With 39 universities and many English-taught courses and programs to choose from, Sweden is one of the best places for studying abroad. It is unique among study destinations because many courses emphasize collaboration, independent thinking, and group work.
Swedish universities are well recognized for their teaching and research. Their research work and graduates are known internationally, so students can benefit from a high-quality academic environment.
However, studying here comes with a price. Sweden can be an expensive place to live, and compared with many other European countries, Sweden has a high cost of living, which can be challenging for international students.
Still, you may be able to study in Sweden for free. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens are generally exempt from tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s studies, Ph.D. studies are tuition-free, and many universities offer scholarships or tuition waivers for fee-paying international students. In this article, we list some tips on how you can study in Sweden for free.
How to Study in Sweden for Free
1. Prepare an Excellent Admissions Application
International students are advised to apply early through the University Admissions website. For the main autumn admission round, the application deadline is usually in mid-January, while the first spring admission round usually has a mid-August deadline. Always check the current key dates before applying, as deadlines vary by semester and program.
Required documents usually include proof that you meet the general and program-specific entry requirements, documentation of previous studies, proof of English proficiency, and citizenship or fee-status documents if you are claiming an exemption from application or tuition fees.
On the admissions website, bachelor’s applicants can select up to 8 course or program choices. Master’s applicants can select up to 4 master’s programs.
In this phase of your planning, present strong grades, certificates, relevant academic experience, and other achievements that support your application. These can help make your application more competitive.
2. Get Some Scholarships in Sweden
International students can apply for university or institute scholarships, including scholarships offered by Swedish universities. There are also scholarships funded by public agencies, private organizations, and foundations. As an international student, you may have several scholarship and award options depending on your nationality, degree level, and chosen program.
Scholarships can be a big help in financing your education. Some cover only tuition fees, while a smaller number may also help with living expenses or travel costs. If you apply for a scholarship, make sure you have a strong academic record and prepare the required documents before the deadline.
3. Apply to Cheap Universities in Sweden
For students who are required to pay tuition, annual tuition fees in Sweden commonly range from about SEK 80,000 to SEK 295,000, depending on the university and program. This is approximately $8,200 to $30,400 per year, based on recent exchange rates. Although this range can be high, some institutions and programs have lower tuition fees than others, so it is important to compare the official fee pages for each program.
At Malmö University, for example, latest program fees vary by program. Several bachelor’s programs list total tuition of SEK 325,000 for the full program, while the Bachelor’s Program in Interaction Design lists SEK 520,000. Some one-year master’s programs list total tuition from SEK 110,000 to SEK 195,000. Combined with scholarships, lower-cost programs can make it easier to study in Sweden affordably.
Lower tuition does not mean lower quality. Many Swedish universities offer strong academic programs, and with the right scholarship or tuition waiver, you may be able to study in Sweden for free.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Sweden
You may be able to reduce or fully cover the cost of undergraduate education in Sweden by applying for scholarship programs such as the following:
Uppsala University
Uppsala University, founded in 1477, is Sweden’s first university and the first university in the Nordic countries.
Undergraduate scholarships at Uppsala University are usually limited and may depend on nationality. The Anders Wall Scholarship is currently open to citizens of countries in Africa and covers the full tuition fee for bachelor’s or master’s studies, but not living expenses. Applicants must choose Uppsala University as their first priority.
The Scholarship Foundation of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong is open to Hong Kong SAR residents and covers part of the tuition fee for one academic year. It also requires applicants to choose Uppsala University as their first choice.
Because scholarship rounds and eligibility rules can change, applicants should check Uppsala University’s current scholarship page before applying.
Lund University
Lund University, based in Scania, Sweden, is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. Founded in 1666, it was established on the grounds of the old studium generale near Lund Cathedral.
The university offers the Lund University Global Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship for high-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who are required to pay tuition fees. Scholarships may cover part or all of the tuition fee, but they do not cover living costs.
Apart from submitting the usual application documents, eligible students must submit a scholarship motivation letter of up to 600 words.
Selection is based on academic performance, program fit, commitment to studying at Lund University, and whether the Lund program is ranked as the applicant’s first choice. Since this scholarship is merit-based, financial need is not considered in the process.
Karlstad University
Karlstad University is a state institution that started as a branch of the University of Gothenburg. It became an independent university college in 1977 before being awarded full university status in 1999.
Karlstad University’s current Global Scholarship Program is not a full-tuition bachelor’s scholarship. It is available for selected master’s programs and provides a 50% tuition-fee reduction for outstanding fee-paying students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
Because the scholarship applies only to eligible programs and does not cover living costs, undergraduate applicants should also look for other funding options or university-specific scholarship updates.
Eligible master’s applicants must usually choose Karlstad University as their first choice and apply for studies starting in the fall semester.
University of Gävle
Founded in 1977, the University of Gävle is a Swedish higher education institution offering programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Scholarships for international students are usually competitive and program-specific. The University of Gävle Scholarship for fee-paying international students currently covers 75% of tuition fees for selected programs.
