The official Study in Sweden website lists 39 universities and more than 1,000 bachelor’s and master’s programs. Tuition and living costs vary by university, program, city, and lifestyle, so international students should plan their budgets carefully before applying.
Swedish universities offer a wide range of programs for international students. Before choosing a program, check the university’s official program page for its current tuition fee, scholarship options, language of instruction, and admission requirements.
Cost of Studying in Sweden
The language of instruction and entry requirements depend on the program. Always check the official program page before applying.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are generally exempt from application and tuition fees. Students from other countries are generally required to pay fees, although exceptions apply. According to Study in Sweden, the average tuition fee is about SEK 129,000 per academic year. Its national guide lists a general range of SEK 80,000 to SEK 295,000, with architecture and design at the higher end. However, the exact fee depends on the university and program, and some current university pages list higher fees for specific programs. The application fee is SEK 900, and scholarships are also available.
KTH Royal Institute of Technology charges SEK 423,000 for the full Bachelor’s Programme in Information and Communication Technology for students who are required to pay tuition fees. KTH states that it does not offer scholarships for bachelor’s studies.
Tuition fees at Linnaeus University range from SEK 125,000 to SEK 320,000 per academic year for programs starting in the autumn semester of 2026. Design and music are in the highest fee category.
University West lists tuition fees on each program page and charges tuition per semester. For example, the Bachelor’s Programme in International Affairs costs SEK 105,000 per year, while the Bachelor in International Mechanical Engineering costs SEK 120,000 per year for 2026/27. At Jönköping University, tuition also varies by program. Its 2026/27 fees include SEK 115,000 per academic year for Jönköping International Business School bachelor’s programs, SEK 170,000 for engineering bachelor’s and master’s programs, and SEK 190,000 for the Prosthetics and Orthotics bachelor’s program.
At Stockholm University, annual tuition is SEK 90,000 for humanities, social sciences, and law and SEK 140,000 for science programs. Some programs have special prices within that range, while a few collaborative programs have higher fees.
Cost of Living in Sweden
Living costs vary by city and lifestyle. Study in Sweden estimates that students need around SEK 10,656 per month for living costs. This is also the Swedish Migration Agency‘s monthly maintenance requirement for students applying for a residence permit for higher-education studies in 2026.
1. Stockholm
Stockholm is Sweden’s capital. Since housing usually takes the largest share of a student’s budget, start looking for accommodation early.
Stockholm University recommends budgeting at least SEK 11,750 per month. Its sample monthly budget includes SEK 6,000 for accommodation, SEK 2,700 for food, SEK 400 for local travel, SEK 400 for phone and internet costs, and SEK 1,200 for miscellaneous expenses.
2. Gothenburg
Living costs in Gothenburg depend on your lifestyle and housing choice. The University of Gothenburg estimates a monthly total of roughly SEK 10,525 to SEK 17,525 for students.
The university estimates SEK 4,000 to SEK 7,500 per month for student housing for a single household, SEK 3,000 to SEK 4,000 for food, and SEK 625 for a student public-transportation monthly pass within Gothenburg.
Housing can be difficult to secure, so begin your search early.
3. Lund
Lund is a popular student city. Lund University states that students make up almost half of the city’s population.
Lund University‘s example monthly budget includes SEK 3,000 for food, SEK 4,000 to SEK 8,000 for accommodation, SEK 400 to SEK 1,000 for course literature, and SEK 1,500 for miscellaneous expenses.
4. Uppsala
Uppsala is home to Uppsala University, which was founded in 1477 and is the oldest university in the Nordic countries.
Uppsala University advises students who need a residence permit to plan for at least SEK 10,656 per month. Actual costs depend on lifestyle and housing.
When preparing a budget, include accommodation, food, textbooks, transportation, phone and internet costs, clothing, and leisure activities.
5. Linköping
Linköping University notes that student living costs in East Sweden are generally lower than in Sweden’s larger cities, although expenses vary by lifestyle.
Its sample monthly budget includes SEK 1,500 to SEK 3,000 for food, SEK 3,500 to SEK 6,000 for student accommodation, SEK 100 to SEK 500 for local travel, SEK 300 to SEK 600 for phone and internet costs, and SEK 1,000 to SEK 3,000 for hobbies, leisure, and miscellaneous costs.
The university notes that course literature, household furnishings, extensive medical treatment, and travel within or outside Sweden are not included in that estimate.
We hope that this article on the cost of studying and living in Sweden for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
