By and large, Sweden is a popular destination for international students in Europe. Although the country is vast in territory, its population is about 10.6 million, and much of the population lives in urban areas such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Uppsala.
English is widely spoken in Sweden, so the language barrier is usually manageable for many international students. In this article, we will be looking at the universities in Sweden that may be worth considering if you are looking for a relatively accessible admissions process.
Higher education in Sweden is free for Swedish, EU/EEA, and Swiss citizens, as well as for some residence-permit holders. Most students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay application and tuition fees, and the exact amount depends on the university and program.
With this information in mind, it is not surprising that many students apply to study in Sweden every year. Sweden has around 50 higher education institutions, including universities, university colleges, and independent higher education providers. However, Swedish universities generally do not publish a single official university-wide acceptance rate in English. Admissions are program-specific, and the Swedish Council for Higher Education publishes admissions statistics by course and program. Read on to learn more!
Universities in Sweden with High Rates of Acceptance
1. Malmö University
Come to Malmö University if you want to study at a young public university in one of Sweden’s most international cities. Malmö University was founded in 1998 and describes itself as a modern and flexible institution with global engagement, community involvement, and a multidisciplinary approach to education, research, and collaboration.
The university offers a variety of English-taught Master’s degree programs, including one-year and two-year options. Examples include International Migration and Ethnic Relations, Biomedical Surface Science, Criminology, Interaction Design, and Communication for Development.
To study at Malmö University, applicants apply through Universityadmissions.se. Master’s applicants generally need a completed bachelor’s degree equivalent to one in the Swedish system, and each program may have additional requirements. The university lists English 6, also called English B, as its English-language requirement for its study programs.
2. University of Gothenburg
The University of Gothenburg is a large university established in 1891 in one of Sweden’s best cities to study, Gothenburg. The university has 58,000 students and 6,700 employees.
The university offers around 80 international Master’s programs, all taught in English. It also offers English-taught arts and design programs, including the BFA Programme in Metal Art and the BFA Programme in Wood Oriented Furniture Design.
One English-taught Master’s option is Ancient and Medieval Philosophy and Classical Philology, a 120-credit Master of Arts program. As with other Swedish universities, English-taught programs generally require applicants to meet English 6/English B or an equivalent level through approved documentation or test scores. Applicants should always check the specific program page for current entry requirements and selection criteria.
3. Stockholm University
As usual, let us continue our review with a university located in Sweden’s capital city. Stockholm University was founded in 1878. Today, the university has more than 27,000 students, 1,400 doctoral students, and 5,700 staff members active in the scientific areas of human science and science.
Stockholm University offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD studies. Its English-taught Bachelor’s options include the Bachelor’s Programme in International Business and Politics, in which all courses are given in English. The university also offers more than 100 Master’s programs taught in English.
Because Stockholm University admissions are handled by program, applicants should check the specific program page and the admissions statistics for their intended course or program before applying.
4. Uppsala University
Uppsala University was founded in 1477 and is recognized as the first Nordic university. Today, it is a major research university with more than 50,000 students and more than 7,000 employees.
Uppsala University offers more than 120 Master’s specializations in English. Because admission is handled by program, applicants should review the entry requirements, selection criteria, and admissions statistics for the specific program they want to apply for rather than relying on a single estimated acceptance rate.
5. Lund University
Lund University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Sweden, with roots going back to 1666. Today, Lund University has approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 staff members.
The university has campuses in Lund, Helsingborg, Malmö, and Ljungbyhed. Lund is close to Malmö and Copenhagen, and the train journey from Copenhagen Airport to Lund takes approximately 35 minutes. Lund University offers 10 Bachelor’s degree programs and more than 130 Master’s programs in English. It also has a highly international student body, with international students making up 31% of the total student population.
6. Karolinska Institute
We end our list of universities in Sweden with high acceptance rates with Karolinska Institute. Established in 1810 in Solna near Stockholm, Karolinska Institute is Sweden’s largest medical university and one of the world’s leading medical universities.
Karolinska Institute has 6,500 students, more than 2,000 doctoral students, and 5,600 employees. For English-taught degree studies, it offers one Bachelor’s program in English, the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedicine, and several English-taught Master’s programs on campus.
Some professional programs at Karolinska Institute, such as Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, and Midwifery, are taught in Swedish and require Swedish-language proficiency. International students who want an English-taught degree should focus on the global Bachelor’s and Master’s programs and review each program’s admissions requirements carefully.
FAQS About Studying in Sweden
Is It Easy to Get Admitted to Universities in Sweden?
It depends on the university and, more importantly, the specific program. In Sweden, applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements compete for places when there are more eligible applicants than available spots. Universities decide how applicants are ranked for each course or program.
As an international student, you may be required to pay application and tuition fees if you are not a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland and do not qualify for another exemption. Tuition fees vary by university and program, so it is best to check the university’s official fees page before applying.
On the whole, there is limited official information in English on average university-wide acceptance rates in Sweden. Instead of relying on broad estimates, applicants should use program pages and official admissions statistics to understand competitiveness. As you get ready for your journey to one of these universities, make sure to check out our guide about studying and living costs in Sweden to prepare your finances and make the best out of your stay here.
We hope that this article on the universities in Sweden with high acceptance rates was helpful. If you are interested in learning more about studying in Europe, visit the Available Courses in Europe and Europe Scholarships Page!
