Sweden is a country in northern Europe. It is the largest of the five sovereign Nordic countries by land area, and its capital is Stockholm. As of April 2026, Sweden has approximately 10.6 million residents. The official and most widely spoken language is Swedish, or svenska. However, many people in Sweden speak English well. As for religion, Sweden has no official state church, and about half of the population are members of the Church of Sweden.
When visiting the country, one should not miss taking a trip to the Vasa Museum, Liseberg Theme Park, Kiruna and the Icehotel, Drottningholm Palace, and Visby. After taking in the beauty of these places, it is a must to try the food. A few popular local dishes include köttbullar, or Swedish meatballs, falukorv, blodpudding, räkmacka, or shrimp sandwich, and ostkaka.
Students from around the world choose to pursue their higher education in Sweden. It is easy to see why: many Swedish universities and university colleges offer study options in English. In addition, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens are not required to pay application or tuition fees when they document their citizenship.
In the guide below, we walk you through some of the best cities to study in Sweden for international students.
Top Cities to Study in Sweden for International Students
1. Stockholm
Stockholm is the country’s capital city, Sweden’s largest city, and a major business hub. Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Skansen Open-Air Museum, Fotografiska, and Östermalm are some of the city’s must-visit spots.
Stockholm is also known to be one of the best cities to study in Sweden for international students. When it comes to colleges and universities, there are several to choose from in the city, such as Stockholm University, Stockholm School of Economics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Royal College of Music, and Konstfack, or the University of Arts, Crafts, and Design.
For students interested in a well-established research university, Stockholm University is a strong option. It was founded as Stockholm University College in 1878, giving it a rich historical background. According to its 2025 figures, the university has 33,600 full-time-equivalent students, 1,200 doctoral students, and 5,400 staff members.
On the other hand, future musicians should consider the Royal College of Music. Its origins trace back to the establishment of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 1771, making it one of the world’s oldest music colleges or conservatories. Today, the Royal College of Music annually educates approximately 1,400 students in disciplines such as folk music, jazz, classical music, conducting, composition, music and media production, and music-focused teacher education programs.
2. Lund
Situated in the southern region of Sweden, Lund can be found in the Skåne province. It is known for its greenery, and when in the city, the landmarks that one should not forget to visit are Lund Cathedral, Kulturen, Stadsparken, Vattenhallen Science Center, and Dalby Söderskog National Park.
On the topic of educational institutions, one major institution in the area is Lund University. It is regarded as one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe, as it was founded in 1666. It is also included in the top 100 higher education institutions worldwide; in the QS World University Rankings 2027, Lund University ranked 71st overall. Presently, about 46,000 students are pursuing their education at Lund, where they are supported by about 8,500 staff members. Most of its teaching and research is organized across nine faculties, covering areas such as economics and management, engineering and technology, fine arts, music and theater, humanities and theology, law, medicine, science, and social sciences.
3. Gothenburg
Another top city to study in Sweden, Gothenburg is a vibrant city located in the southwestern part of the country. The place is filled with eye-catching tourist spots like Slottsskogen Park, Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Haga District, Universeum, and the Gothenburg Museum of Art.
In the city, prospective students can opt to enroll at the University of Gothenburg or Chalmers University of Technology. The former is one of Sweden’s largest educational institutions, with extensive offerings in education and research. It has roots dating back to 1891, and its 2025 figures show about 57,779 students and 6,692 employees. Its core education and research activities are organized across seven faculties, 38 departments, and about 20 centers of expertise and research.
As for the latter, Chalmers University of Technology has roots dating back to 1829, when a technical school opened in Gothenburg under the name Chalmersska Slöjdskolan. Today, Chalmers conducts research and education in technology, natural sciences, maritime studies, and architecture.
4. Uppsala
Uppsala is a city located near the country’s capital, Stockholm. If one is taking a trip to the area, Uppsala Cathedral, the Linnaeus Museum, Uppland County Museum, the Medieval Holy Trinity Church, and Uppsala Castle should be visited.
Moving on to students who are planning to relocate to the city soon, Uppsala University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Johannelund Theological Seminary, and Newman Institute are some centers of learning to consider.
Uppsala University began welcoming students in 1477, making it the oldest university in Sweden and the first university in the Nordic region. Today, it is divided into three disciplinary domains: humanities and social sciences, medicine and pharmacy, and science and technology. It is also home to nine faculties and more than 50,000 registered students.
5. Umeå
Known for being a cultural hub, Umeå is among the best cities to study in Sweden. When in the area, travelers should not miss the chance to check out Västerbottens Museum, Umedalen Sculpture Park, Nydalasjön, Umeå City Church, and Kulturväven.
In Umeå, Umeå University is a major center of higher education. It is a public research university that welcomes students from overseas. At the university, there are 45+ degree programs taught entirely in English, along with 500 courses. As of 2025, Umeå University had 43,736 enrolled students, including 1,041 doctoral students.
We hope that you found this article on the best cities to study in Sweden for international students informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
