Costs & Funding in Sweden - Study in Sweden

Costs & Funding for Studying in Sweden

Sweden is a tale of two budgets. Tuition is free if you hold an EU passport and moderate-to-high if you do not — but living costs are among the highest in Europe. This guide breaks down tuition by field, living costs by city, scholarships, the CSN system, and the proof of funds you need for your residence permit.

Tuition Fees

EU/EEA and Swiss students

Same deal as Swedish students. Your main cost is living expenses, plus a possible SEK 900 application fee if you are technically non-EU.

Non-EU/EEA students

Sweden introduced tuition for non-EU/EEA students in 2011. Fees vary by subject:

That is the honest figure — do not assume Sweden is free if you are non-EU. Exact amounts vary by university and program, so confirm on the program page. Many universities allow per-semester payment rather than a full year upfront.

Run a personalised estimate with our cost-of-study calculator.

Monthly Living Costs

Sweden is expensive, and rent drives the difference between cities.

Stockholm (highest costs)

Lund / Uppsala / Linköping (cheaper)

Total Cost of a Degree

Realistic totals, tuition plus 12 months of living:

Even at the top end, a non-EU master's in Sweden usually costs less than the equivalent in the UK, US, or Australia — and EU students pay only living costs.

Scholarships

Funding in Sweden is real but limited. Plan for it as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Swedish Institute (SI) scholarships

The Swedish Institute runs Sweden's flagship scholarship programs for non-EU master's students — most notably the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP). These are prestigious and cover full tuition plus a living allowance, insurance, and travel. They are open to applicants from selected countries and are highly competitive, with their own separate deadline (usually earlier than admission). Check si.se for current programs and eligibility.

University scholarships

Most universities offer their own scholarships to talented non-EU/EEA students, usually as a full or partial tuition waiver. These are tied to your admission — you often apply through the university's scholarship portal after submitting your program application. Deadlines frequently fall in January or February, with the application round.

Erasmus+ and home-country funding

• Erasmus+ funds European exchanges with a monthly grant (typically EUR 350-500, varies by home country); your home university administers it
• DAAD, Fulbright, Chevening and similar national programs sometimes fund study in Sweden
• Private foundations in your home country

Strategy: Because EU tuition is already free, scholarships matter most for non-EU students. Apply for the SI scholarship and each university's scheme early — these deadlines often fall before or with the admission deadline.

CSN — Who Actually Gets It

CSN (Centrala studiestödsnämnden) is Sweden's state study finance, made of grants and low-interest loans.

• Swedish citizens and some long-term residents — qualify automatically
• EU/EEA students — can sometimes qualify if you work in Sweden and are treated as a "worker" under EU rules
• Non-EU students — generally do not qualify as fresh students

Do not build your budget around CSN as a non-EU student. Check the current CSN rules for your exact situation. Our work and career guide explains how part-time work connects to your status.

Proof of Funds for the Residence Permit

Non-EU/EEA students applying for a residence permit through Migrationsverket must prove they can support themselves.

Minimum required:

• About SEK 10,314 per month
• For a nine-month study year, roughly SEK 92,800; for twelve months, about SEK 123,800

Accepted proof typically includes:

• A bank statement in your name showing the required amount
• An official scholarship confirmation letter (an SI scholarship usually satisfies this)
• A combination of the above

This is separate from tuition. You need to cover both. The amount is set annually, so confirm the exact current figure and accepted documents on migrationsverket.se before you apply. Full walkthrough in our visa and arrival guide.

Health Insurance and Healthcare

• EU/EEA students — use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); once you have a personnummer (for stays over 12 months), you are covered by the Swedish public system
• Non-EU students — students staying over one year who register for a personnummer get access to subsidised public healthcare; those on shorter permits should hold private health insurance, and many universities arrange free cover (the FAS/FAS+ scheme) for fee-paying students

Healthcare in Sweden is heavily subsidised but not entirely free — you pay a small capped fee per doctor visit (a few hundred SEK), after which an annual ceiling protects you from large bills.

Smart Ways to Cut Costs

Swedish living costs are high, but students trim them in predictable ways:

• Student housing over private rent — university and union housing (SSSB, AF Bostader) is far cheaper and safer than the open market
• Cook and shop at budget chains — Lidl and Willys beat ICA on price; a restaurant meal (SEK 120-200) adds up fast
• Use the student union card (Mecenat / Studentkortet) — it unlocks discounts on transport, software, gyms, travel, and shops
• Buy a second-hand bike in smaller cities and skip the transport pass
• Lunch is the cheap meal out — the weekday dagens lunch (lunch of the day) is a fixed-price deal around SEK 100-130, far cheaper than dinner
• Borrow and buy used — Blocket and Facebook groups for furniture, bikes, and textbooks

None of this is dramatic on its own, but together it can shave SEK 1,500-2,500 off a monthly budget.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before you arrive, confirm:

• Tuition payment schedule (non-EU) and first instalment amount
• SI and university scholarship applications submitted where relevant (early deadlines!)
• Proof of funds secured (~SEK 92,800 for nine months, non-EU)
• Housing reserved (student housing confirmation — Stockholm fills fast)
• Insurance for arrival (EU: EHIC; non-EU: private or university FAS cover)
• A settling-in buffer (SEK 5,000-10,000) for a deposit, a bike, and first-week costs

Next Steps

1. Visa and arrival — use your proof of funds to apply through Migrationsverket
2. Living in Sweden — housing, the personnummer, and daily costs
3. Work and career — part-time work and post-study options
4. Admissions and application — if you have not applied yet