If you can show, for example, that you will receive free accommodation and/or food, the monthly amount can be reduced.