When studying abroad, one challenge can be the language barrier, but English is widely used in Sweden. Swedes are widely rated among the best speakers of English as a second language. Therefore, English-speaking students may find it easier to transition into university life.
The widespread use of English and Sweden’s higher-education opportunities have made the country an attractive option for international students. If you wish to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Sweden, read this article to learn important details about the application process.
Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
In Sweden, the documents you need depend on your program, university, and country of study. In general, bachelor’s applicants submit documentation of completed upper-secondary education and English proficiency, along with an identification document. Some programs may require additional materials, such as a CV, motivation letter, essay, recommendation letter, or other documents. Always check the program page and the country-specific instructions.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Undergraduate Studies
University Admissions requires applicants who wish to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Sweden to meet an English-language requirement equivalent to the Swedish upper-secondary course English 6 or English Level 2. Depending on your country and previous studies, you may fulfill this requirement through upper-secondary studies, certain university studies, or an approved language test.
Check whether your previous studies may exempt you from taking a language-proficiency exam using the University Admissions platform. For example, 60 ECTS credits or the equivalent taught in English may satisfy the requirement if the studies were completed in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland, or one of the eligible English-speaking countries listed by University Admissions. For studies completed in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, the language of instruction must be stated in the official documentation or confirmed with a certificate or letter from the university.
You may also submit an approved language-proficiency test result. Accepted tests include IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake Academic, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL iBT Paper Edition, the University of Michigan ECPE, Pearson PTE Academic, Pearson PTE Academic Online, and Cambridge English Qualifications.
Lund University states that most of its degree programs and courses require English Level 6 or English Level 2 proficiency. This can commonly be demonstrated with an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5, with no section below 5.5, or through another approved method listed by University Admissions. TOEFL score requirements depend on the date the test was taken, so applicants should check the current University Admissions guidance. Some programs may have higher English-language requirements.
Bachelor’s Degree Application Process
Here is a general application procedure that may be useful for students who wish to apply for undergraduate studies in Sweden.
Step 1. Select a Program and Meet the Requirements
Typically, there are general entry requirements, specific entry requirements, and English-language requirements.
General entry requirements include the completion of upper-secondary education and English proficiency equivalent to Swedish English 6 or English Level 2. Applicants whose final school grades were issued after December 31, 2009, must also meet a basic mathematics requirement equivalent to Swedish Mathematics 1a, 1b, or 1c, or Mathematics Level 1a, 1b, or 1c. Country-specific instructions may also apply. For applicants educated in the United States, the required documents include a High School Graduation Diploma and an official transcript covering all years of upper-secondary education. You must also submit an identification document, such as a copy of the relevant page of your passport. Ensure that your name and birthdate match across your documents and your University Admissions account.
Specific entry requirements refer to the subject requirements of individual programs. For applicants educated in the United States, the country-specific instructions explain how some subject requirements can be documented with Advanced Placement test results or other coursework. If you have not taken a required AP test but studied the subject at a higher level, upload your school curriculum so that your studies can be assessed.
For instance, the specific entry requirements for the bachelor’s program in biomedicine at Karolinska Institutet include courses equivalent to Swedish Biology 2 or Biology Level 2, Chemistry 2 or Chemistry Level 2, Mathematics 4 or Mathematics Further Level 2, and English 6 or English Level 2.
Lund University’s bachelor’s program in Music, Folk and World Music requires applicants to take a general entrance test and a School of Music entrance test. Selection is based on auditions.
The Economy and Society bachelor’s program at Lund University requires courses equivalent to Swedish English 6 or English Level 2, Mathematics 3b or 3c or Mathematics Further Level 1b or 1c, and Social Studies 1b or 1a1 plus 1a2 or Social Studies Level 1b or Level 1a2. In the early international application round, selection is based entirely on the GPA from the upper-secondary certificate. In the later national application round, 66% of places are allocated based on GPA and 34% based on the Swedish national university aptitude test.
Uppsala University’s Bachelor’s Programme in Game Design and Graphics requires mathematics equivalent to Swedish Mathematics Level 2a, 2b, or 2c and English equivalent to English Level 2 or English 6. Its Bachelor’s Programme in Game Design and Programming requires mathematics equivalent to Swedish Mathematics Further Level 1c and English equivalent to English Level 2 or English 6.
Step 2. Prepare Documents and Check Deadlines
Prepare your general entry and specific entry documents. Most applicants can upload color scans of their original documents. If you submit documents by post, send certified copies rather than original documents unless University Admissions specifically requests otherwise. In general, documents issued in English, French, Spanish, German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or Finnish do not need to be translated. Documents issued in other languages must be accompanied by an official translation into Swedish or English. Always check the country-specific instructions.
Most documents can be uploaded through the portal. However, some country-specific rules require transcripts to be sent directly by the school. For example, applicants educated in the United States must arrange for their official transcripts to be sent directly by the school to University Admissions. The school may send the transcript by official email, which is the fastest option, or in a sealed envelope by post.
University Admissions accepts applications during specific periods. Check the official key dates and deadlines before applying, as application rounds and deadlines vary.
Step 3. Apply Through the universityadmissions.se Website
Sweden has a coordinated admissions system. International applicants generally use the University Admissions platform to create an account, search for programs and courses, submit an application, upload documents, pay an application fee when required, and follow the progress of their application.
Most documents can be uploaded through the portal as color scans of the originals. Follow the country-specific instructions carefully. If a translation is required, submit both the document in its original language and an official translation into Swedish or English.
You will also be asked to choose and rank courses and programs in University Admissions. Ensure that your order of preference is correct, as your application is considered in that order. If you are eligible and a place is available, you will be offered the highest-ranked option possible. Bachelor’s applicants may rank up to eight courses or programs. An applicant can be offered places totaling no more than 45 credits per semester.
Step 4. Pay Application Fees
Most applicants who are not citizens of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland must pay an application fee of 900 SEK by the fee deadline. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens must document their citizenship to receive the exemption. A late payment causes the application to be treated as late. The recommended payment method is a debit or credit card through the website, although bank transfer is also available.
Step 5. Await Results
University Admissions and the institutions review applications in several steps. Eligible applicants compete for the available places, and selection is based on merit ratings and the applicable selection groups. You can follow the status of your application through your University Admissions account.
We hope this guide on applying for a bachelor’s degree in Sweden was informative and insightful. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students and learn more about studying in Europe.
