Thinking of studying a postgraduate course abroad?

It can be a career game-changer 

Studying abroad boosts your employability and expands your global network. It is challenging, but the personal and professional growth makes you stand out in the global job market. And the international experience could be your key to a successful future.

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👉 Meet us in person at the Study in Sweden fair. 18 October 2025, 14:00 to 18:00, at the Swedish Church, 6 Harcourt Street, W1H 4AG London. Don't forget to register.

The application process

We put together a guide on how to apply for studies in Sweden, explaining the most important steps of the application process, from start to end.

Take the step 

At first, you need to decide what you want to study. Picking the right course can be tricky. You might want to avance in your current career or change directions completely? Take a look at our course offerings and get inspired.

English-taught postgraduate courses 

Difficult to make a decision?

If you are not sure which direction to go, you can always contact our study and career officers. They will help you to figure out which course is the best fit for you.

Study Guidance Center

Am I qualified to study this course?

This is a question we receive a lot. And yes, it can be confusing at times to understand what the entry requirements are and what you have to submit. Let's untangle!

Course entry requirements

To study a postgraduate course you need to provide documentation of your undergraduate degree or bachelor's degree. Some courses can ask you to provide extra work documentation or a letter of intent. You find the specific details under entry requirements and selection listed on every programme page.

Country-specific requirements

Depending on your country of citizenship, you will need to provide certificates and diplomas of your completed degree(s) and English proficiency

Country specific requirements for UK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) 

Tip

Check out the University Admissions website. This platform is your best friend. It is Sweden's one stop shop for your application, and support during this process as well as source of important information.

Go to University Admissions

Do I need to pay?

You need to pay tuition fees in Sweden if you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. To make sure you got the correct information about your citizenship and tuition fee status, look it up on the University Admissions platform.

Find out if you need to pay fees

What about a visa for Sweden?

You need a visa or a residence permit to study in Sweden if you are not a citizen of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The Swedish Migration Agency provides detailed information about the process and requirements, all in English language on their website.

Residence permit for higher education

Is there financial aid to support my studies?

Scholarships and grants can be crucial to be able to study abroad. This is why we offer scholarships to qualified master students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Find out if you are eligible to apply.

Malmö University's scholarships

The Swedish Institute (SI) is a government agency that offers annual scholarships for international students. Find out if you are eligible for their SI scholarship.

Study in Sweden scholarship

Psssst!

There is also a scholarship available for current fee-paying students who are performing with excellence at their studies.

Malmö University Excellence Scholarship

When do I have to apply?

Sweden has two application rounds, a First and a Second round. The First one is for international applicants. The Second one, also called the national round, is for Swedish and EU/EEA and Swiss applicants.

Why should I apply in the first Admissions round?

The deadlines and admissions announcements for this round take place much earlier. This in turn means that international applicants have more time to pay their tuition fees, apply for and most importantly receive their residence permit in time. Further, to apply for scholarships and, if required, find housing and plan for their move to Sweden.

Application timeline

The First admissions round opens 16 October 2025 and closes 15 January 2026. This means you have three months time to prepare and apply. The latest updates on important deadlines are published on University Admissions.

Key dates for application

What happens after you get admitted? A lot!

You have to organise your move to Sweden. And you need to monitor your email inbox closely for updates and important information from the university and your programme.

Things you have to do, not in this paricular order, and there might be some more, but the most important things are:

  • Pay the application fee (University Admissions)
  • Pay the tuition fee (if needed)
  • Apply for a residence permit (if needed)
  • Find and apply for scholarships (if needed)
  • Find a place to live in Malmö (if you study on campus)
  • Get familiar with the After Admissions webpage with important tips

Do I need to confirm my admission?

You don’t have to confirm your spot. The spot is yours until you decided that nah, I don’t want to study this programme. Then you can actively decline your spot through your University Admissions account.

Sweden is a fairly expensive country to study in, but there are ways to cut the costs. How much you would spend each month as a student is of course individual. We would estimate the following as a monthly budget in Swedish crown (SEK).

  • Food: 2000 SEK
  • Accommodation: around 5 500 SEK
  • Local transportation: 480 SEK
  • Telephone and internet: 300 SEK
  • Hobby, leisure: 1500 SEK

This will take you to a total of around 10,000 SEK, which is about 775 GBP.

As a student, you can apply for a student card which will give you discounts in stores, cafes, travels and more.

A visualization of all the steps on how to apply for programmes in Sweden

Workflow