How to Study Nursing in Sweden (7 Steps)

Nursing is a promising degree with a strong career outlook. Studying nursing in Sweden can give you training that combines academic study, clinical practice, and preparation for a regulated healthcare profession.

Swedish universities offer nursing-related programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, specialist nursing, and doctoral levels. Swedish citizens, EU/EEA citizens, Swiss citizens, and some other exempt applicants do not pay application or tuition fees. Doctoral studies are also exempt from application and tuition fees. Applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland generally pay tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s studies unless they qualify for another exemption.

English is widely used in Sweden, but many nursing programs, especially bachelor’s and specialist nursing programs, are taught in Swedish. This means you may need to meet both Swedish and English language requirements before admission.

Have you decided to study nursing in Sweden? If you want to learn more about how to study nursing in Sweden, the costs, and the requirements, continue reading below.

In this article, we list the basic steps to start your nursing education in Sweden. Make sure to read more!

Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in Sweden

Step 1. Know What It Takes to Be a Nurse in Sweden

To work as a nurse in Sweden, you need a Swedish nursing license. The title of nurse is protected by law, which means that you may only use it if you have a license. If you complete a Swedish Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the program can form the basis for authorization to work as a nurse.

If you already have a nursing degree from another country, the licensing route depends on where you were educated. Nurses educated outside the EU/EEA can either apply through the National Board of Health and Welfare of Sweden or complete additional training at a Swedish university or university college before applying for a license. Through the National Board route, you generally have your education assessed, take a proficiency test, take a course in Swedish laws and regulations, complete clinical training, and then submit your license application. You will also need Swedish language skills to obtain a license.

The other route is to obtain additional training or complete a Swedish nursing degree. International students can find nursing-related study options at undergraduate, master’s, specialist nursing, and doctoral levels, but they should check each program’s language of instruction carefully.

If you wish to study nursing in Sweden and obtain a bachelor’s degree, you can consider the University of Gothenburg. Its nursing program is a three-year, full-time, campus-based program worth 180 higher education credits, and it is taught in Swedish. Some master’s-level and specialist nursing programs are offered at Linköping University, such as the Specialist Nursing Programme in Intensive Care, which is worth 60 credits and can lead to a postgraduate diploma in specialist nursing and a Degree of Master of Medical Science in Nursing. These programs are taught in Swedish, so learning Swedish is essential for admission and successful study.

Step 2. Learn about Some Swedish Nursing Schools

When researching nursing schools, look at the program structure, clinical placement opportunities, language of instruction, location, tuition fees, and whether the program can lead to the qualifications needed for Swedish nursing licensure. You should also check whether the program is offered full-time, part-time, on campus, online, or in a hybrid format.

Location is also important. You may prefer to study in a large city, a smaller city, or a more rural area. Living costs can vary depending on where you study, and tuition fees vary by university and program for students who are required to pay fees.

Researching nursing schools is not difficult, but many nursing program pages are in Swedish. With a translator, you can review the university website, course structure, and requirements. When researching a nursing school, do not forget to go through its program requirements, language requirements, and clinical training information. Many courses in Sweden are offered in English, but nursing programs are often Swedish-taught, especially at the bachelor’s and specialist levels.

Step 3. Fulfill the Language Requirements

It is important for international students to know the language of instruction before applying. In Sweden, many nursing programs are taught in Swedish, and Swedish is also required for nursing licensure. At the same time, English is commonly part of the general admission requirements for university study.

For bachelor’s studies in Sweden, the general English requirement is usually equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6, now also called English Level 2. This can be shown through previous studies or an accepted English test. For English 6/English Level 2, University Admissions currently lists IELTS Academic with an overall score of 6.5 and no section below 5.5. For TOEFL iBT results dated January 20, 2026, or earlier, the listed requirement is a total score of 90 with a writing score of 20. For TOEFL iBT results dated January 21, 2026, or later, University Admissions lists the requirement on TOEFL’s newer scale as a total score of 4.5 with no section below 4.