The university has also listed the Iyabo Theresa Ogionwo Memorial Foundation Scholarship for African students in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Specialization International Social Work. This scholarship covers the full tuition fee and may include additional support, but the university currently states that there is no information about future calls for this specific scholarship.
When available, applicants for this scholarship are expected to be citizens of an African country, show interest in International Social Work, Development Studies, Eco-Social Work, or Green Social Work, and rank the relevant program as their first choice.
Jönköping University
Jönköping University is a private, non-profit higher education institution located in Småland, Sweden.
Jönköping University offers a limited number of scholarships for fee-paying students, including bachelor’s and master’s applicants. These scholarships currently cover 30% of the tuition fee for the program to which the student is admitted.
Saudi students may also review funding options such as the King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program, but the conditions, coverage, and eligibility rules are set by the scholarship provider and should be checked through official funding channels before applying.
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Sweden
You may be able to complete your master’s degree for free in Sweden through any of these organizations or universities:
Swedish Institute
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency that offers the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals. This scholarship is available for eligible master’s students from selected countries who are applying for full-time, one- or two-year master’s programs in Sweden.
The scholarship covers full tuition fees, paid directly to the Swedish university. It also includes a monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000 and a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000, or SEK 10,000 for scholars from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The travel grant does not apply to students already living in Sweden.
Applicants must be citizens of an eligible country, be liable to pay tuition fees, apply to an eligible master’s program through University Admissions, and meet SI’s work and leadership experience requirements.
Stockholm University
Stockholm University, founded in 1878, offers a variety of master’s degree scholarships. The Stockholm University Scholarship Scheme covers the full tuition fee for selected master’s students who are required to pay tuition fees, but it does not cover living expenses.
Stockholm University also hosts scholarships for students admitted to the Master of Laws in International Commercial Arbitration Law program. These scholarships cover tuition fees for eligible non-EU/EEA students but do not cover living costs.
Chalmers University of Technology
Based in Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology offers several scholarship programs for prospective master’s students who are required to pay tuition fees.
Current Chalmers-administered scholarships include the Avancez Scholarships, IPOET Scholarships, US Friends of Chalmers Scholarships, and Adlerbert Study Scholarships. Chalmers also lists several scholarships from external or associated organizations, including the Swedish Institute scholarships.
Thai applicants admitted to master’s studies at Chalmers may also review the Sievert Larsson Scholarship Fund. Because Chalmers scholarship availability and conditions can change each year, applicants should check the current scholarship page before applying.
Swedish University of Agricultural Science
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, also known as SLU, offers scholarships for selected fee-paying bachelor’s and master’s students. These scholarships cover tuition fees only and do not cover living costs or travel expenses.
For the 2026 intake, SLU lists scholarships for the Bachelor’s Program in Forest and Landscape and for master’s programs, with some program exclusions. Applicants generally need to rank SLU as their first choice and follow the university’s scholarship application instructions.
Master’s scholarships funded by the Swedish Institute may also be used at SLU for eligible programs and applicants.
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Sweden
Ph.D. studies in Sweden are generally tuition-free. Instead of applying for a regular taught program, prospective doctoral students usually apply directly to advertised doctoral positions at Swedish universities. These positions are often treated as jobs, and doctoral students are commonly paid a salary.
Stockholm University
At Stockholm University, most doctoral students are employed and receive a salary and benefits. This makes doctoral studies different from bachelor’s and master’s studies, where non-EU/EEA students usually pay tuition fees unless they receive a scholarship or waiver.
Stockholm University also offers donation-funded scholarships and travel grants for registered students, including doctoral students. These are generally supplementary funding opportunities and should not be confused with regular admission to a paid doctoral position.
Swedish University of Agricultural Science
Based in Uppsala, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences lists doctoral positions through its university vacancies and research opportunities. Ph.D. applicants should check current advertised positions and apply directly according to the requirements of each position.
The previously listed forestry Ph.D. scholarship for African students was a 2020 call connected to the REFOREST program, so it should not be presented as a current open scholarship unless a new call is published. Students interested in forestry or agricultural sciences should check SLU’s current Ph.D. vacancies and partner-funded calls.
FAQs: Studying in Sweden as an International Student
Is There Free Education in Sweden for International Students?
It depends on your degree level and fee status. For bachelor’s and master’s degrees, tuition is generally free for Swedish, EU/EEA, and Swiss citizens. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland usually need to pay tuition fees unless they qualify for a fee exemption, scholarship, or tuition waiver.
For Ph.D. studies, tuition is free regardless of nationality. Doctoral candidates usually apply to advertised Ph.D. positions, and many positions include a salary.
Even if you do not automatically qualify for tuition-free education in Sweden, there are many scholarships available. Some scholarships cover tuition only, while others may also help with living expenses or travel costs.
We hope this article on how to study in Sweden for free was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