If your nursing program is taught in Swedish, you will usually need Swedish proficiency equivalent to Svenska 3 or Svenska som andraspråk 3. Tisus, the Test in Swedish for University Studies, is one accepted way to demonstrate Swedish proficiency for university studies.

Step 4. Prepare Financially to Study Nursing in Sweden

Studying abroad requires careful financial preparation. You should consider tuition, housing, food, transportation, study materials, insurance, residence permit costs, and personal expenses.

At Karlstad University, the Study Programme in Nursing is listed as a 180-credit program. The current listed tuition fee for fee-paying students is SEK 513,000 in total, with SEK 85,500 as the first payment per semester. Students who are exchange students or citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland do not have to pay tuition fees. In Sweden generally, Swedish citizens, EU/EEA citizens, Swiss citizens, and applicants who meet certain residence-permit exemptions are not required to pay application or tuition fees. For more information, check University Admissions for admission requirements, tuition rules, and fee exemptions.

Applicants who are required to pay an application fee pay SEK 900 per semester through University Admissions. Tuition fees vary by university and program, so always confirm the amount on the official program page before applying.

Step 5. Prepare to Apply

To be eligible for a nursing program, you must meet both the general admission requirements and the program-specific requirements. For bachelor’s studies in Sweden, general entry requirements usually include completed upper secondary education, English 6/English Level 2, and, for many applicants, mathematics equivalent to Swedish Mathematics 1a, 1b, or 1c.

For example, to be eligible for the bachelor’s degree program at the University of Gothenburg, applicants must meet general entry requirements plus Mathematics 2a, 2b, or 2c; Natural Science 2; and Social Studies 1b or 1a1 plus 1a2. Because the program is taught in Swedish, applicants also need Swedish proficiency, such as Svenska 3/Svenska som andraspråk 3 or an accepted equivalent. Most universities may also require a certain minimum grade or subject level, so check the official program page carefully.

Step 5. Submit Your Application to Nursing Schools

When you have completed the entry requirements, you can start preparing your application. Applications to Swedish bachelor’s and master’s programs are usually submitted through the Swedish national admissions portal, University Admissions.

For example, the University of Gothenburg instructs bachelor’s applicants to apply through University Admissions. You create an account, rank your selected programs, submit the required documents, and either pay the application fee or document your EU/EEA citizenship or other fee-exempt status.

After you submit your application, you should check your account regularly for updates. Your application will be reviewed, and selection results will be published according to the admission timeline. If you are admitted and required to pay tuition, you must follow the university’s payment instructions before applying for a residence permit.

The last step is registration. After receiving an acceptance letter and completing any required tuition payment, you must register for your studies. The university will then send more information about your department, schedule, introduction activities, and course start.

Step 7. Get your Student Visa Application Ready

The last and most crucial step for many non-EU/EEA students is applying for a residence permit for studies. This is often casually called a student visa, but for studies longer than 90 days in Sweden, non-EU/EEA students generally need a residence permit for studies.

To apply for a residence permit for higher education, you must have a valid passport, be finally admitted to full-time studies in Sweden, pay any required tuition fees before applying, have or have applied for comprehensive health insurance when required, and show that you can support yourself financially. If your studies last less than one year, you need comprehensive health insurance unless it is provided through your university. If your studies last at least one year, you should register in Sweden’s population register after arrival.

For applications submitted in 2026, the Swedish Migration Agency lists the maintenance requirement as at least SEK 10,656 per month. The residence permit application fee is SEK 1,500 for adults and SEK 750 for children under 18. Required documents may include passport copies, an admission decision showing full-time on-site studies, proof of health insurance when applicable, and documents showing that you meet the financial maintenance requirement.

You can apply through the Swedish Migration Agency website. In some cases, you may need to present your passport and provide fingerprints and a photograph at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general before a decision is made.

FAQs: Enrolling in a Nursing Program in Sweden

We hope that this article on how to study nursing in Sweden was helpful. If you are interested in knowing more information like this, check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!